Safes - The Firearms Forum

bigwilly11189 · 03-22-2004, 09:02 AM

I was wondering if anyone had any recommendations on safes to use to store my guns. Right now I only have 3 but will be looking to add more in the future. What is the best fire-proof safe for your money. Thanks.

Txquadhunter · 03-22-2004, 02:37 PM

I went with a Browning Safe. After a few months of looking at diffirent safe dealers around me. The Browning safe had more bang for the buck. It's worked well so far.

If you try a search on this forum you should pull up info on Safe thread that was being talked about awhile back. lots of info on it.

45Smashemflat · 03-22-2004, 04:29 PM

Food for thought - you can save serious cash if you do not need and "hierloom quality" outside finish. Virtually all manufacturers offer a flat gray finish and stainless lock hardware that, while not as spiffy as the gloss, murals, and brass locking wheels, its is just as functional.

Also, look for those with interior versus exterior hinges.

merc · 03-22-2004, 06:27 PM

Fort Knox makes a no-frills line with the name "Maverick" on the door instead of "Fort Knox"
Pretty much the same safe---cheaper.
Sentry also makes some smaller heavy duty models without the fancy stuff.

gpostal · 03-22-2004, 06:33 PM

http://www.armorysafe.com/

cost on a decent size safe ,fireproof 30min 1200degree ,is right at 500.00 ,i have seen dealers selling them for as low as 750.00 ,so after shipping they are not making much ,then the larger model is around 800.00 cost ,and it is big

don't expect to get it for 500.00 ,just giving you a barter price ,also check the local sunday paper ,you can get them at basement prices sometimes

bigwilly11189 · 03-22-2004, 08:32 PM

how the heck do you get those big safes into your house?? They have got to weigh a few hundred pounds. do you have to put these in the basement to support the weight?? Finally, i see the fire resistance is only 1550 degrees for 30 minutes at the most that I have seen. Is this even practical. Only 30 minutes?

45Smashemflat · 03-23-2004, 06:57 AM

Use 'fridge trucks and few friends to get the beast in your home. All safe manufacturers recommend placing the units on concrete and then lagging them to the floor.

Oh, a handful of golf balls, or a carpet scrap, fringe down, can help with sliding it around. Think like an Egyptian!

deputydon · 05-17-2004, 11:57 AM

You might try FrontierSafe.com. I got mine thru a distributer that had it drop shipped to me. I got a Trail Boss that weighs ~1100#. Put a double 2x10 support under the floor in the room it sits in. Secret to getting it moved in - put plywood on the floor and use pieces of 1 1/2" - 2" pipe about 24" long. You can roll it and turn it by yourself. Just keep moving the plywood and pipe. I thought the price was better on the Frontier and quality is excellent. - Don

Mateomasfeo · 05-17-2004, 12:38 PM

I got a large Liberty Safe. I am very impressed with the quality and price.

Txquadhunter · 05-17-2004, 01:42 PM

Most fireproof safes run in the 800lb+ range. The heaviest part is the Door. Mine i can open my safe door so far and you can lift the door off the safe. Then move the safe with a dolly and have a few friends help with moving the door and sliding it back on.

punchie · 05-17-2004, 04:07 PM

A few points to ponder.

1. Easily moved around with an appliance dolly. You can even rent electric operated step climbing appliance trucks.

2. If less than 1000# empty you should be able to place it next to a perimeter wall with no extra floor bracing.

3. Make sure you lag bolt it to the floor joists. If you don't a theif would just steal the whole safe and get into it later.

4. Remember that the very best safes just keep the honest people honest.

5. Size-Try to estimate how many guns you intend to have five years from now. Then get one twice as big!!

stash247 · 05-18-2004, 04:04 AM

What punchie said!
With 3 safes,I still got guns under the bed(s) - all of them!

LDBennett · 05-18-2004, 08:08 AM

bigwilly:

The most important thing in buying a safe is to get one at least two to three times bigger than you think you'll need. I now have two safes due to that oversight as does my son-in-law. Mine are big but his are about 30% bigger than mine. Both mine are now about 70% full. Never buy a safe for the guns you have now. Think to the future and the many guns you will have then.

LDBennett

Txquadhunter · 05-18-2004, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by punchie
3. Make sure you lag bolt it to the floor joists. If you don't a theif would just steal the whole safe and get into it later.
Then get one twice as big!!

Even though my safe is lagged down. If I come into my house and a theif has my fully loaded safe picked up and carrying it out with no dolly. I believe i'd asked if he wanted me to hold my front or back door open for he. Since my safe wieghts in around 1,000lb empty my floor only knows full like it is. That'll be one theif that's a bigger man then I..lol

deputydon · 05-18-2004, 11:02 PM

I'm with Txquadhunter. If some guy carries off my 1100# safe full of guns I ain't goin after him. I mean geeze, what the hell you gonna do if you catch him??

-Don

stash247 · 05-23-2004, 10:05 AM

Lemme share with you all a true story, 10 years old, from the D/FW area of Texas; it seems appropriate.
Fellow I know was moving, from one apartment to another, and had un-loaded pretty much everything at the new address.
Because of time constraints, he left a gun safe under the stairs, temporarily,to return the rented truck.
Upon his return, the safe, which, when we unloaded it, weighed more than 1500 pounds, was gone.
Seems that the thief, however, got more (or less) than he bargained for, since the safe was subsequently found in two counties. My acquaintance had nothing but 200 pounds of lead shot, and 16 pounds of black powder, in the safe. Seems to have surprised the thief, when he attempted to cut it open, with a torch.
Cheap Justice!

SouthernMoss · 05-23-2004, 07:47 PM

Great story, Stash!

punchie · 05-23-2004, 09:36 PM

Case in point. Like it

bambihunter · 07-06-2004, 04:02 AM

Cannon safes are darn good for the money. That's what I'm probably gonna get as soon as my old truck sells.

They had a higher fire rating and also had several 72" tall safes. This will allow me to store an extra shelf of stuff (titles, birth certificates, etc) aside from guns in there...

03-22-2004, 09:02 AM	#1
bigwilly11189 Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 22	Safes I was wondering if anyone had any recommendations on safes to use to store my guns. Right now I only have 3 but will be looking to add more in the future. What is the best fire-proof safe for your money. Thanks. __________________ --> Last edited by bigwilly11189; 03-22-2004 at 09:02 AM..

03-22-2004, 02:37 PM	#2
Txquadhunter TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Nevada, TX Posts: 492	I went with a Browning Safe. After a few months of looking at diffirent safe dealers around me. The Browning safe had more bang for the buck. It's worked well so far. If you try a search on this forum you should pull up info on Safe thread that was being talked about awhile back. lots of info on it. __________________ A few of my pics

03-22-2004, 06:27 PM	#4
merc V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Pelham, NH Posts: 309	Fort Knox makes a no-frills line with the name "Maverick" on the door instead of "Fort Knox" Pretty much the same safe---cheaper. Sentry also makes some smaller heavy duty models without the fancy stuff. __________________ Merc Living without Liberty is not Living

03-22-2004, 08:32 PM	#6
bigwilly11189 Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 22	how the heck do you get those big safes into your house?? They have got to weigh a few hundred pounds. do you have to put these in the basement to support the weight?? Finally, i see the fire resistance is only 1550 degrees for 30 minutes at the most that I have seen. Is this even practical. Only 30 minutes? __________________ Last edited by bigwilly11189; 03-22-2004 at 08:44 PM..

05-17-2004, 11:57 AM	#8
deputydon Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Kansas Posts: 21	You might try FrontierSafe.com. I got mine thru a distributer that had it drop shipped to me. I got a Trail Boss that weighs ~1100#. Put a double 2x10 support under the floor in the room it sits in. Secret to getting it moved in - put plywood on the floor and use pieces of 1 1/2" - 2" pipe about 24" long. You can roll it and turn it by yourself. Just keep moving the plywood and pipe. I thought the price was better on the Frontier and quality is excellent. - Don __________________ When they pry it from my cold dead fingers.

03-22-2004, 04:29 PM	#3
45Smashemflat Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 1,494	Food for thought - you can save serious cash if you do not need and "hierloom quality" outside finish. Virtually all manufacturers offer a flat gray finish and stainless lock hardware that, while not as spiffy as the gloss, murals, and brass locking wheels, its is just as functional. Also, look for those with interior versus exterior hinges.

03-22-2004, 06:33 PM	#5
gpostal Former Guest Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 4,552	http://www.armorysafe.com/ cost on a decent size safe ,fireproof 30min 1200degree ,is right at 500.00 ,i have seen dealers selling them for as low as 750.00 ,so after shipping they are not making much ,then the larger model is around 800.00 cost ,and it is big don't expect to get it for 500.00 ,just giving you a barter price ,also check the local sunday paper ,you can get them at basement prices sometimes

03-23-2004, 06:57 AM	#7
45Smashemflat Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 1,494	Use 'fridge trucks and few friends to get the beast in your home. All safe manufacturers recommend placing the units on concrete and then lagging them to the floor. Oh, a handful of golf balls, or a carpet scrap, fringe down, can help with sliding it around. Think like an Egyptian!

05-17-2004, 12:38 PM	#9
Mateomasfeo V.I.P. Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Texas Posts: 242	I got a large Liberty Safe. I am very impressed with the quality and price. __________________ Mateomasfeo "I am what I am." - Popeye

05-17-2004, 01:42 PM	#10
Txquadhunter TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Nevada, TX Posts: 492	Most fireproof safes run in the 800lb+ range. The heaviest part is the Door. Mine i can open my safe door so far and you can lift the door off the safe. Then move the safe with a dolly and have a few friends help with moving the door and sliding it back on. __________________ A few of my pics

05-17-2004, 04:07 PM	#11
punchie Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Chesterfield, VA Posts: 784	A few points to ponder. 1. Easily moved around with an appliance dolly. You can even rent electric operated step climbing appliance trucks. 2. If less than 1000# empty you should be able to place it next to a perimeter wall with no extra floor bracing. 3. Make sure you lag bolt it to the floor joists. If you don't a theif would just steal the whole safe and get into it later. 4. Remember that the very best safes just keep the honest people honest. 5. Size-Try to estimate how many guns you intend to have five years from now. Then get one twice as big!! __________________ AN ARMED SOCIETY IS A POLITE SOCIETY

05-18-2004, 04:04 AM	#12
stash247 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Central Texas Posts: 2,815	What punchie said! With 3 safes,I still got guns under the bed(s) - all of them! __________________ Don't start no s**t and there won't be none, Terry

05-18-2004, 08:08 AM	#13
LDBennett Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Hesperia, CA Posts: 5,712	bigwilly: The most important thing in buying a safe is to get one at least two to three times bigger than you think you'll need. I now have two safes due to that oversight as does my son-in-law. Mine are big but his are about 30% bigger than mine. Both mine are now about 70% full. Never buy a safe for the guns you have now. Think to the future and the many guns you will have then. LDBennett

05-18-2004, 11:02 PM	#15
deputydon Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Kansas Posts: 21	I'm with Txquadhunter. If some guy carries off my 1100# safe full of guns I ain't goin after him. I mean geeze, what the hell you gonna do if you catch him?? -Don __________________ When they pry it from my cold dead fingers.

05-23-2004, 10:05 AM	#16
stash247 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Central Texas Posts: 2,815	Gun safes Lemme share with you all a true story, 10 years old, from the D/FW area of Texas; it seems appropriate. Fellow I know was moving, from one apartment to another, and had un-loaded pretty much everything at the new address. Because of time constraints, he left a gun safe under the stairs, temporarily,to return the rented truck. Upon his return, the safe, which, when we unloaded it, weighed more than 1500 pounds, was gone. Seems that the thief, however, got more (or less) than he bargained for, since the safe was subsequently found in two counties. My acquaintance had nothing but 200 pounds of lead shot, and 16 pounds of black powder, in the safe. Seems to have surprised the thief, when he attempted to cut it open, with a torch. Cheap Justice! __________________ Don't start no s**t and there won't be none, Terry

05-23-2004, 07:47 PM	#17
SouthernMoss Admin Tech Staff Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: SW MS Contributor Posts: 10,651	Great story, Stash! __________________ My Second protects your First "I declare to you that woman must not depend upon the protection of man, but must be taught to protect herself, and there I take my stand." - Susan B Anthony

05-23-2004, 09:36 PM	#18
punchie Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Chesterfield, VA Posts: 784	Case in point. Like it __________________ AN ARMED SOCIETY IS A POLITE SOCIETY

07-06-2004, 04:02 AM	#19
bambihunter V.I.P. Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Oklahoma City, OK Posts: 197	Re: Safes Cannon safes are darn good for the money. That's what I'm probably gonna get as soon as my old truck sells. They had a higher fire rating and also had several 72" tall safes. This will allow me to store an extra shelf of stuff (titles, birth certificates, etc) aside from guns in there...