Gun Safes

[Cal68]

I'm sorry if this question has previously been discussed to death on this forum, but I tried searching the MD Shooters for information regarding gun safes but the search function did not work for me because I keep getting and error message.

I've finally gotten to the point where I feel that I need a safe to store all the firearms that I've bought over the past few years. Unfortunately, there are so many different gun safes out there and a Google search has not done much to help me figure out which safe(s) I should focus on. For example, do I go to Costco and purchase one of their inexpensive safes, or do I spring thousands of $$ and get something else? I've looked at safes at gun shows that I've been to, but they generally only display safes from one manufacturer and so it is difficult to compare safes made by different companies. I've looked at safes made by Fort Knox at the Dulles Expo gun show and last weekend I looked at safes made by Superior Safe company at the Frederick gun show. I honestly cannot tell how they are any different from one another.

I'm looking to purchase a safe that has a fire protection rating of at least 90 min and in the 850-1000 lb weight range.

I figured that the nice folks on this forum would be the best place to ask for advice. I'm sure that many, if not most, of you have gun safes, and you can give me advice not only on what brand to buy, but what features to look for in a gun safe. For example, electronic versus manual locks, bolted to the basement floor or not, dehumidifier, lighting inside the safe, etc.

Any help you can give me will be much appreciated. Thank you very much.

Cal68

PS: if the consensus is that safes made by Superior Safe Company are good, I'll get one of them because the guy who sells them is based in Frederick, and I would like to give my business to a local dealer whenever possible.

 

[K31]

What error message are you getting?

 

[Waz]

What error message are you getting?

too many results to display?

 

[K31]

too many results to display?

I was thinking "too short" ie. just entering "safe" or "gun safe".

 

[Waz]

entering "gun and safe and recommendation" i got this error message

Fatal error: Allowed memory size of 134217728 bytes exhausted (tried to allocate 71 bytes) in /home/mdshoot/public_html/search.php on line 1155

 

[Pinecone]

There is a great thread with a good video somewhere here.

But the bottom line I came out with from all the info is, get one with a plate door, not a composite door.

There is a guy in Frederick (was at Howard Co shows) that carries such a safe. I don't have the info here at work, but can get it for you over the weekend.

 

[LimaVictor]

You could also PM safecracker. He has safes for sale every once in awhile.

 

[Brychan]

I bought a Steel Water safe about 3 years or so ago and have been very happy with it. If you search steel water you should fine a thread I did when I got it.

 

[Huckleberry]

Best and Non-biased reference on the net for gun safes. It will educate you.

http://www.6mmbr.com/gunsafes.html

BTW, I and several other members bought safes from Sturdy.

http://www.sturdysafe.com/

 

[Klunatic]

Call Greg or Mike at A1 Uniform. I picked up a Fort Knox from them for a very reasonable price. I know that they also have a few other choices. Tell them I sent you.

 

[MaxVO2]

****They may be a bit heavier than the specs you listed, but Graffunder makes some well regarded safes that might meet your needs. A cheaper safe becomes much more expensive if a thief breaks into it and takes all of your guns..

 

[K31]

entering "gun and safe and recommendation" i got this error message

Fatal error: Allowed memory size of 134217728 bytes exhausted (tried to allocate 71 bytes) in /home/mdshoot/public_html/search.php on line 1155

I entered "safe" and it took it and returned a buttload of threads. Then I did "safe fire rating" and it came back with a more limited bunch many of which were just titled "gun safe".

 

[tomandjerry00]

Here is a free safe in Arlington:

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/zip/4758726830.html


Expensive Safe for Free if you can remove it (Arlington)

We have a very large safe that we can give away for free if you can remove it from our location. It is about 2000 to 4000 pounds weight and will require removal of a front door glass.

The safe is worth over $6000. So it is great for someone who has skills and time to engage in this endeavor.

Please email your qualification and provide clear explanation that you can remove front door glass and put it back properly as part of the removal process.

 

[outrider58]

Once you've found your safe, be aware that a '21 gun' safe, for instance, will generally only accommodate maybe 12 long guns. A bolt gun takes up almost as much room as two shotguns. And you always need room for more acquisitions.

 

[spclopr8tr]

I think the OP needs to get his search button repaired. Mine works fine searching on "gun safe". Try this one to start: http://www.mdshooters.com/showthread.php?t=158007&highlight=%22gun+safe%22

 

[Safetech]

My advice is:

A) Buy the best safe you can afford. Don't try to go cheap (unless all you can really, TRULY afford is cheap), just to save money. A cheap safe if better then no safe. But, in the end, you get what you pay for.

B) Buy a safe bigger than what you need. It's cheaper than buying a second safe when you run out of room. (Not to mention the expense and hassle of having it delivered and installed.)

As far as fire protection, if you can afford it, get one with poured insulation between the inner and outer steel skins. Not "fire-board" (glorified drywall) glued to the inside walls. But if you can't afford something with poured insulation, at least get something with doubled fire-board. Not just a single sheet.


That said, I own an Amsec (American Security) SF series. It has a Lifetime Warranty, an RSC (Residential Security Container) rating, and a 1 hour fire rating at 1,200 degrees.

(The BF series has the poured insulation, with a 2 hour fire rating, but there's a considerable difference in price.)


http://www.amsecusa.com/gun-safes/

ETA: If you decide on an Amsec, I can probably get you a good deal on it. But you would have to pick it up from my distributor's warehouse in Silver Spring. (I no longer move safes.)

 

[svana]

Here is a free safe in Arlington:

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/zip/4758726830.html


Expensive Safe for Free if you can remove it (Arlington)

We have a very large safe that we can give away for free if you can remove it from our location. It is about 2000 to 4000 pounds weight and will require removal of a front door glass.

The safe is worth over $6000. So it is great for someone who has skills and time to engage in this endeavor.

Please email your qualification and provide clear explanation that you can remove front door glass and put it back properly as part of the removal process.

This is the second time in the past few months that craigslist has had free safes posted. Is it really that common? Or just coincidence?

 

[Safetech]

This is the second time in the past few months that craigslist has had free safes posted. Is it really that common? Or just coincidence?

For big safes, yes.

If you want to get a big safe gone, the cheapest way to do it is to give it away and let it be the other guys problem to pay for moving it.

 

[tomandjerry00]

For big safes, yes.



If you want to get a big safe gone, the cheapest way to do it is to give it away and let it be the other guys problem to pay for moving it.

Same goes with pianos and organs on craigslist...

Also, as more customers use plastic and electronic payments, less cash/stock certificates/etc on hand and less need for a safe so more available for free. Plus a lot of these 50-100 year old safes are in buildings slated to be demolished or refurbed.

I'd say I see a large free safe in craigslist at least every 2-3 months.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Whitey]

Mike Thompson, owner of Thompson Safes in Frederick has always been helpful and his shop is right off I-270. He does the Silverado shows.