Experience with wall safes?

[bohman]

It's disappointing to realize that I need to spend money on something other than a new gun, but I thought it over and concluded that with two small children in the house and a rash of break-ins in my neighborhood, a safe is a necessity if I'm going to start buying firearms. I couldn't live with any accidents and I damn sure don't want to hand over a gun to anyone that thinks it necessary to break in while I'm not home.

I'm interested in mounting a wall safe in the bedroom closet, quick access after dark being the goal. I'd love to have keypad access vs. key or combo. Looks like lots of options for pistols, not as much for taller safes if I decided to go the shotgun route. Still haven't decided that one - I'd be more comfortable with a pistol in close quarters, but my neighbor's houses are *this* close to mine and I happen to like them, so hopefully pellets would stand less chance of hitting them should I miss my target.

Has anyone here bought one? Do you love it or hate it? I did a search but didn't come up with much WRT keypad access wall safes.

 

[teratos]

It's disappointing to realize that I need to spend money on something other than a new gun, but I thought it over and concluded that with two small children in the house and a rash of break-ins in my neighborhood, a safe is a necessity if I'm going to start buying firearms. I couldn't live with any accidents and I damn sure don't want to hand over a gun to anyone that thinks it necessary to break in while I'm not home.

I'm interested in mounting a wall safe in the bedroom closet, quick access after dark being the goal. I'd love to have keypad access vs. key or combo. Looks like lots of options for pistols, not as much for taller safes if I decided to go the shotgun route. Still haven't decided that one - I'd be more comfortable with a pistol in close quarters, but my neighbor's houses are *this* close to mine and I happen to like them, so hopefully pellets would stand less chance of hitting them should I miss my target.

Has anyone here bought one? Do you love it or hate it? I did a search but didn't come up with much WRT keypad access wall safes.

I got one from Amazon for $70 (on sale).
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002TOKR6W/ref=oh_details_o01_s00_i00

It isn't going to keep a determined BG out of it, but the kids will not get into it. It is very hard to find in the closet unless you know what you are looking for. I love it. I showed it to a couple of my friends. and they loved it, too. I keep a loaded Mossberg 500 and a Glock in it. I got the one with the key. I am not a fan of stuff with batteries. They can fail when you need them.

 

[Minuteman]

Sounds like you would be best served by a Simplex lock. Check out V-Line and Fort Knox.

http://www.amazon.com/V-Line-Quick-Access-Keyless-42 ... ... &keywords=Simplex+shotgun


Stay safe.

 

[Nanook]

As long as you realize that most of these types are "security cabinets" and made out of very thin metal. As above, they should keep the kids out (kids are a hell of a lot smarter than most folks give them credit for) but a bad guy with a crowbar will be in and done in less than a minute.

 

[kalister1]

As long as you realize that most of these types are "security cabinets" and made out of very thin metal. As above, they should keep the kids out (kids are a hell of a lot smarter than most folks give them credit for) but a bad guy with a crowbar will be in and done in less than a minute.

I agree 100%
BUT, in Maryland having a safe of any type keeps you out of danger of the law about loaded guns and minors. If you do get robbed, it looks good in court when the victim of your thief sues you for not properly securing your guns.

 

[bohman]

As long as you realize that most of these types are "security cabinets" and made out of very thin metal. As above, they should keep the kids out (kids are a hell of a lot smarter than most folks give them credit for) but a bad guy with a crowbar will be in and done in less than a minute.

Understood. This is primarily insuring that the kids don't do something stupid. If I want more protection from burglary I'm going to have to get a real safe, but what I'm counting on with this wall safe is that I (or my wife) have remembered to turn on the security system when we aren't home - which should limit the amount of time that a criminal has in my home to grab things.

Typical break-ins in my hood have been prying a basement slider open, grabbing electronics and other sell-able stuff that is within reach, and running. It's either bored teenagers or local Oxy-addicts looking to sell something to buy their next bottle of pills. Either way, they suck at actually getting their hands on valuable stuff (Thank God for small favors) A gun that is locked up in any manner is not likely to get stolen.

 

[capman98]

I got one from Amazon for $70 (on sale).
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002TOKR6W/ref=oh_details_o01_s00_i00

It isn't going to keep a determined BG out of it, but the kids will not get into it. It is very hard to find in the closet unless you know what you are looking for. I love it. I showed it to a couple of my friends. and they loved it, too. I keep a loaded Mossberg 500 and a Glock in it. I got the one with the key. I am not a fan of stuff with batteries. They can fail when you need them.

I haden't seen these, great idea. I bought a hand-safe to go under the bed but got the one for 2 guns and turned out it is to tall to fit. may have to get one of these.

 

[bohman]

Thanks again for all the responses. I was leaning towards the Homak or Stack-on cabinets because they are inexpensive and looked like they would do what I wanted them to do. Then I started reading the reviews. 99% of their customers assured me that the product would arrive damaged due to the cheap packaging used to ship, and that the screws intended to secure it to studs were soft metal and guaranteed to strip during installation. So I'd have to buy replacement parts and make repairs before I could do anything with it. No thanks. Teratos, did you have any trouble with yours? I hope that you were one of the lucky folks that recieved an undamaged cabinet.

Which means I'm looking a lot harder at the one that Minuteman posted, or this one: http://www.amazon.com/Amsec-Defense-Vault-DV652-Under/dp/B0063263R8 . More money (of course) but hopefully you get what you pay for. I'll keep you guys posted if I order one.

 

[mlance238]

Thanks again for all the responses. I was leaning towards the Homak or Stack-on cabinets because they are inexpensive and looked like they would do what I wanted them to do. Then I started reading the reviews. 99% of their customers assured me that the product would arrive damaged due to the cheap packaging used to ship, and that the screws intended to secure it to studs were soft metal and guaranteed to strip during installation. So I'd have to buy replacement parts and make repairs before I could do anything with it. No thanks. Teratos, did you have any trouble with yours? I hope that you were one of the lucky folks that recieved an undamaged cabinet.

Which means I'm looking a lot harder at the one that Minuteman posted, or this one: http://www.amazon.com/Amsec-Defense-Vault-DV652-Under/dp/B0063263R8 . More money (of course) but hopefully you get what you pay for. I'll keep you guys posted if I order one.

I just installed a Stack-On cabinet yesterday. It was one of their cheapest models ($109) and I did site-to-store via Walmart for what it's worth. The packaging included large foam pads on all eight corners of the frame and there wasn't a knick on it. Further, I had no stripping issues when bolting the cabinet to my wall.

Honestly, it's a really good, cheap investment... but obv not all of those folks are fibbing! Hope your experience is like mine if you get one.

 

[bohman]

I just installed a Stack-On cabinet yesterday. It was one of their cheapest models ($109) and I did site-to-store via Walmart for what it's worth. The packaging included large foam pads on all eight corners of the frame and there wasn't a knick on it. Further, I had no stripping issues when bolting the cabinet to my wall.

Honestly, it's a really good, cheap investment... but obv not all of those folks are fibbing! Hope your experience is like mine if you get one.

Glad to hear you didn't have any problems with yours. Many of the reviews I saw were from a few years ago, so maybe the manufacturer finally started to listen to customers. Miracles do happen!

 

[kalister1]

99% of their customers assured me that the product would arrive damaged due to the cheap packaging used to ship, and that the screws intended to secure it to studs were soft metal and guaranteed to strip during installation.

If the screws are so soft that they strip going into wood, what are they made of?

 

[frdfandc]

If the screws are so soft that they strip going into wood, what are they made of?

Cheap soft steel, not hardened like Grade 8 or 8.8/10.9 hardware

 

[bohman]

Basically the screw is softer than the screwdriver turning it, plus the angle of the screwdriver inside the cabinet was awkward. This led to the head of the screw getting stripped. People recommended buying hex head screws so that a socket wrench could be used for better leverage.

 

[kalister1]

Are you pre-drilling a pilot hole first?

 

[ducrider45]

I just mounted a Stack-On set in my house. I used the provided hardware and it worked well. Mine came with small lag screws. I also had mine shipped to the store and I did have a small amount of damage. I fixed it during assembly. I mounted the pistol cabinet to the top of the rifle cabinet. It works well.

 

[Baccusboy]

Slap a sticker on that Stack-on box that makes it look like an electrical box.

 

[teratos]

Teratos, did you have any trouble with yours? I hope that you were one of the lucky folks that recieved an undamaged cabinet.

One of the corners was a little bent. Unbent with a pair of pliers and I was GTG. It is not in a place where anyone can see it. Drilled some pilot holes on the studs, and the screws went in with no problems at all.