Looking for gun "safe" opinions

[FUJIMO]

On 2/20/2024 at 6:09 PM, Toy4Rick said:

Dang, back reading this topic again... I need a safe, don't want it in the garage due to heat/humidity

No place to put it downstairs that 1. will fit, 2. the wife will accept so my only real option is upstairs

Opinions on a 600lb safe upstairs... not the moving part, just that much weight on the second floor

In my case, it could be loaded on or adjacent to an exterior wall which is load bearing so that is good

 

Thanks, Rick

Not to dig too much into your collection but how many short/long guns are we talking upstairs ? I ask because your options expand if you have a "need them close by" vs "I know I have them stored in a safe place" . If I'm lugging a safe upstairs it will be a higher quality (read fire rating/more difficult to break into) than the one that's in the garage. I'm keeping priority 1 pieces in that upstairs safe and my "collectibles" in safe 2.

[Toy4Rick]

3 hours ago, FUJIMO said:

Not to dig too much into your collection but how many short/long guns are we talking upstairs ? I ask because your options expand if you have a "need them close by" vs "I know I have them stored in a safe place" . If I'm lugging a safe upstairs it will be a higher quality (read fire rating/more difficult to break into) than the one that's in the garage. I'm keeping priority 1 pieces in that upstairs safe and my "collectibles" in safe 2.

Thanks @FUJIMO

 

My collection is not large, I have my daily tools handily stored in other ways. This will be for those not at the ready but need them out of the closet

I'm really liking the small'ish to start and add when needed vs. buying bigger now and trying to find a place to hide it and keep the WAF on the high side

Rick

[gammon]

I tried a lower cost Hornady safe that was a piece of junk. Not sure how their other products are.

[ianb]

The best "safe" for protection from theft is an itemized insurance policy. For fire is any rated safe with additional fire rated drywall added. For the children's safety any lock box will do, along with strong parenting. 

[liamsoren]

I was in a similar boat a while ago, looking for a safe that didn't break the bank but still gave me peace of mind. I ended up grabbing one during a Gun Safes sale on Liberty's website, and honestly, I was surprised by how solid it felt compared to some of the cheaper ones I’d seen. I went with a mid-range option, and it’s been great for the price! Since you're planning to put it in the garage, I’d definitely recommend looking for one with good weather sealing and a dehumidifier to avoid rust—trust me, it's worth it. Shipping wasn’t too bad for me, and customer service was really helpful when I had questions.

Edited February 21 by liamsoren

[DirtyBuzzard]

I see some of these post are over a year old, but the information given is still very useful.  Thank you all for your input.  I have been looking for a safe for the past year and I am still looking.  

[Trapperpunk]

Purchase a safe you can easily replace the lock mechanism in as well as securely bolt to the floor. You can always build out the exterior of a safe to aid in security. I’ve taught safe manipulation for 8yrs and been a tech for two decades. Any safe is drastically better than no safe. Digital keypads can be unlocked with ketchup packets, we have kits that use ultrasound gel and a battery that pop the lock in seconds. Fire ratings matter but only if certified. Insurance policy would be my number one priority.

[TN_Raven]

@Trapperpunk I’ve been looking at this but your comment about the ease of defeating digital locks is concerning.

https://www.secureitgunstorage.com/product/agile-ultralight-model-52/

I’m looking for something to hold 3-4 long guns and 3-4 pistols at most, and doesn’t weigh 300+ lbs. It will be mainly to secure/hide them when we aren’t home, and I don’t need rapid access. No kids around ever so that isn’t a concern. 

Finding a safe with a mechanical key or combination lock that isn’t a glorified tin can or a half-ton mammoth is a challenge.

[Unbrim]

I use the Hornady Security lock safe. 

[Trapperpunk]

@TN_Raven

Apologizes if I incited fear, was not my intention. Thankfully the safe technician side of  locksmithing doesn’t get the same clout as picking locks on social media. As they say, locks only keep honest men out. 

I still recommend anything is better than nothing. The safe you linked looks more than reasonable and sounds like it accommodates your needs. I’ve not attacked that specific keypad before so I can’t speak to the exploits exactly nor would I publicly give a walkthrough.
 

As far as digital locks on safes, DeviantOllam has a great YT video up on switching your digital to a mechanical….it’s not complicated. 

Edited July 3 by Trapperpunk

[TN_Raven]

9 hours ago, Unbrim said:

I use the Hornady Security lock safe. 

Thanks! I had not seen those. Not a lot of details on their site - how heavy are these? Decent wall thickness?