Buying a new safe [Archive] - M4Carbine.net Forums

JoshNC

04-05-09, 22:16

ICANHITHIMMAN

04-05-09, 22:23

I just got my first safe a year ago its a century. I got it over others beacuse the factory is about 15 miles from my house. I got a fire rated safe but hindsight being what it is I would not have goten the fire rated safe. Turns out drywall has a higher fire rating. If I get another one it will not be fire rated and I will build it into the wall with extra drywall.

Cohibra45

04-06-09, 10:44

I have recently helped several friends purchase their first black rifles (mostly Colt 6920s) and am now helping them pick up an appropriate safe in which to store their new rifles and ammunition.

It has been a LONG time since I went safe shopping and am curious if any of you have suggestions. I am looking for top quality, not low-end bargain. These will be going into residential homes with alarm systems and will be bolted down to the floor. Vaults or vault doors are not an option, these need to be free-standing safes that can be put into a walk-in closet or garage.

I would appreciate any suggestions.

Hey Josh,

Good idea about the safes..........I bought a Liberty over 10 years ago and it has been one of the best investments I have made including all my 'collection' of guns. When I first started looking into buying a save, I was wanting almost exactly the qualities you point out. Remember to tell your friends that it will not only house their guns, but most likely, all their valuables. In that respect, look at the quality ones that have some fire protection of at least 30 minutes.....45minutes would be better, but 30 at least. They will most likely be putting deeds, wills, titles, passports, etc. along with jewelry and other 'valuables'. I have everything in my safe that I wouldn't want 'lost' in case of fire or burglary.

Liberty Safes: http://www.libertysafe.com/

Ft. Knox Safes: http://www.ftknox.com/

Browning Safes: http://www.browning.com/products/catalog/catalog.asp?catalog_=F

American Security Safes : http://www.amsecusa.com/

Cannon Safes: http://www.cannonsafe.com/

Rhino/Bighorn Safes: http://www.rhinosafe.com/

Sentry Safes: http://www.sentrysafe.com/products/gunSafes.aspx

Sportsman Steel Safes: http://www.sportsmansteelsafes.com/

Stack-On Safes: http://stack-on.com/securityplus/index.html

Winchester Safes: http://winchestersafes.com/

Josh, just remember that several of these 'manufactures' use the same universal safe making company. They just put their name on the outside or change a couple things like locks/number of bars/amount of fire protection, etc. Due diligence is the answer.....research and research some more.

Remember a couple other things.

1) Always purchase more safe than you need....your collection (not only guns but other valuables) will grow and everyone needs more room than they thought.

2) Don't skimp on quality....same in firearms as in safes. You get what you pay for. If you buy cheap, you get cheap!!! You and your friends want to be able to come home and find if you have had a burglary or fire, your 'valuables' are safe!!!;)

3) Buying a good safe that costs as much as one of your Colt's with all the accessories is an investment. Most people have more than one 'collectible' rifle/handgun. I have 15 or so long guns and half dozen pistol/revolvers; so my collection of just guns is worth 10 or so times the cost of the safe they are placed in.....and that's just the guns. It's not counting my auto titles/birth certificates/passports, mom's will, jewelry, cameras, etc!!! It really is an investment for that piece of mind!!!:cool:

I'm sure I might have missed a few 'safe companies' in my list, but it should get you started.

johnnywitt

04-06-09, 23:17

Look at a Zanotti armor. It's a safe that you can take apart and move. This is what I would get knowing what I know now. Unless you get a TL rated safe all that supposed fire protection is bunk and your still gonna get water damage from the fire dept putting out the blaze. All the "safes" are just security cabinets unless you buy a TL rated safe. These weigh in around 5000+ pounds and cost 8-12k. They require special equipment to move them as well.
The best way to get one is to look for a used one from a jewelry store that has closed down. A lot of locksmith types know about these.
Here's a number of a guy who deals in used safes and moves them 678-377-0066 his name is Roland and he is nationwide. Good luck.

montanadave

04-07-09, 10:29

I did a fair amount of research when shopping for a safe earlier this year and ran across an article called the Gun Safe Buyer's Guide at 6mmBR.com (http://www.6mmbr.com/gunsafes.html) which was chock full of information. The article was very helpful for me in making a decision regarding a safe purchase.

I eventually decided on a safe from Zanotti Armor because the location of the safe in my home required a modular unit (or a crane with a hole through the roof and main floor). But if you go with a Zanotti, be prepared for a wait because they had a six month backlog of orders last time I checked.

Cohibra45

04-07-09, 10:51

Josh,

That does look like a good article that montanadave does link to. Read and research like I suggested.

BTW, what johnnywitt suggested about TL rating is a UL rating for attack by different tools.

"UL TL (Tool Attack) Rating: The safe must be meet specific construction requirements. The safe is also tested to prevent access to contents by physical attack using specific tools including grinders, pick axe, sledge hammer, drills, and saws for a specified period. TL-15 means it passed a 15-man-minute test. TL-30 means it passed a 30-man-minute test. TL-30x6 means it must pass additional tests and added construction requirements on all six sides."

Check out that link provided by montanadave. It too also provides links to various manufacturers.

JoshNC

04-08-09, 22:33

Thanks Guys! I found a local locksmith and safe/vault door vendor local to me. He apparently has a good supply of new and used safes. I am hoping to find some good used TL-30 rated safes.

Country DeVil

04-08-09, 23:35

http://www.deansafe.com/
I didnt know there were so many choices for customization until I went in there and saw a lot of different safes

Cohibra45

04-09-09, 10:30

Thanks Guys! I found a local locksmith and safe/vault door vendor local to me. He apparently has a good supply of new and used safes. I am hoping to find some good used TL-30 rated safes.

Josh,

Good luck in your safe search. I bought mine for a couple hundred less than retail because mine had a flaw in the paint.............no problem for me. It really isn't that noticable and a bubble/flaw in the paint that saves me a couple hundred is well worth it.:D:D:D It still locks up tight and keeps everything just like I like it!!!

scottryan

04-09-09, 12:55

For an RSC (non TL rated safe):

Amsec is better than Champion, Cannon, and Liberty.

Amsec has no fluff features and has external hinges, and a simpler and more robust door mechanism.

Zanotti is also good.

1SFG

04-09-09, 13:23

Great article. Has anyone gone the vault door route?

I did a fair amount of research when shopping for a safe earlier this year and ran across an article called the Gun Safe Buyer's Guide at 6mmBR.com (http://www.6mmbr.com/gunsafes.html) which was chock full of information. The article was very helpful for me in making a decision regarding a safe purchase.

I eventually decided on a safe from Zanotti Armor because the location of the safe in my home required a modular unit (or a crane with a hole through the roof and main floor). But if you go with a Zanotti, be prepared for a wait because they had a six month backlog of orders last time I checked.