|
Post by billyzink on Feb 2, 2011 14:57:13 GMT -5
Probably wrong place for this thread but was not getting any response in the gear forum!!! I need to get a gunsafe, way to many out there, my main concern is theft, not so much fire, needing to store 40 plus guns. What do you folks suggest? What is workin for you? Thanks
|
|
|
Post by somedaysmokeless on Feb 2, 2011 15:31:06 GMT -5
I watch Ebay and business auctions for big, old bank safes and alike. My first safe my company was going to throw away (they forgot combination) and I had to have it repaired (<$250) it's about 5' tall, 3' wide and 3' deep and weighs 1,200 lbs. My 2nd safe is a double door w/ approx. 6" thick walls. It was $900, but it's 6' tall, 4' wide and 4' deep... weighs 2,500-3,000 lbs. I keep that in the garage. Awesome fire and theft protection. They are not as fancy as a nice Browning or Knox, but I sandblast them and give them a nice paint job. Add a couple of nice magnet wildlife stickers and they look fine. Found one for my brother in law last year... same size as my big one. It was 2 hours away... door was open, they locked it and could not get it shut again. I think he bid like $135 and had around $250 in repair and relock, so for under $500 he's got an awesome safe. The only thing is they are too big to take up and down steps or put anywhere but concrete slab. I don't have shelves in mine... I just wrap my guns in Cabela's silicone socks and stack them in there tight as I can. I use big rare earth magnets from the ceiling to hang handguns from.
|
|
|
Post by 12ptdroptine on Feb 2, 2011 16:15:52 GMT -5
I just bought a safe rated to hold 26 gun's... But I cant seem to get 18 in it without pileing them all oover each other...It probably would hold 26 single shot .410's but I didnt do my homework..And onc it was home in the spare room..Its gonna live there...So now I am going to change the floor plan. But in any case make sure it will actually hold what you need it to. Drop
|
|
|
Post by dannoboone on Feb 2, 2011 16:59:09 GMT -5
Wow, 40 guns? Ya might need two safes! I've been looking for a few years now and haven't found anything to my liking. They are all rated for X amount of guns, but that is WITHOUT scopes. One would be lucky to get two dozen scoped guns in a three dozen rated safe.
I have a nice, dry basement and am tempted to just try to find a safe door and frame, build a concrete wall with the frame installed, and have a walk-in safe!
|
|
|
Post by Jon on Feb 2, 2011 17:45:46 GMT -5
I just have a locked room. Not as good as a safe but a lot more roomy. Yes with some work it could be got into but by that time every alarm in the house would be going off. Jon
|
|
|
Post by wilmsmeyer on Feb 2, 2011 18:42:42 GMT -5
Check out Sentry Safes. I see they are in Cabela's now. Great company and excellent safes for theft protection. I bolt mine directly to 2 studs from the inside and then also bolt it down to a concrete floor using big concrete "molly's" in my basement in a corner. Take a LONG time to get the safe off the wall for a crook. Thick steel and great locks.
I worked there for 14 years and I personally can vouch for their quality, service and durability.
And Yes...for 40 guns you may need 2 or 3.
|
|
|
Post by jims on Feb 2, 2011 19:36:57 GMT -5
;D I was thinking an old Brink's truck with the wheels removed might be just the thing. Actually those above have given some good ideas. I have my safe through bolted in my floor joists on two holes and lag bolts on the two other holes where I could not catch the floor joist but sistered in a solid attachment. Mine is fire rated also and has what I remember as the Golden Rod dehumidier/low temperature heater. I put a fluro light in mine so I can see better also. Mine is made/sold by Security Products. I have had it for 25 years but really do not know how it compares in price/reliability to the others.
|
|
|
Post by dwhunter on Feb 3, 2011 10:02:30 GMT -5
If you truely love you guns and want to protect them don't screw around with cheap safes, get a Fort Knox and relax. Absolutely the best money can buy.
|
|
|
Post by pposey on Feb 3, 2011 11:56:04 GMT -5
I have seen a hot water heater shell turned into a safe,,, was dummy plumbed and all,,, no fire protection but hey who is gonna steal a hot water heater? ?? Guns were arranged around the circle leaning out, bet there were 20 in there, the whole top lifted up.
|
|
|
Post by toosensitive on Feb 3, 2011 17:13:45 GMT -5
Not sure of your collection, but a fire rated safe is the only way to go. IMO. Insurance companies like to play games. So I photograph everything, save all receipts and put all documentation in a fire rated safe as well. I've seen some nasty photos of barbecued firearms. Warped barrels, stocks that look like charcoal. Even the fire rated safes will eventually fail, but they give you more time to snuff out the flames. If you just want to keep the kiddies out, Stack On makes some "economical" safes. Liberty, Sentry, Fort Knox are very nice. Again, depends on the value of your collection. Just like a garage, you end up filling it to the max and needing another.
|
|
|
Post by dwhunter on Feb 4, 2011 8:19:57 GMT -5
Not sure of your collection, but a fire rated safe is the only way to go. IMO. Insurance companies like to play games. So I photograph everything, save all receipts and put all documentation in a fire rated safe as well. I've seen some nasty photos of barbecued firearms. Warped barrels, stocks that look like charcoal. Even the fire rated safes will eventually fail, but they give you more time to snuff out the flames. If you just want to keep the kiddies out, Stack On makes some "economical" safes. Liberty, Sentry, Fort Knox are very nice. Again, depends on the value of your collection. Just like a garage, you end up filling it to the max and needing another. I agree with what you said except putting pics and reciepts in the safe. These need to be kept in a lock box at a bank never with the firearms.
|
|
|
Post by toosensitive on Feb 4, 2011 15:48:31 GMT -5
Guess I wasn't clear. A copy of all my documents are stored on disk at my kids house in a fire proof safe..(non firearm), and he stores his info with me. About once per year we update the files as we add or subtract stuff. Have to love those digital cameras. Safety deposit box is also an option.
|
|