Guns, Bows, Shooting Sports, and Hunting Gun safe

[SHobbs]

I have been in the market for a gun safe and the choices and options are many. I have been looking at Fort Knox, Amsec, Superior and Sturdy gun safes. Just looking for information on the mentioned safes or other manufacturers. A safe that can hold 14 - 20 rifles is what I am after with a good fire rating, warranty and customer service if needed.

 

[The patriot]

The Liberty's are very nice. Get one with plain paint unless youre going to make it a fixture in your room.
Buy BIG! It fills up FAST!
Mine is rated for something like 49 guns, I have NO WHERE near that & it's packed!
If you have a lot of stairs, get a delivered price.

 

[TRAMPLINEMAN]

I have a Liberty Lincoln and love it. But, as stated above, buy a safe that's a lot bigger than what you need. You may not think so, but it will fill up faster than you think!!

 

[jgillott]

I also purchased a Libetry safe. Mine is a 48 and I agree that it fills rather quickly. The dealer I purchased from delivered and installed it as part of the price. Couldn't be happier.

 

[Deleted member 995608]

Definitely go big. Like others have said, you'll discover all sorts of junk to store inside.

 

[JMarhofke]

I also have a Liberty Lincoln and very happy with it. I will go along with everyone else, purchase one as big as you can and make sure it will fit where you want it.
Good luck with your choisce.

Jim

 

[WCPoe]

I ended up getting a Rhino safe from Costco. Decent price, delivered curbside. Unfortunately they don't offer the Rhino executive model but do have the Big Horn large safe.

http://www.costco.com/BIGHORN-Safe-...-26”D-|-Electronic-Lock.product.11760698.html

Good info here:

http://cesafes.com/

Be sure to watch this video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?list=PL0Wur-_GRv_XAO3zKQlt6xdFch9au30nX&t=13&v=GHAyRO566sU

Buy the largest one you can get in your house or you'll regret it. Everyone will tell you this.

Good luck.

 

[goodguys75]

just dont go with anything that is rated in ga...only 1/2 or 1/4 plate...and yes bigger is better

 

[Deleted member 995608]

I was really lucky when I bought ours. It was and still is a complete 100% made in the USA gun safe (Visalia Safe Co) that are built about 45 minutes from me. Unfortunately, the original owner sold and retired. The new jacks that bought don't have nearly the customer service that Jim did.

Mine is 72" high by 36" wide and about 1200lbs dry. The standard safe is made with bi-doors and a rough coat finish. I wanted a single door and a glossy automotive finish of my color preference. The single door hinge was an additional $250 and the custom paint/pinstripe added another $325 I believe.

Anyway, I go see Jim and order a custom safe.....$3400. I tried and tried to give him a deposit and each time he refused. He told me that he's been building safes for over 20 years and that if a handshake wasn't solid enough to seal a deal, he didn't want my business.

So, 6-8 weeks later, a bobtail trucks shows up with my safe inside. The wheel it into the house on a pallet jack and set in down and hand me the bill. Craziest business transaction ever!

 

[DRAG DIESEL]

Unfortunately, the original owner sold and retired.

Leonard is the original owner of Visalia safes. He sold and started a new company. Here is the price sheet and contact info from the last gun show I saw him at about 6 months ago.

 

[Deleted member 995608]

I believe Leonard was an employee or was a partner with Jim. The new company moved to a different location but in the same general area. Either way, they made a great product.

 

[Flying_gage]

That is a beautiful safe there!

 

[Flying_gage]

Two things to offer:

First, if at all possible, steer clear of the models with the digital key pad. These key pads do fail and when they do, you are looking at deconstructing the safe. In reality on the lower end safes, this is real easy with a sawzall, hammer and pry bar. Really not even that time intensive...

Second thing is what I have viewed from my profession as a fireman. Water is the main thing to worry about in most residential fires, (if you live in an urban or suburban area). We use lots of it to put a fire out and the low budget safes just do not have the gasket materials to keep it out. Also most folks seem to put their big safes in the basement or the first floor where the excess water will collect. If able, put your safe on an elevated platform. Even 6" would be enough.

In the end, I think the best thing is insurance in depth. A good safe, but also a good policy to protect your firearms collection.

 

[Deleted member 995608]

Good reminder about the fire safety aspect. I've been a PCF/AEMT for many years and i've never seen the contents of a safe that was NOT damaged to some degree.

 

[SHobbs]

Spent some time today looking around, got my hands on a Fort Knox, Amsec and Liberty then a Superior. Once I got my hands on the Superior Safe I knew what I wanted. I decided on a Superior SU-45, it just felt better to me. For one thing the door felt heavy being 1/2" plate on the outside. The triple step, triple sealed door also offered 16 bolts, 6 on the sides and two top and bottom. The body is 3/16 plate which is a step up from 10 or 11 ga., the fire rating is very good as well. I did not get the electronic lock it has the dial lock.

http://superiorgunsafes.com/products/thesupremeseries.html

 

[SHobbs]

Outside and inside, shows to be a 48 gun capacity. Should be delivered next week

 

[31b]

In addition to the other suggestions made here, IMHO I would focus on the UL rating of the safe. If your budget allows, look for something rated at TL15 at a minimum. Good luck w/ your purchase.

Mitch

 

[Okie-Go]

You will feel better when you leave the house. I have two safe's. One is a Browning and the other is an American Security.