OT - Recommended Safes/Dealers

Ozzie_Isaac

I am looking for a gun safe.  I want one that can be used to store files, valuables, etc.  Does anyone have a particular brand or dealer they like?

Pros/Cons for lock types, accessories, etc.

JohnInCarolina

Wrong forum.  

Ozzie_Isaac

JohnInCarolina said:

Wrong forum.  

Looks like you are getting your way, all threads are currently being moved.

Also, nobody but trolls frequent the OT forum.  Since it doesn't auto-load.  Takes a few clicks to get there.  Really hard to get good advice and share in the wealth of knowledge and experience when everything is hidden in a secret corner of this forum.

( @lousubcap is not included in any discussion of trolls.  It would be a toss up between him and @Botch for kindest and most helpful member, except @Botch has a penchant for off-topic posts in threads)

alaskanassasin

Don’t kid John he uses a jewelry box for his valuables 

JohnInCarolina

Ozzie_Isaac said:

JohnInCarolina said:

Wrong forum.  

Looks like you are getting your way, all threads are currently being moved.

Also, nobody but trolls frequent the OT forum.  Since it doesn't auto-load.  Takes a few clicks to get there.  Really hard to get good advice and share in the wealth of knowledge and experience when everything is hidden in a secret corner of this forum.

Well, the auto-load aspect can be fixed easily enough with a standard web-browser bookmark.  You remember those, right?

As to who frequents it, moving all the current OT threads on the main board over to the OT sub would obviously impact that dynamic.  

JohnInCarolina

alaskanassasin said:

Don’t kid John he uses a jewelry box for his valuables 

We actually do have a fire-proof safe for valuables, like passports, birth certificates, etc. that would be a PITA to recover after a fire.  It's just not a gun safe because I don't own any.  

Ozzie_Isaac

JohnInCarolina said:

alaskanassasin said:

Don’t kid John he uses a jewelry box for his valuables 

We actually do have a fire-proof safe for valuables, like passports, birth certificates, etc. that would be a PITA to recover after a fire.  It's just not a gun safe because I don't own any.  

I use "gun safe" as a general term for larger safes.  It may never see a gun, but I am looking for a large safe that someone couldn't just haul off and open somewhere else.

JohnInCarolina

Ozzie_Isaac said:

JohnInCarolina said:

alaskanassasin said:

Don’t kid John he uses a jewelry box for his valuables 

We actually do have a fire-proof safe for valuables, like passports, birth certificates, etc. that would be a PITA to recover after a fire.  It's just not a gun safe because I don't own any.  

I use "gun safe" as a general term for larger safes.  It may never see a gun, but I am looking for a large safe that someone couldn't just haul off and open somewhere else.

Yeah I think you just wanted to start a new OT thread on the main board to try and prove a point.

Mr1egg

Never used it but I’ve been thinking about buying one. Don’t know how big or small you want. 

Ozzie_Isaac

JohnInCarolina said:

Ozzie_Isaac said:

JohnInCarolina said:

alaskanassasin said:

Don’t kid John he uses a jewelry box for his valuables 

We actually do have a fire-proof safe for valuables, like passports, birth certificates, etc. that would be a PITA to recover after a fire.  It's just not a gun safe because I don't own any.  

I use "gun safe" as a general term for larger safes.  It may never see a gun, but I am looking for a large safe that someone couldn't just haul off and open somewhere else.

Yeah I think you just wanted to start a new OT thread on the main board to try and prove a point.

Actually, no.  Legitimately have been looking.  Due to some recent life events, I see the value of one.

ColbyLang

@Ozzie_Isaac, check out Liberty and Browning Legacy Series. My 2 are Brownings. One has firearms and cash. The other is firearm overflow and important documents. The second has shelves and document holders on the door. Both weigh 6-700# empty. They ain’t leaving without me. 

Legume

A lot of them look the same, like large appliances do.  I suspect there are far fewer manufacturers than brands.  Worth a google or two.

JohnInCarolina

Ozzie_Isaac said:

JohnInCarolina said:

Ozzie_Isaac said:

JohnInCarolina said:

alaskanassasin said:

Don’t kid John he uses a jewelry box for his valuables 

We actually do have a fire-proof safe for valuables, like passports, birth certificates, etc. that would be a PITA to recover after a fire.  It's just not a gun safe because I don't own any.  

I use "gun safe" as a general term for larger safes.  It may never see a gun, but I am looking for a large safe that someone couldn't just haul off and open somewhere else.

Yeah I think you just wanted to start a new OT thread on the main board to try and prove a point.

Actually, no.  Legitimately have been looking.  Due to some recent life events, I see the value of one.

OK, good luck then.   

fishlessman

the cemented into the cellar floor type always looked good to me, firemen are good at saving foundations and cellar cement floors. i wouldnt put guns in one of those though up here, they would rust in no time

Ozzie_Isaac

ColbyLang said:

@Ozzie_Isaac, check out Liberty and Browning Legacy Series. My 2 are Brownings. One has firearms and cash. The other is firearm overflow and important documents. The second has shelves and document holders on the door. Both weigh 6-700# empty. They ain’t leaving without me. 

What sizes?  I could fill a 48" easy, but seems like two 36" or even 28" would be better.

alaskanassasin

I prefer a key pad over a dial knob

alaskanassasin

Whatever size you get it will be too small 

stlcharcoal

AMSEC is one of the few with UL ratings.  Check out the BF and BFII models.

Don't believe the "fire ratings" you read on the websites for safes, most are complete BS.  A lot of the cabinets are the exact same for manufacturers, then they paint them, put the interiors in, and put a door on there.

JohnInCarolina

alaskanassasin said:

I prefer a key pad over a dial knob

Only one of those is likely to survive a fire.

HeavyG

Ozzie_Isaac said:

I am looking for a gun safe.  I want one that can be used to store files, valuables, etc.  Does anyone have a particular brand or dealer they like?

Pros/Cons for lock types, accessories, etc.

I assumed you would just store that kind of stuff in your hidden panic room.

alaskanassasin

JohnInCarolina said:

alaskanassasin said:

I prefer a key pad over a dial knob

Only one of those is likely to survive a fire.

It has a skeleton key if the pad fails. I imagine if it was to survive a fire I would have to cut it open to get in though ymmv

alaskanassasin

While we are on the topic PSA everyone should call their homeowners insurance and make sure you update your replacement cost.

hoosier_egger

I keep my docs inside a separate, small fireproof safe inside my big safe. 

dannys

How big of a safe? Are you talking about a single handgun or a bunch of rifles, shotguns, and handguns?  If the former, I'm partial to the Fort Knox lock boxes. They hold a single handgun and a small amount of ammunition.

For larger collections, there are a large number of options. You can go with the Harbor Freight, Tractor Supply options (COSTCO, etc. also has a line of safes).  I tend to shy away from these. I consider them to be "entry level" and I don't want to be entered.

Around my area we have a company that specializes in safes and does a big business in gun safes. They have big ones, small ones, thin ones (thin walled steel) and fat ones (thicker steel).  Each has it's own fire rating.

There is also the question about combination, keypad, or both.  Keypad is easy until the battery runs out - though it isn't difficult to change (electronics tend to have a shorter lifespan). Combination takes longer to open. Both seems to be a good compromise.

Some advice you didn't ask about. Always buy a bigger safe than what you need. If you think a 24-gun safe is big enough - buy a 48 gun safe.  You will fill it easily. Either with more guns or with important papers or collectibles.

Eggin_in_PA

https://www.brownsafe.com/categories/faq/Protection_Levels.html.  

The Cen-Tex Smoker

ColbyLang said:

@Ozzie_Isaac, check out Liberty and Browning Legacy Series. My 2 are Brownings. One has firearms and cash. The other is firearm overflow and important documents. The second has shelves and document holders on the door. Both weigh 6-700# empty. They ain’t leaving without me. 

I know the Liberty guys. Have been to several corporate dinners and cocktail hours they hosted. I have no idea about the quality of their safes vs others but those guys throw down like rockstars. I have a Liberty safe based on that alone. 

WeberWho

I've also been looking. Do yourself a favor and look at them in person. I had my head set on a Browning safe with all of the good reviews online and countless videos I've watched on YouTube. I stopped at Tractor Supply store to check it out and I'm glad I did. I was less than impressed. The lock up of the door was awful. It had a bunch of play in it and it just felt cheap. Tractor Supply also had a Liberty gun safe on display. Night and day difference. Made in the USA and fit and finish was much nicer. It was also $4-500 more but you get what you pay for. 

Divide the number of guns it says it holds by half. That will be more realistic. Don't go too small where someone can walk away with it or put it on a dolly. I'd bolt it down wherever you decide to keep it. 

Ozzie_Isaac

I will see what safes I can find in person to check out.  The size has me worried.  I don't want a massive 48" wide safe, but I don't want to have to pick and choose what gets to survive.  Plus, I need to find a good location.  I'm not one to just have it out in the open.

What types of accessories or shelving work well?

alaskanassasin

Ozzie_Isaac said:

I will see what safes I can find in person to check out.  The size has me worried.  I don't want a massive 48" wide safe, but I don't want to have to pick and choose what gets to survive.  Plus, I need to find a good location.  I'm not one to just have it out in the open.

What types of accessories or shelving work well?

48" minimum

Ozzie_Isaac

alaskanassasin said:

Ozzie_Isaac said:

I will see what safes I can find in person to check out.  The size has me worried.  I don't want a massive 48" wide safe, but I don't want to have to pick and choose what gets to survive.  Plus, I need to find a good location.  I'm not one to just have it out in the open.

What types of accessories or shelving work well?

48" minimum

That is what I am afraid of.  I guess it is like storage in general, you can never have enough.

alaskanassasin

You know swmbo is going to be throwing stuff in there, if you travel its nice to lock everything up.