Gun Safes

[Deepsix]

Any recommendations, where to get them in Houston, west side preferably? I was looking at Canon (in Academy) maybe, I want something a bit heavier than a lockable file cabinet but less expensive than a full on $3K 1200lb monster. Any experiences/what to avoid and why etc or erudite wisdom gratefully received. I have a size in mind but I only need it for a couple of long guns and a couple or 3 pistols

 

[dogloose]

Like any subject... there is much to learn... especially when you are faced with making an informed decision that impacts two sensitive areas of your life -- security (protecting your firearms) and money (at what cost)...

In the end, we all must weigh those two factors from our own personal perspective.

The best write-up I came across when researching the subject was from the folks over at 6mmbr.com. Good place to start... and here's the link:

Gun Safe Buyers' Guide

 

[Deepsix]

thanks 'preciate it

 

[outdare]

I have an American Security gun safe. I got mine at Carters Country on sale several years ago. It is a dial lock and I have been happy with it so far. Just a tip I have learned, Buy bigger than you need. You will run out of room before you know it. Don't just think of the guns that are going to go in the safe, but all the other items as well. (jewlery, papers, ammo etc)

 

[Southpaw]

Buy bigger than you need. You will run out of room before you know it. Don't just think of the guns that are going to go in the safe, but all the other items as well. (jewlery, papers, ammo etc)

+1 I made that mistake and now I am constantly moving things around in mine to accommodate for new things, and like outdare mentioned, not just firearms. My choice however was more of an question of price. I wanted something that wasn't going to be easily picked up by to guys and carried away like some of the smaller cubes and something that was $1000 as that was not in my budget at the time.

 

[IXLR8]

Go the the big gun show this weekend. They have great deals, and most will deliver and set them up the same day.

Buy as much protection as you need. You can foil the casual thief easily, the professionals will get in no matter what you buy. Look at the brute force attacks on youtube, it will really open your eyes. A couple of pry bars will open almost any safe. The best strategy is place the face (door) facing a wall, close enough to open the door, but not close enough to allow for a large prybar, and anchor it securely to the floor. This is usually included with the delivery.

The dealer told me that 80% of the service calls they make are for safes with an electronic lock. Get a stage II dial lock.

 

[TexasRedneck]

I went with a 72x41 Fort Knox....1800 lbs empty - and it's now too small....saving up for another one to install next to it!

 

[TexasRedneck]

Deleted...spammer dealt with... View attachment 3844

 

[Willy]

When I build my home to retire in, it will have a hidden room. My safe will be inside this room. They can't steal what they can't find.

IXLR8 - I like the "face the wall" strategy.

 

[Leper]

If there is a Tractor Supply in your area, check them out. Same kind of safe, like at Academy, but the last time I was there they had them for a killer deal.

 

[Carry]

I'm looking, also, and came across this gun safe buying guide and gun safe reviews

Gun Safe Reviews | Gun Safes Guide

 

[TexasRedneck]

Interesting....kinda like saying "if you only want an affordable gun that will usually go "bang" when you pull the trigger....."

Sorry - Walmart is price-driven ONLY, quality has no impact to their purchasing decisions.

 

[West Texas]

Interesting....kinda like saying "if you only want an affordable gun that will usually go "bang" when you pull the trigger....."

Sorry - Walmart is price-driven ONLY, quality has no impact to their purchasing decisions.

If you want to really protect these important and valuable things from theft and fire, it's gonna cost ya. If you are just looking for protection from theft, there is an easier and cheaper way than a gun safe.

I have a friend who went in to a closet that shared a wall with another closet and made a secret space in the wall. unless you KNOW it's there, you would never find it. He used spring loaded magnets cabniet hardware to put it all pack together, so all you have to do is know where to push and the whole panel pops out and there's your guns or other valuable. Easy, cheap and effective....BG's won't steal what they can't find.

 

[TexasRedneck]

I have "a few" collectibles. Burglary is one issue - fire another. I have a 72 x 41 Ft. Knox that set me back about 4k 6 years ago (currently is about $5k), and am gettin' ready to have to buy another. Even though they're expensive, I'm gonna go with another FK, simply because I trust 'em to do the job. Having said that, when I was younger I had other brands as well. Not always as good as I *wanted* or *needed*, but as good as I could *afford*. There are times when you simply have to do the best that you can.

 

[Texan2]

I have "a few" collectibles. Burglary is one issue - fire another. I have a 72 x 41 Ft. Knox that set me back about 4k 6 years ago (currently is about $5k), and am gettin' ready to have to buy another. Even though they're expensive, I'm gonna go with another FK, simply because I trust 'em to do the job. Having said that, when I was younger I had other brands as well. Not always as good as I *wanted* or *needed*, but as good as I could *afford*. There are times when you simply have to do the best that you can.

Ft. Knox are for sure really nice safes....
I think that there are alot of guys that dont have 5k to drop on a safe. I guess I believe that a $1500 safe that holds all of your guns is better than having them on your closet floor.
So by all means get the best you can afford, but if you cant afford the best there is, think hard and find something that will suffice until the day comes where you can upgrade.

By the way.....Academy has $100 off their safes this week.

 

[TheDan]

Is there a place you can buy just the doors? I'm a fair welder and could pretty easily weld up the "box". The door is the complicated part, however. I'm also interested in finding just a safe door becuase what I'd like to do is turn the back half of my walk in closet into walk in safe.

 

[TexasRedneck]

Sure - Fort Knox sells 'em - I'd bet the others do, too.

 

[tallpaul]

You should go to craigslist, I bought a GOOD used one for under a third of new!

Any recommendations, where to get them in Houston, west side preferably? I was looking at Canon (in Academy) maybe, I want something a bit heavier than a lockable file cabinet but less expensive than a full on $3K 1200lb monster. Any experiences/what to avoid and why etc or erudite wisdom gratefully received. I have a size in mind but I only need it for a couple of long guns and a couple or 3 pistols

 

[TexasRedneck]

Believe me - been haunting Craigslist for months now - the few I've seen were too far away to be worth the hassle/headache (FL, etc.). But I keep lookin' an' hopin'.
The one bright spot is that a gun safe IS tax deductible, if you know how to do it. Nothing illegal or difficult - but most folks never stop to think that tax records should be stored in a secure, fireproof location....

 

[Clockwork]

Go the the big gun show this weekend. They have great deals, and most will deliver and set them up the same day.

This has been the big show stopper for me. I'd like to purchase a nice safe but I live in a 2nd floor apartment and just about everybody will only deliver to the curb-side. The stairs going up to my place are STEEP, there is no way I could get a hefty safe up those stairs. It's frustrating.