Gun safe vs cabinet

[Howser87]

Been thinking about the possibility of picking up a gun safe or cabinet. There are about 7 guns in the house (not all of which mine) and I was nervous about my little brother and sister in laws getting into them if they visit this summer. They are old enough that I am not really worried about it, they know to respect guns and have handled them before, but it got me thinking.

Is there really that much of a difference between a gun safe and a locking gun cabinet? (Other then the fire rating that is) For the most part I have seen them as a way to keep your guns out of the wrong hands, but given the right amount of time a BG could just as easily break into a safe as a cabinet. Either one if I wasn't home the gun could have 2 hours to do his thing and make as much noise as he wants. I saw a video put out by Liberty Safes showing how a standard gun safe (not cabinet) can be opened by two guys in under 2 minutes (controlled circumstances of course).

Real question I guess is does it offer any extra protection against the elements? (humidity, etc.)

This most likely sounds like a stupid question to most, but I am really curious about the benefits of paying $2,000 for a safe instead of $450 for a cabinet.

Link the the liberty video: http://www.libertysafe.com/homesecurity.php?page=8
(sorry if this is posted in the wrong area, but I couldn't think where else to post it. They are used to store rifles)

 

[vector248]

hands down get the safe. though very few "gun safes" are actual safes, most are "residential security containers" a big difference. that said a safe will offer you more protection in all areas than a cabinet. plus you will have the confidence that it is harder for bad guys to get to your guns.

 

[Guns and more]

Get the safe. Any cabinet will keep out kids, but a safe will deter all but the most determined (and talented ) thieves. The peace of mind is worth the extra money. If you are flush with cash, get a real safe, but my advice is: anything is better than nothing.

 

[ReelFaith]

Invest in a good safe. Then invest in a few really nice guns. Safety #1

 

[Horsemany]

Real question I guess is does it offer any extra protection against the elements? (humidity, etc.)

ABSOLUTELY!!! Wood is a natural dessicant. It will absorb excess moisture if need be. The absolute worst place to store steel objects you want to protect against rust is "Steel". That doesn't mean you cannot keep guns rust free in a steel safe, but this is the answer to your question. I have wood and steel. They both have digital humidistats to control humidity.

An old trick to control rust in a steel toolbox is to put a piece of wood in it. Excess moisture absorbs into the wood when it's humid. It gets released when the air is dryer. A wood cabinet works the same way. I've seen it with my own digital humidistat. We have huge swings in humidity here in the spring(hence tornado alley) so even indoors with air conditioning we'll see spikes in humidity.

A steel safe with a goldenrod if needed will keep your guns safe and rust free though. Just not as easily as wood IMO.

 

[Howser87]

So the common consensis seems to be that a safe is best. That means I will start saving now, and hopefully have enough put away in late April.

A steel safe with a goldenrod if needed will keep your guns safe and rust free though. Just not as easily as wood IMO.

Honestly I hadn't considered a wood cabinet, I was thinking about those sheet metal ones you can easily pick up. Now that you mention it though what I might decide to do is build myself a nice cabinet now and then in May/June get a safe.

Would only take me $150 or so and a weekend or two to get one built, wouldn't be permanent but it will work till I can lay down cash for a safe.

Thanks for the advice guys.

 

[husker]

good post neighbor.

 

[DeepSouth]

Might I suggest going to Sportsman Guide web site and search for safes. You will find they have several gun safes that are like 200-300 dollars. They are obviously not nice Liberty safes, not fire proof, probably not very heavy built. But if they'll lock and can be bolted to the wall/floor, what the heck, you might want to look at them as another option.

Personally I'm a "put them on a gun rack in the bedroom" kind of guy.

 

[PT1911]

glass and wood vs. steel and a combination.... not much to think about..

 

[Polar Express]

Im on a budget too. A couple years ago, I got ahold of a used safe, and while its not pretty like a liberty, I'm very glad I spent the 300 for the safe.

Mine was a plain box, and I spent a saturday building a shelf system inside it, made of wood, and covered in felt. Works well.

Im not too concerned with fire protetion as we have a pro dept. within 1 mile, and I keep my safe inside the house in a spare room with a window to the outside. (shouldn't build enough heat in a residential fire to harm things)

But, nonetheless, I'm very glad I decided to get the safe. I feel that I am fulfulling my duty to be a consiensus gun owner. But... I don't keep my home defense weapon in any safe or locked condition.

 

[barneyrw]

If you are a member of Costco, they have gun safes online that can be delivered to your home. They are pretty reasonable on price when they have them on sale. I picked up a Liberty safe that is 24"X20"X60" and weighs 400# for $600 delivered to my door and a Cannon electronic lock safe that is 30"X20"X60" and weighs 450# for $700 delivered. Last year on "Black Friday" Tractor Supply had the same Cannon safe on sale for $650. They're around at decent prices if you look around.

 

[SHvar]

I have a locking steel cabinet, its secured from3 sides with full length safe hinge on the remaining side. If someone was really determined with the time they could get in, but it cost me $129 at a local gunshop. Its bolted to the wall and floor, all seems and edges are inside, nothing to pick apart easily. Also the corner it sits in prevents anything but a small pry bar from getting in there.
I wouldnt trust a wooden cabinet, most of them cost alot more anyways.
To get whats in the cabinet you need to get past the Glock 22 with 30 rds in my hands.
Survivors will be prosecuted.

 

[RP88]

a shabby $500 safe is gonna hold more guns, offer more fireproofing, and resist break-in way better than a gun cabinet when a thief with a crowbar possibly makes his way into your house.