Gun Safes: Looking for a recommendation

Status
Not open for further replies.
Keizer you can buy the retrofit kit and shelves for your 6030 from Amsec or have an Amsec dealer order it.
When I was looking at these safes the only model the dealer had was like yours in the fact they had no Stor-it shelves.
I noticed right away after they installed my BF last Friday the backing which is covered in carpet is made of thin sheet metal as you can rap on it and tell.
I believe it is like that to contain and fasten the metal shelves.
The backing on the non shelf units seem a bit stronger and are made from some sort of wood i do believe.
The extra $58.00 my dealer charged me for them was well worth it too me.
 
Wow....forgot about the thread I started. :) Glad to see others didn't!

Thanks for all the helpful information! At present, I'm stuck between AMSEC or Sturdy, though I am considering Mountain View Safe Co., being as I'm in Portland, OR.

I was all set to get the AMSEC TF5517 being as it's in my price range, but then realized it has a lesser quality dial lock, and the safe itself has only a 1 year warranty (as opposed to the Lifetime Warranty on the other AMSEC safes). I still may end up with it, but not until I check out Mountain View and Sturdy.

I've just e-mailed Sturdy Safe about their smallest safe, and will see what the cost is on that. I like their design and build philosophy (though their website is pretty lame....).

I've yet to look into Mountain View Safe Co, but I'll call them tomorrow and see what he has to offer.

What I've settled on as my "ideal" safe (given my price constraints) is as follows:

- 10 gun capacity or more (something no smaller than the AMSEC TF5517).
- Dial lock, preferably a S&G lock
- External hinges

Aside from that, I'm up for whatever. Of course, thicker steel, better insulation, larger size, etc., are all welcome, but they do come at a cost, and I'm on a fairy tight and small budget. I'm not concerned with aesthetics so much as I'm looking for a good quality safe.

Any other suggestions/recommendations for me in my safe hunt?
 
I have access to a new imported gun safe that is heavier than the AMSEC, but cost a little less. The paint and interior aren't as nice, but it does have the following:

10 gauge outer and inner walls (total 1/4"), with cement fill.

Door is 1/4" outer plate, cement, 10 gauge plate, cement, and another 10 gauge plate (total 1/2").

Door locks on all four sides, and uses UL rated locks.

Lock is protected by a standard mechanical relocker, in addition to a glass plate relocker.

Essentially, this safe is a commercial fire/burglary safe packaged as a gun safe. They are built custom, and are the only gun safes of their type available in the US.
 
I have access to a new imported gun safe that is heavier than the AMSEC, but cost a little less.
Click to expand...

I would be interested in seeing it, even though I already bought the BF series. Do you have any pics? Sounds like a good deal.
 
Any thoughts on a GS5922 safe (made in China, sold by many a re-seller)? I have the option to pick one up locally for a pretty good price (sub-$500)...going to check it out in person tomorrow and see what the quality is like. 59"H x 22"W x 16"D, outside dimensions. 10ga body, 1/4" plate door, 30min fire rating, etc. etc... UL rated Group II dial lock.
 
Well, I grabbed the gun safe (thanks to all for your help) and now I'd like to get a silica pack for it. I remember seeing on some other thread a rectangular, plastic case that had silica in it, and you'd just dry it out in your oven. While I've found loose silica, and some electrical/plug-in/rechargeable silica packs, I've not been able to find that same pack...can't remember where I came across it (the internet is a big place).

Any recommendations for silica packs for a 12 cubic foot safe?
 
Most of the high quality US made safes are made in Utah. Do your research and take a road trip, but not to save on shipping. Enjoy the adventure. The safe that I have is six foot tall, about 48 inches wide, has six shelves and hold 33 long guns all at the same time. Not sure of the manufacturer, but empty it weighs about a thousand pounds. I have had it for 13 years. It has a mechanical combination lock and is easy to change the combination yourself. It isn't pretty, but has served me well. I wouldn't "upgrade", I would just do research again and buy another one. Some of my friends have gun "rooms" with vault doors and separate security systems instead of safes. Something to think about for the nest house anyway......
Happy Hunting
 
Steelwater or Diamondback?

I've found this site and thread in particular to be very helpful. Thanks to all who have posted. I am going to bump it back up with a couple questions.

I'm considering both the Steelwater SW593924 and the DiamondBack/Eagle GS5930H. From an appearance standpoint, I prefer the Steelwater. And I know that its door is removable, which is helpful for my installation. But, the front door is 4 gauge versus 3 gauge.

As for the Diamondback, does anyone know if the front door is removable?

Any one with experience with the Steelwater safes that would like to weigh in one way or the other? I've seen plenty of positive feedback on the Diamondbacks/Zykan Eagles to feel comfortable with one of them, if I go that route.

Thanks in advance.
 
safe and not so safe

Girls. When you want to protect something inna safe, you will need a jewelry safe. Most gun safes do not have a burglary rating. TL 30 rating safe must weigh 2000 lbs. There is NO gun safe made that can't have the back cut out with an abrasive saw inna couple minutes, you get what you pay for.Gun safes are a bad joke. Wanna buy some guns?
Cisco
 
cisco11 said:
Girls. When you want to protect something inna safe, you will need a jewelry safe. Most gun safes do not have a burglary rating. TL 30 rating safe must weigh 2000 lbs. There is NO gun safe made that can't have the back cut out with an abrasive saw inna couple minutes, you get what you pay for.Gun safes are a bad joke. Wanna buy some guns?
Cisco
Click to expand...
My front door won't keep burglars out of my house if they want to get in, I may as well just leave my guns on the front porch then. :rolleyes: A safe bolted to the floor combined with a home security system makes you a more "difficult" target then the next guy.
 
INMY:
Good idea bolt down safe and alarm system. Alarm system and real jewelry safe better idea.
Cisco
 
Good idea bolt down safe and alarm system. Alarm system and real jewelry safe better idea.
Click to expand...

Gun safe manufacturers have done a very good marketing job, and have many convinced that their gun safes are the best answer to everybody's needs. In reality, like all other tools, there are specific safes for specific jobs. There is a good reason gun safes are called gun safes.

If you have a moderate gun collection, and a high end watch collection, it doesn't always make sense to buy a high end gun safe. You can buy a less costly gun safe for the guns, and buy a nicer, smaller burglary safe for the watches. Not only do you get the proper protection for your items, but often times you will get the proper protection for the same or less cost.

We have been selling an awful lot of small TL rated (jewler's safes if you will) safes to homeowners over the last year. They are good for cash, metals, and other valuables that people are no longer wanting to leave at the bank.
 
What is a moderate gun collection ??????
Click to expand...

I suppose that's subjective.

I will say that once you get over the $20,000 mark you really shouldn't be using most of the safes that are actually being used. At least not if you're really concerned about the security of the items inside.
 
Yes, I would agree one shouldn't be using most of the safes that are actually being used. Heavy,heavy jewelry safes or old "portable" 6500LB. bank vaults.Then, one can have it wired. Have no use for gun safes.
Cisco
 
So does a jewelry safe make a good gun safe? I've been looking around for a while trying to decide what safe to get. I'm moving in a week and want to make my purchase soon after I move. I keep going back and forth between buying the cheapest rsc vs. buying a "real" safe. I keep thinking about something that I think CB900F said about the 80/20 rule. You can spend 80% of the cost of a real safe on a rsc and get 20% of the protection. Something like that anyway. That and I have a crap load of tools in the garage that could probably aid in some bad guy getting at my goodies.

I hadn't considered a jewelry safe until reading this thread last night. AMSEC makes a model, I believe it is the CF5224. I'm not sure what the interior is like, but I'm sure it could be modified. I only have one long gun. I have more handguns and hope to have more in the future. The price on this safe appears to be smack in the middle between an AMSEC BF and the AMSEC "real" safes. The one concern I have about "real" safes is they are flippin' heavy! This CF model lists the weight as around 2,700 pounds! How does that get moved into my house with out doing damage? I would think rolling that much weight over a door threshold would do some damage. How do these things get moved?
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

D
  • Locked
Gun Safes
Replies
12
Views
1K
rustysragsinc
R
C
  • Locked
Recommend a good gun safe?
2
Replies
31
Views
4K
455vista
4
S
  • Locked
Gun safe recommendations
Replies
23
Views
2K
Walkalong
Walkalong
T
  • Locked
Recommend me a safe... OK sized budget
Replies
21
Views
1K
adirondack
A
P
  • Locked
What's a good, affordable gun safe?
Replies
16
Views
2K
TexasPatriot.308
T
Back
Top