Gun Safes (RSCs)

[Eddie57]

Hello Everyone! New member and first time poster, this is gonna be a little long, so go easy. Recently I decided to start researching gun safes and was drawn to the $500-$700 range, but quickly realized that I would have to spend more to get the protection/features I wanted. A short list of my requirements are as follows:
a) 10 gauge steel or better
b) 1 inch locking bolts on all 4 sides or better (including at least two on top and bottom)
c) UL Group ll lock
d) relockers
e) decent fire protection.

After doing some research I came across Steelwater gun safes and found a model I really like that fits my criteria. Here is a link to the one I am considering. Its $1499 http://steelwatergunsafes.com/index...category_id=3&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=30

Im wondering if this safe, bolted down in an area with limited access to the sides, would be adequate protection against your average burgular and their tools (axes, sledgehammers, crowbars). I realize any safe can be defeated, I just need one that will stop the average criminal for a decent amount of time.

Do any of you guys have a steelwater safe or is anybody familar enough with them to comment? Basically I would like to know if this is a good deal or can I get a better quality safe, that fits my critera above, for less money. I realize they are made in China, but thats not really a huge issue for me unless someone can explain why it should be.

Thanks in advance to everyone for taking the time help me out!

 

[Stevie-Ray]

Never heard of them, though it looks to be quite a safe. By contrast, mine is only 600 lbs, but I paid one third the price. Mine was purchased at Sam's Club and was made by Granite Security.

 

[heeler]

Eddie what you will find in the sub $1500 price range of gun safes are usually 12 gauge bodies with flimsy composite doors,and I say composite because it will usually be a 12 gauge skin with a piece or two of sheetrock in the door for fire protection.
It will look thick but wont be much of a match with a crow bar for long.
And most of these types of low budget safes come from our "friends" in China.
I dont know a lot about the Steel Water safes but they too are most likely an import from China.
It will be pretty hard to find a 10 gauge body safe for under $750 new.
Research a lot of gun safes and read the voluminous RSC threads here on this site to get a good idea of what you need to really look at and consider.
But one thing that will help greatly is to have the safe bolted down in an area that makes it hard to get prying leverage on the door.
That there will give even a lower end gun safe a fair advantage.
Last,that Steel Water with plate steel in the door and a 9 gauge body would be a pretty good deal at that price for sure.
Perhaps better than a lot others in that price range.

 

[Eddie57]

I've read RSC threads on multiple sites and done research until my eyes bleed, lol. I know most of these internet safes come from China and have 12 gauge steel. What I like about the steelwater safes is that they offer every model in 12 or 9 gauge. I'll pay the extra money for 9. I've decided $1500 is my limit. I'm just hoping to find the best value for that price. I know Sturdy safes have 7 gauge but are a little higher than what I want to spend.

I'm open to suggestions from anyone, just don't want to spend more than $1500

 

[hso]

Eddie,

You should probably not worry about the fire protection and just focus on the security aspects. Without a lot of money you're not going to protect your guns from damage in a fire so you're better off focusing on the security. If you want to put your gun "safe" in a fire protected room to help protect it you'll probably come out better for $1500.

Read the fire thread here in Accessories.

 

[Eddie57]

Eddie,

You should probably not worry about the fire protection and just focus on the security aspects. Without a lot of money you're not going to protect your guns from damage in a fire so you're better off focusing on the security. If you want to put your gun "safe" in a fire protected room to help protect it you'll probably come out better for $1500.

Read the fire thread here in Accessories.

I'm basically looking at the fire protection as a bonus. I know there are a lot of variable involved in a fire and you really need some luck on your side for a RSC to survive one. I realize the two hour fire rating doesn't really mean squat. I mainly want the "fire protection" for the door seal to hopefully keep out steam and smoke from a smaller fire that doesn't consume the safe. Although I don't know how tight the seal is on this model. Hoping someone on here might have a steelwater and could help me out.

Besides, my dad is the fire chief here in town and I told him if he lets my house burn down I'll kill him!

 

[a1abdj]

In this price range, there are not a lot of huge differences from one safe to another. Most will be imported, and may even be built by the same Chinese manufacturer.

The only thing that I feel is a must on these types of safes is a UL rated lock. These locks are less likely to fail, are much easier to find replacement for if they do, and will prevent a teenager with Youtube access from breaking into your safe in 30 seconds.

I have looked at Steelwaters before. They are using UL rated locks, and the safes do have a lot of steel for the price. I don't believe their fire rating, but that pretty much holds true for most gun safes. If you like it, I don't see any reason not to buy it.

Upon closer inspection, I just realized the company selling these safes sells safes under a variety of brand names. They did a good job of screwing up their dealer network on the other brand, so it looks like they came up with another name and are now selling direct. Doesn't change my opinion, just allows me to drop the owner an e-mail saying that I told him so, since, well....I told him so. =)

 

[Eddie57]

In this price range, there are not a lot of huge differences from one safe to another. Most will be imported, and may even be built by the same Chinese manufacturer.

The only thing that I feel is a must on these types of safes is a UL rated lock. These locks are less likely to fail, are much easier to find replacement for if they do, and will prevent a teenager with Youtube access from breaking into your safe in 30 seconds.

I have looked at Steelwaters before. They are using UL rated locks, and the safes do have a lot of steel for the price. I don't believe their fire rating, but that pretty much holds true for most gun safes. If you like it, I don't see any reason not to buy it.

Upon closer inspection, I just realized the company selling these safes sells safes under a variety of brand names. They did a good job of screwing up their dealer network on the other brand, so it looks like they came up with another name and are now selling direct. Doesn't change my opinion, just allows me to drop the owner an e-mail saying that I told him so, since, well....I told him so. =)

Thanks for the input! In your opinion whats the easiest way for a common criminal using only tools such as hammers, crowbars, and axes to defeat a safe like this? Also, if I bolt it down, with limited access to the sides, whats a reasonable amount of time I can expect it to withstand an attack (blowtorches and drills aside)?

 

[AABEN]

You can go to www.mistymornsafe.com they have some very good safe. I have the item # 2276 life time warenty on fire and burglary weight is 696lb. They are on sale at Richland IN

 

[a1abdj]

Thanks for the input! In your opinion whats the easiest way for a common criminal using only tools such as hammers, crowbars, and axes to defeat a safe like this? Also, if I bolt it down, with limited access to the sides, whats a reasonable amount of time I can expect it to withstand an attack (blowtorches and drills aside)?

It is very rare for a safe to even be touched, let alone attacked, during a residential burglary. In the unlikely event that it is attacked, it is common to find that the burglars were using tools found at the crime scene. If you are targeted for the safe, you are going to be dealing with a slightly more sophisticated criminal who will be coming prepared.

Common criminals with common hand tools tend to do a much better job tearing safes up than they do getting into them. We see scratched paint, bent metal, broken dials, broken handles, and sometimes cut hinges. Unless they know what they're doing, or coming in prepared to get into it, it should hold up well.

In theory, the safe could be beaten or pried open. The weakest point is going to be the back of the safe as that is the largest, thinnest part in this case. Things like grinders, saws, and torches will open something like this in minutes if the person running them knows what they're doing.

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

For what it's worth - I always go fire lined in the form of it being built as a safe inside a safe and for the added weight as well as security. I've been ass-bit twice on electronically controlled locks and won't watch that movie again.

Now - excuse the ignorance but what is RSC (are RSC's)? I'm unable to glean a definition from the context.

AHA - Residential Security Container? Jeeze Louise!

 

[CapnMac]

RSC = Residential Storage Container

 

[JR133]

Try the Tractor Supply Comp. They have several safes from Winchester and Cannon for good prices. You can get a nice one for under $1000.

I just bought a Winchester Ranger19 for $ 850 online. 1 hours fire rating and it holds 19 guns. It also comes with a door kit. Hold papers and 6 handguns.

 

[AABEN]

How much does it weight and how long in a house fire has it got a life time warranty?

 

[Eddie57]

How much does it weight and how long in a house fire has it got a life time warranty?

If you're asking about the steelwater safe from my original post it weighs 772lbs. As far as how long it can be in a house fire and still be under warranty I have no clue. I was under the assumption that most safe companys with a life time fire warranty will repair or replace (at their discretion) the safe if its damaged in any fire, no matter how long it was in there. I could be wrong though.

 

[hapidogbreath]

Get the biggest safe you can and remind the Wife that she can store her good silver and wedding stuff, photo Albums in it. Also your insurance company should give you a discount due to having all your valuable things in the safe. If you get a big one bolting it down is not necessary due to the weight. Most dirt bags will not walk off with a 700 or 800#(empty) safe and once its full........... Had I known then what I know now I would have gotten a MUCH MUCH larger safe. I'm looking to get another one! Ran out of room