Why Don't You Own A Safe?

[sigchick88]

Rimfire- I have USAA insurance, it's a military bank/ insurance company. If you are military you get great rates for banking and car and property insurance. AND if you go to the range and some one steals your gun at the range or out of your car they take the claim for it!

 

[whalerman]

Redneck2 said it very well. Just because you can't afford or fit a bank vault into your home is no reason not to equip yourself with some form of safe. And the guys are right who say the average burglar is an idiot. If you want to be really safe, put a sign on your fridge advising him there is plenty of cold beer and snacks inside. He'll get drunk, puke on his shoes, and be there when you turn him over to police. Or when you call 911 afterwards.

 

[whalerman]

Forgot another thing. Some of these safes are designer deals. They are high on colors and lettering but short on security. If you do some homework and try to buy somewhat locally, you can do better. The cost is in the shipping. The local locksmiths can give you a more secure safe at a better price. But it might not be so pretty.

 

[KarenTOC]

I don't have a safe. I live in an apartment. Any thief would have a difficult time breaking in as I am well above ground level......not to mention they'd (or HE) would have to break through "security-doors" in the downstairs lobby first.

This is pretty much my situation. But more to the point, I can't afford one.

To those of you who think that affordability is merely an excuse and not a reason, I say: congratulations on your comfortable financial situation.

To those who say that buying a safe is no more expensive than buying a new gun so buy a safe instead, I say: there are some of us who can't afford a new gun.

I sure hope that doesn't sound (w)itchy, but I think there are some folks on THR who forget what it's like to be in a difficult financial situation. I know I had, until recently

 

[61chalk]

I've heard to many stories of "safes" getting broken into or even the whole thing getting stolen!!! Your building a house.....get your brain working....I hunt an was in the army long ago...I prefer the art of "hiding", an "camoflange"....ever see a place with secret panels...?....I've had my Son an one friend come into my house, told them to play criminal an steal any of my guns......test results...."Holy crap, I never would of found any of them!" If you can't find something you can't steal it.

 

[22-rimfire]

Which would you rather own; two guns or a safe? I'll take the guns.

 

[Fleetman]

I used to use a steel gun locker but realized my collection was building and sacrificed my planned next-rifle purchase for a 60-gun safe. I feel more comfortable and secure knowing my firearms are safely inside and I realize anything can be broken into and/or drug away with truck and chain but a 1200 lb safe is still a good deterrent.

 

[LHRGunslinger]

The way I see it is you should have TWO safes. One large one for the main body of the weapon and a smaller safe hidden away with a critical firing component. That way if the guns are stolen they cannot be used for any illicit activities except maybe bludgeoning someone.

EDIT: The first safe should be of reasonable quality and able to be hidden or secured to the frame of the house. The second should be a small jewelery style safe that you can pick up at Staples for less than $50. You could put a 2 cubic foot safe in the bottom of your closet and hide the safe with a pile of shoe boxes n crap while hiding the smaller safe in say the drop ceiling of your basement.

 

[Sav .250]

If you can afford a good safe, more power to you. With out a safe the perps just open your closet door and take what they want. With a safe they may think twice.
I think most weapons are found more by chance then on purpose.
Go with a safe. It`s by far much better protection... IMO.

 

[chaim]

I do have one of the cheap residential office style safes that are meant for important papers which can hold several handguns. My more expensive handguns (that I don't keep ready for home defense) stay in there.

There are a few reasons I don't have a real gun safe:

-Money: I am a teacher, I don't have a ton of money. A good safe is well over $1K, none of my guns cost me more than $800 (most are worth under $500, or at least were at the time I bought them) so even forgoing a gun purchase (or in many cases, 2) wouldn't have got me the safe. Right now especially I am in a time where money is really tight (thank G-d I still have a job, but 2 years of pay freezes, right when I was supposed to see some of my best pay increases, really hurts).

-My collection consists mainly of relatively inexpensive guns: My most expensive guns (with one exception) are handguns, they can fit in my office style safe. My rifles are mostly inexpensive and I don't have many (I have 6 or 7 long guns in total). My most expensive long gun, my AR 15, will probably be put up for sale soon since I don't shoot it much (3-4 times in the 6 years or so that I've owned it) and I really can use the money.

-I am in an apartment. I will probably leave my next apartment in a year (either to buy a place, or rent a house with a roommate or two). I have never been in the same apartment for more than 2 years. Hopefully, I'll be buying a place in 1-3 years (basically, as soon as they stop freezing our pay). Moving a 600LB+ safe isn't something I want to do (yes, I know you can pay a safe mover, something that adds considerably to the cost of a move). A "real" safe can wait until I buy a place and I'm living someplace I'm unlikely to leave for 5 years or more.

-Related to the above, any "safe" that is light enough to buy while in a semi-temporary apartment, something like the Stack-on lockers or lightweight Sentry safes, isn't something that I really trust to work. Even the "smash and grab" type burglars can usually get into them if they want to. The main use of the cheap lockers and safes (imho) is to protect your guns from a child's hands- I have no children, and when kids do visit the guns are in my closet (off limits to the visiting children), somewhat to well hidden, and I put trigger locks on my guns when kids do visit.


In the meantime I don't advertise my gun ownership (no NRA stickers on my car or apartment windows) and my guns are insured. My renters insurance automatically covers something like $2K worth of guns, I also bought extra coverage (I'd have to look at my policy to remember how much for sure, but it was either an additional $5K or an additional $10K). I pay about $150 a year for my renters insurance.

 

[whalerman]

Some are getting a weee bit defensive here. If you feel you cannot afford a safe, then don't buy one. That is your decision. I would question your priorities if you choose not to, but I do not know your personal situation. Teacher, if you have $800 handguns, I can't understand doing without one of them and equipping yourself with a good safe. But have at it. Enjoy. If you taught in NY, you would have plenty of money, but that is another subject. I simply believe owning a safe shoud be a top priority for anyone with any significant collection of firearms. I go to the extreme of removing firing pins from those in my safes, and hiding them in other areas of house. So I guess I'm a little nuts on the entire thing. Money spent in the short term can mean savings and safety down the road. My boat has a $1500 GPS in it. I sacrificed to buy it. But if I hit a rock, my engine repair could cost $10k. I mean, makes your decisions folks. Set your priorities.

 

[Harley Rider 55]

I have no place to put one. I turned a closet into a safe for no more than a nice safe would cost. The closet/safe is huge.

 

[1911fan]

I have what is essentially a gun locker. It's mfd. by a gunsafe maker but an angry look would get you in--before I modified it. It's about the size of a grey military wall-locker with the feet removed and has a keyed lock in the handle which, when turned, pins the door top and bottom. It weighs about sixty pounds and cost about $100.

I went to the local hardware store and bought two 4" hasp and staples and a couple of those round Master locks for about $40. I mounted the hardware top and bottom on the door, double nutted the bolts then bent them.

I was able to find one stud (where I had room for the unit) and put a 4" lag bolt through the middle of the back of the cabinet, top and bottom, then flanked each bolt with 1" toggle bolts. I put 1 1/2" washers on each bolt in the back, so a quick jerk won't pop the bolt-heads through. 2 1/2" lag bolts with 1 1/2" washers in each corner and the center of the floor completed the installation.

This installation is in the spare room, upstairs (that's why I don't have a 600# safe). I seldom lock everything up unless we're going out of town--when those Master locks are engaged, the hasps fit so tightly over their staples that the key will barely turn in the lock. It usually takes me two or three tries to unlock it. When I leave, I hide it with cardblard--actually, the box it originally came in, split open along the seams--then pile junk in front of it.

I realize that this arrangement will not deter anyone who's after the guns and has the time, especially if he realizes that I keep my power tools in a locking closet on the back of our unit (we live in a condo). That's why we have insurance. Even this locking cabinet counts as a safe, with the beefed up locks and floor/wall mounting when coupled with my tweep-tweep stick-on "alarm" system.

With the barrio a mere 300 yards down the street, I want to keep firearms handy, yet secure when I'm away, and this fits my scenario for the moment. Total cost, $140 and a couple hours work and it will deter all but the most dedicated thieves.

ed

 

[Deltaboy1984]

I have what is essentially a gun locker. It's mfd. by a gunsafe maker but an angry look would get you in--before I modified it. It's about the size of a grey military wall-locker with the feet removed and has a keyed lock in the handle which, when turned, pins the door top and bottom. It weighs about sixty pounds and cost about $100.

I went to the local hardware store and bought two 4" hasp and staples and a couple of those round Master locks for about $40. I mounted the hardware top and bottom on the door, double nutted the bolts then bent them.

I was able to find one stud (where I had room for the unit) and put a 4" lag bolt through the middle of the back of the cabinet, top and bottom, then flanked each bolt with 1" toggle bolts. I put 1 1/2" washers on each bolt in the back, so a quick jerk won't pop the bolt-heads through. 2 1/2" lag bolts with 1 1/2" washers in each corner and the center of the floor completed the installation.

This installation is in the spare room, upstairs (that's why I don't have a 600# safe). I seldom lock everything up unless we're going out of town--when those Master locks are engaged, the hasps fit so tightly over their staples that the key will barely turn in the lock. It usually takes me two or three tries to unlock it. When I leave, I hide it with cardblard--actually, the box it originally came in, split open along the seams--then pile junk in front of it.

I realize that this arrangement will not deter anyone who's after the guns and has the time, especially if he realizes that I keep my power tools in a locking closet on the back of our unit (we live in a condo). That's why we have insurance. Even this locking cabinet counts as a safe, with the beefed up locks and floor/wall mounting when coupled with my tweep-tweep stick-on "alarm" system.

With the barrio a mere 300 yards down the street, I want to keep firearms handy, yet secure when I'm away, and this fits my scenario for the moment. Total cost, $140 and a couple hours work and it will deter all but the most dedicated thieves.

ed

That is good thinking!

 

[Justin Holder]

Years ago my cousin's house got robed by a couple of workers that had been in his house before. They busted his glass gun case and took the three most valuable guns he had.

A few months ago our mutual friend's house was robed by some smash and grab lowlifes. Luckily all of his guns were in his Cannon safe, they took a sledge hammer to it but it held.

Now my cousin and our friend both have new Cannon safes and I have a Liberty.

That is the best peace of mind $1500 can buy.

Would I be caught without one, no way.

The fire protection alone makes it worth having.

 

[oneounceload]

Since most homeowner's insurance DO NOT protect guns, or at best, only up to $2500 without an extra rider, why wouldn't you have some form of security, even if it is against the teen-age smash and grabber?

 

[Cosmoline]

The traditional gun safes are very expensive and more importantly for many of us--very heavy. They're just not practical for people like me who move every other year or more.

My solution has been a large size Knaack jobsite box, tied down and weighed down with bulk lead. The Model 60 jobmaster is 60" long and will fit even very long rifles. With a commercial grade lock installed it's not going to be an easy matter to bust the lock. The way folks get into these as I understand it is a cutting torch. But that would ruin the firearms inside and likely start a fire. I store no powder in it, but they don't know that and there are cartridges that would go off like popped corn if hit with a torch. Another advantage is it weighs only about 200 lbs empty and I was able to foist it into an inner room. Once weighted down getting it anywhere is near impossible. Even with the lifting bar I can't budge the thing when it's full.

In short, for $600 I've made stealing my guns far more annoying and time-consuming that it would otherwise be. Plus if and when I ever get a proper house with a big heavy safe, the Knaack is still highly useful--unlike the cheapo gun safes that aren't really good for much else.

 

[NoAlibi]

KarenTOC:

But more to the point, I can't afford one.

Been there - Done That - Glad It's Over.

Solution: A book - actually 2 books.

When I was living from paycheck to paycheck I found an $8.00 book sold by Paladin Press (I don't know if they are still around.) that showed how to hide guns around the house/apartment for very little money. The best one for me was to buy an air-conditioning register -either a vent or a return and I used the return because it was much larger to be able to store a shotgun and a rifle. I installed it, used it, left it there and no one was the wiser - after all, it is an A/C vent!

The other book is actually a hardback novel that I hollowed out with enough room to hide a snubbie or a small auto. My local library sells old books, small to very large, on a regular basis for a quarter each. The top shelf of your home library could hold 10 handguns for $2.50

 

[Justin Holder]

The fact that "real" gun safes are very heavy is a positive thing.

Mine weighed about 800 pounds empty, add another 200 to that after it is full. Plus being bolted to concrete.

It ain't going anywhere. And that's a good thing.

 

[Zack]

#1 money, from what I hear buying cheap ol-$150 safe anyone can break into it, I would invest the money and buy a $300-$500 safe.

#2 transport more $$ and its a heavy safe no room right now. I will get one some day.

 

[Gik-tal]

Just one more thought, when I was safe shopping I saw a lot of them with a digital key pad, looked real cool unitl I talked with a couple of locksmiths. Bad guy breakes in finds the safe cannot get in rips the keypad and cables out of the door, now you cannot get in either. I went for a good old fashion combination lock, slower to open but it can be open minus the knob. Also on the keypads the numbers that you press on a regular basis over time start to show more wear than the ones you don't. Could assist in guessing the combination.

 

[Justin Holder]

If they do enough damage to either kind you will need a lock smith to open, but warranty should cover that.

When my friends was damaged the pad was ripped off, but he spliced the wires back together and was able to open it himself.

I open mine almost every day, and I can't see any difference in the buttons I use.

The digital locks are much faster to open than the old style dial. And I've had mine for several years and I am still using the original battery that came with it.

 

[Tallinar]

First and foremost is money. Second is the fact that I don't plan to be in this residence for much longer, and I'm not interested in hauling it down the basement and back up.

 

[MinnMooney]

I see no reason to not get a safe or rsc, assuming one can afford it.

There are lots of reasons for not buying a "safe". There are other (& arguably safer) methods of keeping guns out of hands that shouldn't have them. I can't tell you what they are as then I'd have to sh__t ya.

Also on the keypads the numbers that you press on a regular basis over time start to show more wear than the ones you don't. Could assist in guessing the combination.

Is there anyone out there that doesn't change their combo occasionally? If so, start doing it, otherwise some crack-head who's high on meth will sit there and diagnose the 8 odd-colored keys (out of the 11 or so keys) and figure out how to decipher the order and easily gain entry. Ya, right.

 

[oldbear]

IMHO your friend’s logic is flawed. The reason I don’t own a gun safe is simple I refuse to be possessed by my possessions. Additionally I live in a low crime area I’ve got very good insurance coverage.