Safe Gun Safe?

I am in the exact same boat, so I am interested in the responses to your question.

As an aside, I did do some research on this and you are correct in that it is easy to "over buy and/or under buy" the correct cabinet or safe for your needs. I think it's important to try and anticipate how many total guns you will have over the next few years because then you can buy a large enough safe for your expansion. I only have 3 break barrels and one PCP now, but do anticipate getting a few more. Also, have several pellet and BB pistols. This can be a real expensive "rat hole" too in getting sucked into the bells and whistles and all the accessories manufacturers will try and sell in addition to the gun safe, so I can appreciate your concerns.

FWIW - There is a Liberty Model that I am looking at purchasing that is supposed to hold 24 rifles and scopes for about $700 from the local Liberty dealer. Then, I need a power extension and humidifier and some adapters; so all in I am estimating about $1,000. This includes tax, labor to install and delivery charge. Not cheap but with little grand kids around the house now and more in the future, I want to definitely lock them up tight, and in ONE place. Right now, I have locks on each of my gun cases and it is a pain as they are stored all over the place. They are locked up and always unloaded, so that's not the problem. I just want ONE place for all the guns. 

I would call you local Homeowner's Insurance Agent and check and see about getting a moderate rider ( if even needed ), which would cover fire or other natural disasters. I will do same before I buy anything.

If you need a model number for the Liberty safe (Centurion super flex) let me know and I will post or send me a PM and I can email it to you. I also have the quote. 

Let me know.

Tom

A 24 gun safe will not hold 24 guns unless none have scopes. Get one big enough to hold your guns. The little steel cabinets are tight on clearances to separate guns from each other and from the inner walls. Good luck it is a tough decision. Also, I have good home owners insurance thru State Farm and it will only cover $5000.00 on my guns unless I purchase a separate policy on guns.

I have a total of three Stack-on cabinets. One of them is a double door with shelves on one side and long guns on the other side. I keep powder burners in one big cabinet, the double shelves are used for ammo and the other side is used for about 4-5 guns that will not be shot. The last big cabinet has my Airguns in it. There is only 3 total guns that don’t stay locked in the cabinet. Got a shotgun and pistol in hidden compartments that can be accessed by my wife or adult daughter and a pcp pistol inside the closet for snake duty. Everything is insured with pic and descriptions of serial numbers. This is kept on a thumb drive and a printed copy is kept at my parents in their safe. Do inventory every 6 months to add and remove guns if need be. I want a big safe but with the floors in a old house, I’m scared they will not hold it. My cabinets are bolted to the floor, wall, and together. Only keys for all three are kept in my pocket.

I had a stack on that a nut came off on the inside so the key would not unlock it. I pried it open with a screw driver in about 30 seconds, so they may be ok to keep kids out but not a thief.

Cahil, thanks for the clarification.

Yes, I did neglect to mention to the OP that you have to estimate and 'half size' the stated quantity of guns it will hold, if you do include scopes. I learned that as well, but your point is well taken. So, while I do not know the exact number, I was told to plan for approximately 12 guns with scopes for a gun safe that claims to hold 24 guns in total. 

OP - You can look at some gun safe YouTubes as well to do some research, but personally I want to physically go to a brick and mortar store so I can eye-ball the safe visually before I purchase one of these. I can make too many assumptions by just shopping online and then end up being disappointed when it arrives. Also, I like the idea of having a local Liberty ( or other manufacturer ) gun safe retailer within driving distance if I have issues.

I would be curious to know what you end up buying.

I have several air rifles currently stored in hard and soft cases around the house and it's a little cumbersome. I'm considering a lower priced Cannon 24 gun safe- but web searches show most all fires result in total loss of contents. I need to better secure the rifles - so would a cheaper metal gun cabinet and spending the savings on extra insurance be a better option. Or, should I save for one on the exotic thousand pound bank vault types. Maybe even a lockable rack would do the job. I'm a little confused - I don't need a safe for bragging rights just for safety and security. I'm asking because I usually get stuff like this wrong on the first try.

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It is not a good idea to store any type of firearm in guncases with foam padding for long periods. The foam retains moisture and will eventually rust your guns. Safe is the way to go. Just remember, whatever number of long guns they claim the safe can hold, cut that number in half.

I have both a large American Security "gun safe" and a large AmSec TL-30 safe. The first one is larger and holds more firearm-related content. It's also lighter and is UL listed as a Residential Security Container. It is NOT a safe. However, when bolted to the concrete, as both of mine are, a quality RSC can cost a thief enough time that defeating the RSC isn't worth the effort. If not bolted to concrete, you might as well have a glorified tin can. On its side, an RSC is dead meat for a competent thief with decent pry bars.

The TL-30 grade safe is a completely different story. First, it's a legitimate safe. Most insurance companies will cover the contents for $250-500,000. The smaller TL-15 and larger TL-30 are commonly used by businesses selling jewelry, watches and other very expensive products. The TL-30 weighs EMPTY over 2,200 lbs.! Having made the unfortunate mistake of raising up (from accessing something inside the safe) before I had fully cleared the opening, I'll say that I've never hit my skull against anything THAT solid and unforgiving. Brutally solid. I think I still have the lump to prove it!

The fire rating between the two is significant. An RSC is probably up to 90 minutes / 1,400˚F. The TL-30 is 2 hours / 1,850˚F. That's a pretty huge difference. The forced entry resistance between the two technologies is also comparable with the TL-30 being far more resistant to a forced entry. Bolted to concrete, the TL-30 is truly formidable.

In practical terms, the RSC is a Humvee. The TL-30 is an Abrams tank. Both can work. Both will make a thief's job more difficult. The tank costs more than the RSC. It also weighs a whole lot more. And when not under their own power, only one of them isn't getting moved by a company of soldiers.

Buying a TL-30, look for older safes too, ones used by retail stores that have closed up shop. Instead of paying upwards of $3,500, you might find a good pre-owned TL-30 for less than half that. Get it checked out by a locksmith and have the combination reset to your liking. And don't be stupid. PAY TO HAVE IT MOVED AND INSTALLED. A blown out disc in your back just isn't worth it and moving a safe is not like moving a refrigerator.

I bought a Fort Knox safe from a local dealer. Mine had to be a certain height to fit my flint locks.

Lots of good advice. If you can afford a good safe & insurance, you'd be golden.

If it's fire you're more worried about. Keep the safe in basement. Use a dehumidifier if damp or not finished. Heat rises. Your babies will make it in a 30-45 minute burn time.

Keep your home defense items in your bedroom where you're most vulnerable. That's the needed one or EDC. Others for fear of fire, in basement safe. A hidden drywall compartment with moulding isn't hard. If you're ever hit. You narror it to who knew. Keep that low. 

I have a 1 year old boy. Night he's born his idiot 21 year old 1/2 brother tried to enter here. Mastiff stopped him.

Gents, all good stuff above one key ingredient missed. Grab your homeowners insurance policy. Call your agent. Have your guns schedule on policy for value. Your milage may vary but works for me.

Think about something bigger then a 24 gun safe. When addung guns with a mounted scope it eats up space quick. You also end up put other things in the safe for convenience. This hobby will lead you to buying more and more air rifles and you’ll run out of space.

Get a six foot tall safe if possible. A five foot safe doesn't give you enough room above your guns for other valuables. 

I am a safe technician. (That's safe cracker to you.)

I will tell you that no gun safe bought from a big box store is safe. They will usually do a passable job. A sub $1000 safe is not secure.

Go to a safe and lock co. And get a lesson. Side wall thickness, #of bolts and their placement. Door frame thickness, insulation type and thickness. Bolt the safe to the floor. If you have $1000 worth of guns, buy what you want. If you are like many of us w/ $10k or more + $5-6k in scopes, well, you can see where this is going. Ask your self if you would put $25k cash in that box and sleep well!

Get a six foot tall safe if possible. A five foot safe doesn't give you enough room above your guns for other valuables.

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^^ This ^^