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Gun Safe Recommendations

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BigTShirtAg
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7:38p, 10/25/23
Starting to build up a collection of guns/suppressors and have decided I need to invest in a gun safe to keep them safe and secured.

Any thoughts and suggestions are appreciated
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Psycho Bunny
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7:53p, 10/25/23
Stay away from Liberty for sure. Bigger is better. And always get a safe that's no lighter than 750 pounds.
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JuneBug07
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7:58p, 10/25/23
AG
I purchased an Old Glory safe a few years ago and that thing is a freaking tank. 1100 lbs and 90 or 120 minute fire rating. I can't remember off the top of my head.
Unfortunately they have gone up about 1000$ since I got mine.
Winchester also makes heavy safes as well on their upper tier safes.
Brownings are good too. I purchased off of Gunsafes.com and it was an easy process.
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JuneBug07
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8:00p, 10/25/23
AG
Like others have said. Whatever size you think you will need. Buy the next size up from that. Once you start adding scoped guns, your safe will fill up in a hurry.
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Duck Blind
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In reply to JuneBug07 • 8:30p, 10/25/23
AG
JuneBug07 said:
Like others have said. Whatever size you think you will need. Buy the next size up from that. Once you start adding scoped guns, your safe will fill up in a hurry.


Best advice.
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cryption
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8:32p, 10/25/23
We have a Winchester at the house and an American Security at the property. The Winchester is incredible. The build quality is top notch and I like the interior and keypad design. I broke the battery terminal on the keypad and they overnighted me one no cost. They are out of Fort Worth

The American security is fine. The keypad is fine, the build quality is fine. I got a great deal on it so I'm super happy with it.

I prefer the Winchester but I am happy with the AmSec. If I could only have one brand it would be the Winchester.

Buy the biggest safe you can fit. You'll fill it and wish you had more space
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javajaws
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8:50p, 10/25/23
AG
I'd rather have a rider on my insurance and a security cabinet to keep the kiddos out. But I don't have any heirlooms that aren't replaceable.

IMO if you want a real safe you need to pay up for something with really thick steel. Something like a Sturdy Safe. The run of the mill retail safes are just too easy to get into with today's cordless power tools and aren't worth it IMO. It's just feel good bragging rights of having an intimidating looking safe that really isn't that intimidating to determined thieves.

Just my opinion and everybody has different criteria to figure out what's best for them.
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SGrem
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9:09p, 10/25/23
Superior.
Get twice as big as you think you want.
Exterior hinges opens wider.

There is no standard for fire rating. Some say 3hrs at 1000 degrees some say 2hrs at 1500 degrees for example. Otherwise it's a fairly arbitrary rating.

I have my safe placed where the house would burn around it faster than the rating so I'm not too worried about fire. There just isn't enough house fuel there to make it an issue.

The door is where the thickness is.

We use it way way more than I thought we would for all kinds of things.

I prefer a dial lock to the digital.
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P.H. Dexippus
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9:29p, 10/25/23
AG
A used TL rated safe is the only real deal

https://www.ebay.com/itm/385715070248?hash=item59ce68e528:g:AHoAAOSwRBdkm0qM

https://www.ebay.com/itm/364465924047?hash=item54dbdca7cf:g:kOcAAOSwWmtk-fEF

https://www.thesafemanllc.com/used-safes/tl-safes/

Etc.
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dr_boogs
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In reply to javajaws • 9:29p, 10/25/23
AG
javajaws said:
I'd rather have a rider on my insurance and a security cabinet to keep the kiddos out. But I don't have any heirlooms that aren't replaceable.

IMO if you want a real safe you need to pay up for something with really thick steel. Something like a Sturdy Safe. The run of the mill retail safes are just too easy to get into with today's cordless power tools and aren't worth it IMO. It's just feel good bragging rights of having an intimidating looking safe that really isn't that intimidating to determined thieves.

Just my opinion and everybody has different criteria to figure out what's best for them.


Agree w this sentiment completely. OP, listen to this advice. If you have the coin and want a serious safe and not just a locked cabinet, check out Sturdy Safes.
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EskimoJoe
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9:42p, 10/25/23
I would normally recommend a liberty safe as I own 2 of them, but in the wake of recent events I would NOT recommend a tyranny safe.

Eff that company.

And whatever size you think you need, multiply that size by 1.5 and buy that size.
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meggy09
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10:16p, 10/25/23
AG
If you're spending 4 figures or less it really doesn't matter. Put it in a secure place and replace whatever lock it comes with with a dial.
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fourth deck
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10:44p, 10/25/23
AG
+1 on replacing electronic lock with a dial
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vmiaptetr
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10:53p, 10/25/23
AG
I also suffer from Liberty Safe remorse.
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AgCMT
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8:25a, 10/26/23
AG
I have been wrestling with this a lot lately. I am guilty of buying an expensive, but too small of a safe years ago. I'm in the market for a new one and really can't justify what they are charging for the larger safes.

All that I really want to do is lock my guns up so that my kids don't get to them. I do have some money invested into them so I did add a rider to my insurance policy.

I do think a big ass safe would look great in my mancave, but I really haven't been able to justify it...at least to my wife. Welcome for some suggestions!
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JuCo CH46
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8:34a, 10/26/23
Sturdy Safes, made in USA. Heavy duty, and very well built. Compare the thickness of metal not only on the door but the sides. Get a dial
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TX_COWDOC
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8:45a, 10/26/23
AG
AMSEC with an old school combo dial.
www.southpawprecision.com
Type 07 FFL / Class 2 SOT
Nightforce Optics Dealer
AGM Night Vision Dealer
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cashag95
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9:57a, 10/26/23
AG
If you want the best, go with a Browning. I was referred to a Browning factory rep on here years ago when I was looking to buy one. The guy's name was Norm Dion BrowningSafes@comcast.net or npdion7531@gmail.com he was great and I got a sweet deal. Not sure if he is still around or doing this for a living, but I highly recommend him. I think there are a few more users on this forum that have bought from him as well.
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HDeathstar
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10:21a, 10/26/23
Most are all listed as some type of RSC?, which is just a container listing. Fancy box with a little bit of fire rating. A real safe will be very expensive, but if you have a few 100 grand in guns, it is probably worth it.

I have a American Security. I like it, but it is basically there to avoid a smash and grab theft. Determined and prepared thieves will get in.

Bolt it down, no matter what type.

Fire: Not sure how fireproof any are, but a big impact is where you will place it. If safe is placed in a location where the house fire will bring the house down onto the safe and burn longer and hotter around the safe, you may want to get a higher fire rating. External wall will have a lower fire risk.

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tlh3842
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In reply to cashag95 • 10:25a, 10/26/23
AG
Bought mine through him three years ago. I think 30% off (or cost was only 30% of) retail price. Would highly recommend reaching out to his email. You're custom ordering a safe from the factory
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Logos Stick
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In reply to BigTShirtAg • 10:39a, 10/26/23
Don't use Liberty. They have your pass code stored in their system.
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TikkaShooter
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12:13p, 10/26/23
Sturdy
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44mAG
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12:40p, 10/26/23
AG
I only have good things to say about my Fort Knox safe.
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Jason_Roofer
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1:16p, 10/26/23
My biggest word of advice having shopped for safes for several years….be reasonable.

Look, bolt your safe down. Don't tell everyone you have a safe. Don't advertise your valuables. Even the tractor supply cheapies are more adequate than people really NEED. You are trying to mitigate risk of:

1. Fire

2. Smash and grabs

Your focus should be on reasonable fire ratings. The odds of a smash and grab are slim and the odds of a smash and grab having time to figure out what to do with your bolted down safe that they just now saw are even slimmer.

You don't insure your 200,000 dollar house to 3 Million dollars, so don't buy a 12,000 dollar safe for your 5 rifles worth 3,000 combined.

That's my opinion. Any safe you find at the safe store is going to suit most everyone's needs and any safe available in the world can be broken into with adequate planning.

If im rolling down OP street and notice he's not home, and a simple knock at the door confirms there are no dogs, then my variable is an alarm system. That's going to beep for 30-60 seconds before going off. Im digging through drawers in the bedroom for guns, jewelry, and the garage for power tools. Those are known wins. The safe is not. Maybe bolted down, maybe empty, maybe it's full of birth certificates. Too much risk of low return and time wasted

Keep dogs
Keep an alarm system
Put your safe NOT in your living room open to your 6' picture windows visible from the street
Stop posting photos of your guns everywhere
Stop telling Facebook about your upcoming vacation

If you do this, you can focus on fire ratings.

Personally, I've found the Browning 1878 safe to be absolutely hands down the BEST laid out and USABLE safe I've ever seen. The price is reasonable as well but it's still not cheap.

I love AmSec but the Browong would get my money in terms of fire rating, function, cost, AND theif protection. It's the whole deal. That is compared against Liberty, Fort Knox, AmSec, and the major brands I've seen at the safe stores.

It drives me nuts to see safes the size of a small room so poorly laid out that you can get about 10 guns in them.
Infinity Roofing - https://linqapp.com/jason_duke --- JasonDuke@InfinityRoofer.com --- https://infinityrooferjason.blogspot.com/
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cashag95
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2:07p, 10/26/23
AG
https://browningsafes.com/products/1878-series-49t
From a few years ago, the 1878 49TW/Elec model costs $2730 + $515.26 for shipping to TX, for a total cost to me of $3245.26
I assume prices have gone up considerably since, but in case anyone is interested....
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Fightin TX Aggie
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3:05p, 10/26/23
AG
I have a Bighorn, which is made by Rhino Metals, but they sell at Costco under the name Bighorn.

I think it's rated for 30 minutes of fire protection. Thing is huge and heavy as a damn rhino.
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theJonatron
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4:41p, 10/26/23
AG
I got a Granit Security, which was acquired by Winchester. It's a 90 minute with mirror black finish, beautiful safe that looks nice in my bedroom. I bought it thinking it was large enough and filled it within 3 years. It weighs about 750lbs without guns and ammo.

I'm in the process of getting bids for an above ground tornado shelter that will lock and be bolted to the ground. My ammo will go in there once its locked which will make more room for guns in the safe.
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BigTShirtAg
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8:15p, 10/26/23
Appreciate all the different recommendations and the insights on the things to focus on. Y'all are the best!
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HUEY04
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8:53p, 10/26/23
AG
After doing a ton of research I settled on a Brown HD 7228 a few years back over Sturdy and AMSEC. Combined with a monitored security system it should hold up against any prying attacks and hopefully power tool attacks until someone shows up.
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Central Committee
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9:27p, 10/26/23
AG
Browning. I have a contact in Washington State that is a official distributor but only sells based on email orders. Browning does not allow him to openly advertise due to his pricing and their deals with large vendors like Cabelas. You request that he provide a price sheet, and select what you want. He is consistently 30% to 40% retail. I have purchased two safes from him.

I know it sounds too good to be true, but I can personally vouch for him.

PM me if you want his contact.
We may not always get what we want. We may not always get what we need. Just so we don't get what we deserve.
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EskimoJoe
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In reply to AgCMT • 9:39p, 10/26/23
AgCMT said:
I have been wrestling with this a lot lately. I am guilty of buying an expensive, but too small of a safe years ago. I'm in the market for a new one and really can't justify what they are charging for the larger safes.

All that I really want to do is lock my guns up so that my kids don't get to them. I do have some money invested into them so I did add a rider to my insurance policy.

I do think a big ass safe would look great in my mancave, but I really haven't been able to justify it...at least to my wife. Welcome for some suggestions!


Go buy the big ass safe. The longer you put it off the more it will cost. I bet you will add more firearms to your collection anyway. Our first safe was a decent size but it only took me about 7 years to fill up. I then added a larger one. Its nice to have one in the home office and one downstairs. Our safes hold more than guns. We also store cash, gold, marriage license, birth certificates, memory sticks, titles, deeds, estate documents etc. in them.
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RCR06
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8:04a, 10/27/23
AG
I have a liberty safe and it's pefectly fine. It's a really large one, 40-50 gun safe(cant remember exactly). I knew I wasn't getting top of the line when I bought it. I had a few guns in a closet previously so this was a big upgrade in security and protection. Can it be broken into? Sure, with the right tools and enough time. There are YouTube videos out there showing this exact thing. I also have a security system and I think the combination of those two things make it much less likely that someone breaks into my safe.
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TX_COWDOC
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8:32a, 10/27/23
AG
A few comments for the OP: I like the look of Browning safes. They are in a class of their own in that regard. They are made in Utah by ProSteel. I've had 2 of them. I learned a lesson about electronic locks with the 2nd one.

The actuator failed. I couldn't get into my
Safe. Tech support sent me a new key pad and it was able to get the door unlocked.

Then, I had to dismantle the interior of the door to swap out the failing part. Took a day to do so.

Point being, electronic / biometrics are great until they fail. I went back to old school dials.

The upside was that Browning / ProSteel have great tech support and the safes are beautiful.

Downside was it took me a week to get into my safe.

PS: The day I couldn't get into my safe, I borrowed my grandfather's Winchester 30-06 and smoked 2 coyotes.

Here's one of them ….


www.southpawprecision.com
Type 07 FFL / Class 2 SOT
Nightforce Optics Dealer
AGM Night Vision Dealer
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O.G.
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In reply to TX_COWDOC • 8:47a, 10/27/23
TX_COWDOC said:
AMSEC with an old school combo dial.
This here.

I was considering selling mine before my last move, then Liberty Safes did, you know...that thing, and I decided to hold on to it. I will never get rid of it now.

ANY safe, anywhere in the world CAN be broken into with the right tools/training/time etc etc. However, the smash and grab Meth head ....you know the guy on the bike at 7-11 at 10pm, that guy...he doesn't have those tools & that's what you have in your town. That's who breaks into your truck/house looking from something to steal to buy more drugs. Ethan Hunt and Thomas Crown are not going to be breaking into your house. Meth heads/kids are.

So, have a talk with your kids about talking about the gun collection.

As was stated above, don't advertise that you're leaving town. Harden up your house etc etc.

As far as fire goes, unfortunately, you won't know the real answer to that until after a fire. If you've ever walked through a structure after a fire, you'd know what I mean. Some stuff gets obliterated, some stuff gets missed.
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JFABNRGR
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9:08a, 10/27/23
AG
I have yet to find a finger print reader that consistently works. Combo dial or E.

Place the safe out of visibility and disclose to nobody that you have.

You can increase fire ratings by whats around the safe and even items in the safe by further wrapping.

I know folks who have framed in 50 gallon plastic drums filled w water above their safes or safe rooms so when the fire burns water is released over the valuables.

Where you place the safe work to locate an Emergency use weapon that can be utilized should you find yourself having to open the safe under duress. Good chance your going to die anyway and if blood was already spilt getting to this point than your certainly going to die.

As others have said if safe is rated for 10 guns that really means like 5 real guns and 10 toys. Or if you afford two get two and go cheap on the one and let it be the sacrificial one keeping the real value in the more hidden one. This will allow you quicker access to your ED or HD items as well.
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