GUN SAFE

[rtimgray]

I think concealment of a safe is every bit as important as a safe itself. A lot of thieves won't steal what they don't know is there.

An example I use is this: several years ago, before I had a safe, I kept the few guns I had (probably about 10) in my upstairs closet. Also in the closet was the entrance panel for my satellite TV and phone. I had to have service done on the satellite TV, so before the repairman came on site, I removed all of the guns and assorted things with them (cases, ammo, pouches, etc.) from the closet and hid them elsewhere. That way, when the repairman came he would see no evidence of guns.

Now do I think that the repairman would be apt to return to my home at a later date and try to steal the guns - 99% sure that he wouldn't - but you never know, and when it's so easy, it's better to not tempt fate.

This is the same principle as not leaving your purse/wallet/laptop/phone laying in plain view when you get out of your car. A lot of thefts are crimes of opportunity. If the thief doesn't think there's an easy score to be had, they'll pass and move on to easier targets.

Good luck and take care.

 

[GolfAddict]

I think concealment of a safe is every bit as important as a safe itself. A lot of thieves won't steal what they don't know is there.

An example I use is this: several years ago, before I had a safe, I kept the few guns I had (probably about 10) in my upstairs closet. Also in the closet was the entrance panel for my satellite TV and phone. I had to have service done on the satellite TV, so before the repairman came on site, I removed all of the guns and assorted things with them (cases, ammo, pouches, etc.) from the closet and hid them elsewhere. That way, when the repairman came he would see no evidence of guns.

Now do I think that the repairman would be apt to return to my home at a later date and try to steal the guns - 99% sure that he wouldn't - but you never know, and when it's so easy, it's better to not tempt fate.

This is the same principle as not leaving your purse/wallet/laptop/phone laying in plain view when you get out of your car. A lot of thefts are crimes of opportunity. If the thief doesn't think there's an easy score to be had, they'll pass and move on to easier targets.

Good luck and take care.

Good advise to follow.

Though you are no doubt right about him, just what if... And, even if he's as honest as the day is long, what about the group of buddies he met up with at the bar that evening. Sitting around the table, "You know that big white house over on Elm Street? You should see that guys collection of guns. He's got some really nice blah, blah, blah..."

Are all his buddies as trustworthy as him? What about those two rough looking dudes at the table behind him that just got real quiet, heads cocking this way.

 

[CurlyDave]

One of the best concealment jobs I ever saw was an old water heater converted to a gun safe. Well, it wasn't really a safe, just a hideout, but it was nicely done. Even had dummy pipes, fake gas service and a gas flue on top.

 

[Gunny]

Somewhere I saw where someone had converted a Coke machine into a gun safe, looked really good, but it didn't really have much in the way of physical security and nothing for fire resistance. Then I got to thinking that if somebody did break into my house, they'd just steal the Coke machine because they go for big bucks. Finally went with a standard security/fire safe mounted to the floor. I put it inside a closet where there's just barely enough room to open the door, so there's not much room to work with if they tried to manhandle their way inside.

 

[Soundguy]

good ideas. I even have seen some inside the wall hiding spots!

 

[Soundguy]

how many # combination? 4?

 

[zaynkarim]

I am in the market for a 20 to 26 gun safe. So far I have looked at Mesa, listing for $2019 on sale $999. Cannon $1506 on sale $1104 and Amsec $2350 on sale $1674. All three are 1hour fire rated with 12 gauge and weigh about 600 lbs. All have free replacement if damaged due to fire or burglary.

Does anyone own one of these, or know anything about them? I would appreciate any input. Thanks

Both are a good gun safe but don't go for Cannon. The built quality is low. My friends recently bought that and now regretting.

 

[GSVette]

I have an older, smaller Cannon-it’s build quality is fine but it is older.

Just got a Snap Safe Titan XL as a gift-like the idea of being able to disassemble to move-claimed fire resistance equal to other brand name safes. Like it so far.

 

[gsganzer]

I was just looking at new safes the other day. My local Liberty dealer had some left over specials that were a great deal. They were 72" tall models (what I'm looking for) and were $2000- $2300 depending on options.

My wife needed to get in my old safe (mechanical lock) while I was out of town the other week. I tried talking her through it over the phone. I've come to the conclusion that the female brain cannot comprehend a mechanical lock and the required steps to open it. They instead insert their own ideas into the instructions and then become thoroughly pissed off because it doesn't open. All of which is the fault of the person trying to help them. Nearly let to a divorce!!

 

[Sigarms]

With safes, like most products "bought off a shelf", generally you get what you pay for as long as you do your research and know what you're looking for vs what you're actually getting.

I own a cannon safe. Would never buy another one, however, if some drug addict came in on a buzz and had a baseball bat or crowbar, I honestly don't think they could get into the safe by themselves even if they had a day. The sad reality is with skill and time, most safes (no matter how much you spend) can generally be broken into.

Thing to think about IMO is "layered security" so the if the person gets into your home, they KNOW they don't have a lot of time.


General rule of thumb which kind of makes sense to me is take the $ of guns you have and double it for a safe. Also good thumb of rule is take the biggest safe you're looking at for what you have now and DOUBLE that safe size for years down the road. Like a tractor, you should always go a little bigger than what you actually think you need IMO.