The majority of the gun safes today are made not in the the United Safes. Sure you can buy one made in the USA promising the best protection. It really comes down to what you afford to purchaes and what you really need to safely store your guns. Collectors of rare guns is a whole different world I just will be disussing the everyday person.
I had found Tractor supply has the least expensive prices for gun safes. I purchased a 26 capicity one after looking at several brands. It is like purchasing anything else, do you want the best or something or something that just works? Even the best gun safes only protect from fire/water for a certain amount of time. All the brands made out side the USA are generally made to each manufaturer manufatures. However, the construction and materials are about 95% the same between all manufacturers.
Electronic verses mechanical dials both provide adequate security. The changing of the combinations is far more easier with electronic dials. The mechanical dials requires you to remove the safe door that covers the works. The electronic is done right from the key pad. What ever number you use do not use your zipcode, house number, birthday, phone number or any number that is connected directly with you. Make sure that the gun safe you pruchase reguardless of mechanical or electronic can be opened with a key as a back up. This in case you forget the combo or just hose things during a combo change. Most electrinic dials are run by a 9v battery and the key opening is brhing the dial which just twists off. After a combo change DO NOT close the door. Lock the door with out closing it and test you r combo at least 3 times. If it works then you can close and lock it and then test the new combo. Hense the emergency key if you do not have one it will not be able to be opened and you will need a professional to open it. This could cost arounf $500.00 dollars and depending on the locksmiths capability it could render the safe usless after opening.
A couple of things you will need to look at; the majority of all the gun safes recomend putting them in the basement and bolting them to the floor. What they do not discuss is the area of mounting. If you have the space you should mount it so the opening side opposite the hinges are mountes is as close to a basement wall in the corner. This prevents the use of prybars and other tools to break open the door. Placing it in the middle of the room or where the hinges are close to the wall leaves the safe vunerable.
If you do not have a basement and are mounting on the floor in the house make sure your floor can support the safe. Mounting should still be in the corner as previously disussed. Mounting them to the floor also presents an issue. Screws or lags just to the floor/subflooring also is not secure as a pribar in about 10 seconds can prying it up. Supports with additional wood such as 2x6 under the subfloor should be added with carrage bolts and washers. This means you will need to open the ceiling below the floor to install the support.
Garage or barn mounting is another option however, you will need a dehumidifer to be installed in the safe. The majority of the safes have a pre-drilled hole in the bottom back corner to allow a pass through of an electric cord. I mounted a 2 plug receptical in mine to allow for a dehumodifer and light. Also reguardless where you mount a safe you will need a dehumidifer as the guns should be stored between 40 and 50% humidity.
Oh I have been a locksmith and electric security expert for over 40 years and have had 2 years of formal training and military traning.
I had found Tractor supply has the least expensive prices for gun safes. I purchased a 26 capicity one after looking at several brands. It is like purchasing anything else, do you want the best or something or something that just works? Even the best gun safes only protect from fire/water for a certain amount of time. All the brands made out side the USA are generally made to each manufaturer manufatures. However, the construction and materials are about 95% the same between all manufacturers.
Electronic verses mechanical dials both provide adequate security. The changing of the combinations is far more easier with electronic dials. The mechanical dials requires you to remove the safe door that covers the works. The electronic is done right from the key pad. What ever number you use do not use your zipcode, house number, birthday, phone number or any number that is connected directly with you. Make sure that the gun safe you pruchase reguardless of mechanical or electronic can be opened with a key as a back up. This in case you forget the combo or just hose things during a combo change. Most electrinic dials are run by a 9v battery and the key opening is brhing the dial which just twists off. After a combo change DO NOT close the door. Lock the door with out closing it and test you r combo at least 3 times. If it works then you can close and lock it and then test the new combo. Hense the emergency key if you do not have one it will not be able to be opened and you will need a professional to open it. This could cost arounf $500.00 dollars and depending on the locksmiths capability it could render the safe usless after opening.
A couple of things you will need to look at; the majority of all the gun safes recomend putting them in the basement and bolting them to the floor. What they do not discuss is the area of mounting. If you have the space you should mount it so the opening side opposite the hinges are mountes is as close to a basement wall in the corner. This prevents the use of prybars and other tools to break open the door. Placing it in the middle of the room or where the hinges are close to the wall leaves the safe vunerable.
If you do not have a basement and are mounting on the floor in the house make sure your floor can support the safe. Mounting should still be in the corner as previously disussed. Mounting them to the floor also presents an issue. Screws or lags just to the floor/subflooring also is not secure as a pribar in about 10 seconds can prying it up. Supports with additional wood such as 2x6 under the subfloor should be added with carrage bolts and washers. This means you will need to open the ceiling below the floor to install the support.
Garage or barn mounting is another option however, you will need a dehumidifer to be installed in the safe. The majority of the safes have a pre-drilled hole in the bottom back corner to allow a pass through of an electric cord. I mounted a 2 plug receptical in mine to allow for a dehumodifer and light. Also reguardless where you mount a safe you will need a dehumidifer as the guns should be stored between 40 and 50% humidity.
Oh I have been a locksmith and electric security expert for over 40 years and have had 2 years of formal training and military traning.
