Finally Decided on a New Gun Safe

[Ledd Slinger]

I looked at the Sturdy safes. They are beasts for sure Actually seem to offer a ton of protection for the price. The same size safe is $1K more than the Steel water and has no fire protection material. Gotta pay an extra $770 for that. By the time you start adding options on to the Sturdy safe that the Steelwater already includea, you could easily hit the $5K mark with the Sturdy safe.

Sturdy safes are nice for sure, but you pay for it. Just not quite as much as you do with other brands. So I would say Sturdy is a really good value as well if $4K-$5K is the budget you have set forth.

 

[jkohler]

ledd slinger check out this video if you haven't already.
https://youtu.be/ltK-bDbADa8

 

[kelbro]

I know most all of us tend to obsess over this stuff when we make a large purchase. When I bought my Browning over 30 yrs ago, it was close to one month's pay!

You know what? Never had a fire or an attempted break-in. Buy what makes you feel comfortable, wall it in, add a sprinkler system.

 

[DennisH]

Good point on the metals. But that's speculation. We don't really know the quality that each company uses.

Without going into detail, if Asia wants superior metals, they get it from the US.

I am sure everything will work out for you and your new safe. I realize were not building a super structure or a space shuttle where metal quality really matters.

Just like some European & Asian ammo, you better be careful because you never know what your going to get!

 

[Ledd Slinger]

ledd slinger check out this video if you haven't already.
https://youtu.be/ltK-bDbADa8

Yeah that's a good one. I've watched it a couple times over the last year. I even sat and watched it again since you posted it Lots of other good videos out there too.

 

[jkohler]

I could use another safe myself. it's not a easy decision at all

 

[jonbearman]

My statement about them being an import was merely to let you know in case you dint. I myself buy imported items as well just to save money and to be honest these products are all mage abroad. So if I upset you I apologize for the way it came off.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

I could use another safe myself. it's not a easy decision at all

It really isn't. There's so many of them out there and they all claim to make a great safe. Really gotta read between the lines.

Best thing I did was go to places that have a bunch of various brand safes on display. I would figure out what they had in stock, print out manufacturer spec sheets, then go play with them. It really gives you a good idea on how to tell between a "junk box" and a real safe and which specs you want to avoid.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

My statement about them being an import was merely to let you know in case you dint. I myself buy imported items as well just to save money and to be honest these products are all mage abroad. So if I upset you I apologize for the way it came off.

No not upset at all Jon. I just wanted to make sure this thread remained informational on the topic and didn't take an accidental turn down a road that has been traveled way too many times on this site.

 

[loneranger04]

When it comes down to it, unless we have a bank vault, commercial gun safes are little more than a deterrent for a thief and some protection against fire but they are the best that most ordinary gun owners can do to protect their firearms. With the power tools available today and knowledge of where to attack a safe most thieves with a little time can get into most safes. Im thinking of getting a Nannie cam to put over mine and installing an alarm.

 

[DennisH]

Im thinking of getting a Nannie cam to put over mine and installing an alarm.

Some of the safe's I have been looking at come wired for computer monitoring, camera's, and alarms! I guess it doesn't hurt to be "safe". They also recommend LED lights inside the safe.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

When it comes down to it, unless we have a bank vault, commercial gun safes are little more than a deterrent for a thief and some protection against fire but they are the best that most ordinary gun owners can do to protect their firearms. With the power tools available today and knowledge of where to attack a safe most thieves with a little time can get into most safes. Im thinking of getting a Nannie cam to put over mine and installing an alarm.

I agree on the alarms. I personally believe that a camera in plain sight is a greater form of deterent. If a thief sees he is being filmed, he's more likely to turn tail and run. Just the same as how I believe "open" carry of firearms is much more effective at detering threats than concealed carry. If an attacker sees and knows you are carrying a firearm, the chance that he will attack you is slim to none.

A loud audible/visual alarm is a good idea as well. You can set it up on a motion sensing system with a disarming switch concealed in another room. That way he will not know how to disarm the alarm and you can turn it on when going to bed or leaving the house. The audible/visual alarm device (flashing light/loud siren) should also be placed in an area high in the ceiling and perhaps even multiple places inside the house to make it more difficult for a thief to silence the alarm by removing the device. If he has to track down 3 or 4 alarms screaming at him throughout the house, it's gonna take some time and he will more than likely just run away. Many alarm systems can also be directly linked to local law enforcement if you wish to pay a service fee through a company. Some will even send text message alerts to your phone. I have installed alarms in the past that also had loud sirens mounted outside the home so that neighbors would hear it in the event of a burglary. The security system options are endless these days. Just depends on how much you want to spend.

I believe a good front line defense of video surveillance coupled with an audible/visual alarm is an excellent idea that may prevent a thief from ever even getting the chance to crack your safe.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

Upgraded the safe today. Went with the Steelwater 72"x42"x28" HD safe. Figure I'll get a lot more room with the 6 ft tall safe. that way I will have room to stack my expensive optics on the upper shelves and still have room foor my long guns below. Total was $2327.50 with my 5% Veteran discunt. Said they have them in stock so shipping shouldnt take too long. Ill let you all know my thoughts on the safe when it arrives. Will review it with skeptisism to inform you all thoroughly. Ive played with a lot of safes ranging in prices from $1200 to $6000+ so I have a pretty good idea of what a good quality residential security container entails. Until then...

 

[DennisH]

Im thinking of getting a Nannie cam to put over mine and installing an alarm.

Some of the safe's I have been looking at come wired for computer monitoring, camera's, and alarms! I guess it doesn't hurt to be "safe". They also recommend LED lights inside the safe.

Have you bought your safe yet? If so, send pictures and the reason you went the way you did.

6brx(@)cox(dot)net

Later, Dennis

 

[Ledd Slinger]

I have bought my safe. But also just bought a new house. Safe is paid for and awaiting my go ahead for delivery. Once we close on the house in the later part of July, I will have it delivered there. Don't want to have to move that sucker myself. It weighs in at 1250 lbs. So it will be about another month or so before I actually get my hands on it.

 

[JRS]

Hope it arrives without the kimchi odor ;D

Your money, of course. Steelwater is really nothing more than an internet sales company with a storefront. The safes are made in China, and also sold by WalMart. You can purchase more, for a few dollars more.

FYI: Unless you have made arrangements to have the safe located somewhere specific, lift gate service is the only free service they provide. Meaning…. they remove it from the lift gate, and you take it from there. My neighbor in CA. the late John Adams chose one of the Steelwater safes to try it out. John was a very generous gentleman. He gave it to his son in law after having paid $550.00 to have it moved into his house, then the cost to have it moved out. I don't know what the going rate is now, but at that time, they charged John $60.00 per step to move it down 7 steps.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

Comes with free delivery into the garage. That was a big reason I chose them. The Cheaper Steelwater safes only come with lift gate service. The one I bought, which is the nicest amd most expensive model they make, comes with a little more. Every other safe company out there charges extra for garage delivery and most of the time even an extra $400-$500 for plain old lift gate delivery .

Steelwater may be made overseas, but have you seen the quality of a Liberty or any other American made safe in the same price range? They're junk in comparison. Definitely don't get your moneys worth.

Comparing the fire and security features to a Liberty Fat Boy is night and day. And they are pretty much the same price. The Steelwater beats the Fat Boy by a mile in every single aspect. Steelwater gives you heavier gauge steel body, much better fire rating, and far superior security features with tighter tolerances.

Funny thing is, companies like Liberty that flaunt the "American Made" claim are half hypocritical because almost all the components they use to build them are MADE IN CHINA! And not only are the components like the lock, hinges, bolts, shelving, etc made in China, they are the cheapest Chinese junk they can buy to maximize their profit. Of course you have to do your research and read between the lines to know that. Don't be blinded by the big fancy "Made in America" sticker they slap on them. Its far from being the complete truth

 

[JRS]

Have you looked at Champion safes? There are certainly equals out there, but none better Champion uses American made steel, American made components, American labor and assembly Liberty purchases and uses materials made right here. Their small home safes are made in China. Not knocking Chinese products, but would rather keep my hard earned money here. As long as you are happy, that's all that matters. Steelwater, like any other internet retailer, is in business to make money. They are going to MAKE you believe, by telling you how superior their product is. You can go to the Champion factory, or the Liberty factory to witness the craftsmanship. Does Steelwater offer that? And with the Steelwater manufactured in China, the components and materials are 100% made in China. So much for your statement about "cheapest Chinese junk they can buy to maximize their profits". Sargent & Greenleaf locks on the Champion and Liberty safes happen to be made in N.Y. Not China. Research Ledd Slinger…. research

 

[Ledd Slinger]

Like I said, I've been doing a lot of research on many different safes for a long time now. Its not just the Steelwater test videos and marketing that made me buy into it. I have read tons of reviews on them from people who actually own them. Even folks with multiple safes in their home or business talk praise the superior quality, craftsmanship and finish on the Steelwater when compared to their other safes.

I have looked at Champion. Most all manufacturers make nice safes once you get to a certain price point. But when considering a price point of $2327 that I paid for the Steelwater, nothing can compare.

And I have done my research on Liberty. The FatBoy locks are made in China. You can read all the reviews of their electronic lock and re-locker failures.

Believe it or not, China can make good stuff. Just like America, there are different grades of quality. If you want anything made in America that is easy on the wallet, you can bet your bottom dollar that the quality is gonna be junk. Unfortunately, "American Made" does not equate to quality anymore unless you want to spend a LOT of money. Dollar for dollar, Americans cannot not make the same quality product as China due to inflated US labor and manufacturing costs.

Id probably rather send my money to China than that Communist state of New York anyhow. At least I know my money won't be going to a state's economy that utilizes it to fund and empower anti-gun activist rules and regulations.

 

[JRS]

You are aware that China is a communist country… aren't you? They are a capitalistic country also' Meaning a very large portion of a companies profits go to the regime which is in fact the Chinese government The ones hacking into our computers, etc; etc. Not the kind of people I care to support.

Anyway, enjoy your safe, and congrats on your purchase, along with your new house