Gun Safes Article
- Thread starter TXHunter
- Start date
Forum Boss
Administrator
TX,
Yikes... 9,000 words and we didn't do enough??
Well we do have a specific list of recommended criteria right at the top: "Recommended Safe Features for Long-Gun Storage"
It was very difficult to do an apples to apples comparison. Fire-proofing, for example--there are no less than 5 different testing labs used by reputable safe-makers.
Size is another problem. You can look at two 60"x36" safes, and they won't have the same volume inside because of different floor structures and different interior/wall construction.
To be honest, I didn't find one brand that had ALL,or nearly all) the features I'd want in a safe.
Sturdy Safe has nice thick steel for the price. Browning has a slick on-door rack mount on its premium safes. Browning, Champion, and Heritage have a bolt retraction system that resists a drilling attack. Amsec has poured concrete insulation that's more stable, structurally, in a very hot fire. Brown Safe offers Tl-15 and Tl-30 rated safes with superior burglary protection. Homeland offers great interior volume for the price.
On a dollar per cubic foot basis it is hard to beat the Sam's Club safe built by Granite for $599.00. But it's unfare to compare this safe, with its thin 12-gauge walls, to a Brown safe with 1/4" thick walls.
I wish I could be more definitive. I'm in the market myself to replace a 72"x40"x28" Cannon safe,it was too costly to move it to the new location.)
I can say this--I'm very impressed with some of the features on the high-end Brownings. But they are costly. I wish we could get Browning to bring out a "premium practical" safe with a plain-jane exterior and maybe rougher welds. If they could sell a 66"x28"x40" with door rack for around $1300.00, then it would be a no-brainer.
But you really have to judge and balance various features for yourself--how important is fire protection vs. Interior volume. Will you have to move residences often in the future? If so, then a Zanotti makes sense.
I think if you look at the recommended features,UL Type II mechanical lock, external hinges, UL 1 hr fire-proofing, 58" interior vertical clearance, etc.) then price shop, you'll end up being satisfied.
The other thing to consider, is much of the cost of safes is transport. If you can find a safe manufactured near you, that can often save you hundreds on the price. There are a half-dozen safe makers based in Southern California, three or four in Utah, a couple in Texas, and another half-dozen or so East of the Mississippi. Find a safe-maker near you, specific the size and features you want and see what kind of deal you can get on a "no-middleman" factory pick-up. I saved $400 on one of my safes by going in with another guy and buying two at the same time, picked up at the warehouse.
Yikes... 9,000 words and we didn't do enough??
Well we do have a specific list of recommended criteria right at the top: "Recommended Safe Features for Long-Gun Storage"
It was very difficult to do an apples to apples comparison. Fire-proofing, for example--there are no less than 5 different testing labs used by reputable safe-makers.
Size is another problem. You can look at two 60"x36" safes, and they won't have the same volume inside because of different floor structures and different interior/wall construction.
To be honest, I didn't find one brand that had ALL,or nearly all) the features I'd want in a safe.
Sturdy Safe has nice thick steel for the price. Browning has a slick on-door rack mount on its premium safes. Browning, Champion, and Heritage have a bolt retraction system that resists a drilling attack. Amsec has poured concrete insulation that's more stable, structurally, in a very hot fire. Brown Safe offers Tl-15 and Tl-30 rated safes with superior burglary protection. Homeland offers great interior volume for the price.
On a dollar per cubic foot basis it is hard to beat the Sam's Club safe built by Granite for $599.00. But it's unfare to compare this safe, with its thin 12-gauge walls, to a Brown safe with 1/4" thick walls.
I wish I could be more definitive. I'm in the market myself to replace a 72"x40"x28" Cannon safe,it was too costly to move it to the new location.)
I can say this--I'm very impressed with some of the features on the high-end Brownings. But they are costly. I wish we could get Browning to bring out a "premium practical" safe with a plain-jane exterior and maybe rougher welds. If they could sell a 66"x28"x40" with door rack for around $1300.00, then it would be a no-brainer.
But you really have to judge and balance various features for yourself--how important is fire protection vs. Interior volume. Will you have to move residences often in the future? If so, then a Zanotti makes sense.
I think if you look at the recommended features,UL Type II mechanical lock, external hinges, UL 1 hr fire-proofing, 58" interior vertical clearance, etc.) then price shop, you'll end up being satisfied.
The other thing to consider, is much of the cost of safes is transport. If you can find a safe manufactured near you, that can often save you hundreds on the price. There are a half-dozen safe makers based in Southern California, three or four in Utah, a couple in Texas, and another half-dozen or so East of the Mississippi. Find a safe-maker near you, specific the size and features you want and see what kind of deal you can get on a "no-middleman" factory pick-up. I saved $400 on one of my safes by going in with another guy and buying two at the same time, picked up at the warehouse.
Forum Boss
Administrator
One last word on digital/electronics locks. The commercial-grade electronic locks are very good, offer great convenience, and should work for 10 years or more with no maintenance other than annual battery replacement. However, a commercial-grade electronic lock can add $100 or more to the price of a safe compared to a UL Group II mechanical. You have to ask yourself how important is it to you to save a minute or so of dialing time when you open your safe. To a retailer who opens his safe many times a day, the electronic makes sense. To an average shooter, who may only access his safe once a week, the mechanical lock represents a better choice, IMHO.
One other bit of advice from S&G--With an electronic lock, you may want to reset the combination periodically so that wear on the keypad itself doesn't reveal the numbers you push.
The other thing to consider is that thick fire-lining adds a lot of money to the price of a safe. If your guns are insured and you're more worried about protecting documents and media, you may want to purchase a separate, small 3-hour rated commercial-grade fire safe, and keep that inside the larger gun safe.
One other bit of advice from S&G--With an electronic lock, you may want to reset the combination periodically so that wear on the keypad itself doesn't reveal the numbers you push.
The other thing to consider is that thick fire-lining adds a lot of money to the price of a safe. If your guns are insured and you're more worried about protecting documents and media, you may want to purchase a separate, small 3-hour rated commercial-grade fire safe, and keep that inside the larger gun safe.
Forum Boss
Administrator
Granite,Winchester) Safe
Granite Security Products, Inc.
4801 Esco Drive
Fort Worth, Texas 76140
Tel: 817-561-9095
Fax: 817-478-3056
http://www.granitesafe.com/contact.html
Security Products
801 East Loop 340
Waco, TX 76715
254-412-0735 • Fax: 254-412-0766
http://www.factorydirectsafes.com/
Granite Security Products, Inc.
4801 Esco Drive
Fort Worth, Texas 76140
Tel: 817-561-9095
Fax: 817-478-3056
http://www.granitesafe.com/contact.html
Security Products
801 East Loop 340
Waco, TX 76715
254-412-0735 • Fax: 254-412-0766
http://www.factorydirectsafes.com/
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