Results 11 to 20 of 60
Thread: Affordable and secure safe?
-
February 12th, 2021, 11:10 PM #11Grand Member
- Join Date
- Jul 2020
- Location
-
Child of the corn,
Pennsylvania
- Posts
- 1,273
- Rep Power
- 21474841
Re: Affordable and secure safe?
So far I’m happy with this vital hunter safe. It’s in line with the basic models that cabelas/Dunham’s offer and seems pretty sturdy. Iirc it’s 16ga or 18ga steel.
It is a bit on the small side for 18 guns. Anything over about 22”-24” barrel makes for a tight fit while still allowing shelf space. But I can fit my 870 w/ 18” barrel, ar10 w/18” barrel, the sub2k and 22 rifle plus about 1k rounds of ammo in it. The shelf can be moved up and down to your preference and. There’s space on the door for 2 pistols and a dozen mags. I should note, I haven’t moved the shelf up from factory position so I’m limited to 22” max if it has a short stock.
Touchpad lock that runs on 9v. So far in 9 months I haven’t had to change the battery and I open the safe at least 2x a day.
-
February 12th, 2021, 11:15 PM #12
-
February 12th, 2021, 11:17 PM #13
Re: Affordable and secure safe?
In short, i like it alot for what it is/what i paid. Opens as it should, good size, seems stout. But no way to know for sure unless a fire, burglary, etc. occurs, right?
Long version, Liberty has a strong marketing program for sure, but was also legitimately the best I could find for what I wanted to spend and with a manual lock (which was surprisingly hard to come by). I think its 50-50 in terms of their hype vs. their quality. The Centurion (IIRC) line is cheaper but also a bit lower quality (it may make sense in your circumstances though). Fatboy, 1776, Colonial and many other models fall into a mid grade in my opinion, with slightly different features. You basically hit a point where any extra cost goes towards finish more than 'features', and without dropping $3k+ you're not gonna get a lot better steel thickness or true functionality. So I'm happy for $1500.
What I will say though is that ARs and guns with larger scopes actually take up more than 2 spaces unless you like them touching. I think mine was rated for somewhere around 40-50 guns and I've got maybe 10 long guns in it across 2 of the 3 sections (third section reserved for ammo and other stuff). Yes, I could stuff my shit in tighter but I like some space between it, especially where optics are concerned. I'm good for right now, but will eventually need another one, or another spot for ammo.
Regarding size and quality...yes and no. At TSC and Dunhams, probably true...but with a non big-box store safe, I think most are made big by virtue of most buyer's needs/big doesnt mean crap quality.
-
February 13th, 2021, 01:48 AM #14Grand Member
- Join Date
- Aug 2010
- Location
-
South East of disorder
- Posts
- 3,581
- Rep Power
- 21474853
-
February 13th, 2021, 09:30 AM #15
Re: Affordable and secure safe?
You did not define "affordable", however as with most things in life "affordable" and "secure" are on a seesaw.
I will tell you, if you can budget for it, you will not find more security for the dollar spent than you get from sturdy safe. And I state that as a categorical. The fancy automotive paint finish, the thicker bolts that are spot welded to a piece of angle iron, the fancy interiors don't add to security at all, but they do add to the cost. Sturdy safe gives you a simple safe, with thicker steel than the others, the bolts actually do their job because they run through a C-Channel rather than being spot welded to a piece of angle iron, the fit between the door and body is very tight. You get way more security for the $ than from any other brand.
That said, if you don't want to spend that much, the differences between the other, more advertised brands, really don't amount to much. The differences in steel thickness and bolt system between Sturdy Safe and everyone else is meaningful. The differences between Canon, Liberty, store brands like Cabelas, Winchester, et al, really don't amount to anything significant, they are nibbling around the edges and creating marketing fluff. Buy the cheapest of that lot you can find that your wife likes the looks of, basically, it doesn't really matter.
I did an OCD deep dive on this topic years ago. I have two safes, a Liberty Lincoln and a Sturdy. There is no comparison. Check these out.
Video on this page on linkage design
https://www.sturdysafe.com/pages/stu...linkage-design
thicker bodies and doors
https://www.sturdysafe.com/pages/how...afes-are-built
Security of thicker steel
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXVfVUW2ZkI
I can't find the Sturdy video of them breaking into a "pretty" safe, but this one does. Skip to 2:15 where it starts. It took less than 2 minutes. Faults? Gap around door, not as thick steel, short bolts spot-welded to angle iron.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RlwGkO0hxE
Prying a sturdy safe
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4oOqDHedivQ
This model is probably adequate for your needs (they have one smaller one, but nobody ever complains they bought a safe that was too big).
https://www.sturdysafe.com/products/model-2822
If you don't want to go that way, then I suggest you look for sales at places like Rural King, Cabelas, Bass Pro Shops, even check out Costco and get something cheap. A gun locker is too flimsy, but once you get above that, they are all in the same class until you reach the steel thickness of a Sturdy Safe and their better linkage--they'll all keep curious teenagers or potheads out, but none of them keep a determined and experienced burglar out, so don't waste money. Once you reach the 3/16" steel body and their 5/8" doors of a standard Sturdy Safe, you are in a higher security class with the other manufacturers that the pretty safes (if they have that class) charge at least double for. But at least the security matters.
This is the difference in bolt construction that makes theirs so much better.
[img=CONFIG]142586[/img]
-
February 13th, 2021, 10:05 AM #16Grand Member
- Join Date
- Jan 2016
- Location
-
Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania
(Allegheny County) - Posts
- 1,658
- Rep Power
- 21474846
Re: Affordable and secure safe?
How about one of these ?
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Kobalt-24-i...Box/1000172281
419.00 line it with fire rated drywall.
Thicker steel than most RSC"s.
-
February 13th, 2021, 10:27 AM #17
Re: Affordable and secure safe?
Tanner's used to have a good selection and decent prices. I bought 3 mid-size , better grade Sentry Safes. They were about $500ea. Took doors off to move them up a flight of steps to second floor. Only took 3 strong friends. I laid out and drilled a 6-hole pattern in the sides so I could bolt all 3 together once I got them in place. They ain't going no where.
I don't speak English , I talk American!
-
February 13th, 2021, 12:21 PM #18
Re: Affordable and secure safe?
Thanks for the feedback about liberty.
Thank you so much for the in depth response. It gives me a lot to think about. Do i hold off and save funds or settle. I've still got a little bit more research to do.
Last time i was at Tanner's, they didn't have a single safe on the floor. Pandemic and all.
Too horizontal and not enough vertical.
-ZachMy feedback thread: https://forum.pafoa.org/showthread.php?t=315316
-
February 13th, 2021, 01:14 PM #19
Re: Affordable and secure safe?
Life Lesson: Never skimp on gun safes or parachutes.
Buy a Liberty or something equivalent, not a "deal" from the local store.The USA is now a banana republic. Only without the bananas....or the Republic.
-
February 13th, 2021, 01:25 PM #20
Similar Threads
-
How to Secure an 'Elevated' Safe
By MMH in forum GeneralReplies: 12Last Post: February 19th, 2014, 01:38 AM -
What size bolts to secure safe?
By jeffncs in forum GeneralReplies: 9Last Post: February 8th, 2013, 10:22 AM -
Secure-It portable Handgun Storage Safe
By mardo in forum GeneralReplies: 2Last Post: May 19th, 2008, 08:59 AM -
Majes me feel safe and secure
By larrymeyer in forum GeneralReplies: 4Last Post: December 17th, 2007, 08:26 PM
Bookmarks