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Suggestions for a handgun safe?

1036 Views 24 Replies 18 Participants Last post by VA GS, 12 mo ago

Cragar67

Discussion Starter · Jun 2, 2022

for 10-12 handguns. not much available at the local lgs's. no real requirements except not being too big. thanks in advance.

1 - 20 of 25 Posts

Malicious Compliance

· #2 · Jun 2, 2022

I had to buy a new safe in the past six months. I gotta tell you; there's not a lot available at this time. Have you tried some home improvement stores? They tend to have smaller safes available. I would suggest Lowe's, Tractor Supply, and Costco, to name a few.

I have a smaller Sentry safe that would work well for a dozen handguns; you may be able to pick something like this up at an office supply or from Amazon. Here's one idea; there are lots of others out there.

Remember, it will be relatively easy to pick up and carry away with a smaller safe. You will want to make provisions to secure the safe to make this more difficult. There is no perfect safe; it's merely a means to slow the bad guys down.

Reactions: 5

RWLawrence

· #3 · Jun 2, 2022

I’ve seen small (non rifle height) safes at harbor freight, TSC, etc. Quality and customer service would be a question one would have to consider.
I had a issue w/ my Liberty safe unlocking some years ago. After contacting them, had it open in a few minutes and the defective part rplcmnt was received in a few days. They just sent me new seals as the old ones had shrunk, free of charge. Methinks their product has stood the test of time.

Reactions: 1

tommyh

· #4 · Jun 2, 2022

12 is kinda a lot. I don't think I've seen a designated pistol safe with room for more than 6 handguns, and even that's uncommon. I'd probably just up to a single or double rifle safe if that's not too big. If it is, maybe ballpark some measurements and try to come up with a volume requirement, and then drop the term "gun" from your google search. You might have more luck just looking at safes generally, and there's really no difference between a quality "normal" safe and a quality "gun" safe.

Reactions: 3

weatom

· #5 · Jun 2, 2022

I've had a Sentry safe with the electric lock for years. Relativity inexpensive and works great.
Its also just heavy enough to not need to bolt it down. Loaded with guns about 250 #'s

The one in the link below is probably about $550 at your sporting goods store.

Fire/Water Digital Safe | EF4738E | SentrySafe

www.sentrysafe.com

Reactions: 1

SAL

· #6 · Jun 2, 2022

Just signed up glad to meet you guys.
As far as a safe I recently bought a safe at Amazon,Tenemic fingerprint safe,1.6 cuft. Very nice,fire resistant. Mounts to a stud.
It holds 12 of my guns,majority are large frame.
$195 bucks,worth every penny.

Reactions: 2

halfmoonclip

· #7 · Jun 2, 2022

Our local lockshop sells safes, and carries a large selection. They are also gunnies, and very cooperative on the subject.
These are mechanical safe guys, and are skeptical about their ability for repairs on the electronic variety. That may or may not be a widespread problem.
For the OP, how do you store your handguns? Rugs work for me, especially since I use a golden rod type dehumidifier. And they take up far less space than factory boxes.
Moon

Reactions: 1

CodeSection

· #8 · Jun 2, 2022

Cragar67 said:
for 10-12 handguns. not much available at the local lgs's. no real requirements except not being too big. thanks in advance.

Since you are looking for something to hold 10-12 handguns, I'm under the impression you are mainly looking for something more for security and to keep your handguns from being stolen rather than something to keep children and others out. If that is the case, YouTube can provide you with many videos showing how quickly the aforementioned safes can be compromised and opened.

Obviously, a safe not secured to flooring can be carried out if small enough or can be tipped onto its back so as to allow more leverage for a pry attack. I have no idea what your budget is, but from what I have experienced and what I have seen others experience, once a safe was bought, it quickly filled up. Thus, buy a quality built safe as large as you can afford.

When comparing similar safes of the same size, the heavier safe generally has more or thicker steel in its construction. Thicker steel or more layers is better. I have owned Ft Knox safes for decades and I am buying yet another one today. In your situation, if it is in your budget, you may want to look at their Maverick series safes....... https://www.ftknox.com/vaults/maverick-vault/

Again, watch the YouTube videos to learn how easily many safes can be broken into. Lastly, security is like an onion.....meaning you should have various security layers.

Any safe, given time and proper tools, can be compromised. Thus, it is prudent to have some type of alarm system that is monitored so that when it goes off with an audible siren, the intruder realizes they will not have time even if they find the safe. Though a small safe can be carried away if not secured to the floor. Having video cameras like Ring is a good idea as well as they alert you and again can be used to reduce the time the intruder is in your house.

Good luck.....

See less See more

Reactions: 1

ProofMark

· #9 · Jun 2, 2022

Lock Picking Lawyer

Opened with a coat hanger

Reactions: 3

weatom

· #10 · Jun 2, 2022

ProofMark said:
Lock Picking Lawyer

Opened with a coat hanger

Wow, talk about poor design.

Reactions: 2

Cragar67

Discussion Starter · #11 · Jun 2, 2022

lots of good points, thanks. no children in the house so it is more for theft deterrent for sure. going to hit the locksmiths and local sporting goods stores since i did not think of those 2 options.

Bourget117

· #12 · Jun 2, 2022

Fas-1

BRIANnCOLO

· #13 · Jun 2, 2022 (Edited)

I have a 3 of these under our king size bed for handguns & miscellaneous items that adds a bunch of storage space, takes pressure off the stand up safes, & is a great use of unused space for me. I have them bolted to the floor, cabled together, & they just fit under the bed frame. Easy to access even when in bed & while possibly not the most heavy duty/secure safe it would be very awkward to try & pry off the floor as I don't have a lot of space on either side of the bed to work a pry bar & they would at least slow somebody in hurry down enough to discourage them & they'll take the easy pickings, like guitars I have hanging on the walls & scram.

www.gunsafes.com

SnapSafe 75400 Under Bed Safe XXL

SnapSafe Underbed X-Large Safe (75400) Here’s all the security of a conventional, welded safe in an easy-to-assemble valuables and closet gun vault that moves anywhere piece-by-piece, then locks together in minutes with no tools. Measuring 59” high...

www.gunsafes.com

I got one at Midway & the last one I got was from Amazon for a bit less than the link & they do come in three different sizes.

Reactions: 2

CodeSection

· #14 · Jun 2, 2022

@Cragar67, another security layer in addition to what I already mentioned above that you might want to consider when buying a new small safe that could be an easier target of theft, is to investigate buying a cheap safe from Craigslist or at a swap meet that you can fill with heavy bricks and keep it out in the open to use as a decoy. For many, perception is reality. Thus, the smash and grab intruder's time is focused on the decoy........

Reactions: 2

spartan1967

· #15 · Jun 3, 2022

suggestions for a handgun gun safe?

Easy...

Keep it full!

Navy87guy

· #16 · Jun 3, 2022

BRIANnCOLO said:
I have a 3 of these under our king size bed for handguns & miscellaneous items that adds a bunch of storage space, takes pressure off the stand up safes, & is a great use of unused space for me. I have them bolted to the floor, cabled together, & they just fit under the bed frame. Easy to access even when in bed & while possibly not the most heavy duty/secure safe it would be very awkward to try & pry off the floor as I don't have a lot of space on either side of the bed to work a pry bar & they would at least slow somebody in hurry down enough to discourage them & they'll take the easy pickings, like guitars I have hanging on the walls & scram.

SnapSafe 75400 Under Bed Safe XXL

SnapSafe Underbed X-Large Safe (75400) Here’s all the security of a conventional, welded safe in an easy-to-assemble valuables and closet gun vault that moves anywhere piece-by-piece, then locks together in minutes with no tools. Measuring 59” high...

www.gunsafes.com

I got one at Midway & the last one I got was from Amazon for a bit less than the link & they do come in three different sizes.

Not to derail the thread (although the SnapSafe could definitely hold 12 handguns), but how do you like it? I read several reviews that said you could open it just by turning the handle forcefully. It seems to have the best slide out design of anything I can find but the concerns over access have me hesitant.

That said, I would be using it as a deterrent not as “secure” storage — but I’d like it to be more challenging than turning the dial hard!

Reactions: 1

ptco911

· #17 · Jun 3, 2022

Got mine at Home Depot.

Reactions: 1

weatom

· #18 · Jun 3, 2022

Not sure if you have Academy where you are but this is a nice set up. I know you only want
to store 12 handguns but trust me that extra room comes in handy. I bought mine for a few
long guns and pistols, now there's all sorts of stuff in there. Need a bigger safe

Hot Deals | Sporting Goods Deals, Sports Deals, Outdoor Deals | Academy

Shop for sporting goods deals, outdoor deals and other hot deals on the items you need at Academy Sports + Outdoors.

www.academy.com

Reactions: 2

CodeSection

· #19 · Jun 3, 2022

weatom said:
Not sure if you have Academy where you are but this is a nice set up. I know you only want
to store 12 handguns but trust me that extra room comes in handy. I bought mine for a few
long guns and pistols, now there's all sorts of stuff in there. Need a bigger safe

Hot Deals | Sporting Goods Deals, Sports Deals, Outdoor Deals | Academy

Shop for sporting goods deals, outdoor deals and other hot deals on the items you need at Academy Sports + Outdoors.

www.academy.com

Just so you know......Stack-On vs Liberty Centurion Pry Test. While it only took a little more than two minutes to open, bolting it to the floor would not have prevented entry but at least would have created and used more time.....

Reactions: 1

weatom

· #20 · Jun 3, 2022

CodeSection said:
Just so you know......Stack-On vs Liberty Centurion Pry Test. While it only took a little more than two minutes to open, bolting it to the floor would not have prevented entry but at least would have created and used more time.....

No surprise on the cheap-o Stack-On safes. Academy sells some that are like glorified beer
cans (seriously). Their Elite series are much more stout.

My Sentry safe isn't exactly impenetrable, but it's very heavy and almost impossible to
access with a crow bar given it's location. Having had to personally move it several times,
I say good luck to thieves. Location is important.

In the end it comes down to a matter of $$. Even the popular lower end biometric hand gun
safes with pop open with one good sledgehammer blow.

Reactions: 1

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