My armory has grown this year more than expected and its been brought to my attention that I will be inheriting a few rifles worth a lot of $$ and I think its time I buy a fireproof safe, god forbid something happens. How much would a 15 capacity fireproof safe run me? Are they pretty much all the same or any will do?
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Safe
- Thread starter kx592
- Start date
Mike Irwin
Staff
The biggest differences are in the thickness of metal used in the construction, the number of active locking (and dead) bolts, and the fireproofing protection.
Safes can vary WILDLY in price.
I recently got a very good deal on a Ft. Knox Ranger, a discontinued model, and it was still just shy of $1,500, including delivery and a few extras.
Had I paid full retail for it, it would have been closer to $2,000.
Some of the safes that I was looking at were well in excess of $3,000, and came with active bolts on all four sides of the door. One even had diagonal corner bolts.
The biggest consideration is to get what you can afford and what will serve your needs going forward.
My hands were tied a bit in that I have some special considerations in where I could place the safe, and how large it could be to fit down the steps into my basement. It was a VERY tight fit.
Remember, no safe is proof against a very determined thief. Given enough time and the right tools, it can be breached. That's why a safe should be only one part of an integrated and layered defensive plan for your home.
Safes can vary WILDLY in price.
I recently got a very good deal on a Ft. Knox Ranger, a discontinued model, and it was still just shy of $1,500, including delivery and a few extras.
Had I paid full retail for it, it would have been closer to $2,000.
Some of the safes that I was looking at were well in excess of $3,000, and came with active bolts on all four sides of the door. One even had diagonal corner bolts.
The biggest consideration is to get what you can afford and what will serve your needs going forward.
My hands were tied a bit in that I have some special considerations in where I could place the safe, and how large it could be to fit down the steps into my basement. It was a VERY tight fit.
Remember, no safe is proof against a very determined thief. Given enough time and the right tools, it can be breached. That's why a safe should be only one part of an integrated and layered defensive plan for your home.
Other considerations must factor into the decision making process. In order for your safe to protect you to its fullest potential, it must be properly anchored/secured wherever you decide to put it.
Once one makes that decision, bring in an Alarm Company to wire the door and secure the safe area with Infrared and Motion Detectors. (A monitored Alarm system is a must if you have valuables/firearms in your residence.)
Be aware that the safe should probably be located as far away from flammable materials as possible to better protect the contents in case of fire.
Once one makes that decision, bring in an Alarm Company to wire the door and secure the safe area with Infrared and Motion Detectors. (A monitored Alarm system is a must if you have valuables/firearms in your residence.)
Be aware that the safe should probably be located as far away from flammable materials as possible to better protect the contents in case of fire.
As previously stated, price can be a HUGE difference. Features are usually the difference maker. Fire rating seems to be the biggest as well as finish. There are so many different companies and finishes out there. I was thinking of getting a Zanatti safe for ease of assembly and moving, but found a good price on a Fort Knox. I would recommend getting one bigger than you need for future purchases. I believe most safes are 30 min fire rating @1200 deg. Mine is 90 min @1680 deg. That was extra. When I was shopping, Browning and Fort Knox were at the top of my list but Cannon seems to be popular as well. I was worried about how I was going to have a 1400 pound safe was going to make it in my basement and how much $ it would cost. I was able to have it basically done for free but moving them can get very expensive as well. Good luck with your search.
Gun safes are fairly easy to compare if you stay away from the marketing, and focus a bit on the common sense.
A chain is only as strong as the weakest link. A safe could have a 5" alloy plate door, but if it only has a 12 gauge body, it's only as strong as the 1/10" steel sheet. Identify each safe's weakest link.
Most gun safes use gypsum board as a means to protect against fire. It will offer some protection, but these insulations typically fail in severe fires. Different companies may call it different things, and test it in different ways, which results in different results. Compare the thickness (number of sheets) of gypsum. Weakest link applies here as well. The fewest layers is what you should compare. If a safe has 3 layers in the wall, and 2 in the ceiling, it is only offering the protection of 2 sheets. Most manufacturers claim a rough rating of 30 minutes for each layer.
Make sure the safe has a UL rated lock. The safe itself doesn't need to have the UL RSC rating, because it really doesn't mean much. Most of the other features are common among manufacturers, so other than the basics, it's a matter of finish and interior preferences.
There are a few safes that are a bit more sophisticated, and if your collection is truely valuable, you may want to consider some of them.
A chain is only as strong as the weakest link. A safe could have a 5" alloy plate door, but if it only has a 12 gauge body, it's only as strong as the 1/10" steel sheet. Identify each safe's weakest link.
Most gun safes use gypsum board as a means to protect against fire. It will offer some protection, but these insulations typically fail in severe fires. Different companies may call it different things, and test it in different ways, which results in different results. Compare the thickness (number of sheets) of gypsum. Weakest link applies here as well. The fewest layers is what you should compare. If a safe has 3 layers in the wall, and 2 in the ceiling, it is only offering the protection of 2 sheets. Most manufacturers claim a rough rating of 30 minutes for each layer.
Make sure the safe has a UL rated lock. The safe itself doesn't need to have the UL RSC rating, because it really doesn't mean much. Most of the other features are common among manufacturers, so other than the basics, it's a matter of finish and interior preferences.
There are a few safes that are a bit more sophisticated, and if your collection is truely valuable, you may want to consider some of them.
DanielSnyder
Inactive
Try amazon for fireproof safes
I really recommend checking out prices on Amazon. They have great pricing on fireproof safes and gun safes, and they deliver with free shipping! (bonus!)
I really recommend checking out prices on Amazon. They have great pricing on fireproof safes and gun safes, and they deliver with free shipping! (bonus!)
Superhouse 15
New member
Just my two cents, but if you need a 15 gun safe now, buy a 30 gun safe. You or SWMBO will fill it up quick with guns and other stuff.
armsmaster270
New member
been there definitly done that.