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Zanotti Gun Safes
- Thread starter Mike50
- Start date
Indy Steve
New member
I've been looking too ....
I hear that most of the safe manufacturers make similar types of safes. Finish, locks, thicknesses of walls and doors, number of locking bolts, fire resistances, etc.
I've been told to get a "real" safe one must consider a TAPP or similar type of safe with a "TL" rating:
What the Ratings Mean:
Here's one of the strongest ratings: TRTL-30x6
TR - torch resistant
TL - tool resistant
30 - the number of minutes the front door only can resist
tool and/or torch break-ins
x6 - 6 sided safe, tool and/or torch resistant on all six sides
for 30 minutes
These TL safes are usually at least twice the weight of a non TL type safe. And usually twice the cost too.
But Ft. Knox, Liberty, Cannon, Remington, Zanotti, etc are all about the same I guess. Get what you can afford and suppliment with big dogs and other anti-theft measures.
FWIW I haven't made my mind up. Still researching and saving.
But still the bottom line is: if they want it bad enough and have the skills and tools they will get what you have locked up. It's up to us to slow 'em down.
Also see:
http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=33157
http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=32274
http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=32270
http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=31429
I hear that most of the safe manufacturers make similar types of safes. Finish, locks, thicknesses of walls and doors, number of locking bolts, fire resistances, etc.
I've been told to get a "real" safe one must consider a TAPP or similar type of safe with a "TL" rating:
What the Ratings Mean:
Here's one of the strongest ratings: TRTL-30x6
TR - torch resistant
TL - tool resistant
30 - the number of minutes the front door only can resist
tool and/or torch break-ins
x6 - 6 sided safe, tool and/or torch resistant on all six sides
for 30 minutes
These TL safes are usually at least twice the weight of a non TL type safe. And usually twice the cost too.
But Ft. Knox, Liberty, Cannon, Remington, Zanotti, etc are all about the same I guess. Get what you can afford and suppliment with big dogs and other anti-theft measures.
FWIW I haven't made my mind up. Still researching and saving.
But still the bottom line is: if they want it bad enough and have the skills and tools they will get what you have locked up. It's up to us to slow 'em down.
Also see:
http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=33157
http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=32274
http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=32270
http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=31429
Indy Steve
New member
This is the place to be ...
Mike50,
TFL is growing like mad. Rich and the admin staff are great, in my mind, and are continually upgrading memory and servers that will support nearly 8k users, many of us doing some healthy searching. So be patient if you can, this is the high road of all the firearms forums. You'll like it here - very addictive.
Good luck, welcome aboard, and may your shot (and search) be true,
Steve
Oh, this post may be moved to "General" since it has no relation to the Art of The Rifle it is currently in. This is just the way the moderators/administrators try to maintain a little order.
Mike50,
TFL is growing like mad. Rich and the admin staff are great, in my mind, and are continually upgrading memory and servers that will support nearly 8k users, many of us doing some healthy searching. So be patient if you can, this is the high road of all the firearms forums. You'll like it here - very addictive.
Good luck, welcome aboard, and may your shot (and search) be true,
Steve
Oh, this post may be moved to "General" since it has no relation to the Art of The Rifle it is currently in. This is just the way the moderators/administrators try to maintain a little order.
Mike50
An interesting account of someone actually installing one of these safes can be found here:
My experience with a Zanotti 6-piece safe (long)
-Mike
An interesting account of someone actually installing one of these safes can be found here:
My experience with a Zanotti 6-piece safe (long)
-Mike
I have a Zanotti, and like it. The report by Mike (see above in 2GSP's post) is all true, but the job can be done by one strong guy or two average guys. In many cases, a Zanotti can be put where NO other safe could go.
The main drawback is lack of fireproofing. This may or may not be a problem, depending on the overall fire vulnerability of the building. It is as secure as most other safes. I did not bolt it to the floor. I would like to meet (but definitely not aggravate) any six guys who can carry mine up a flight of stairs.
All in all, I give Zanotti a big plus and have no hesitation recommending them to anyone. They are good safes for any location, but their unique modular design makes them the only safe for many locations.
Jim
The main drawback is lack of fireproofing. This may or may not be a problem, depending on the overall fire vulnerability of the building. It is as secure as most other safes. I did not bolt it to the floor. I would like to meet (but definitely not aggravate) any six guys who can carry mine up a flight of stairs.
All in all, I give Zanotti a big plus and have no hesitation recommending them to anyone. They are good safes for any location, but their unique modular design makes them the only safe for many locations.
Jim
Still haven't decided
I still haven't purchased a safe. I received my brochure from Zanotti today.
They "boast" that their safe has "massive 3/4" bolts"! Every other safe that I have looked at has 1 1/4" bolts. That is a lot of difference. Does this indicate a basic lack of quality or security? I sure would seem so.
Yes, it seems like it would be awful difficult to pry open a door with 3/4" bolts, but why do all others think larger is required?
I am drawn by the ability to move this safe because I think I may have to move it out of my basement within a couple of years. It would help me if I could actually see one. Come on guys, be straight with me. Is this safe as good as the others?? Thanks for your replies!
Mike
I still haven't purchased a safe. I received my brochure from Zanotti today.
They "boast" that their safe has "massive 3/4" bolts"! Every other safe that I have looked at has 1 1/4" bolts. That is a lot of difference. Does this indicate a basic lack of quality or security? I sure would seem so.
Yes, it seems like it would be awful difficult to pry open a door with 3/4" bolts, but why do all others think larger is required?
I am drawn by the ability to move this safe because I think I may have to move it out of my basement within a couple of years. It would help me if I could actually see one. Come on guys, be straight with me. Is this safe as good as the others?? Thanks for your replies!
Mike
Al Thompson
Staff Alumnus
Mike, you need to think about the threat. My take for me (here) is that 98% of the threat is a teen or opportunity burgler. The remaining two per cent would be a pro who gathers some information and decides to hit my place. The 98% folks (scum) can be defeated with a locked cabinet. The 2% are very tough. I would imagine that they would show up with the right tools/techniques and render any safe a moot point.
I have two safes, one is a cheap "Stack-on". That's where the guns I'm shooting/working on stay. To me, the cheap safe does what I want it to.
BTW, when I leave town for an extended time, bolts, cylinders and other assorted pieces usually get stored elsewhere.
Bottom line is evalaute your threat and layer your security. (safe, alarm, lights, locks)
Giz
I have two safes, one is a cheap "Stack-on". That's where the guns I'm shooting/working on stay. To me, the cheap safe does what I want it to.
BTW, when I leave town for an extended time, bolts, cylinders and other assorted pieces usually get stored elsewhere.
Bottom line is evalaute your threat and layer your security. (safe, alarm, lights, locks)
Giz