Choosing a Gun Safe

[magnanimous_j]

I don't know why, but it seems like gun safe manufacturers have the worst websites of any product. They seem especially wishy-washy on how many many guns the things actually hold. I want to buy a gun safe and I'm trying to plan ahead and get one that I can grow into. I know there is a ton of experience with this stuff on here, and I'm hoping you guys can help me out.

Here are my requirements:

1) Be able to house about 12 long guns, at least 10 pistols, and 1 shelf for jewelry, important documents,  fake passports/money in various currencies/ unregistered pistol with sound suppressor (for when you've got to leave town in a hurry  ).
2) Fire rating of about 30 min.
3) Here's the kicker: It's going in condo building, so it has to be light enough not to damage the floor.

What do you guys think?

[Boss .300 winmag]

What the address and I will send the safe police right over too help you measure your space, and check load limits on the floor.   

[MP123]

Get a big one!  When you lock guns up in the dark they start fooling around and pretty soon you've got a whole litter of new ones going!  Seriously.

The 30min fire rated one I have isn't super heavy, I dragged it home and put it in myself.  Maybe 300 pounds or so empty, I don't think it would be a problem in a condo.  The metal isn't very thick though, you could probably cut through it with a grinder or sawzall if you had the time and really wanted to.  I think it was sold as a 14 gun model but I've pretty much got what you've described above stuffed in it. 

[Special T]

I would check out the liberty safe dealer in eatumclaw. They seem to have the options dialed

[Rainier10]

I was at the sportsman show today and there were a ton of safes in all different sizes and shapes, prices seemed reasonable too.

[Fl0und3rz]

Expect about 2/3 stated long gun capacity, especially if ARs are in the mix.  I'd go with a mix of smaller safes for more flexibility.  You can always buy another safe. 

[Stickerbush]

I too am looking for a safe, am I right in assuming that if i get a smaller 12-18 gun safe I would definitely have to bolt to concrete floor but with a monster heavy one I don't have to?

[BULLBLASTER]

I wouldn't trust a 30 min fire rated safe with important docs... They will burn up in a house fire.

[yorketransport]

Expect about 2/3 stated long gun capacity, especially if ARs are in the mix.  I'd go with a mix of smaller safes for more flexibility.  You can always buy another safe.

This is good advice. When I lived in an apartment I went with a few smaller safes to help with the limited floor space available. If you have 10-12 long guns, a 20 gun safe will fill up pretty fast. 2 smaller safes would allow you to make the most of the space you have without worrying about one big safe falling through your floor.

The most important advice I can give when people are safe shopping is to make sure that it's TALL enough if you have any long barreled rifles. A lot of safes (even big ones) don't give a lot of room for rifles with 26"+ barrels. I just bought one big (48 gun) safe to replace 2 of my smaller safes and I can only fit a few long barreled guns in there depending on the internal configuration. It's just something to consider.

I wouldn't trust a 30 min fire rated safe with important docs... They will burn up in a house fire.

I keep the really important stuff in a small fire safe inside of the bigger safe for this reason.

Andrew

[BULLBLASTER]

good call on the small fire safe inside the safe. same I do..
also the fire isn't the only worry with docs. gun safes aren't waterproof most times either so the water will ruin things. I have heard of more rust issues on guns from a housefire than burned up guns...

[lucky7]

Theres a company out there called snap-safe. I think they said the heaviest part was the door@90 lbs for homeowners who want to get a safe upstairs.they have a website.Supposedly snaps together and then becomes fire-proof. Don't know anyone who has one though. You might check them out. I have to agree with the other HuntWa guys, I rather have 45 to 60 min. Fire station is close by, but response, setup and water on the fire could take more than 30. Good luck.

[trophyhunt]

I don't drink the kool aid, but I heard Costco is a good place to buy a gun safe.

[sled]

I would check out the liberty safe dealer in eatumclaw. They seem to have the options dialed

  nw safe in enumclaw. Best place to buy, and customer service.

[ghosthunter]

Look at the door lugs. How far do they go to lock in? 1 inch can easily be pried open.

Liberty has a safe with 4 inch wide locking bars, a lot hardor to pry.

Week spots on safes corners and bottoms.

Knew a guy who had his safe hauled out of his house by low life's. Found later with bottom cut out of it.

Anchor them down. In a corner good spot.

[lee]

I bought my Liberty Safe 15 years ago and when doing the research I was advised to stay away from the electronic push button style keypads. I went with the "tried and true" S&B tumbler and have never had a problem with it.

Maybe they have improved the electronic one's not sure just thought I would throw this out there.