recommend a (gun) safe

[amish]

i'm currently in the market for a small safe. the main purpose of the safe would be for a handgun, two magazines, SSN cards, passports, titles, bonds, and cash. it would/should be located next to my bed with easy access during a break in (hopefully this is an unnecessary requirement). bolt holes would be necessary if the safe is under 45 pounds. fire protection would be a plus; however, is not a requirement.

the total that i am looking to spend is $250 (including shipping). fingerprint readers need not apply.

 

[Numenorean]

http://www.gunvault.com/gv2000c-std.html

 

[Triumph]

http://www.gunvault.com/gv2000c-std.html

I don't know much about that particular vault, but 16 gauge steel is only about 1/16 of an inch thick. Even with a higher carbon steel, this is not going to be very strong. Yes I know that anyone can get into anything if they really want to. I just think it's funny that they describe 16 gauge as "rock solid."

 

[JeepinEd]

http://www.gunvault.com/gv2000c-std.html

I have one of those and it works great. The safe can be opened in the dark within less than 3 seconds. It can be bolted down or tethered.

 

[Kelvrick]

I would think bolt holes are necessary for any weight safe. I think mine is around 500lbs loaded and it should still be bolted. A dolly makes short work of heavy loads.

I'm at work though, and the sites I would normally go to for a recommendation link are blocked. Maybe if I remember when I get home today.

 

[Numenorean]

I don't know much about that particular vault, but 16 gauge steel is only about 1/16 of an inch thick. Even with a higher carbon steel, this is not going to be very strong. Yes I know that anyone can get into anything if they really want to. I just think it's funny that they describe 16 gauge as "rock solid."

It's mainly for quick access to your gun, and for keeping a loaded gun out of the reach of children or "opportunistic" thieves (plumber/service people, etc. that could steal things) - If it's going to be for a large sum of cash and bonds, you definitely want something else, but you're going to go over $250 if you want both. I would recommend the Gun Vault just because of it's quick access feature - and a secondary fireproof safe for money/papers/etc. That would put you over budget though. Perhaps getting the fireproof safe first, then the gun vault later.

 

[Scarpozzi]

http://www.cabelas.com/catalog/prod...mc_id=58000000000495489&WT.z_mc_id1=112193574

Check out that design....fits in a drawer. There are others companies that make that style...

I bought a cheap gun safe for my closet (pistol size). The problem is, I don't know where to bolt it. It ends up getting in the way of my clothes/storage, so I may end up putting it in another closet somewhere and getting a drawer safe for easy access.

Edit: Bad reviews on that model. There are others out there, but check out this design:
http://www.nationwidesafes.com/portable-pistol-safe-4035.html

It would fit in a drawer and ultimately be portable.....so if you had to grab it and run to another room, you could be opening it as you walk...

 

[boomhower]

What do you want it for? To get it secure from theifs who have time to work while your out of town or to keep it secure from snatch and grabs or kids? Those two have very very different products and price points. $250 isn't going to get you much that is overly secured.

 

[amish]

i appreciate the responses.

i looked into the gunvault safes that where posted here. i did like the keypad on all the gunvault safes. my only worry was the 16 gauge steel. other than that the reviews online were mostly postive and it would have a large storage area.

i'm also starting to realize that you all are right about needing two safes if i am going to worry about fire protection. based on that observation i may focus on strictly a handgun/nightstand safe for now and then purchase a fire proof safe at a later date. it looks like i would need to double my budget if i were to look at both.

i'm currently leaning towards a safe from Fort Knox, http://www.ftknox.com/redesign/pistolboxes/. does anyone have any dealings with Fort Knox?

 

[Numenorean]

Why are you worried about the 16 gauge steel? If someone really, really wants it, they can get just about anything. It's mainly for quick access and keeping away from kids, etc. If your kids have a crowbar and sledge and are going after it, you have other issues. Plus, if you just need it for the gun, the basic gunvault is $99.

 

[jessieqwert]

I have heard good things about gunvault but ultimately decided against it.

A safe of that size is just a convenient way for burglars to carry off a box of valuables.

Secondly, unless you have kids, a gunsafe should not be required to prevent NDs etc..

 

[JEDI]

$80 +freeship to store:
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Stack-On-8...binet/11071333

 

[pontifex]

i appreciate the responses.

i looked into the gunvault safes that where posted here. i did like the keypad on all the gunvault safes. my only worry was the 16 gauge steel. other than that the reviews online were mostly postive and it would have a large storage area.

i'm also starting to realize that you all are right about needing two safes if i am going to worry about fire protection. based on that observation i may focus on strictly a handgun/nightstand safe for now and then purchase a fire proof safe at a later date. it looks like i would need to double my budget if i were to look at both.

i'm currently leaning towards a safe from Fort Knox, http://www.ftknox.com/redesign/pistolboxes/. does anyone have any dealings with Fort Knox?

never dealt with them but they are considered top of the line and are pricey.
but then again this is atot, so everyone can easily afford one.

 

[KMc]

I realize you've already decided against it, but for others using this thread I also highly recommend the gunvault. Mine fits right under the bed and there's enough space for my hand to work the combo and the door pops open for easy gun access without having to move anything around to get to it. I'm currently deciding if I want to bolt it to the floor or the underside of the bed frame.

 

[amish]

I realize you've already decided against it, but for others using this thread I also highly recommend the gunvault. Mine fits right under the bed and there's enough space for my hand to work the combo and the door pops open for easy gun access without having to move anything around to get to it. I'm currently deciding if I want to bolt it to the floor or the underside of the bed frame.

i haven't counted out anything yet. i didn't even think about bolting the safe to the underside of my bed frame. great idea.

Why are you worried about the 16 gauge steel? If someone really, really wants it, they can get just about anything. It's mainly for quick access and keeping away from kids, etc. If your kids have a crowbar and sledge and are going after it, you have other issues.

excellent point. based on the above comments and other posts it looks like i'm going to save some money and go with gunvault. now i just need to get home and do some measurements to see if the GV2000C will fit under my bed.

thanks for everyones input.

 

[KMc]

I should clarify that I use the 1000 model which is the same design but half the height of the 2000 model.

 

[Kelvrick]

Yea, you can probably get the 1 level gunvault for ~$80 bucks, then spend $200 on a sentry safe or something like this:
http://i56.tinypic.com/dp8sxv.jpg

Or maybe just get this one?
http://i56.tinypic.com/1pc8d2.jpg