The last time I called Armor Vault I was told they were out of the gun safe business and into the weed business. Of which that is a shame because I somewhat liked the Armor Vault over the Bear Safe.
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What's your budget? I gotta say, if you're protecting life's memories, I'd buy the best safe you can afford.
It doesn't make a lot of sense to trust an $800 safe to secure a gun collection or other valuables worth 5 or 10 times that much. But, if that's what you can afford then I understand that, too. I have one of those. It's a Liberty I bought a few years ago from Tractor Supply. Big, roomy safe for like 50-ish guns. But, yeah...the good stuff doesn't live in it. It's much bigger than the AmSec safe I have and weighs half as much with a really flimsy interior.
Personally, I think the American Security burglary/fire rated safes are some of the best, but they're very expensive. I have one that's roughly 60"Hx30"Wx27"D I bought used (like new) for $900. The same safe new is about $6000. I was just lucky my buddy couldn't get it out of his house and was in a rush to sell it when his house sold. Of course, I also bought it several years ago. But these are nothing like the Tractor Supply or Atwoods or other big box models. Mine weighs almost 1200 lbs empty.
I hate shopping for safes because I'd rather spend the money on guns. But it's a necessary cost of having the hobby.
One other thing...almost all of the lower end, budget safes are made in China. That was a definite deal killer for me.
It doesn't make a lot of sense to trust an $800 safe to secure a gun collection or other valuables worth 5 or 10 times that much. But, if that's what you can afford then I understand that, too. I have one of those. It's a Liberty I bought a few years ago from Tractor Supply. Big, roomy safe for like 50-ish guns. But, yeah...the good stuff doesn't live in it. It's much bigger than the AmSec safe I have and weighs half as much with a really flimsy interior.
Personally, I think the American Security burglary/fire rated safes are some of the best, but they're very expensive. I have one that's roughly 60"Hx30"Wx27"D I bought used (like new) for $900. The same safe new is about $6000. I was just lucky my buddy couldn't get it out of his house and was in a rush to sell it when his house sold. Of course, I also bought it several years ago. But these are nothing like the Tractor Supply or Atwoods or other big box models. Mine weighs almost 1200 lbs empty.
I hate shopping for safes because I'd rather spend the money on guns. But it's a necessary cost of having the hobby.
One other thing...almost all of the lower end, budget safes are made in China. That was a definite deal killer for me.
Only brand I use. American Security.
I appreciate it bud. I’ve started looking at other options so I appreciate the info and feedback on things to look for. It seems like a general consensus that the dial mechanism is the best but if I do go with digital I would definitely want a failsafe key. I’ll let y’all know what I finally land on.
I appreciate all the advice given on the subject, y’all are a good group of folks. Well, most of you anyways.
As far as your last paragraph goes, my mammy told me “son, at least you can always serve as a bad example”.I appreciate it bud. I’ve started looking at other options so I appreciate the info and feedback on things to look for. It seems like a general consensus that the dial mechanism is the best but if I do go with digital I would definitely want a failsafe key. I’ll let y’all know what I finally land on.
I appreciate all the advice given on the subject, y’all are a good group of folks. Well, most of you anyways.
I wish I could say I didn’t get the same lecture as a teenager.
If you want a safe, look into safe ratings. Most gun safes are light and easily defeated. UL safes with TRTL30x6, TRTL30x6, or even TXTL60x6 ratings will protect your stuff like no other safe.
TRTL = torch and tool resistant. TXTL is torch, tool, and explosive resistant. 30 and 60 are minutes they can stand up to the attacks. x6 means the protection is on all 6 sides of the safe.
Be aware a safe with these rating that could hold multiple long guns will start at 4,000 lbs and can go well over 10,000 pounds. Used units costs $5k plus. I've seen new units over $75k. I'm still waiting on the lottery.
TRTL = torch and tool resistant. TXTL is torch, tool, and explosive resistant. 30 and 60 are minutes they can stand up to the attacks. x6 means the protection is on all 6 sides of the safe.
Be aware a safe with these rating that could hold multiple long guns will start at 4,000 lbs and can go well over 10,000 pounds. Used units costs $5k plus. I've seen new units over $75k. I'm still waiting on the lottery.
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