Gun Safe Question

stroker-c10 · Mar 14, 2012

I have a bit of a strange question. I will be getting a gun safe as a graduation present so obviously, I have been checking out a few of them. I typically see the most common recommended safes being Liberty, Bear, and Armor Vault. I have seen some of the Centurion safes by Liberty but have not made it to Tulsa or Oklahoma City to check out many of the other safes. Here is my question. I am hypoglycemic and tend to not have the steadiest hands. I seemed to have some trouble with the centurion safes because the combination mechanism seemed pretty "loose" in my opinion and for lack of a better term, "a little bit went a long way." I know the bear safes have the key locks but is there any other recommendations that you guys could possibly throw my way. Keep in mind I have always been partial to long guns and don't have a lot of handguns so I will need a decent sized safe but don't want to go overboard on price.

DoctorJJ · Mar 14, 2012

If you can make it to Catoosa, check out Security Centers Inc. Ask for Scott Jones and tell him I sent you (Dr. Jason Joice). He will hook you up with the best safe that will for your needs and he offers something like a 70% return on any safe you buy from him if you decide to upgrade later.

Scott Hearn · Mar 14, 2012

Don't overlook Canon safes. I have one and it came with a dial lock. It actually prefers a little overtravel on the numbers. I swapped it out with a S&G digital that I got for a song off of fleabay and I'm actually thinking of going back to the dial. I've had both and haven't had any real trouble with either but I'm just nervous about the electronic. What if it does screw up? I don't want to have it drilled if the internal locking unit goes out and that's where the guts and brains of it are. The original dial was actually a very robust well built lock. I had it for several years and was kind of worried about wear and it being dirty. Got it out and it was actually pristine. The digital locks are much faster to get into though. If you go digital, DO NOT scrimp on quality, insist on a genuine S&G lock.

stroker-c10 · Mar 15, 2012

Thanks for the input fellas. Yes, I had forgot about cannon safes. I think I need to find some time to make it to the city to just check some out in person. Keep the input coming.

dennishoddy · Mar 15, 2012

Not to worry about the digital locks on gun safes. Mine has back up keys that can unlock the safe. My other safe has the conventional dial. I had a coyote in the yard one time fighting with our much smaller dog. I was trying to get to a rifle in the safe with a dial. With the wife's pleading to hurry, and the pressure of the situation, I totally fumbled the combination three times. The dog got chewed up pretty bad, but I made up my mind that day to go electronic. Three years later, same battery's it still opens every time, and that is where my go-to guns are.

Robusto · Mar 15, 2012

I have a data safe at work with a digital key pad. I change the batteries out when day light saving starts and ends.

dennishoddy · Mar 15, 2012

My safe has a lo battery indicator, as well as a tamper resistant feature. If somebody tries to open it 4 times with the wrong combination, it goes into time out mode for 10 minutes the first time, then 4 more tries, it goes to lock-out. Then the back up keys have to be used. I tested the feature when it was new. Works.

CBR · Mar 15, 2012

Will a digital "dial" function after an EMP?

stroker-c10 · Mar 15, 2012

I have had mixed emotions about the digital dial but as steady as my hands are it is beginning to look like a good option. Any particular safes you guys would recommend? I had this one saved in my bookmarks a while back and should fit my needs.

http://www.gunsafes.com/Cannon-CA33-Gun-Safe-36-Gun.html

dennishoddy · Mar 15, 2012

CBR said:
Will a digital "dial" function after an EMP?

Myth. We just went through one of the most severe solar flares in recorded history, and electronics didn't have any problems.

BTW, I make my living in controls/electronics, and the concept of an EMP on normal usage with something connected online could have a problem. Anything off line like a safe wouldn't even know it happened.
All similar to the debacle of the new millenium that was supposed to shut down power plants, etc. I spent that night eating steaks, drawing double time, and napping.

I can't quote the source, but its said that the next great war will be fought between computers, and not men.

dennishoddy · Mar 15, 2012

Kelly, what ever you decide on, be sure to get one of the golden rods, or other safe heaters
Opened up mine after a week during a rainy period, and had a coat of mold on everything!
They have desiccant pacs that do the same job,
But require one to remember a drying cycle.
Electric safe heaters cost a buck or two a month.

drmitchgibson · Mar 15, 2012

You can get retired bank safes at steep discounts from some locksmith shops. Some of them are double-walled and filled with nightmarishly powerful tear gas, so that if someone tries to drill or cut their way in they'll be detained by pain and vomiting for a while. Jewelry stores tend to buy them up, though, so you have to look regularly.