Need a Solid Gun Safe, Actually Worth It?

[ArmedDaddy]

So, I finally picked up my first 1911—a Tisas—and I totally get the hype now. Feels great in the hand, shoots smooth, and now I'm already thinking about what's next. But before I go too deep down that rabbit hole, I realized I should probably stop storing my guns like an amateur and invest in a real safe.

I've got a few long guns and handguns, so I need something that can handle both. I don't want to cheap out, but I also don't want to drop a fortune if I don't have to. Mostly, I just want something solid—good security, decent fire protection, and something that won't be a pain to get into when I actually need it.

So, what's worth it?

• Are biometric locks reliable, or am I better off sticking to mechanical?
• How much does fire protection actually matter? Like, is it a must-have or just marketing fluff?
• What brands have held up well for you? Anything you regret buying?

I've been looking at Liberty, Fort Knox, AMSEC, and all the usual names, but I'd rather hear from people who've actually lived with their safes for a while. If you had to do it all over again, what would you buy?

Also, where do you keep your safe? I have a garage, but after watching a few YouTube videos, I'm a little paranoid about how easy it is for someone to get in—especially if they see the safe while my garage is open when I'm mowing or working outside. I could put it inside, but how much of a pain is it to get a heavy safe up wooden stairs? Do movers even handle that?

 

[Blackbeard]

I can only speak for what works for me, but I've never been a big fan of traditional gun safes. Unless you've got something really high-value or highly sought after, I don't think they're always worth the hassle.

I never keep my safes or storage lockers in the garage—too many variables, too much risk. All my firearms have trigger guards when in storage, and I've picked up a few storage lockers from Tractor Supply over the years. They come with a key and lock, but I've seen some people swap them out for biometric or electronic locks. Pretty sure the brand is Safe-On.

Now, to be clear, these offer zero fire protection, but that's not really what I was looking for. They do what I need them to do—secure storage without being a total pain to access.

I do have a couple of smaller fireproof safes for important documents, but I've tried to move most of that to digital storage. For firearms I want quicker access to—like revolvers or pistols—I use multiple secured safes that still require some form of security. The one near my bed is a StopBox—no batteries, no fingerprints, just a mechanical system that works every time.

 

[uncommonsense]

Take a look at Sturdy Safe as well. I recommend against electronic locks, for reliability. Fire protection isn't very high on my priorities. I wouldn't put it in the garage, especially if you also have power tools in there that they can use on the safe. If you do put it in the garage, cover or disguise it, and wherever you put it it's recommended to bolt it down.

You can also get a cabinet style light duty thing, and bolt it inside a closet, to prevent smash and grab type events.

 

[ccssid]

A conventional safe from American security. For documents and large enough for several pistols. Weighs 690#. 60 minute fire rating. Delivered and set in place by a professional safe distributor.

 

[Gamma4510]

So, I finally picked up my first 1911—a Tisas—and I totally get the hype now. Feels great in the hand, shoots smooth, and now I'm already thinking about what's next. But before I go too deep down that rabbit hole, I realized I should probably stop storing my guns like an amateur and invest in a real safe.

I've got a few long guns and handguns, so I need something that can handle both. I don't want to cheap out, but I also don't want to drop a fortune if I don't have to. Mostly, I just want something solid—good security, decent fire protection, and something that won't be a pain to get into when I actually need it.

So, what's worth it?

• Are biometric locks reliable, or am I better off sticking to mechanical?
• How much does fire protection actually matter? Like, is it a must-have or just marketing fluff?
• What brands have held up well for you? Anything you regret buying?

I've been looking at Liberty, Fort Knox, AMSEC, and all the usual names, but I'd rather hear from people who've actually lived with their safes for a while. If you had to do it all over again, what would you buy?

Also, where do you keep your safe? I have a garage, but after watching a few YouTube videos, I'm a little paranoid about how easy it is for someone to get in—especially if they see the safe while my garage is open when I'm mowing or working outside. I could put it inside, but how much of a pain is it to get8 a heavy safe up wooden stairs? Do movers even handle that?

I own a Liberty and American Security, both fire rated, the Amsec is 30 years old, the Liberty 8 years old both are terrific choices and would do each again without hesitation.

 

[Dave]

Take a look at Sturdy Safe as well. I recommend against electronic locks, for reliability. Fire protection isn't very high on my priorities. I wouldn't put it in the garage, especially if you also have power tools in there that they can use on the safe. If you do put it in the garage, cover or disguise it, and wherever you put it it's recommended to bolt it down.

You can also get a cabinet style light duty thing, and bolt it inside a closet, to prevent smash and grab type events.

I will 2nd Sturdy Safe. I've got two of them presently...I think they are a good value for the quality of build. They are not cheap, but they will last a lifetime. I too prefer a mechanical lock. And, bolting is always recommended...although mine are not. That said, they weigh 1500lbs empty and are tucked away tight so notbody's running off with them easily...

 

[grainfed]

I have 2 Sun Welding safes made in Comefornia. One for pistols and one for rifles. The shelving in the pistol safe is extremely thick and sturdy. I recommend them highly but did get them really cheap from a friend who had closed down his retail camera business. I have no experience with any other brand and I know there are plenty out there. I'm happy with mine and need a couple more.

 

[LoboSteve]

I have two safes for my weapons and ammo. The smaller Field and Stream safe is a spin combination type. The larger Browning safe for my weapons is a has a digital lock. Both are rated for fire and break-in. The doors on each are bolted at several points along the door edge. Each safe has very robust shelving. I have no complaints for either.

 

[skibum]

I have the Liberty Freedom 30 safe in my basement for my pistols, 3 long guns, ammo and mags. I don't know if that means 30 guns or not. No way I could fit 30 guns in it. I bought it on sale at Running's a few years ago, don't remeber what I paid for it. It has an electronic lock on it, I have replaced the battery once. Never have had an issue with it. It claims it's fire rated for 40 minutes, whatever that means. I bought it because of the size and layout and it works great for me. I have two Hornady RAPID Safes: https://www.opticsplanet.com/hornady-rapid-safe-rfid-model-2700kp-with-keypad-xtra-large-98172.html. One in my car, one near my stand. They are both cabled to imovable objects with the included cable. Love the Rapid safes, they work great I use the push button combo, not the RFID tag, but the tags work great too. Note, at night keept a gun on my night stand, not in the safe. I lock one in the safe when I am need to. I use the one in the car for "sensitive locations" where I can't carry a gun.

 

[DSTALLGUY]

My choice for safe was my need to build in place. I went with Zanotti safe for this reason - 700 lbs taken down in sections and built in place in a concrete floored room. You'll have to take the wall with you if you plan to first cut it from the floor. Some fire rating, and a mechanical dial. Fits my needs for now but there are better fully built options out there. I had a tricky staircase limiting my options

 

[boatdoc]

I went light weight but sturdy..steelwater safes with shelves for handguns. one smaller one for rifles. The one I chose has 4 shelves.plenty of room for the handguns. The lock is electronic keypad style BUT it also has an emergency key. The safe weighs about 380# has minimal fire protection.

Thin walled safes like this one can be cut open given enough time. Criminals do not bother with the doors, they cut through the walls. They would have to find mine before trying that.(they are well hidden and secured)

I would need a 800-1500# all steel safe in order to get bette r protection than MY Steelwaters provide.I have no way to get one into the house

 

[dennishoddy]

I'm late to this discussion. We have three gun safes. The first was a dial mechanical type with bolted doors.
One day a coyote attacked one of our dogs. Wife was screaming in terror, and for the life of me couldn't get that danged combination to work right and we lost a dog.
That got me to thinking what if bubba was trying to get in and I needed something serious? So, the second safe went digital with a key backup. More guns came about and a third safe was acquired. Digital as well. Both use the same code. It's a code I won't forget, and it's quick to open the safes.
The mechanical safe has been moved into an area that pretty much nobody can find. It's for the investment firearms. Classic Shotguns, etc. that won't ever be needed to be gotten too quickly.
Yes, they are in the garage, but we live in the sticks having only the UPS and USPS drivers come to visit. The garage door is always closed.
The home is ringed in security cameras, so if anybody wants to try and get them out of the concrete they are anchored to, it's gonna take a while and there will be time to get the authorities out there if we aren't there ourselves.
To answer one of your questions, home movers move gun safes all the time. They have the equipment and know-how to do it.
Graduating High School, I worked for Bekins Van Lines moving homes and businesses. We moved dozens of big gun safes, pianos, pool tables and the like.
It always shocked folks when it only took two guys to take down and move a 9' concert grand piano off a stage and move it up to another stage pretty easily.

 

[barnetmill]

I'm late to this discussion. We have three gun safes. The first was a dial mechanical type with bolted doors.
One day a coyote attacked one of our dogs. Wife was screaming in terror, and for the life of me couldn't get that danged combination to work right and we lost a dog.
That got me to thinking what if bubba was trying to get in and I needed something serious? So, the second safe went digital with a key backup. More guns came about and a third safe was acquired. Digital as well. Both use the same code. It's a code I won't forget, and it's quick to open the safes.
The mechanical safe has been moved into an area that pretty much nobody can find. It's for the investment firearms. Classic Shotguns, etc. that won't ever be needed to be gotten too quickly.
Yes, they are in the garage, but we live in the sticks having only the UPS and USPS drivers come to visit. The garage door is always closed.
The home is ringed in security cameras, so if anybody wants to try and get them out of the concrete they are anchored to, it's gonna take a while and there will be time to get the authorities out there if we aren't there ourselves.
To answer one of your questions, home movers move gun safes all the time. They have the equipment and know-how to do it.
Graduating High School, I worked for Bekins Van Lines moving homes and businesses. We moved dozens of big gun safes, pianos, pool tables and the like.
It always shocked folks when it only took two guys to take down and move a 9' concert grand piano off a stage and move it up to another stage pretty easily.

Safes do have their place and well it does depend on your domestic and perhaps legal situation, but I always at least have one loaded gun either on me or within immediate reach. If you must have all guns locked up relative to children and local-state legalities I would choose a tiny quick release type that is hidden and just contains say a respectable pistol in caliber suited to what you might have to deal with. A decent pistol can solve most reactive problems and of course a shotgun is even better.
When I step outdoors around the house or work on my place it is at least a full 9mm pistol in bandoleer type holster with at least a 15 round mag. Lately I have updated from the open sight $200 dollar sigma VE to a brownell purchases glock like frame with after market milled slide, longer barrel and a holosun optic. My eyes are getting old. My 1911's are more valuable and are locked up. Also, A loaded used $85 pump shotgun behind the door that works real well. When you need a gun, likely you will need a gun very badly and going to a safe might be too slow. But I am a loner and so thieves are the only reason I have for locking up guns.
I remember I was retrieving hanging wash that had dried and looked down in late october in NW Florida and there is a water moccasin just a couple feet away from me. It was molting and likely pretty much blind. I shot its head to a bloody stub with 9mm fed +P+ law enforcement loads. Each shot removing a piece of its head until I adjusted my aim to the base of head and removing what left of it from the snake.
Having just got up this morning I am wearing a similar rig at the moment. 15 rounds of +P+. I have set up a gun in 40 with extra heavy springs and as soon as I do some load development, I will have a more suitable gun for a misbehaving black bear.
Below is a neighbor that should of had a gun instead of only a yorkie. He should be located with in a mile or so of me of me due to the location listed on the film.

 

[show_boat]

I'm late to this discussion. We have three gun safes. The first was a dial mechanical type with bolted doors.
One day a coyote attacked one of our dogs. Wife was screaming in terror, and for the life of me couldn't get that danged combination to work right and we lost a dog.
That got me to thinking what if bubba was trying to get in and I needed something serious? So, the second safe went digital with a key backup. More guns came about and a third safe was acquired. Digital as well. Both use the same code. It's a code I won't forget, and it's quick to open the safes.
The mechanical safe has been moved into an area that pretty much nobody can find. It's for the investment firearms. Classic Shotguns, etc. that won't ever be needed to be gotten too quickly.
Yes, they are in the garage, but we live in the sticks having only the UPS and USPS drivers come to visit. The garage door is always closed.
The home is ringed in security cameras, so if anybody wants to try and get them out of the concrete they are anchored to, it's gonna take a while and there will be time to get the authorities out there if we aren't there ourselves.
To answer one of your questions, home movers move gun safes all the time. They have the equipment and know-how to do it.
Graduating High School, I worked for Bekins Van Lines moving homes and businesses. We moved dozens of big gun safes, pianos, pool tables and the like.
It always shocked folks when it only took two guys to take down and move a 9' concert grand piano off a stage and move it up to another stage pretty easily.

Sorry to hear about the loss of your dog, One thing I have learned after being retired military and working in special operations plus living in rural environments for most of my life is if you do not have your firearm on you or within reach, you are not armed. Don't kid yourself thinking I will have time to get and load my firearm. That is like a passenger in a car with their feet up on the dash saying if we are going get in a wreck I will just take my feet down, We all know how that will work out. Use situational awareness be armed and be proficient. Thirty seconds can make the difference whether you, a family member or your dog being killed or severely injured.

 

[barnetmill]

I went light weight but sturdy..steelwater safes with shelves for handguns. one smaller one for rifles. The one I chose has 4 shelves.plenty of room for the handguns. The lock is electronic keypad style BUT it also has an emergency key. The safe weighs about 380# has minimal fire protection.

Thin walled safes like this one can be cut open given enough time. Criminals do not bother with the doors, they cut through the walls. They would have to find mine before trying that.(they are well hidden and secured)

I would need a 800-1500# all steel safe in order to get bette r protection than MY Steelwaters provide.I have no way to get one into the house

''They would have to find mine before trying that.(they are well hidden and secured)'' This is most important and what a locksmith told me was the best strategy. One can not rob what is not found.

 

[HooDoo Man]

Just get one. And twice as big as you think you need.

 

[barnetmill]

I just had to use a pistol about an hour ago. Earlier today I saw a ~3 ft shed snake skin that was not there yesterday; put a snub revolver in my pocket and still had a larger pistol in a bandoleer holster. Anyway it was a warm day today for a change in NW FL and I assume the skin was from one of our black snakes that are long and thin. While on the tractor I saw a long snake and it was not a black snake, but what appeared to be longest cotton mouth I have seen on my place. Strange it was not particularly heavy and there is slight chance that it was not a water moccasin. But was it was disappearing into a woodpile I managed to draw a .38 loaded with shot and fired at about the last foot of the snake and apparently I hit it, and the snake came barreling out of there heading toward me on the tractor and then it darted back into another part of the wood pile with me sending some more lead that way. I was off the tractor and could see part of the snake put two more in what was part of it I could see and then ran out of shot shells. It has five chambers and I only load four. I do not trust an old rossi to be 100% drop safe. I came back an hour later with the gun reloaded and could see flies on part of the snake as I got close and fired once more with the impact smashing that part of the snake. Most likely dead. I will wait until I can smell it decaying and will dig it out of there with a very long crow bar. More than likely the fireants will find it and they love dead snake.

 

[dennishoddy]

I'm always armed with a handgun, but the fight with the coyote was 100 or so yards away across a fence. I needed a rifle to reach out that far.
I don't hop over fences much anymore.