A month after moving to the big city, my house got broken into yesterday.

Eight long guns that I inherited from my dad -- ones I cared about, that held memories of good times with my dad -- were stolen, along with my wife's laptop, my tablet, and my wife's engagement ring (which had been my grandmother's).

The guns were locked up in a safe, mainly to keep my kids and their friends from getting at them. It never occurred to me that they might be stolen, and that a $100 gun safe from Big 5 would be that easy to pry open with my own hammer.

Folks, it's stupid to protect thousands of dollars worth of guns with a $100 gun safe. Learn from my mistake!

 

Wow, That suck's! I just got a gun safe from TSC. I think it is a Cannon? Luckily, crime isn't too bad here, and I am basically using it to keep kid's away from my guns.

 

sorry 2 hear about your firearm thief....i got a friend who booby trapped his safe....thieves got into it but when it exploded in their face they ended up splitting from the scene without taking any of his arms.... i just own couple 22 long rifles... safe costs more than guns are worth

 

Good idea. Get one with fire AND theft protection. 10-gauge or under (steel) is recommended. Get an 700lb to 1000lb monster that you have bolted to the floor and can protect against 1450-F for 45 min to an hour and you're good. Some come with replacement coverage in case of successful theft or damage from fire too.

'Course you're talking real money. Expect to pay $1500 to $3000 (and up) for a good one.

Ain't just about guns. Precious metals. Sensitive paperwork (diplomas, birth certs, passports, etc.). All kinds of stuff.

Cannon, Liberty, Champion. Good safes. Then you've got premium safes like American Security (they layer their steel with concrete).......which run $4000 and up.

Here's a good site from a local gun store which carries several brands, including the American Security. Good information from the main page too.

Hyatt Safe Shop ? Since 1959

 

Both Bass Pro and Gander Mountain have a really GREAT selection of safes. Get one that is fireproof so you may store important documents in as well. $600-1000 can get you a fantastic large safe

Both places will deliver and Install the safe as well. I have spent quite a bit of time researching this

-The Great

 

^^^Great post!!!

The 'big box stores' generally have 2nd tier safes, meaning that they will ask for thinner material, lesser quality locks, less insulation, etc.

I was in one big box store (a supplier of tractor stuff, ahem.... cough....cough), and the ONLY material used on the inside of the door, was fabric covered drywall!!!
The only reason this was discovered, somebody's little boy bumped the panel with his rearend, and it fell inside the door, in several pieces!!


I'll add to Steve's list - Fort Knox Safes.
Liberty Fat Boy get's the nod, from me.
I am also NOT a fan of the 'push button' combination locks.
Sergeant & Greenleaf 'old style' combination locks for me!!!
(With a 'push button' lock, several things CAN go 'wrong'. Battery/batteries. "Finger placement marking". This is a pattern made on the keys using your fingertips, that CAN allow someone to look at the 'pad' from an angle and get the pattern/copy the numbers, and try different combinations, until they get the 'right one'.)
I've seen this done. I was shocked at how easily this guy got into the safe!

No matter what safe you buy........ anchor it to the floor (and walls IF possible)!!
Also, put any safe in a corner, where the adjoining wall is as close as possible to the 'latch side' (the side opposite from the hinges).
This makes it more difficult for someone to pry the door, or 'try' to pry the door.

 

So far as I'm concerned, a good high quality safe is a thing of beauty in itself. Adds to any home décor......lol

 

Sorry to hear of your loss. A safe is like a garage...it's never big enough.

 

added to the rafter stash my cheap 22's

 

But they ARE heavy sons of bucks. I'm certain mine will stay with the home should I ever leave. It ended up in the office because when I suggested the basement I took a serious FU look from the guys; one of which was the owner of the selling company.

 

put your safe in your kids room in the closet! how many thieves are going to even go in to a kids room to look for something valuable? the lock will keep it safe from the kids getting in.

 

That's a really good idea, helifixer. If I ever get any more guns (doubtful at this point), I will do that.

 

This is pure genius!


OP, Sorry to hear about loss. I had a ring that i never wore, but was given to me by someone who passed away, and the day that got stolen was a very sad day indeed. Here's hoping they get caught.