Is there a website to compare many gun safes?

[Guest]

Hello,

Although I am not yet in a position to purchase one, over time I have been doing casual research trying to get educated on gun safes and what I may buy at some point down the road.

Does anyone know of a site where I can select options, for example, to tell the site to display each model with (for example) 90+ minutes fire rating, 1.5" locking bolts, X cubic feet capacity, etc?

Currently I am thinking something similar to this one would be a good value... http://www.thesafepl...lverado-23.html

I guess it's a balancing act between buglar-resistance, fire-resistance, and price..... Figured a site that lets you tweak the options and compare all that fit would be a big help. If nothing else maybe I can figure out how much I'll eventually need to save up :-)

Edit: yes, I know the one in the link has a digital lock... (I think non-digital would be more reliable).... another option said site/database (above) would help compare.

Edit again: Yes, I know it's coming in the replies, and yes, I will check The Safe House in Nashville. At this point I'm just trying to get an idea of what I'm getting myself into :-)

Edited June 21, 2012 by Guest

[Guest safes]

Check around on prices then check with us to we have great prices www.southlandsafes.com or give me a call thanks Daryl

205-269-8569

[av88tor]

Why look at a website, just come down and check out the safes in person, we just expanded our inventory and have over 100 safes on display and over 300 in stock. We even have a sale for the next few weeks on some of our over stock models.

[alwaysonjohn]

Just look at the safes at the safe house and write down the prices of the ones that fit what you are looking for. I went to the Safe House and decided that $2000 was a more logical budget for a 24 gun safe. Also, start thinking of a way to get the safe from where you buy it to inside the house, whether you do it yourself or pay someone (which can be up to another $200). 800lbs is going to be a nightmare unless you have four friends, but even then stairs and doors suck and what would you do if your friend pulls his back while helping you out (beer doesn't fix backs)!

If I bought another safe my rating scale would be:

Gun Capacity and Layout: Get a safe that can fit the guns you want with accessories on. So a 24 gun safe in reality will maybe fit 12 and so on. Also look for good layouts that are changeable in the future (height or placement) along with door storage systems that you like. Also measure the area where you are putting the safe so you don't buy one that won't fit. Don't try to fit a 36 gun safe in a closet, its not realistic.

Burglar resistance: Just make sure the safe is heavy, particularly the door, and that the door matches up well with the safe. Most burglars in police cases I have seen have taken the entire safe or used some object to pry it open (which is why I would never buy a gun vault because they would just take the little box).

Fire Resistance: Read the labels on the doors but most are impossible to compare unless its made by the same company. The reason being is that the temperatures are usually different which makes the "burn time" impossible to compare.

Rust Resistance: Make sure you get one that seals well and has the capability to place a dehumidifier rod in it (you can always get someone to drill a hole for the cord if you are comfortable with that, or if you didn't bolt your safe down you can place the cord through the bolt holes). I used to place EvaDrys in my safe till I bumped one causing it to hit the ground and release TONS of little beads.

Speedy Opening: Make sure you get one that you can open quickly just incase of a fire where you want to empty it or if a burglar enters your home and you happen to be by the safe. I love digital locks for this reason, when you are stressed they can easily be opened. Some new digital locks allow external power sources that plug into the digital lock in case the internal batteries are dead. Some digital locks also have the ability to program two seperate codes where you can give your significant other or best friend a code and disable or change it later.

Interior Lighting: Whether you can add it later or have it built-in, interior lighting is a must for bigger safes in order to see inside!

Price: Of course this will be an important item in determining your safe.

Where its made: Lately this is a topic of debate among this forum so if you want an american made safe do your research and get one. I honestly don't care about where mine was made since I value function above all. Sometimes different models are outsourced so if this is important make sure you research the model and Brand of the safe.

Weight: Weight should be a last concern, but it should still be a concern. Placing 800lbs (EMPTY) in a spot in the house should be a well-thought plan. Also note, that the more options and the better fire ratings come with a heavier safe.

Questions for the place where you buy it:

Shipping: Ask if shipping is included in the price. They will normally ship it to your house (well the outside of your house) within a 4 hour time period so make sure you or someone close can be there for delivery.

Inside Delivery: Ask how much to unbox the safe and place it inside your home at your designated resting spot.

Warranty: Ask them about warranty procedures on the safe if the lock or other part of it does malfunction (most places will fix it within the manufacturers warranty, but some places will say you will have to deal directly with the manufacturer). Also, ask if they have a discounted service to customers to open the safe in case a burglar did try to pry it open.

So my advice is to write down the information to these questions for each safe that fits the size you are looking for. Then debate it when you get home and compare prices and debate it more. The safe house (av88tor) is a premier sponsor and many here have dealt with him. Safes has also been here for a while and he is an authorized vender and a great guy to deal with.