Safe questions

[gomer pyle]

I need a larger safe. I'm still not sure how I feel about it but what's everyone's opinion on http://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/cannon-ts5950-75-safe?

Its larger than what I need but I would like to buy once this time. I've also looked at the Liberty Fatboy, but I really can't tell much difference in the two especially for the price diffence.

What fire rating, temp, should I look for? I feel like 1200 is kinda low but I'm not a specialist. 

[Esko 270]

I got the fat boy from Tractor Supply it was on sale for 900. The only thing I wish I could have done different was get the combination instead of the electric keypad. I'm not sure about fire rating either, they come with a lifetime warranty though.

[monkeylizard]

It depends on a lot of things, but mostly it's about what are you trying to protect your stuff from and is it your first, last, and only line of defense?

If it's going to be behind solid doors with good locks, tucked in a tight space with little access to the sides, back, or top, bolted in place, and protected by an alarm to police & fire with a fast response time (and throw in a good guard dog while we're at it), and you're in a low crime area, and there's a fire hydrant very close to your home, then those will suit most people just fine. But don't have delusions about these entry-level safes protecting from an experienced and prepared thief. If it's going to be sitting along an open wall in a garage and not bolted down properly, with a bunch of power/hand tools nearby, and the cops are making arrests in your neighborhood on a daily basis, then you'll probably want something with a thicker body. 12 and 14 ga. steel gets opened up quickly by a pick axe.

Kitchens and garages often burn the hottest during a house fire due to the presence of gas lines and various chemicals. The further it is from gas lines and chemicals, the better.

[gomer pyle]

I called and talked to someone at Parker Safes in Shelbyville today. He recommended a Superior Master Series and from what he told me and what I've looked up, I leaning towards it. It is 10 ga and has a fire rating of 1650 for 90 min.

[nightowl556]

If you want to see the best selection of safes go see The Safe House.  I have bought two safes from them and they blow all of the other dealers in TN out of the water.  They have Browning and Liberty , which are the ones I bought and Superior and Fort Knox I believe.  The guy who owns it is a straight shooter and will help you pick the right safe.   They will deliver and instally your safe , which is interesting to watch them do.   

[E4 No More]

12 hours ago, nightowl556 said:

If you want to see the best selection of safes go see The Safe House.  I have bought two safes from them and they blow all of the other dealers in TN out of the water.  They have Browning and Liberty , which are the ones I bought and Superior and Fort Knox I believe.  The guy who owns it is a straight shooter and will help you pick the right safe.   They will deliver and instally your safe , which is interesting to watch them do.   

I second The Safe House. I bought my safe there too. They treat you right, have a good selection, and good prices.

[Dane]

Black Friday is coming up.  Traditionally the Cannon wide body (the one a little smaller than the one you picked) goes on sale for $600-700.  So you could get 2 of those for slightly more than the one.  Or just wait for the sale on that one.

[ma6907]

I can tell you from my personal experience, get the biggest one that you can fit in the area you wish to put it and the biggest one you can afford.  I had advice from my Uncle (the kind of guy I listen to) that you cannot buy one too big.  he said I would end up filling it up.  I bought the biggest I could comfortably put into the space and he was correct.  I filled it RIGHT up.  Mostly with guns and ammo but keep in mind that a big safe is a nice thing to have.  Great spot to store ANYTHING that is best kept under lock and key.  In thinking back, I can rarely think of anyone complaining about buying "too big".  As far as fire rating, most of that is just bunk.  I have been involved in several "post fire" clean ups and all the guns were lost in a cheap safe and in an expensive safe.  Ratings of 1600 degrees for 30 min and all that stuff is not pertinent in the real world.  The most important factor is that the warranty is basically an insurance policy that will replace your weapons when they are ruined by the 2 or 3 hour fire that consumed them (for more than the 30 min fire rating time.)  PS--I have the EXACT model that you posted the picture of--The Cannon.  Has suited me just fine.  I bought mine off of Craigslist for $600 used.

Edited November 7, 2016 by ma6907

[peejman]

Be sure the floor you sit it on is up to the weight. If that's concrete, make sure there's a vapor barrier to keep the bottom from rusting. 

[runco]

Still think this video is one of the bests for educating people on gun safes:  Starts at 1:54.

 

[Papajon]

Third on the Safe House. All they do is sell safes and security equipment. They know what they're talking about. Top notch and professional to include the delivery guys.

[Erik88]

Consider this another endorsement for the Safe House. To me a safe is not something you want to cheap out on. Spend the money once and get the right one. I'm a big fan of Browning.

Edited November 7, 2016 by Erik88

[frankmako]

call parkers safes.  he is a good person to work with.  go with the biggest safe that you have money for. 

[hipower]

Think about the size you think you actually need...then double it. Seriously, I mean it.

Your safe will be full immediately. You'll need and want more room. Buy as big as you can afford.

You will not regret getting a safe bigger than you think you need. However you will greatly regret getting one that's "just big enough."

[Hershmeister]

Bigger is better

[Spiffy]

I got my big safe in 1999. I don't even remember what brand it is or what it cost. I was spending a lot of coin with a local shop and I just asked him what he recommended.  He said he used the same safes at home as in the shop so I told him to get me one.

[Sam1]

Fourth for the safe house, I went in there with something specific in mind and they got me set up with a much better one for only $100 more... Substantially better.

[tartanphantom]

Another vote fore The Safe House... expertise, sales, service, delivery and installation were all top-notch.

[MrsMonkeyMan2500]

We used the safe house too, we ended up with a great deal although I still had to swallow a lot of tums writing that check. They delivered to us all the way out in the woods and even sadly broke a tire off their trailer. The ladies we dealt with were amazingly easy and nice and the delivery guys looked like they belonged in titans uniforms. It's hard to find someone bigger than monkey but they were. Expert delivery, to the exact spot we wanted it. And get as big as you can. Ours has become a gun safe that houses bourbon and important files as well. LOL

[Erik88]

I forgot one thing about the safe house that no one has mentioned yet. Let's say you spend $1,000 on a safe today and then 2 years from now you decide you need a bigger safe. Unless something has changed they will give you a full refund on the first safe towards the purchase of your next one.

So if you want to jump to a $1,500 safe you will only be out $500 plus tax and delivery.

I went in there thinking I would spend around $1,200 and I ended up buying 2 used safes for around $1,500 OTD. I bought a inexpensive but good used Cannon for $400 that I keep all my ammunition in. They had some good deals on used safes that people had traded in.

[gomer pyle]

Good info. 

 

I ended up using Parker's. he is only 20 min from my house and had awesome customer service. 

[bud]

.

Edited April 26, 2017 by bud