Gun safe experience

[Pezhead]

Anyone have any experience witht the following safe manufacturers? I know we've discussed safes before but I'm looking for some input on the variuos makers.
Fort Knox
Liberty
Cannon

[Dick Unger]

I had a Liberty. Lock failed and I could not get at my guns. They eventually sent a locksmith to replace it. (After at least 4 hours on the phone over 2 weeks.)

I think all three brands are made by the same Chinaman.

If your safe won't open, you can simply tip it on it's side. The bottom is made of really heavy sheet metal. If you have a really heavy duty can opener, you can remove that break the easily replaceable sheet rock fire insulation and get your guns.

[mnglocker]

Get a sargent and greenleaf combination lock. You can change the combo yourself if you're handy and there's no battery to fail.

[timwarner]

guns are only safe when they're loaded and hidden away in various locations around the house.

[Pat Cannon]

Guns are only safe when they're loaded and on your person.

[45Badger]

Get a sargent and greenleaf combination lock. You can change the combo yourself if you're handy and there's no battery to fail.

What he said. S&G group 2 and better. I have a Champion safe. Very satisfied for what it is - a residential security container. Will keep kids, crack addicts, and other casual and unwanted intruders away from your goods. Professionals will beat any safe. If lag bolted to floor and rear and side walls (in a corner) it will make it harder and more time consuming for the bad guys to break in. Of those you listed, Ft Knox is generally thought to be the best.

[FredsBank]

Does this part bother anyone?

"Police regularly inspect the properties of gun owners to check they are being stored safely."

I hope it never comes to that here.

Ignore this. Not sure how it ended up here in this thread. Sorry for any confusion.

[Holland&Holland]

Does this part bother anyone?

"Police regularly inspect the properties of gun owners to check they are being stored safely."

I hope it never comes to that here.

???? part of what post?

[RobD]

Not one of the ones you mentioned... but really worth a look.

http://www.zanottiarmorsafes.com/safes.htm

[EastSideRich]

I have a Liberty Centurion (12 gun I believe).
The only complaint I have is you can't buy the adapter to add an outlet inside the safe; you have to have it installed by a "professional". You can find them, but cant buy it unless you're a licensed dealer.
As an aside, if anyone does know how to get one - PLEASE let me know!

Other than that, I couldn't be happier.
Seems very well made compared to other makers you find at local retailers.
It's heavy as hell (I want to say about 600 lbs); I had 4 guys help get it in our basement and am still amazed no one ended up in the ER.
I've never tried to break into it, but it seems like it would be a tough nut to crack. Would absolutely keep your average burglar out. Someone who's well versed in breaking safes -- ???
They are made in the USA.

Go to their website and watch some of their videos. I know they have an agenda (to sell you a safe), but they seem pretty tough.
Besides, the average gun owner really needs to stop little kids and small-time smash and grab meth-head burglars.
I am completely confident this safe will keep a couple of guys with crowbars, sledge hammers, and whatever else out for plenty long.

They also have much nicer models which offer even more security.

EDIT:
Also, the other complaint is a 12 long gun safe is not a 12 long gun safe.
You could maybe pack 12 in there, but I would call it an 8 or 9.

[45Badger]

I've never tried to break into it, but it seems like it would be a tough nut to crack. Would absolutely keep your average burglar out. Someone who's well versed in breaking safes -- ???

Besides, the average gun owner really needs to stop little kids and small-time smash and grab meth-head burglars.

I am completely confident this safe will keep a couple of guys with crowbars, sledge hammers, and whatever else out for plenty long.

It is PERFECT for kids and smash and grab druggies. Competent/professional burglars.....not so much. There's a video on the interwebs of two guys with sledges and crowbars peeling one open in about 90 seconds.

[akodo]

I've never tried to break into it, but it seems like it would be a tough nut to crack. Would absolutely keep your average burglar out. Someone who's well versed in breaking safes -- ???

Besides, the average gun owner really needs to stop little kids and small-time smash and grab meth-head burglars.

I am completely confident this safe will keep a couple of guys with crowbars, sledge hammers, and whatever else out for plenty long.

It is PERFECT for kids and smash and grab druggies. Competent/professional burglars.....not so much. There's a video on the interwebs of two guys with sledges and crowbars peeling one open in about 90 seconds.

This is how it was explained to me.

The sheet steel the $150-300 'gun cabinet'. They will stop kids and smash-and-grab types. A criminal with enough brains to go to your garage and get some powertools will be in the cabinet in 5 minutes. This is slightly better than most of the wooden 'display' type gun cabinets.

The Residential Security Containers that are advertised as if they are true safes, ($800-$2,000) if the average criminal has time and standard (usually found in the garage) tools he can get in.

a true safe, the average criminal is not getting in, even with standard tools. You'll need either a professional or specialty tools. New ones will run about twice the price of a RSC, however used ones can be purchased for maybe 1.5 the price of a similar sized RCS. True safe cost generally goes up less with size increases, so consider buying bigger than you think you need.

Home owners insurance may or may not give you a discount for a RCS, but most will give a discount for a safe.


I point this out because it may prevent someone from paying more for what they really need. For many the thin metal cabinets to keep guns out of the hands of kids and 'in-and-out' burglars is sufficient, especially if you can for a dollar or two put a rider on your home owner's policy for fire etc.

[justinvan]

Stay away from digital locks!!!! I had to have my safe drilled because of one.

[EastSideRich]

It is PERFECT for kids and smash and grab druggies. Competent/professional burglars.....not so much. There's a video on the interwebs of two guys with sledges and crowbars peeling one open in about 90 seconds.

I'm talking about an actual safe, not one of those stack-on POS cabinets that go for a couple or few hundred dollars.
I'm pretty sure I could open one of those with a claw hammer and a wonderbar in less than 5 minutes.

Also, my above statement about being made in the USA, on the spec sheet for the safe, it lists China as the country of origin, but boldly says "Celebrating 23 years of made in the USA" on their home page.
Go figure.?.?.?

[ricks8251]

So if you dont plan on moving wouldn't it be about the same cost to build a reenforced room in your house? I have thought of doing this but would not be sure how to start.