Safe for rifle/shotguns?

[Ray B]

there was a post recently about safes but using the search I was unable to find it. The situation is for us, Washington State is now being run by transplant primarily from California who now make up the majority voting block- with results such several taxes imposed or being imposed as well as other infringements on our freedoms- short form: we are considering moving to one of the red mountain states. When we moved to our present address we purchased a Fort Knox safe 72x40x32- weight about 2,000 lbs. It was lowered to the basement and then built-in, including a wall with doorway smaller than the safe. Needless to say, the safe will be staying with the house. If /when we move we will be purchasing another safe. I've heard good things about the Winchester safes sold by Costco. Either the Legacy 53 or Ranger 42 seem workable. I don't care for the electronic locks, but that seems to be the only type available anymore. I'm aware that no safe is fool-proof and that it's main function is to require time, equipment, skill and possibly noise on the part of the thief to gain entrance. What I am asking is: of the presently available safes in the 50 long gun class, reasonably fireproof (1500 degrees-30 minutes) and significant impediment to 90% of the burglars what can be recommended?

 

[mdwest]

You might look at the Browning Rawhide series… they’re rated to 1680 degrees, and I think they’ve got a 48 gun safe that’s about $2300

I have a hard time recommending Liberty after their sharing access code info with the fed govt fiasco a few years ago… but I have to admit I’ve been super happy with their USA series… a 48 gun, manual lock, 60 minute fire rated, 719lb (empty) safe is $2200… their customer service has historically been very good as well…

 

[JimP]

Try as hard as you can to stay away from the electronic locks. A friend just the other day had one fail on him and has to wait a week for a technician to come out to see if he can get it opened.

If he can't open it then they'll resort to cutting it open.

 

[Woodcarver]

there was a post recently about safes but using the search I was unable to find it. The situation is for us, Washington State is now being run by transplant primarily from California who now make up the majority voting block- with results such several taxes imposed or being imposed as well as other infringements on our freedoms- short form: we are considering moving to one of the red mountain states. When we moved to our present address we purchased a Fort Knox safe 72x40x32- weight about 2,000 lbs. It was lowered to the basement and then built-in, including a wall with doorway smaller than the safe. Needless to say, the safe will be staying with the house. If /when we move we will be purchasing another safe. I've heard good things about the Winchester safes sold by Costco. Either the Legacy 53 or Ranger 42 seem workable. I don't care for the electronic locks, but that seems to be the only type available anymore. I'm aware that no safe is fool-proof and that it's main function is to require time, equipment, skill and possibly noise on the part of the thief to gain entrance. What I am asking is: of the presently available safes in the 50 long gun class, reasonably fireproof (1500 degrees-30 minutes) and significant impediment to 90% of the burglars what can be recommended?

Don't come to Colorado then. Our idiot in the Governor's seat and his flunkies in the State House are on a rampage to out-regulate WA & CA when it comes to guns. Bad enough I'm contemplating the same move as you.
The Ft Knox line has the best fire rating in the business for "affordable" safes, which is the most likely protection a residential safe will provide. My son and I are currently looking as I need one at his house, and he needs one too, lol. An electronic lock isn't an option for the exact reason @JimP mentioned.
If you plan on building, a vault door installed for a walk in safe is the better way to go. Better fire protection, better theft protection as well. If you're buying already built, get another Ft Knox if you can get it installed where you want it.

 

[BeeMaa]

For a 50-gun vault, it would be my preference to split it into two-25 or 30 gun vaults. It would allow easier access to the firearms you want without having to unpack half your inventory to get one at the back.

We did it with smaller vaults with dual locks (one mechanical and one electronic) and had one of them special ordered with a left-hand hinge so they open like French doors. They are Executive 6637's. We have also been very impressed with the customer service provided by our local rep. Obviously this is not a cheap option, but you get what you pay for.

 

[SStomcat]

Please read the post I started when I was looking for a safe. Plenty of good info.

 

[Major Bonkers]

The previous thread was (I think): Gun safe recommendation

Damn socialists. They get everywhere.

 

[JG26Irish_2]

KY is a good locale. We have constitutional carry and are generally gun friendly even with our liberal weiney Deo-rat governor in office. Hunting is good if you are ok with Turkey, Elk, Deer, Squirrel, Rabbit and varmints. Enough with the public svc. Safes? I only have experience with Liberty. They cost a bit more but I have had one for 35yrs and it is flawless. Got a 2nd one a few years ago and filled them both up. Both have the dial type non-electric locks which are reliable as long as the old fart who owns them can remember the combination, lol. I went for several months not opening the original safe since it had the more collectible pieces in it that I did not shoot much. Came in one day and could not recall the combination and it took me a few hours to get in it. Oops. I have since corrected that mistake but it was a bad feeling. So, while the mechanical locks are great, they are not fool proof.

The Liberty is heavy, has good flame proof liner, has accommodations for heater, and lights, and the finish is nice and has held up well over the years. The dealer has moved mine to new locations a few times for a small fee.

 

[SaintPanzer]

I can't help with the safe recommendation, but I wonder how difficult it would be to pull an electronic lock and replace it with this: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002EDF466?tag=atomicindus08-20