I have 1000$ to spend on a long gun safe

[WildTurk]

Whats my best option? I have 10 long guns and 6 handguns. I'm thinking a 20 gun safe is good for now. I looked at steelwater and they have a heavy duty 12 ga thick 20 gun safe for 929$ Any ideas are much appreciated

[jon619]

I've read the cheaper gun safes are not very secure and in order to get a good gun safe, you would be spending $2-$5k. For a cheaper budget, I'd consider the work site toolboxes like a jobox. Not the prettiest, but supposedly really secure.

Also, I've read to buy a safe that's bigger than what you have because you'll more than likely acquire more guns.

[timetofly]

How many of the long guns have scopes on them.  I de-rate a safe 2-3 guns of capacity for each scope. 

Good luck in your search.

[SI VIS PACEM PARRABELLUM]

As with anything shop around and find the best quality you can in your price range.

[Claymore504]

I paid a little over $700 for mine on sale. It has served me very well for many years. It is a Winchester. Not sure which model, but I think it is the Treasury series.

[bang bang]

always get the biggest you can afford.  Why?

 > because you will always buy more guns.

 > you can use it for other things to secure.  Like documents, jewelry, ...ect

[tomboyjr]

 Not sure where you live, but a few months ago I decided to get a real safe instead of the (very heavy) metal cabinet I was using. I looked around a lot, even scouring Craigslist and FB Marketplace. No deals to be had. Turns out there is a Champion  Factory Safe Outlet near me.
Great selection, the guy knows his stuff too. He explained the difference between a real safe and the Chinese junk thats out there. Like what they sell at Tractor Supply, etc.
He's in Knoxville TN.

[larryflew]

I paid a little over $700 for mine on sale. It has served me very well for many years. It is a Winchester. Not sure which model, but I think it is the Treasury series.

Ditto, bought the 40 Pony series Winchester. Not the heaviest metal around but unless spending several thousand dollars you're only stopping dishonest normal people not safe cracking thieves. 

[bang bang]

something else....

 > if you have any locksmiths in your area, check with them too.  Sometimes they will get used safes in for sale.

 > you can also check any estate sales in your area.  but be prepared to move it yourself or hire out.

[RSR]

An alternate perspective:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJD1gZNC1EM

FWIW, I think it makes a lot of sense if you can't afford a higher end safe like Ft Knox w/ their add ons/armor upgrades.   Browning safes are probably the cheapest I'd even consider insofar as trad'l safes on the mid to low end.

Also, take a look at Matt Risinger/the Build Show YouTube channel for lower-cost vault/secure rooms.  They've had a few vids on that subject over the past couple years.

And don't forget you can build fire barriers outside of any safe/storage device too.  Rockwool in walls, replacing drywall with fireboard, etc.  Building a drywall/fireboard wall around safe (drywall to safe side of wall) with rockwool insulation and diamond mesh backing drywall or 3/4+" plywood to the outside, etc. 

Basically, the safe itself is only one layer of protection.  You want at least three layers and a security system in order to protect your stuff -- ideally one w/ automatic fire station alert for connected smoke alarms as well.  Put one near/above your safe.

Three locks = home exterior, up-armored/reinforced gun closet, gun safe/storage device.  Three to 4 walls = exterior, room in which closet is accessed, closet, add'l wall around safe for fire/attack protection.  (Sides and back of safe are weakest/most vulnerable, with the door usually being the strongest component.)  Etc.

[steerclr]

I think you'll find what are called safes in that price range that are actual "Residential Security Lockers".  You probably need to double your budget to have enough steel used in its manufacture to really be called a safe and in turn harder to break into. All safes can be broken into, it just means better built ones take longer. How ever, you can install one in your price range inside a tightly fitting closet which then makes it harder for thieves to get access to and work on, which then will extend its security rating.

[jameslovesjammie]

What do you want the safe for?

If all you want to do is keep little hands out of them, you can get a large "security cabinet" quite reasonable.

If theft or fire protection are what you are looking for, get a safe.

You get what you pay for!  More expensive safes will give you a higher fire rating and better theft deterrence. 

Decent value-for-the-dollar American made safes are Liberty and Champion.  The Sports Afield safes that are found at Home Depot and Mendards are made overseas and imported, but seem quite decent for the money.  I've got a Liberty RX-12 safe for my handguns.

Personally, I'm more concerned with fire protection than theft.

[bang bang]

What do you want the safe for?

If all you want to do is keep little hands out of them, you can get a large "security cabinet" quite reasonable.

If theft or fire protection are what you are looking for, get a safe.

You get what you pay for!  More expensive safes will give you a higher fire rating and better theft deterrence. 

Decent value-for-the-dollar American made safes are Liberty and Champion.  The Sports Afield safes that are found at Home Depot and Mendards are made overseas and imported, but seem quite decent for the money.  I've got a Liberty RX-12 safe for my handguns.

Personally, I'm more concerned with fire protection than theft.

depending on your end game....

you can get some Fire Rates sheetrock and wrap your safe in it.  but it will depend on where you place your self.

something else to consider.  as stated above, all safes can be defeated.  But i aways say, they cant steal it if they cant find or see it.  If you are in a rental, not much you can do, but if you are in your own home/place, you maybe able to "hide" the safe somewhat.

Also, i see it as trying to make it harder for someone to break into the safe and to give them something to consider.. such as is the next door easier to get into.

If you have a nice plasma cutter in the garage along with your safe, do you think they wouldnt use the plasma cutter to brake into your safe?  some people have some really nice and CONVENIENT tools in their home to do such things.

[Stack23]

I would look for a decent used safe on craigslist or Facebook marketplace. That's how I got my liberty