Author Topic: Do I need a gun safe?  (Read 18845 times)

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Offline cntrydawwwg

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Re: Do I need a gun safe?
« Reply #60 on: January 06, 2019, 04:16:51 PM »
IMO it depends on the pistol case and your humidity level of your house.  The CZ cases are a very dense foam that don?t seem to hold moisture in my house, so they should be GTG. Some brands have no foam so those should be ok also. Some cases have a very light foam that will hold tons of moisture. Those should be avoided IMO.
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Offline ernie_h

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Re: Do I need a gun safe?
« Reply #61 on: January 07, 2019, 08:47:28 AM »
Thanks cd...that is my concern. The CZ boxes seem pretty good (the newer ones seem a bit better, but overall I think they're fine). Humidity control is a big deal for me (I have guitars as well), and the safe would have one of those control rods. OTOH, I've seen some of the cheaper foam....ordered a few mag boxes from amazon a while back with the more rigid foam with much larger 'pores'.....don't know how they stored them, but the foam was soaked....sent 'em back and stopped using the ones that I did have that had been OK.

Offline CrazyDave

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Re: Do I need a gun safe?
« Reply #62 on: January 19, 2019, 09:21:18 PM »
No safe required IMHO, but I feel one is always a good idea. Maybe even a cheap payment towards family peace and public safety in your case/.  Also, what are you suppose to do with them all?  One the other hand, if your smart about it you could hide dozens of guns in your home without a common criminal ever finding. 

Offline CZ_OBSESSED

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Re: Do I need a gun safe?
« Reply #63 on: April 22, 2019, 02:37:43 PM »
Gun safe is very necessary

Offline Ohio CZ

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Re: Do I need a gun safe?
« Reply #64 on: April 27, 2019, 11:07:01 PM »
I guess my take on gun safety is yes, you should have some method to lock up firearms. As far as commercially available items, I break them down to two groups, safes (gun or other) and gun storage cabinets. In reality the moderately priced gun safes are really just gun storage. They really don't qualify as what a safe really is. A safe is generally considered a thick steel walled enclosure. Most lower priced safes are sheet metal with some type of filler between the steel, most have a drywall type of board. That being said you can open a moderately priced gun safe pretty easy with tools.

What I opted for was a locked gun storage cabinet from Secure It. It came in a size that fit where I needed to put it. It also comes shipped broken down, and you assemble it from the interior. Where I needed to put it is down a narrow set of steps, into a small area at the end of a hall. I one piece cabinet would have been hard to get it there.

Most home invasions are snatch and grab thieves. What I have will keep most from bothering with the cabinet. But I also carry a 200k rider policy in replacement insurance for possessions. I don't own anything I would consider irreplaceable.

Also don't fall for the fire rating labels on safes. It'll get just as hot or hotter inside that safe as the fire outside is. And the fire rating only means the unit will maintain structural integrity for the length of the rating. Not that whats inside won't be damaged by the heat already.
 

« Last Edit: April 27, 2019, 11:13:54 PM by Ohio CZ »
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Offline adrian

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Re: Do I need a gun safe?
« Reply #65 on: April 28, 2019, 12:38:20 AM »
     Hiya and thx to whomever started the thread prolly years ago,and brought it back from the grave recently. Safe or no safe the operation who mentioned having insurance to cover 200k in loss is a smart move, what the premium is monthly? And do they pay 100% of your investment back?  I've had a couple safes of different sizes and in different areas of apt. And that could help one keep some guns away from thieves if they don't find them all. Keeping your safe queens,and collector guns at a friends place that has better security,and perhaps a 600lb safe is a safe precaution,maybe even a climate controlled storage space. Hope that sheds a light on your inquiry.
     Not disagreeing that home invaders snatch and grab, but so do robbers when you are not at home. In that case the beat cops will fingerprint a few spots and be gone in 30min or less. Home invasion is a whole other dimension,considered violent crimes they have vast budgets and resources avail. And any survivors are often put on the radar to be investigated. Yup your tax dollar at work. Be well.
   

Offline Ohio CZ

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Re: Do I need a gun safe?
« Reply #66 on: April 28, 2019, 01:02:40 AM »
At the top of my head, I think the additional insurance coverage adds $185 a year to my home owners policy, it's not expensive. The way the insurance policy is written is replacement values up to the maximum insurance coverage amount.
I support diversity in firearm ownership

Arsenal  AK-47
Beretta 92FS - 9mm
Beretta 92FS INOX - 9mm
Beretta PX4 subcompact - 9mm
Beretta PX4 compact - 9mm
CZ 75 SP-01 Phantom
Glock 21 Gen3
Heckler & Koch P30L - 9mm
Desert Eagle - 44mag
Mossberg 88 12ga
Sig Sauer P226 RX 9mm
Taurus TH

Offline gunbuster

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Re: Do I need a gun safe?
« Reply #67 on: May 01, 2019, 11:41:10 AM »
Great thread and some extremely thought provoking comments!  Can others post the safe manufacturers they purchased and why?  Even if the safe is discontinued it is very helpful to know this information for research. 

I need to buy one and many of you raise valid considerations like the thickness, weight, door gap, electronics, and other features that really do not deter thieves.

On a related note, what type of insurance policies will also cover theft of firearms?  Will an umbrella policy be sufficient?
@Ohio CZ:  You mentioned you have a 200k rider policy.  Is this umbrella or a separate type of rider?  Can you elaborate?  Also kindly mention the underwriting process.  Did they examine your home or conduct other research before approving?  Anymore details you can share is greatly appreciated.  Thanks!
WTB PM if you got any for sale:
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CZ 75 PRE-B (factory blued).

Offline Cortelli

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Re: Do I need a gun safe?
« Reply #68 on: May 01, 2019, 02:24:25 PM »
^^ I did a fair bit of research on safes that would meet my needs a year or two back.  Basically, I wanted more than an RSC, and it didn't need to be big enough to hold rifles -- just pistols, a few odds and ends, and a little "fire proof" box for small items, cash, and electronic docs.  My fire response times are good enough that I figured a small fire box would give me the protection I desire, while in a firestorm situation (such as we've seen several times in CA recently) would likely destroy the contents of even a much more fire resistant safe (i.e., in that situation I'd be screwed either way).  So, my biggest concern was something that wouldn't be easy to crack with ordinary, common tools, and methods to limit the ability of thieves to spend time with the safe (including carrying it away).  Security systems, cameras, etc. around a concelaed, heavy, and securely bolted safe adds a lot of peace of mind regarding theft risks.

Researching is frustrating because a lot of the safe / security cabinet makers deliberately avoid talking about the thickness of steel they use, the anti-theft provisions they employ, etc.  Spent a lot of time calling / emailing / visiting security businesses looking for new or used safes that would meet my needs.

After that long-winded intro, I purchased a Guardall "B" rated safe.  Google safe ratings for "B" rated (versus "RSC" and the various "TL" ratings).  While I'd love to have a TL-30x6 safe, it just wouldn't work for me (1) as a home safe; and (2) as an expense given the value of items I plan to keep at home in the safe.  I didn't want to spend $10k+ to protect 10k+ of valuables.

I purchased the Guardall B2015 money chest.  Specs largely here: https://www.gardall.com/view-product/b-rated-money-chest  The specs don't include everything (relocker, drill plate, etc.) but it gives a decent overview of the differences between a typical RSC.

To be clear, this money chest will not defeat a knowledgeable and prepared thief.  But I decided it would deter enough of a threat that I felt it was worth investing in over a more conventional RSC.    I use a sentrysafe fire box inside this for some items.  The Guardall is big enough to hold all the pistols I anticipate owning at any given time, as well as the firebox.  So it meets my needs.  Your needs may differ! 

Offline Coyote56

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Re: Do I need a gun safe?
« Reply #69 on: May 01, 2019, 07:02:13 PM »
Liberty Safe Fatboy Jr.
Possibly the best investment I?ve made in the past 5 years.

Offline Ohio CZ

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Re: Do I need a gun safe?
« Reply #70 on: May 01, 2019, 07:44:07 PM »
My homeowners is through Grange Mutual. All I needed to do was discuss with my agent the cap they had on personal belongings, which is separate from land and structure. My policy had a $75k personal belongings policy as a maximum, fire, theft, etc. Didn't matter if it were 10 items lost or 100, the maximum was $75k on personal possessions. I asked her about raising it as I have a large 960 sq. ft. shop with lots of expensive motorcycle tools, items, etc. As well as firearms and other items in the home. She gave me a price to raise it to $200k, as I mentioned added maybe $185 a year to the policy.

I've had nothing super experiences with my agent, I've had the same insurance since 1982. I had a tree fall one year, smashed the fence  for about 20 feet pretty bad. They covered everything, she asked me what about the tree clean up? I said I burn wood, so I'll take care of it. She said document your time, and a reasonable hourly rate, we'll pay you. Another time in winter an ice storm pulled my gutters mostly off the rear of the house. She asked if they were on the ground or just hanging? I said just hanging. She said "call me back when they fall completely off". Which I helped them do right after I hung up.  O0

Talk to your agent see what they offer.
I support diversity in firearm ownership

Arsenal  AK-47
Beretta 92FS - 9mm
Beretta 92FS INOX - 9mm
Beretta PX4 subcompact - 9mm
Beretta PX4 compact - 9mm
CZ 75 SP-01 Phantom
Glock 21 Gen3
Heckler & Koch P30L - 9mm
Desert Eagle - 44mag
Mossberg 88 12ga
Sig Sauer P226 RX 9mm
Taurus TH

Offline gunbuster

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Re: Do I need a gun safe?
« Reply #71 on: May 03, 2019, 01:42:17 AM »
Thanks guys this is really helpful information about the safes and insurance too.  Can anyone share their experiences?  Thank you!
WTB PM if you got any for sale:
CZ 75 SHORT RAIL (factory blued)
CZ 75 PRE-B (factory blued).

Offline gunsafe-expert

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Re: Do I need a gun safe?
« Reply #72 on: April 05, 2020, 11:53:12 AM »
definitely yes.....If you have gun so you have to buy a gun safe. Its not only protect your gun, it also protects you and your family. And helps to safe your gun to stealing.....

Suggesting you below an article which will be clear your confusion.

https://bestgunsafety.com/why-do-i-need-a-best-gun-safe/

Offline retteryer

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Re: Do I need a gun safe?
« Reply #73 on: April 05, 2020, 01:34:07 PM »
I've got this one from Menard on black friday sale,$349 after rebate,not to big,not to small.It is in security cabinets category , but good enough to have a piece of mind and with a few improvements/reinforcements to the locking mechanism it is even better.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Sports-Afield-30-Gun-Fire-Rated-E-Lock-Gun-Safe-Black-Textured-SA5526BASIC/304080308
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Offline Gunnerdad80

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Re: Do I need a gun safe?
« Reply #74 on: April 05, 2020, 02:30:02 PM »
SAFETY FIRST ALWAYS NO MATTER WHAT! LOCK THEM UP! Kids are clever and will always find a way to get to something you don’t want them to. PawPaw taking a nap is the perfect opportunity to snoop... :-\. All unloaded guns in my house are in a safe and mine and my wife’s loaded home defense guns are in their own separate biometric quick-access safes. A decent sized safe can be had for under $1000 and the biometric safes are $200-$400 each. Not small amounts but better than unnecessary pain and/or loss of life.
« Last Edit: April 20, 2020, 11:30:17 PM by Gunnerdad80 »