Gun safe question......

Monofletch

Monofletch

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Jan 14, 2010
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My wife and I almost bought a Liberty Fatboy gun safe today. I told her we should shop around first. Can some of you with safes tell me what too look for or shy away from? I know NOTHING about gun safes. I'd hate to waist my $$$$. I have a safe now, but it is more of a locking steel cabinet with 0 fire protection. :o
 
I always went with my big brother's sagely advice. It should be able to be bolted down or too heavy for four people to carry off.
 
I think Liberty has a good reputation. I have seen similar products but less expensive by people like Sun Welding. There might be a company local to your area that can sell cheaper by saving on shipping.

You don't need the pretty paint and fancy electronic lock, unless you just want it.
 
I have a Liberty revere 23 and Its not bad for the money looks good and it bolted down to a cement floor. Only thing I would have changed is I wish the floor was a bit thicker bit I believe the fat boy will have that. Oh and look for the size you need and double it. It's always cheaper for a bigger safe than getting two smaller safes. Once I got mine the wife quickly filled up one side with her valuables. So now I don't have anymore room for my guns and knives.

:edited: I mainly bought mine for the fire protection and child safety so I didn't go with the thicker steel sides and added locking bolts.
 
graffunder, amsec, what ever you get, make sure the door is at least .25" plate steel. and as big as you can. any extra money you spend on a gun safe (with exception to the paint) you will not regret. you will regret going cheap on it though
 
You actually made a smart move putting off a purchase.

You definitely want to bolt it down, but you also want to spend some $$$.

This is a video a friend shared with me a few years ago. It's one of the most informative sources of information on gun safes I know of. He covers a lot of information, he misses some things I would consider important, but it's pretty comprehensive. Remember that all a safe does (all any security does really) is slow people down, and increase the skill or force they need to break it. You can do a few simple things like where you position the safe to increase security dramatically, so put some thought into what you're doing. Finally, it really is an investment. If you have $50,000 in guns and valuables, there is no reason you shouldn't be spending $10,000 on a good safe. If you have $20,000 in guns, you shouldn't be wasting $500 on a crappy safe - which, a $500 safe will stop most common criminals if you bolt it down, but it won't stop anybody that is determined, and it won't even begin to stop somebody that knows they're breaking a safe and knows that there is a $20,000 payoff. There are videos on how to break in 10 gauge steel safes on YouTube, so just about anybody will be able to get into your Stack On from Wal-Mart if they get their eyes on it and identify it, and look into how to go about getting in it.

[video=youtube;ltK-bDbADa8]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltK-bDbADa8[/video]
 
Liberty is good stuff..

I agree with buy double the capacity of what you need. Bolting down is a good idea as well. Not sure I agree with spending half the cost of the guns for a safe. Seems that a good safe is going to deter 99% of the people that would want the contents given they KNOW the contents. Not a good idea to go after something with so heavy a cost as an object with questionable worth. (time vs projected worth)
Of course, the added cost of a safe that is 10k to protect a 20k investment doesn't really take in account the insurance fact either. If I had 20k of anything worth keeping,...It's going to have insurance.
Also consider subterfuge in hiding valuables...There are a few companies that specialize in this. Entertainment centers with hidden compartments, etc.

Good luck!
 
I don't have expensive guns, but I like what I got and I'd like too keep them! LOL! I do have important papers and jewelry that will also occupy this safe. I found the Liberty FatBoy Jr locally for about $1200, but I have to move it myself. That is the reason I said to wait. One local "mom and pop" sporting goods store has delivery built into their prices. They carry the Winchester safes which I believe is built by Liberty???? I have 2-3 more stores to check before I buy.

Let me ask this-- I know my F150 will handle the load- no problem there. Does Home Depot or Lowes rent the big heavy duty 2 wheelers that would make this easier? Or am I missing how to move this beast once it's in my garage??
 
Cash is king! Money talks & BS walks! Take cash & a trailer when you buy. Rent a set of those super heavy duty hand trucks. I saved several hundred by taking cash & installing it myself. I did my research beforehand & went ready to buy to the most reputable dealer within 1 1/2hrs from me. Cash & trailer on hand means instant sale. No delivery or install appointment on their end, & in the case of the dealer I dealt with, no Labor paid to the guy who does their installs.
 
Just make sure the floor will support what ever safe you decide on, it would be a real bummer to have it go through the floor or floors beneath the safe.
 
Monofletch said:
My wife and I almost bought a Liberty Fatboy gun safe today. I told her we should shop around first. Can some of you with safes tell me what too look for or shy away from? I know NOTHING about gun safes. I'd hate to waist my $$$$. I have a safe now, but it is more of a locking steel cabinet with 0 fire protection. :o
Click to expand...

If money is not a problem I would look at something from Sturdy Safe. Just look at their website and read about the workmanship, features and materials that go into one of their safes.
 
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