Gun Safes...

[red ice]

I am thinking about getting a gun safe. Wondering what people have, why they bought it, would they get something different if given the chance, etc... Been looking around and want one with at least 30 minutes of fire protection, probably leaning more towards 45 minutes. Most of them seem to have similiar features and prices, that I have seen anyway. Anyone out there with some advice for me?

Thanks, RED

[CAJ]

I would go for the highest time rating you can get. 45 minute fire rating is not that much higher in price than a 30 minute safe. The stuff you will store inside is generally more valuable that the safew is. If you have a fire, I would want all the time I can get. CAJ

[Benny]

I have a friend who is a retired Blaine fireman, he said they never once responded to a fire where the safe survived past 35 to 50 minutes.

Most of the time everything in side was either burned,chared or melted.

He said only the 1-1/2 hour safes are going to survive, as they are usually rated at over 2000 degree's Farenhight.

A fire with enough fuel can burn at over 1800 degrees with in a few minutes, so these cheap safes at Sams club and Gander Mountain won't survive as long as they say they will.

But if you have a sprinkler system then any good safe would do, but how many of us can afford to put one in.

Benny

[dadman]

I may be a little late on this subject, I have a safe I purchased for 45 min fire rating. I don't worry about fire as much as if the safe wieghs enough that the thieves cannot carry away, Look at burgalery rates veruse fires.

Just My $0.02

[lunker651]

I'm with dadman on this one. Burglaries are more common than a fire. Get some thing that 2-3 person cannot lift. If they see that safe it better be heavy enough so they cannot lift it or it's gone.

[lawdog]

I agree with the last two posts. My safe has holes to anchor it to the wall.

I think in a fire you might be toast no matter what(excuse the pun), but you can do something with burglars...

[Eric Wettschreck]

As a fireman and gun owner I'll pipe in.

The fire rating means absolutely nothing. Depending on your location, and fire dept response time, that puppy could be well over 2000 degrees before the boys in bunker suits even get there. I've seen very high dollar and high quality safes charred on the outside and everything on the inside is completely ruined.

If it were my money, I'd get a safe that is so heavy it takes 10 men and a boy to carry it, and even then I'd bolt it to the floor. Fire is going to ruin everything inside it, period. Don't let the thieves take it.

[jlm]

Well since we are talking about thieves, I thought I would chime in. I agree, get a safe..the heavier the better. Now, how about your insurance? I bet a lot of you don't know this but your home owners insurance only covers a small amount of gun value. I have very good coverage and I believe it only cover about 2k or so in gun replacement. You have to purchase additional coverage for your guns if you want to collect in the event that a robber get you! If you have significant value in your collection I suggest you get additional coverage. I am willing to bet waht you have is not near enough. Better safe than sorry, please look into it! Good luck all!

[lawdog]

Great point JLM and you are absolutely right. I had to get a special endorsement for extra coverage. I'm WAY WAY past $2000. Scares me to think how much money I have tied up in guns actually...

[Eric Wettschreck]

Dog, don't be scared, guns are good.

[S.D. Ice Angular]

I have a safe also, I purchased it mainly for theft reasons. It is anchored to the basement floor with 3/8” Lag Bolts (it isn’t going anywhere).

As for fire boilerguy is right there are so many things that come into play. In my opinion location of the safe in your home is as important as anything. I know this first hand when my house burnt down it was considered a total loss. There were many items in the basemen that survived though. I did not have a safe at the time but if I would have had one in the basement it would have survived just fine although it would have ended up covered with debris and water.

I realize every fire is different and mine could have been much worse.

jlm brings up a great point that most people are not aware of.