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Elmer Keith Memorial Shoot Forums > Open Topic > Gun Safes

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marksman45b

Registered: 10/02/09
Posts: 74
10/22/09 at 07:14 AM

Gun safes are more of a necessary item in this day of litigation and thievery than in Elmer's day when a stern look and a touch of the grip on your sidearm and the would be person in question would show you heels and elbows an a slight dust trail away from you.
I use to sell gun safes so I might know a little about what is good and whats not.
First anything a man makes another can take apart or open given the time and tools.
When shopping for a safe don`t buy the first one you see that has the suggestions I will give look around at the classifieds, auctions and such to get a better price on quality safes.
Size is a big matter to consider buy one BIGGER than what you now plan to store in it.
The hinge is a big thing to me reason being, if you can see the hinge of the door so can everyone else, crooks arn`t that bright or they would be in another business they start wailing on the hinge with the 10 lb sledge hammer in the corner,thinking in there own little mind that knocking off the hinge and opening the door backwards will work, it won`t because of the locking bolts, and they will damage the hinge so that you won`t be able to open it with the combo, buy a safe with the hinge on the inside and door recessed into the door frame this helps prevent our dimwitted crook from trying to pry it open with a bar, also won`t work just messes up the paint job.
The locking device is up to the buyer, combo locks with a locking key are great if you prefer the push button electric lock its OK also, I have both types and one can open a combo lock as fast as a push button when needed, speed is a bad thing on the electric lock 3 wrong trys will disable the electric lock for a preset time unless you reprogram it, the time is 5 minutes.
Buy a dehumidifier rod to go into the safe this keeps the contents from rusting. They only cost $40 clams and they are guaranteed for life, use very little electric power.
I have not mentioned any brand names but if you take my suggestions you will stay away from the bad safes, any locking device to try to secure guns is good but if you want piece of mind when you leave home get a good safe.
If you are stretched for coin as are alot of people I`ll give you do it your selfers an idea when you look at a stand up freezer do you think guns??? take a locking stand up freezer home from the town dump rip out the insides with modest woodworking skills one could build racks and shelves on the inside, the small light on the bottom of the unit is the charm you run your power thru this little lite to your dehumidifier rod. So on the outside you have just a freezer on the inside racks for up to 20 long guns and two shelves for handguns don`t forget the inside of the door for added storage racks.
Keep them safe and secure and they will do the same for you.

ChrisO

Registered: 01/03/09
Posts: 140
10/22/09 at 07:48 AM

Thats some real good advise Dave.  I like your way of thinkin' !

By the way,   That looks like a  Dan Wesson in your profile picture ?  What  caliber are we letn' loose ?
Chris

marksman45b

Registered: 10/02/09
Posts: 74
10/22/09 at 07:50 AM

That my Friend is a S&W500 Mag and a sweetheart she is!!!

ChrisO

Registered: 01/03/09
Posts: 140
10/22/09 at 08:20 AM

Yep,  I see my mistake now !  In my mind I saw the lines of a Dan Wesson.  My 13yr son tells me all the time that I'm  "lossing it" .  
I have a 5 1/2" Redhawk in .44 Mag & it kicks harder than my friends 10 1/2" .500 Smith.   Alot of weight in his.
Take care,
Chris

marksman45b

Registered: 10/02/09
Posts: 74
10/22/09 at 08:26 AM

I think that`s the beautiful thing about the "X" frame it`s big and weighty sucks up a ton of recoil the muzzle break dosn`t hurt either.

marksman45b

Registered: 10/02/09
Posts: 74
10/22/09 at 05:40 PM

After rereading the post I would like to say the locks I spoke of are Sargent Greenleaf NOT cheap combos or the little push button safes locks one sees in things like"cheaper than dirt" adds.