Question: Gun safes

[Poltergeist]

I figure a few people on here will have a gun safe and would like to get some input. I'm looking at getting one within the next couple of weeks. The question I have is what kind of lock control do people that have them prefer:

1. The old style dial
2. Keypad
3. Biometrics (fingerprint, thumbprint)

I'm bouncing back and forth on them (mostly 1 & 2). I'm not that worried about being able to get into quickly since it will be in the garage but more reliability.

 

[RENODMAX]

I like my keypad alot. Biometrics scare me.

 

[MMLMM]

Keypad is quick/easy, but the dial is simple....

What safe you looking at. I have 2 Guardian series Fort Knox safes, ones the 31" model which is configured to hold 11 rifles and all my pistols, and the other is a 37" model configured to hold 28 rifles.

They are great safes. They look very nice and operate very well. Both have the keypad.

 

[Poltergeist]

American Security 5517W right now. 11 gun 55" high unit. Mostly going to be for a pistol or 2 and whatever documents I want to keep safe.

 

[LBZ]

My gunsafe cost me $70 000 and is mobile!

 

[dmax tim]

My gunsafe cost me $70 000 and is mobile!

my gun safe cost more than that and it isn't mobile at 100,000 # or so :rofl:

I've got the touch pad on the Browning door to my 10'X14' safe.

 

[ZR1160]

Mine has a keypad, just be sure to change the battery regularly and keep the code copied down in a few different places.

On a dumass side note, My safe came pre programed with a 8 digit code, I had it in my cell phone hidden the directory, then my wife washed my phone, and I couldn't remember the code! The good thing is the company keeps records and with the serial # off the safe, I had to give it to a bonded locksmith and he had to fax a request to the manufacture to get the code.

 

[nosliw]

mine has the keypad.

the only negative i've heard is that if in a fire, they melt and you can't get into the safe (i'm sure there are ways)

and my dumbass friend seems to think that someone can 'hack' into it. which is also BS.

 

[Poltergeist]

I was leaning towards a dial just because I've never owned a safe and didn't know the reliability of the keypad units. But it seems so far everyone has keypads. I'll have to start looking a little closer at them and see if I can find 1 I like.

 

[super diesel]

No key pads for me (sorry). The criminals can dust it to see which buttons are being used and then test different sequences with them. Liberty Presidential models are the ones I prefer with the green leaf dial for some awesome theft & fire protection (my experiences and opinion only).
Good luck in your quest.

 

[Distributor]

X2 on the Liberty I own 3 of them,You can add the Sargent & Greenleaf keypad at a later date if you want but, The dial is what I have and they are not bad to operate, You can just use the key for a quick not so secure lock or you can scramble it for a secure lock down before you leave.

Eric

 

[dmax tim]

No key pads for me (sorry). The criminals can dust it to see which buttons are being used and then test different sequences with them. Liberty Presidential models are the ones I prefer with the green leaf dial for some awesome theft & fire protection (my experiences and opinion only).
Good luck in your quest.

mine uses 7 digits so it'd take them a while to figure out the code, that's how many million combinations? :rofl:

my batteries were 5 years old and just replaced them.

 

[duramaximizer]

I personally think a heavy safe is a safe safe from what I have seen. I still think the dial combination safe's are safer. I mean heck half of the time I know the combination an can't get in.

 

[stacks04]

i also am looking into this i have a smaller one from cabelas and it is keypad with a hidden key hole in case of dead batteries and or fire ect. not sure on the bigger ones as i haven't started looking yet.

 

[Donna_and_John]

I currently don't have one anymore, but I would vote for the old-fashioned combo set-up. Ya never know when the bunny is going to die and Murphy's Law says it will die at the worst time.

I also do not trust the typical keypads very much. The contacts have a way of wearing out so you have to replace them

 

[Poltergeist]

Think I'm going to get an American Security 5924W, it's a dial type. A local place has it on sale for $500. 45minute fire rating and lifetime warranty on the safe. Should be more then what I need.

Thanks everyone for input, gave me a lot to think about.

 

[SmokeShow]

when I buy a house, I'd like to get a nice gun safe. I've subscribed to this one. Thanks for sharing folks.


C-ya

 

[Lonnie]

I have a Liberty "Lincoln Series" with the standard dial. It is simple to use & you never need to worry about batteries. Their quality is top notch, although one of the higher priced safes.

Buy big, as they tend to get full fast.
I bought mine & my wife remarked that she did not expect it to be way bigger than our refrigerator.

 

[nosliw]

if you're going with a combo-safe, make sure you have a firearm in a smaller quicker-accessing safe, or out of a safe all-together if something goes bump in the night...

 

[dmax tim]

Ya never know when the bunny is going to die and Murphy's Law says it will die at the worst time.

Buy big, as they tend to get full fast.

the good S&G keypads have twin batteries, I just noticed mine was unlocking slower than normal and replaced them 1 at a time so it keeps the codes.

as I said before mine is only 10'X 14' and wished I'd made it 12'X48' which is the size of the back concrete patio, it'd only cost me a couple thousand more when I was building everything. I could have had an indoor range to play w/ .22s :rofl: