Ill be living in an Apartment for at least the next year. I live on the 3rd story, there is an elevator. By the end of the summer i'll have 5 guns worth over $30,000(est).
Any ideas?
Any ideas?
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Best Gun Safe for an Apartment?
- Thread starter theriddler
- Start date
Re: Best Gun Safe for an Apartment?
You will want to get some form of a rider from an ins. company. Renters typically only covers stuff inside the residence, and some inside the property bounds, some in vehicles, etc........PLENTY of "oh we don't cover that SORRY" INS loop holes.
A good rider should cover you anywhere in the world, MINUS when you ship it via FEDEX/UPS. most do not cover that since they expect you to take their INS.
NRA membership and INS. Could be your be option. That is where I would start.
Otherwise, if you still want a safe. PM me I'll connect you with a large distributer that will help take care of you from door to door. Out of So Dak.
For INS - i'd rather have one that covers my goods where-ever I travel...vs limited coverage and use
You will want to get some form of a rider from an ins. company. Renters typically only covers stuff inside the residence, and some inside the property bounds, some in vehicles, etc........PLENTY of "oh we don't cover that SORRY" INS loop holes.
A good rider should cover you anywhere in the world, MINUS when you ship it via FEDEX/UPS. most do not cover that since they expect you to take their INS.
NRA membership and INS. Could be your be option. That is where I would start.
Otherwise, if you still want a safe. PM me I'll connect you with a large distributer that will help take care of you from door to door. Out of So Dak.
For INS - i'd rather have one that covers my goods where-ever I travel...vs limited coverage and use
Re: Best Gun Safe for an Apartment?
American Securities TF5924 safe. That is a pretty good safe for an apartment. It is small and pretty damn strong. Not too heavy as well to move. 30 min fire protection will also be good enough considering you are on a top floor. If there was a fire, the safe would fall through the floor before sitting in a fire for 30 min at 1200 degrees.
Renters insurance is also a good suggestion, ha
American Securities TF5924 safe. That is a pretty good safe for an apartment. It is small and pretty damn strong. Not too heavy as well to move. 30 min fire protection will also be good enough considering you are on a top floor. If there was a fire, the safe would fall through the floor before sitting in a fire for 30 min at 1200 degrees.
Renters insurance is also a good suggestion, ha
Re: Best Gun Safe for an Apartment?
No personal experience, but I hear they are nice and easy to move as well.
http://www.zanottiarmor.com/features.htm
No personal experience, but I hear they are nice and easy to move as well.
http://www.zanottiarmor.com/features.htm
Re: Best Gun Safe for an Apartment?
How much do riders usually cost?
Ill be living in Northern North Dakota so i dont know if a SoDak Distributer would drive all the way up there haha.
Ill look at renters insurance to see if they cover weapons and if so for how much.
Ill also take a look at those small safes..
Thanks for the info
How much do riders usually cost?
Ill be living in Northern North Dakota so i dont know if a SoDak Distributer would drive all the way up there haha.
Ill look at renters insurance to see if they cover weapons and if so for how much.
Ill also take a look at those small safes..
Thanks for the info
Re: Best Gun Safe for an Apartment?
Liberty safes are number one for a reason.
I would think that $30K worth of guns would be well worth the cost to have one deliver and set up in your apartment.
What ever you deside, get one bigger then you think you'll need.
Liberty safes are number one for a reason.
I would think that $30K worth of guns would be well worth the cost to have one deliver and set up in your apartment.
What ever you deside, get one bigger then you think you'll need.
Re: Best Gun Safe for an Apartment?
Do they ship and set up? How much doest that cost? Will they take it out of my apt if i move
Do they ship and set up? How much doest that cost? Will they take it out of my apt if i move
Re: Best Gun Safe for an Apartment?
Ok had to jump in on this one. I work for a local safe company (retailer not builder) the main product line we carry is Fort Knox. Fort Knox as far as residential safes go is the Merceds benz of the safe industry. The construction is outstanding unibody construction which means the body is formed into the shape (bent) from a sold sheet of metal then only the top and bottom are welded on and they use pentrating welds on the corners which go through the steel adding alot of strength to those areas. They use 1.5" diameter bolts on all their products from their entry level safe the Maverick to their highest level the Legend. They are an American company and to my knowledge the ONLY company that builds their Entire product line in the US anymore. 85% of the safe industry is now outsourced to Mexico or China. Get what you can afford and I definately agree go bigger than you think you need as once that safe is in the house youll find yourself putting more than just guns in it. Anything of value from jewelry to photo albums important documents gold and silver etc. The best value would be a Defender I would say go with at least a 6637 66" tall 37" wide 27" deep and get an inner steel 10ga liner so basically its the outer 10ga body the fireboard then another 10 ga inside. No noticeable loss in interior space but that would be one nice safe. And if you want it to have a nice painted finish vs the textured finish found on the Defender do the same thing to a Protector. The Maverick their entry level safe has a 1200 degree 45min fire rating maintaining the internal temp below 350 degrees (for $100 you can make it a 60min fire rating). And the defender series on up has a 90min 1680 degree fire rating and for $200 you can upgrade that to 120 minutes at 1680 once again maintaining the internal temp below 350 degrees. Add to these features a lifetime warranty that follows the safe not the owner and you can see why I would reccomend them. Warranty covers full replacement in the event of fire attempted break in etc. They even lifetime warrant the electronic lock should you choose to upgrade to one. PM me if you like to talk more about safes Id be happy to help you out. I always tell people getting some safe is better than having none at all but just remember when you buy a safe your putting all your eggs in one basket and youve got quite a few eggs
. Good luck whichever you decide.
****I just went back to look at your post 3rd story of an appartment poses a problem for a safe that weighs 1300-1400 lbs but once you get out of that appartment I would definately reccomend the above. Something you may consider is purchasing a big and well built safe and keeping it somewhere else with someone you can trust until you are located somewhere where you could have something heavier. In the meantime something in the appartment. You will have to see what weight limit you can put on that floor. Something cheaper and lighter weight may have to hold you over for a year a I reccomend staying away from the walmart sentry type $400 safes too many stories of crooks walking out with it.
Ok had to jump in on this one. I work for a local safe company (retailer not builder) the main product line we carry is Fort Knox. Fort Knox as far as residential safes go is the Merceds benz of the safe industry. The construction is outstanding unibody construction which means the body is formed into the shape (bent) from a sold sheet of metal then only the top and bottom are welded on and they use pentrating welds on the corners which go through the steel adding alot of strength to those areas. They use 1.5" diameter bolts on all their products from their entry level safe the Maverick to their highest level the Legend. They are an American company and to my knowledge the ONLY company that builds their Entire product line in the US anymore. 85% of the safe industry is now outsourced to Mexico or China. Get what you can afford and I definately agree go bigger than you think you need as once that safe is in the house youll find yourself putting more than just guns in it. Anything of value from jewelry to photo albums important documents gold and silver etc. The best value would be a Defender I would say go with at least a 6637 66" tall 37" wide 27" deep and get an inner steel 10ga liner so basically its the outer 10ga body the fireboard then another 10 ga inside. No noticeable loss in interior space but that would be one nice safe. And if you want it to have a nice painted finish vs the textured finish found on the Defender do the same thing to a Protector. The Maverick their entry level safe has a 1200 degree 45min fire rating maintaining the internal temp below 350 degrees (for $100 you can make it a 60min fire rating). And the defender series on up has a 90min 1680 degree fire rating and for $200 you can upgrade that to 120 minutes at 1680 once again maintaining the internal temp below 350 degrees. Add to these features a lifetime warranty that follows the safe not the owner and you can see why I would reccomend them. Warranty covers full replacement in the event of fire attempted break in etc. They even lifetime warrant the electronic lock should you choose to upgrade to one. PM me if you like to talk more about safes Id be happy to help you out. I always tell people getting some safe is better than having none at all but just remember when you buy a safe your putting all your eggs in one basket and youve got quite a few eggs
****I just went back to look at your post 3rd story of an appartment poses a problem for a safe that weighs 1300-1400 lbs but once you get out of that appartment I would definately reccomend the above. Something you may consider is purchasing a big and well built safe and keeping it somewhere else with someone you can trust until you are located somewhere where you could have something heavier. In the meantime something in the appartment. You will have to see what weight limit you can put on that floor. Something cheaper and lighter weight may have to hold you over for a year a I reccomend staying away from the walmart sentry type $400 safes too many stories of crooks walking out with it.
Re: Best Gun Safe for an Apartment?
Seems like the modular safe would be a good route to go, considering you are in an apartment and will someday move again.
SnapSafe or Zanotti(like posted above) seem like interesting options.
Seems like the modular safe would be a good route to go, considering you are in an apartment and will someday move again.
SnapSafe or Zanotti(like posted above) seem like interesting options.
Re: Best Gun Safe for an Apartment?
Just PM me if you want safe option ideas. He delivers all over the US/Midwest.
Rider for 30k. gonna run $15/1000 roughly. that is a rough estimate and only with mulit policy disc and ???
I have just looked into another pol. with SAFECO and they only do one Deduct. for the rider, but my current is ded. per unit./item
NOT sure about NRA, but I'd love to hear someone give a number to their coverage
hope it helps.
Just PM me if you want safe option ideas. He delivers all over the US/Midwest.
Rider for 30k. gonna run $15/1000 roughly. that is a rough estimate and only with mulit policy disc and ???
I have just looked into another pol. with SAFECO and they only do one Deduct. for the rider, but my current is ded. per unit./item
NOT sure about NRA, but I'd love to hear someone give a number to their coverage
hope it helps.
Re: Best Gun Safe for an Apartment?
Thanks for the heads up five7guy. My next move will probably be into a house. So ill be looking at a larger safe and Fort Knox sounds good.
But, ill need a compact safe as of now. Ill have 3 long rifles, a short gun(DTA SRS), a couple pistols and a shotgun.
Thanks for the heads up five7guy. My next move will probably be into a house. So ill be looking at a larger safe and Fort Knox sounds good.
But, ill need a compact safe as of now. Ill have 3 long rifles, a short gun(DTA SRS), a couple pistols and a shotgun.
Re: Best Gun Safe for an Apartment?
This is what I am looking at getting, not huge but for an apartment it should work.
http://www.lowes.com/pd_292952-1028...ntURL=/pl__0__s?Ntt=centurion+safe&facetInfo=
This is what I am looking at getting, not huge but for an apartment it should work.
http://www.lowes.com/pd_292952-1028...ntURL=/pl__0__s?Ntt=centurion+safe&facetInfo=
Re: Best Gun Safe for an Apartment?
Yeah i was checking out the Liberty Deluxe 17 or the 20 gun one. The 17 is pretty small and light. The 20 gun is about what id need for future use beyond my years in the apt.
Yeah i was checking out the Liberty Deluxe 17 or the 20 gun one. The 17 is pretty small and light. The 20 gun is about what id need for future use beyond my years in the apt.
Re: Best Gun Safe for an Apartment?
The one major problem you have is there is no way for you to effectively bolt it down. Without having a way of securing it someone could easily cart it off with the right dolly. Most renters insurance covers on average up to $2500 for firearms, so determinately get a rider and keep off-site records such as receipts, photos of the firearms, etc as well.
The one major problem you have is there is no way for you to effectively bolt it down. Without having a way of securing it someone could easily cart it off with the right dolly. Most renters insurance covers on average up to $2500 for firearms, so determinately get a rider and keep off-site records such as receipts, photos of the firearms, etc as well.
Re: Best Gun Safe for an Apartment?
22" might be too small. But it would def fit nicely in my apt. And would be alot easier to move around.
Thanks!
Too many choices. Which company will deliver it into my room for me?
22" might be too small. But it would def fit nicely in my apt. And would be alot easier to move around.
Thanks!
Too many choices. Which company will deliver it into my room for me?
Re: Best Gun Safe for an Apartment?
If i can manage to get it bolted down without ruining the floor or capet i will do so. Thinking about tucking it away in my closet.
If i can manage to get it bolted down without ruining the floor or capet i will do so. Thinking about tucking it away in my closet.
Re: Best Gun Safe for an Apartment?
I'm in a similar situation and I've been really thinking of buying a Zanotti. Last time I checked they were 3-4 months for delivery.
My concern is that it wouldn't be bolted to anything but at least it'd be heavy as all get out.
I'm in a similar situation and I've been really thinking of buying a Zanotti. Last time I checked they were 3-4 months for delivery.
My concern is that it wouldn't be bolted to anything but at least it'd be heavy as all get out.
Re: Best Gun Safe for an Apartment?
There are plenty of companies that deliver to the curb for "free" as-in included with the cost of buying the safe. For an additional fee they will put it in your residence on the ground floor. Would cost more than the safes you are considering to have them put it on the third floor.
That being the case I recommend you get a safe that you and a friend can move with a rented appliance dolly from Uhaul. My old safe was about 600 lbs and was hard for 2 men to manage. If you keep to around 400 lbs you should be good.
And +1 for Fort Knox safes. Just bought one myself and will do a review once I have it delivered.
There are plenty of companies that deliver to the curb for "free" as-in included with the cost of buying the safe. For an additional fee they will put it in your residence on the ground floor. Would cost more than the safes you are considering to have them put it on the third floor.
That being the case I recommend you get a safe that you and a friend can move with a rented appliance dolly from Uhaul. My old safe was about 600 lbs and was hard for 2 men to manage. If you keep to around 400 lbs you should be good.
And +1 for Fort Knox safes. Just bought one myself and will do a review once I have it delivered.
Re: Best Gun Safe for an Apartment?
99% of gun safe companies make only gun safes because they can't cut it in in the real commercial safe world. They would utterly fail. The highest UL-recognized security rating that almost all gun safe carries is RSC, Residential Security Container. This is the lowest level of security rating available from Underwriters Laboratories.
Don't worry about fire rating. There is a reason why no gun safes to my knowledge have an actual fire rating from Underwriters Laboratories and mainly other lesser third party companies. Familiarize yourself with gun safe insulation and you'll realize most use drywall. You'll also discover fire barrier material in all sorts of safes protect the contents by releasing moisture inside the sealed contents to prevent them from igniting, but this turns it into a pressure boiler. This is great for documents. This generally isn't good for guns. I would buy a safe to protect the contents from theft and rely on insurance for fire damage. There is no guarantee that a fire won't damage your guns.
I won't dwell too much into construction details and weaknesses in design but gun safes aren't very impressive at all compared to the technologies employed in the commercial safe world, which are required to protect anything from small sums of cash to racks of diamonds. American Security makes real commercial safes at TL-15 and above security ratings rated for real burglar attacks. Some of this manufacturing trickles down to their gun safe line. If I had to select an entry-level safe, I would choose the American Security BF series as it uses a light-duty concrete-type filler between two enclosed sheet metal shells.
However I have to note that any safe is better than nothing as most types of burglaries are simple smash-and-grab. They'll probably hit the combo lock and handle with a mallet, break those off, and settle for your DVD player instead.
99% of gun safe companies make only gun safes because they can't cut it in in the real commercial safe world. They would utterly fail. The highest UL-recognized security rating that almost all gun safe carries is RSC, Residential Security Container. This is the lowest level of security rating available from Underwriters Laboratories.
Don't worry about fire rating. There is a reason why no gun safes to my knowledge have an actual fire rating from Underwriters Laboratories and mainly other lesser third party companies. Familiarize yourself with gun safe insulation and you'll realize most use drywall. You'll also discover fire barrier material in all sorts of safes protect the contents by releasing moisture inside the sealed contents to prevent them from igniting, but this turns it into a pressure boiler. This is great for documents. This generally isn't good for guns. I would buy a safe to protect the contents from theft and rely on insurance for fire damage. There is no guarantee that a fire won't damage your guns.
I won't dwell too much into construction details and weaknesses in design but gun safes aren't very impressive at all compared to the technologies employed in the commercial safe world, which are required to protect anything from small sums of cash to racks of diamonds. American Security makes real commercial safes at TL-15 and above security ratings rated for real burglar attacks. Some of this manufacturing trickles down to their gun safe line. If I had to select an entry-level safe, I would choose the American Security BF series as it uses a light-duty concrete-type filler between two enclosed sheet metal shells.
However I have to note that any safe is better than nothing as most types of burglaries are simple smash-and-grab. They'll probably hit the combo lock and handle with a mallet, break those off, and settle for your DVD player instead.
Re: Best Gun Safe for an Apartment?
Curious about that. If a burgler tries to break in my safe.. Breaks off the handle and combo lock, how do i get back in?
I was thinking around the 400-500 pound safe.. My apartment building has an elevator in it so as long as it fits in that ill be fine.
Yeah i saw most safes use drywall and some sort of wool to keep it fire retardent not fireproof
Curious about that. If a burgler tries to break in my safe.. Breaks off the handle and combo lock, how do i get back in?
I was thinking around the 400-500 pound safe.. My apartment building has an elevator in it so as long as it fits in that ill be fine.
Yeah i saw most safes use drywall and some sort of wool to keep it fire retardent not fireproof
Re: Best Gun Safe for an Apartment?
Being in an apartment. I HIGHLY recommend you go modular.
Snap safe, and dakota safe come to mind. Zanotti armor is a lot more expensive and theyre backlogged like a year or so.
Snap safe's titan is smaller than dakota but they have a better fire protection rating (use heat blankets instead of drywall) and its lighter at 300 something pounds.
Dakota safe is slightly wider and taller, and is 500 plus pounds empty. They're backlogged but supposedly expecting more in a month or two.
Both will be roughly 1000 shipped. They come in boxes that you unwrap and put together.
I highly recommend modular just because of the moving around, especially in an apartment environment. Once you move into a permanent home where you can bolt things down, go ahead and get a heavy duty safe.
Being in an apartment. I HIGHLY recommend you go modular.
Snap safe, and dakota safe come to mind. Zanotti armor is a lot more expensive and theyre backlogged like a year or so.
Snap safe's titan is smaller than dakota but they have a better fire protection rating (use heat blankets instead of drywall) and its lighter at 300 something pounds.
Dakota safe is slightly wider and taller, and is 500 plus pounds empty. They're backlogged but supposedly expecting more in a month or two.
Both will be roughly 1000 shipped. They come in boxes that you unwrap and put together.
I highly recommend modular just because of the moving around, especially in an apartment environment. Once you move into a permanent home where you can bolt things down, go ahead and get a heavy duty safe.
Re: Best Gun Safe for an Apartment?
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Yeah i was checking out the Liberty Deluxe 17 or the 20 gun one. The 17 is pretty small and light. The 20 gun is about what id need for future use beyond my years in the apt.</div></div>
Might want to re-thing that. I have a Libirty Fat Boy Jr. (48 long gun) and it's too small.
I'm gonna get a second Liberty Jr so I'll be able to find the rifle I'm looking for and better store my pistols.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Yeah i was checking out the Liberty Deluxe 17 or the 20 gun one. The 17 is pretty small and light. The 20 gun is about what id need for future use beyond my years in the apt.</div></div>
Might want to re-thing that. I have a Libirty Fat Boy Jr. (48 long gun) and it's too small.
I'm gonna get a second Liberty Jr so I'll be able to find the rifle I'm looking for and better store my pistols.
Re: Best Gun Safe for an Apartment?
The safe im looking for is for short term use. 1-2 years before i get a house. It only needs to hold up to 5 long guns and a couple pistols.
Ill have to deal with a small safe for a year or so than when i get a house ill def get a very large safe
The safe im looking for is for short term use. 1-2 years before i get a house. It only needs to hold up to 5 long guns and a couple pistols.
Ill have to deal with a small safe for a year or so than when i get a house ill def get a very large safe
Re: Best Gun Safe for an Apartment?
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Downzero</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Just make sure whatever you choose, you bolt it down. My safe was bolted down in my last two apartments. </div></div>
Most apartment complexes won't allow someone to bolt down into the floor decking or slab. Doing so without explicit written permission from the Apartment Management could be grounds for an eviction and the complex could seize the deposit for damages and possibly bring suit for more if it doesn't cover it. If they'll allow it make sure you get it in writing to CYOA as management in apartments changes often and although one may have said yes a new manager may turnaround and not honor a verbal agreement with no witness to verify the claim.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Downzero</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Just make sure whatever you choose, you bolt it down. My safe was bolted down in my last two apartments. </div></div>
Most apartment complexes won't allow someone to bolt down into the floor decking or slab. Doing so without explicit written permission from the Apartment Management could be grounds for an eviction and the complex could seize the deposit for damages and possibly bring suit for more if it doesn't cover it. If they'll allow it make sure you get it in writing to CYOA as management in apartments changes often and although one may have said yes a new manager may turnaround and not honor a verbal agreement with no witness to verify the claim.
Re: Best Gun Safe for an Apartment?
I'll just throw this out there. Many excellent points in the previous posts. For short term apartment storage. I have seen a Greenlee construction gang box (chest type) that you could put long guns & other valuables in. The rifles lay in there long wise. Fairly simple to make some wood notches to stabilize them. Stash other stuff inbetween. The gang boxes have protected places for locks. I'd get two big ass Master locks. You can't really get at them very easy. Throw some cloth over it put a plant on top & hopefully the bad guys will be in too big of a hurry to notice. Insure them correctly for enough to get more good stuff should the unthinkable happen.
Once in your house buy a safe 3 times bigger than you think you need. If you elect to get three medium safes you can "glue" them together with silicone adhesive & sealant. The kind they put fish tanks together with. Before "glueing" together tape a piece of 80 lb. test fishing line to the wall & floor where the silicone joints will be. You can use the fishing line to "saw" the sealant & get them apart should you ever have to move them. We used silicone on a couple of old refrigerators to test our theory. Pry bars & wrecking bars were not able to spread them apart & we had access from both sides & the top. In your home the crooks would have the weight of either 2 or 3 loaded safes to deal with. Hell, they are not that easy to deal with when you have the right equipment.
When the creeps broke into my house they never even touched the safe according to the finger print guy. The cops made way more of a mess than the bad guys.
Just my 2 cents.
I'll just throw this out there. Many excellent points in the previous posts. For short term apartment storage. I have seen a Greenlee construction gang box (chest type) that you could put long guns & other valuables in. The rifles lay in there long wise. Fairly simple to make some wood notches to stabilize them. Stash other stuff inbetween. The gang boxes have protected places for locks. I'd get two big ass Master locks. You can't really get at them very easy. Throw some cloth over it put a plant on top & hopefully the bad guys will be in too big of a hurry to notice. Insure them correctly for enough to get more good stuff should the unthinkable happen.
Once in your house buy a safe 3 times bigger than you think you need. If you elect to get three medium safes you can "glue" them together with silicone adhesive & sealant. The kind they put fish tanks together with. Before "glueing" together tape a piece of 80 lb. test fishing line to the wall & floor where the silicone joints will be. You can use the fishing line to "saw" the sealant & get them apart should you ever have to move them. We used silicone on a couple of old refrigerators to test our theory. Pry bars & wrecking bars were not able to spread them apart & we had access from both sides & the top. In your home the crooks would have the weight of either 2 or 3 loaded safes to deal with. Hell, they are not that easy to deal with when you have the right equipment.
When the creeps broke into my house they never even touched the safe according to the finger print guy. The cops made way more of a mess than the bad guys.
Just my 2 cents.
Re: Best Gun Safe for an Apartment?
I recommend a Zanotti. When I talked to them at their factory about three weeks ago, they said they had a 9 month waiting period. So that might not help your situation. I would find a way to lag it to the floor, no matter what safe you end up going with.
I recommend a Zanotti. When I talked to them at their factory about three weeks ago, they said they had a 9 month waiting period. So that might not help your situation. I would find a way to lag it to the floor, no matter what safe you end up going with.
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