Re: Buying a gun safe, looking for recommendations
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: XOR</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: mouse07410</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I hear you about AMSEC using harder fire retardant than gypsum - still, how well would it resist say a powered saw? (Or 11 ga wall plate, for that?) </div></div>
The Amsec is a poured lightweight concrete material. It's not as hard as a concrete used in a heavy jeweler's safe, but it's WAY harder than gypsum board. Not only this, but the safe is really a container within a container. The concrete is poured in between the two steel walls. It has no seams or gaps in the protection like other safes do. So not only does a burglar have to contend with the outer wall, then the concrete, but then there is another inner wall of steel that is as thick as the outer walls alone on most other brands.
Granted the Amsec BF is not as tough as a true burglar rated safe from UL such as a TL-15 or Tl-30. But I can assure you it is much tougher than the vast majority of gun safes that people commonly see AND it's far cheaper. It's also got much better fire protection and I don't care what fire ratings these other places are claiming. A poured cement liner is better than cheap drywall. It's better for burglary and it's better for fire. Real safes use lots of steel and concrete in the walls. They don't use drywall.
Then again, if you want a true TL-30 rated safe you can get the Amsec HS series. But that thing is a beast weighing several thousands of pounds. It needs to be installed only on concrete floors.
But again we're talking lower priced safes and the BF safe is a great buy compared to just about anyone else. If you want the best, then buy a Graffunder Safe.
Re: Modifying a burglary rated TL-15 or TL-30 safe.
I've seen it done and if you can find a large enough one it can work. But keep in mind that these safes are not rated for fire protection and your guns will almost certainly bake in them during a fire. Safes large enough for long guns that are TL rated and torch/fire resistant are expensive unless you luck out and find one at auction or the like. Only jeweler's safes carry both ratings typically and they are big hulking monsters.
Another option is to search govt. auctions for
GSA rated small arms lockers/containers. They are usually supplied with racks for holding weapons and can be had for reasonable prices. Again though they are not fire rated. Get the Class 5 versions for better security. </div></div>
As a Safe Technician myself, I can agree with everything XOR has said. The AMSEC BF is one of the best gun safes on the market IMHO.
As far as preventing someone form cutting through the wall of a safe.. there is nothing anyone can do to prevent someone from opening a safe if they have unlimited time and tools. All you can do is buy time.
Only other comment is get any of your gun safes with a Mechanical lock. (Unless you live in SE Georgia, I can use the work). Mechanicals are far more reliable then the electronic ones
