Safe advice

[M.Sanchez]

So I'm down to either the Amsec BF6030 or Amsec BF 6636.

My questions:
Am I better off with placing the safe in my garage bolted down with the front and sides exposed or in an interior closet with only the front exposed but with the possibility of not being able to bolt it down?

My longest gun is 44.5", is the 6030 going to give me issues with that and still be able to utilize the top shelves?

Thanks!

 

[shibby575]

Why couldn't you bolt it down in the closet?

 

[M.Sanchez]

Wife factor with drilling thru the tile.

 

[sfogold]

Go bigger than you think you need -
BTW - I own a a BF series and it is one of the nicest I have owned. I am very happy with the safe. Regardless of where you put it....bolt it down.

 

[jeo556]

Good choice. I have a BF6636. You don't need the extra height, but trust me you won't be sorry that you have it. After Newtown when mag prices went through the roof I decided to put all my high cap mags in my safe based on their worth and scarcity. I was very glad that I had the extra room but trust me I wish I would have had more. As far as where to put it the closet would be better but since you can't bolt it down there I'd say garage. However, I would attempt to disguise it somehow so that it doesn't stand out. And of course I would never ever open it while the garage doors were open. But maybe I'm just paranoid. Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

 

[Palehorse68]

Keep it on the first floor..if there is ever a fire at least you won't have to worry about the heavy safe falling trough the floor further damaging your firearms..although at that point the conditions of your firearms will be the least of your worries..

 

[mikeltee]

+1 on getting a safe bigger than you need. Get as big as your budget and space will allow. I wish I would have asked the same question because now mine is full and I have to get rid of stuff to add stuff. I have no more room for another safe.

If your closet is on an upper level, you may be ok with not bolting it down. I think the worse place you could put a safe is your garage. Consider the drastic temp changes in summer and winter if your garage is not climate controlled. The garage is definitely not a good spot for an ammo cache. I think the 4 holes in the tile in the CLOSET would be an easy argument to win.

 

[shibby575]

the holes in the tile will never be seen.

 

[M.Sanchez]

So after going home and measuring the actual space in the interior closet versus going off of plans from construction, I don't have the depth I had based on the drawings. So I have to go with the BF6032 if I go interior stored safe. Oh and this is going in a single story home.

With that being said, it sounds like interior is the way to go versus a garage stored safe with its accessibility, temp fluctuations, exposure out in the garage. Pointed out the obviously to the wife in interior storage so that's a non-issue now.

What's the verdict on the 6032? Is the led light kit worth the $140?

Vendors - my local dealer thinks VERY HIGHLY of their inventory. So far I've found Safeandvault.com to be the cheapest delivered. Any other places to look? Reviews on Safeandvault?

 

[farmerted]

You could ask any questions on Arfcom to an actual AMSEC rep that posts there in the safe subforum. Really has a lot of good info.

 

[M.Sanchez]

I've read a lot of technical info he's posted over there, which further solidified my choice on Amsec.

I'm looking more for hide members opinion on size and placement. Plus is the LED kit worth the coin or am I better off buying a 3 pack of push button LED lights at Home Depot.

 

[Joey Dean]

I have all my safes in the garage or in an outbuilding. I also live in Oklahoma where I can count on many days over 100^ and a few in the winter in the 20^ range for a week or so. All I have is a Remington branded desicant unit inside them that you recharge about three times a year by plugging it into a wall overnight. I have guns that are cerakoted, parkerized, blued and in the white in them. I have never had a corrosion issue on any of them.

Unless you just like having to save the 20 step walk, then put it in the garage and use the closet for powder and primers. I have an alarm system on all my buildings and the only thing the safe is for is to keep them busy long enough for the LEO's to arrive.

 

[azsugarbear]

Any standard/common sized safe that is not bolted down, is really not "safe" at all. Most standard safes can be defeated by using pry tools on the door. This is largely dependent on the perp being able to tip the safe on its back so that he can use his own weight on the prybar. Take that option away from him by bolting down the safe with lag bolts and lead sleeves in the concrete. Best/cheapest deterrent there is.

 

[M.Sanchez]

I think for the cost and added security/lack of exposure I'm going to go 6030.

What is reality for rifle capacity in this size?

 

[Shoottothrill]

Always remember that security is best when it's layered. What I mean is have a dog and an alarm system on the whole house so that no one has more than 10-15 minutes before the cops arrive. Have a good safe that is bolted to the floor with four high quality bolts, also if the safe backs up to a wall you can also put large wood lag screws through the back wall into a 2x4 or 2x6, every bit helps. The last thing I did for piece of mind it take out an extra insurance policy just for your guns and other accessories. Regular home owners ins. will not cover a nice collection. I have each gun and scope covered by a separate policy, also my spotting scope and range finder are all included for theft and fire. It only costs me about 250 a year. A good safe will stop most scumbags, but a pro is a whole other animal. An alarm will keep the time for a crook to work on your safe to a minimum, insurance is good when all else fails. Great choice of safe by the way.