[Boots2150]

I'm looking for recommendations for a good reliable pistol safe, preferably with a capacity for up to 5 pistols. I have been watching reviews on the Vaultek ones and they sound really nice, but it sounds like they have some bells and whistles I don't need to pay $500 for. Thoughts?

 

[Bren]

If your safe is only big enough for pistols, then a thief will just carry off your safe and break into it at his leisure. I'm assuming it is intended to prevent theft.

 

[Dr_fast]

Bolted down, fire resistant, not an electronic lock that is susceptible to failure from battery power or electromagnetic pulse or other electronic failure, and one that is able to be hidden yet easily accessed. So size and shape does matter!
If you do it right once, think it through properly, you’ll never regret it.
Those little ones, that people can runoff with, or not really safes. Those are only good for keeping stuff away from children. But even teenagers could possibly get into those and cause trouble. And something that someone can find, allows anyone access given enough time, and if it’s small enough you just packaged everything up for them so They can grab it and carry it home and have all day to work on it.

 

[tm255]

From what I've read, dedicated gun safes can be pretty easy to break into for someone that knows how. A more cost effective solution that I have seen suggested is a locking jobsite toolbox like those sold at Home Depot for $200 or so.

 

[FAS1]

I'm looking for recommendations for a good reliable pistol safe, preferably with a capacity for up to 5 pistols. I have been watching reviews on the Vaultek ones and they sound really nice, but it sounds like they have some bells and whistles I don't need to pay $500 for. Thoughts?

Whistles and bells are what you are paying for with that brand. They don't build security. If you want security look at something like this and bolt it down. I assume you are not looking for quick access.

https://www.safeandvaultstore.com/p...RCiARIsAHHzyZqFWAwAVoTcBvEYNT6wJ2R6gArfK552v9Em7JkRARygQ3W9xlmX3VQaAtauEALw_wcB

 

[SpringerTGO]

From my experience, gun safes are like hard drives. You can't get too large of either, but it is easy to buy too little. Also, buy quality. Fort Knox is a good place to start.

 

[fx77]

My buddy has one of these if you can afford them. Probably the best made

http://www.graffundersafes.com/products/safes-residential.html

 

[boilergonzo]

Wall and floor safes are available in different sizes. My wall safes are not large enough for 5 firearms, but there are deeper/larger versions.

This one is a V-line. It is a reliable "safe" (security container), thick steel, Simplex lock. Being mounted between two wall studs prevents easy removal. The Simplex lock is super-fast, and very reliable. The combination allows for a various number of button pushes, with simultaneous pushing of buttons possible, so the number of combinations is easily enough to thwart a child or basic robber. Yes, it can easily be defeated by a determined person, but all locks can. The advantage to this one is you would either have to have LOTS of time to defeat it, or have to saw part of my house out to take it with you! AND you would have to somehow know it is there in the first place!

Obviously, I chose to hide mine behind a picture (hinge to the right, and powerful rare earth magnets placed on the safe hold it firmly closed (aligning with metal I inserted into the picture frame when the frame closes). I modified the shelves to better suit my needs, so their metal insert is gone, replaced by wood/felt inserts of my design.

There are MANY types, sizes, and versions of wall safes. Mine is a V-line. First photo is of mine, second one is from a sales site on the internet:

 

[yellolab]

IMHO you go big(meaning price/quality), or cheap. Anything in the middle does not really offer more security than a cheap one, it's just marketed better.
Get something larger than you need, and it will be heavy enough where a BG can't just walk away with it.

 

[Kentucky Shooter]

If your safe is only big enough for pistols, then a thief will just carry off your safe and break into it at his leisure. I'm assuming it is intended to prevent theft.

I agree, I want a heavy safe that it would take several men with tools to get away with.

I assume a pistol safe would require extra creative mounting techniques to keep it from easily being carried off.

I recommend to the OP, buy a large, full-size gun safe if at all possible. Put your pistols in it, any long guns you accumulate, or fill the excess space with vital legal documents you want to protect, pictures, etc....

 

['Ol Grandad]

I'm looking for recommendations for a good reliable pistol safe, preferably with a capacity for up to 5 pistols. I have been watching reviews on the Vaultek ones and they sound really nice, but it sounds like they have some bells and whistles I don't need to pay $500 for. Thoughts?

All my pistols and the two ARs are in one of these. I haven't bolted it to the floor yet but there's a keyed lock on the gun room and I figure if you can carry it down the stairs and out of the house with my dogs trying to kill you, their yours.

 

[Cokeman]

I like my large Fort Knox. I have a smaller one in my garage that could only fit handguns that I don’t use. I can’t remember the brand. It weighs a few hundred pounds. Are you anywhere near Utah?

 

[Intolerant]

Whatever you buy, make sure its 100% MADE IN USA!!!

 

[Bren]

I agree, I want a heavy safe that it would take several men with tools to get away with.

I assume a pistol safe would require extra creative mounting techniques to keep it from easily being carried off.

I recommend to the OP, buy a large, full-size gun safe if at all possible. Put your pistols in it, any long guns you accumulate, or fill the excess space with vital legal documents you want to protect, pictures, etc....

I agree.

 

[Bren]

Obviously, I chose to hide mine behind a picture (hinge to the right, and powerful rare earth magnets placed on the safe hold it firmly closed (aligning with metal I inserted into the picture frame when the frame closes). I modified the shelves to better suit my needs, so their metal insert is gone, replaced by wood/felt inserts of my design.

That is a good idea, too. Burglars can only break into your safe if they know it's there. Hiding a cheap lock box behind a picture is probably better than having any pistol safe that is visible. My largest safe is hidden and I need to get around to hiding my other safe.

 

[MAG40 Student]

I've posted this previously elsewhere. It's the best single video I've yet to see on what to look for when shopping for a gun safe.

Good luck with your shopping, OP. I hope this is of some value to you.

 

[Pontoof]

Got my Liberty "Franklin" model over 30 years ago. PIA to get into the house and install.
Best peace of mind I could imagine. Don't remember what it cost.

My advice is get the biggest,heaviest,thickest steel(most expensive) safe(actually it will probably be called a residential security container) that you can afford. Pay extra for more fire resistance(protection from fire over time).

Bolt it to a concrete floor.

If you can hide something like that, great. More power to you. I can't hide mine.

I think I did OK as that was all I could afford at the time. Still wish I had a bigger,thicker,heavier security container with more fire proofing.

A good safe makes leaving your residence and all your treasured items less stressful.
Hard to put a price limit on that.

I like the idea of the modular safes like Zanotti Armor but have no experience with them. Plan to investigate them further. Also "SnapSafe" looks interesting.

 

[45caldan]

From my experience, gun safes are like hard drives. You can't get too large of either, but it is easy to buy too little. Also, buy quality. Fort Knox is a good place to start.

Yup
I wish I’d gone bigger!
Claims to hold 12 long guns.
Well they’d have to without scopes or vertical grips, etc.
not much self space for pistols either.
Go bigger than you think you need!

 

[Darkangel1846]

First go to you tube and watch the safe breaking videos, and the recommendations. There are no good cheap safes. Safes just protect you from honest people and light weight thieves. If they really want your safe they will take it. House security system is the best deterrent.

 

[wild cat mccane]

I quickly found almost all "safes" are junk.

Most companies talk about the door thickness and hinges. If you were a bad guy...Who cares. A $40 Ryobi angle grinder Ryobi cordless from Home Depot does magic to steel gauge used on the sides of most safes sold. Even by the big manufactures. I would look at body gauge long before caring about hinge or door strength. 18 gauge+ is file cabinet level.

My v-line brute is 10 gauge. I think that would be minimum for thickness and only really like it because it's clam shell doubles (doubling isn't as good as a single piece of lower gauge).