Looking into buying my first safe

[gwashorn]

I went with the American Security, AmSec, BF model for higher fire rating. Plus they offer thinner models for getting into closet doors. Well built, warranty and options. Here in Houston Carters Country has a good floor selection of the AmSec, Cannon, Winchester etc to compare side by side. There is where I got mine.

[10Shooter]

After much research, I ended up with a Liberty Safe.
Safes are like cars, they are many, many options, more than you would think.

Take your time, investigate, ponder, look at "features", ponder some more, then decide, you may have it for a long time.

One other hint, buy bigger than you think you need. It will fill up fast.

[AEA]

I too bought a Liberty about 7 years ago.

[stealthfightrf17]

I was surprised when I was looking at a few safes that my oldest son can turn it. We do have a small hand gun safe now, but it is keyed. My son knows where the key is. Are the dehumid bars needed. I have been looking at safes with a plug inside for that reason

[AEA]

The De-humid bars are good, but you have to have an electric outlet nearby. Another option is to buy the packs of desiccant (calcium oxide crystals) and dry them in your oven from time to time to refresh.

Those specialized packs for safes can be rather expensive. A better (Cheaper) way is to buy cat litter crystals in bulk and use them in a sock or something breathable. They can be refreshed in the oven as well.

[jmra]

Make sure whatever safe you buy has both horizontal and vertical locking bars. This is often referred to as 3 way locking action. The bars on the hinge side of the door would be stationary. The other side, the top, and the bottom bars all move into a locking position. This affords much more protection than the single locking action.

[Divided Attention]

When we go our safe they wired it for power and it has a dehumidifying rod that is powered. OP you are in our area, and it will be a must or you will have a "musty" safe down here. Can't have moldy side arms!

Ours also has a light that comes on when you open the door - tactially I am not sure this is the best, but is sure is nice to have.

The only thing we added is pistol racks - we also plan to add a small "portable" fireproof box for important documents that we keep in the safe. While the safe is fire proof for 90 minutes, we are in hurricane country and if we should need to bug out having a waterproof/fireproof place for those documents will be nice.

[Mike from Texas]

I currently have a Winchester Silverado series and it serves the purpose for now. When we build our new house I will be buying a Sturdy safe.

I've talked to the owner on the phone for a couple of hours and he will build exactly what I want.

[stealthfightrf17]

We ended up going with the cannon for now. When I grow out of that one, defenittly will be going with liberty. Just can't spend that kind of money right now. The main push is to keep them away from the kids. It has some drawbacks for break ins, but they would have to know they are in a safe and prepare to break into it in advance.