Good safe to buy?

[steyr_m]

I'm looking to buy a safe. (The word "safe" isn't good to use for a search string) I'd like it to be fireproof, and of course deter thieves. Also looking for 1-2 cubic feet capacity.... Prefer Canadian or American made; anything made in Europe is good too. Cost isn't an issue.

Sometimes I'd like to keep my pm's in a safe deposit box, but in SHTF I wouldn't trust it being there.

[Shami-Amourae]

http://csc.umb.edu/FP%20Images/TV.jpg

Get an old CRT teevee. No seriously. No robber in their right mind would steal one of these things. Unscrew the back, and you have yourself safe.

If a robber wants what's in a normal safe, what's to stop them from simply taking your safe? They will be LOOKING for a safe too!

[steyr_m]

Get an old CRT teevee. No seriously. No robber in their right mind would steal one of these things. Unscrew the back, and you have yourself safe.

If a robber wants what's in a normal safe, what's to stop them from simply taking your safe? They will be LOOKING for a safe too!


That isn't a bad idea.... but I am looking for it to be fire-proof to store my pictures and a couple hand-guns in it too. I'll be bolting it to my basement floor.

[bl96S5eu]

What is your budget? If it is under $2K you're better off fortifying a closet and/or 'hiding in plain sight' as mentioned above. The only exception to the budget rule is if you find an old, expensive safe that is on sale cheap. If you're looking for fire protection why not just hide a firesafe inside of a bigger CRT like those old floor model console TVs, people give those things away and I know our local Goodwill will not even accept them.

If you are set on buying a cheap safe (really just a fancy locker) then I would recommend you not only bolt to the floor but also to the wall and put it in a position where it is impossible to get some serious distance and leverage on the front door.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBhOjWHbD6M#t=0h2m7s
EDIT: The video will not forward properly so forward to 2 minutes into the video if you're impatient.

[big country]

That video is a good one showing you that you need to get something good.

My father owns a "Ft. Knox" brand safe which is a nice safe. It may not provide the best protection, but if bolted down, it should be pretty safe against attack.
http://www.ftknox.com/
Its a pretty safe that looks good in your house. It would even look good in your living room, but isn't a true safe. It can pretty easily be broken into with a fire axe.
http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/1699/libertyburglary2dy3.jpg
(this is a Liberty brand safe but they are nearly identical to Ft. Knox for all intents and purposes)

Graffunder makes a better quality safe, you can find their products at:
http://www.graffundersafes.com/index.html

Best quality safe I would say that is relatively widespread and easy to find are "Amsec" or American Security safes. They have the only UL listed safes on the market that I know of, and I think the only UL-30 listed safe. (UL-30 means it would take PROFESSIONAL safe crackers with hand and power tools 30 man minutes to break into the safe)
http://www.amsecusa.com/Gun_Safes/HS_Series_Gun_Safes/

You didn't say if you were looking for a gun safe or just a regular safe for no guns. I assumed guns though. If you want a REAL SAFE look for something that has a UL listing, those are your real deal safes. Though any safe with atleast a "B" rating or better is sufficient for most people.


PLEASE do not waste your time with a safe like "Sentry" or any of the safes at places like Dicks, Walmart, Sam's Club, Lowes, Tractor Supply, etc. They will stop a "smash and grab" type criminal but they just barely "safer" then a Gun Cabinet with a glass window.

[Hillbilly]

Wow! I knew gun safes were not that tough but that was crazy. Under two minutes. :'(

[willie pete]

a jeweler's safe is probably a real good place to start, but be prepared to spend many thousands of $$$'s

[ShortJohnSilver]

I thought there were safes that were TL and TR rated, with the number indicated the amount of minutes it was proof against attackers. That is, a TR TL30 is rated against both hand and power tools and a regular cutting torch, etc. for 30 minutes.

I have seen used safes for under $1000. Might want to check with a local safe company or locksmith that sells used ones. Note that minimum weight for such safes is 750 lbs.