Vaults and Safes

There are a number of discount gun safes available from AMSEC and Sentry Safes.  Amsec has several chest-style discount safes that fit into the discount category.  They include the AMPB2-5BE, which measure 8″x12″x4″, has an electronic lock, and operates on a single 9-volt battery.  Designed primarily to restrict access to one or more pistols and ammunition, this safe can also be used for household papers and other valuables.

Another model by AMSEC, the ES412, measures 5-3/16″x11-7/8″x14-1/6″, features a state of the art electronic lock and is made of heavy 16-gauge solid steel.  The unit has two active locking bolts, a 10 gauge steel door, and a key override system in case you forget the combination.  The model SWVV1014 from AMSEC measures 14.2″x10″x3.75″, has a unique electronic lock with 65,000 possible combinations and features internal illumination, a tamper alarm and a low battery indicator.  This model has a mounting plate which can be used to secure the safe in place.

AMSEC also makes an upright long gun safe, the Model TF6032, which measures 59-1/4″x30″x21″ and features Mercury Class I fire protection of 1200° F for 30 minutes.  The unit also features a Palusol door seal which is designed to expand when subjected to high temperatures — this protects your valuable guns from water used to put out a fire.  In addition, this model features a Group II combination lock as standard equipment or an optional state-of-the-art electronic lock.  Both locks feature an internal relocke and are protected by drill-resistant hardened steel plate.  The interior arrangement is adjustable, with shelving and gun racks provided for rifles and shotguns.

AMSEC also features a chest-style long gun safe, the Model HC1854.  This safe measures 18″x54″x22″ and has an 8-gun capacity.  The unit has a 14-gauge steel body and a 3/4″ thick door.  The unit is tested in an independent lab for fire resistance at 1275° F for 30 minutes, without the temperature on the inside rising above 350° F.  The unit also features a group II combination lock protected by a drill-resistant steel hardplate.  It also features 5-1″ steel locking bolts, 4 precut anchor holes and two hydraulic gas pistons which assist the door in opening and closing smoothly.

For more information on discount gun safes, and information about where to buy, visit the Vault and Safe website.

Mutual makes an excellent line of fireproof stand-up burglary resistant gun safes that are reasonably priced.  All Mutual gun safes feature two-layers of sheetrock like insulating material and a UL approved heat-activated door seal.  They are tested to withstand a 1760° F fire for a period of 60 minutes.  Anti-burglary features include massive 1-inch bolts, with at least 4 dead bolts facing the hinge side, 1 active bolt at the top, and at leat 4 active bolts facing the opening side.

In addition, the lock is protected from punch-out attempts by a Manganese hardened drill resistant steel plate and a spring-loaded relocker. There are also two bolt-down holes drilled at the bottom of the safe which accomodate 1/2″ bolts.  They feature a 5-inch thick door, semi-gloss black exterior with tan interior, and a 10 gauge steel door and body.  There is a universal adjustable interior which can be arranged as gun racks and shelving or all shelving.  The handles and locks are brass-plated and the dial locks are UL listed.

Three models are available, with the main difference between models being their size.  The Model MS-5922 measures 59″ x 22″ x 16″ and weighs 350 pounds.  The safe can hold up to 16 long guns and can be ordered with an optional electronic keypad locking mechanism.

The Model MS-6030 measures 60″ x 30″ x 24″ and weighs 600 pounds.  It can hold up to 22 long guns and is also available with an optional electronic keypad locking mechanism.

The Model MS-6040 measures 60″ x 40″ x 24″ and weighs 800 pounds.  This model can hold up to 40 rifles or shotguns, and is also available with an electronic keypad locking mechanism.

For more information on Mutual gun safes, and information on where to buy, visit the Vault and Safe website.

Winchester’s top of the line gun safes are marketed under the name Legacy gun safes.  One of their distinctions is that they feature 4-way active bolts — there are active bolts on all 4 sides of the door, including the hinge side.  Most safes feature dead-bolts on the hinge side of the door.  Another distinction is that they use massive 1-1/2″ locking bolts exclusively and a 5-spoke handle on the front of the safe.  In addition, they come with a 1-hour 1200°F fire rating.  3-layer construction of the door and body is used to achieve this rating.

Legacy gun safes also feature screen printed graphics and are available in a black or granite powder finish — they’re good-looking safes.  Other features include up to 18 active locking bolts, 12 gauge steel construction and to seal out water in the event of a fire they use a Palusol seal, which expands when heated.  They come with a UL listed electronic keypad style locking mechanism and a convertible interior as standard equipment .  In addition, they feature 2 bolt holes in the bottom for making sure the safe stays where you put it.  And Legacy gun safes include a limited lifetime warranty.

Legacy gun safes come in two models - the L22 and the L 45.  The L 22 has 24 cubic feet of storage, measures 59″ high x 32″ wide x 22″ deep and weighs 595 pounds.

The Legacy L 45 will hold up to 51 guns, measures 72″ high x 40″ wide x 27″ deep and weighs a massive 980 pounds.

If you’re looking for an upgraded model of gun safe, you should look at the Legacy series from Winchester.  They feature construction usually found only on jewelry safes, yet are quite reasonably priced.  For more information on Legacy gun safes, visit the Vault and Safe website.

Fireproof home safes that also carry a burglary rating can perform double duty — they can protect your valuables from burglary and damage due to a fire.  There are separate ratings for burglary and fire, so be sure and check the ratings on the safe you are considering purchasing.  An example fireproof rating is a 1 hour fireproof rating.  An example burglary rating is a TL-15 or TL-30 rating.

The 1 hour fireproof rating means the safe has been tested under actual fire conditions to make sure that the contents did not receive any damage due to the fire or due to the water used to put out the fire.  The TL-15 or TL-30 burglary rating means that the safe has been tested to resist the attempts of a professional locksmith to open the safe given 15 or 30 minutes to do so.  For more information on fireproof home safes.

Fireproof gun safes can provide protection for your valuable guns against the harmful effects of a fire or from burglars.  Fireproof gun safes carry a fireproof rating that ensures they have been tested under actual fire conditions.  For example, a 1-hour fireproof rating means that the safe has been subjected to a 1700 degree F fire for a period of 1 hour, and that the temperature inside the safe did not rise above 350 degrees F.

This is a low enough temperature to protect your guns from permanent damage.  Fireproof safes are also tested for water resistance, to guard against the water used to put out the fire.  During the fire test, the humidity is tested to make certain that it does not rise above 80%.  For more information on fireproof gun safes.

These days, a good gun safe is a necessity if you are a gun owner.  Gun safes need to do two things - restrict access to the guns to only authorized persons, and protect your valuable guns from burglars.  An electronic gun safe is one of the most convenient types, because they are very secure yet easy to open when you need access.  Most electronic gun safes use an electronic keypad type locking mechanism.

This type of locking mechanism uses an electronic keypad similar to the ones found on ATM machines.  You simply enter the proper PIN number to gain access to the safe.   Some electronic gun safes have an audit feature, which allows you to assign multiple pin numbers to multiple people.  You can then tell when and by whom the safe was accessed.  So if you’re in the market for a good gun safe, consider getting one that uses an electronic locking mechanism.  For more information on the electronic gun safe.

Wall safes are a convenient place to store your valuables.  And, if installed correctly, they are one of the most secure types of safes you can buy.  This is because they can’t be easily carried off.  When looking at wall safes, make certain to check that they carry burglary and fireproof ratings.  Look for a TL15 or TL 30 burglary rating and a 1-hour or 2-hour fireproof rating.

You can also choose from a number of different types of locking mechanisms.  There are keylock, combination dial, and electronic keypad mechanisms.  The electronic keypad mechanism is the most convenient - you simply enter a PIN number on the keypad to access the safe.  There’s no difficult combination to remember or keys to lose.  For more information on wall safes.

A wall safe is a secure, convenient place to store your valuables.  If mounted in the wall correctly, a wall safe cannot be easily carried off by burglars.  And if it’s hidden well enough, they may not find it to begin with.  A good wall safe can also protect your valuables from fire.  Look for burglary ratings such as UL TL 15 and UL TL 30, and fireproof ratings such as a 1 hour or 2 hour fireproof rating.

Make certain the wall safe that you purchase is large enough to hold all of the things you are likely to put into it.   Allow a little room for growth.  You can get several types of locking mechansisms, including a a keylock, a traditional mechanical combination dial or an electronic keypad lock.  The electronic keypad type is the most convenient - you just enter a pin number on the keypad to open the safe.  For more information on the wall safe.

Good safes are key to an overall security strategy for your home or business.  A good safe can protect your valuable items from burglars and from damage due to fire.  Be sure to check when looking for a safe to make sure that it carries a burglary and fireproof rating.  Example burglary ratings are UL TL15 and TL 30 ratings, and example fireproof ratings are 1 hour and 2 hour fireproof rated.

Safes that carry these ratings have actually been tested to resist burglars and also tested under actual fire conditions to make certain that the contents of the safe were not damaged.  Also, if you decide on a free-standing safe, make certain that it is bolted down.  Good freestanding safes have bolt-holes in the bottom of the safe for this purpose.  This keeps a would-be thief from carrying the safe to some other place where they will have plenty of time to open it.

Designed for use in jewelry stores, coin shops, and pawn shops, jewelry safes provide a very high level of security against burglars.  A jewelry safe carries a burglary rating, meaning it has been tested to withstand attempts to open it.  An example rating would be a TL 30 rating, which is a very secure safe.  The TL 30 rating means that a professional locksmith, using common locksmith tools, was unable to open the safe in a period of 30 mintues.

Jewelry safes usually have a 5″ thick door and a 2″ thick body.  They have a hardened steel drill-resistant plate surrounding the locking mechanism and use 1-1/2″ thick steel locking bolts.  Most jewelry safes also have a fireproof rating of about 1-1/2 hours.  So if you need the maximum in security for your valuables, consider buying a jewelry safe.  For more information on jewelry safes.