doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com gun safe

I am looking to buy a quality gun safe for my SxS collection. Who makes the best safe for the money? What qualities should I be looking for?

Others will help with your specific questions. All I can say is buy bigger than you think you'll ever need.

Short answer: AmSec

Longer answer: Depends on number of guns, space constraints, budget, storage conditions, appearance requirements, difficulty of getting the safe into its assigned spot, etc. Freight costs can be a killer on something this heavy, so it often makes sense to buy something built locally. Used can be a good way to go, so check Craigslist, eBay, local locksmiths, estate sales, etc. If you are a Costco member, they put decent safes on sale several times each year, and usually include free curbside delivery; savings can pay for the cost of the annual membership. I have seen safe dealers at gun shows offering very attractive pricing on display units on the last day of the show, just so they don't have to haul the safes back to the shop.

Bigger is better.
Heavier is better.
Fire ratings get better as price goes up, but water damage is the big risk in a fire.
Outside hinges provide better access to the safe interior than do inside hinges. Some will argue that inside hinges are more secure, that one goes both ways.
Some safes now come with an interior A/C connection for things like a GoldenRod and a remote hard drive for computer backup. Also handy for interior lighting kits, preferably LED so that you never have to change bulbs and won't break fluorescent tubes by bumping with a gun.
Flexible interior arrangements add convenience, but you'll probably customize it later to squeeze in more guns.
Storage on the inside of the door is useful.
Locking interior compartment is handy for ammo, jewelry, papers.
Size and number of door bolts is usually an indication of quality, but not always.
I like electronic locks for speed and convenience of access.