doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Gun safes, gun cabinets

Given a choice between a gun safe and a traditional cabinet (one that is well made and high end, not a do-it-yourself, paint by numbers) which would you choose and why? I'm not unaware of the attractions of fine guns for thieves, but realistically, how many of us are at that kind of risk? What are the virtues of a safe over a locked piece of furniture?

Fire protection is a big difference.

Also, a safe conceals my ever expanding collection from my wife's left leaning friends.

You might want to look at this previous thread.

http://www.doublegunshop.com/forums/ubbt...ge=22#Post31427

I've been thinking about it too. I know a safe makes a lot of sense, but there's just something about walking into my little study and seeing the guns there through the glass! I've got some nice guns I sure don't want to lose, and some with a lot of sentimental value, but nothing priceless or highly collectable. They're insured, but still, I know I'll kick myself if something happens.

I followed that thread, and in part, it's why I posted tonight. Most of the posts skirted genuine answers with references to keeping wives out of the loop. Again, I can't believe that the majority of us are at risk from either fire or theft or, horrors, left-leaning gun spies. If you own something beautiful why wouldn't you want to display it or keep it in close, accessible proximity. Not everyone can afford a gun room with security lockdown, but garages and basements don't strike me as the place for guns or art.

Theft of unsecured displayed guns is almost guaranteed. I live in a very low crime rate area, but would never display my guns.

The problem is that people will see your goodies, and they will talk and discuss what they've seen. Sooner or later, the information gets to someone (or someone's kid) who needs cash quickly. What could be an easier mark? Just wait for the driveway to be empty and the house dark...

Besides, every stolen gun that's used in a crime is more ammunition for the Aunties. We owe it to each other to keep our firearms safely secured.

Safe: takes time to drill, torch, jimmy, or haul away
Tasteful display cabinet: smash and grab in a jiff

Safe: easily maintained micro-environment, no UV, no dust
TDC: need some really good dust rabbets to keep out the smut; UV sees where you see

Safe: space-conserving square or rectangular footprint
TDC: everybody form up in one equal rank

Safe: inexpensive, doesn't have to be a Browning or Canon; 90% of what you get in a bigun available in a cuddly little thing from StackOn (Dick's Sporting Goods) you can move yourself on a fridge dolly
TDC: You won't be happy with pasteboard from KMart so it'll be worth more than what's in it and probably more cumbersome to move than a small safe.

Safe: Stick em in there muzzle down and avoid the mushy head; stick em in a sack and stuff in more, and more, and more, and more
TDC: Worry about stepping stone barrel lengths and attractive "groupings"

Safe: Kids never remember a combo
TDC: They'll search for the key

jack

I built a hidden gun room in my basement. Took several weeks and more money than a pair of RBLs but it is well worth the investment. It has no outside window so only those invited in ever get to see what is behind door number two. Holds 300 plus and has work bench, tables and nice area to reload in it. Think wine cellar for the gun nut.

Public display is not a bright idea. Just like an add to come steal my stuff. On top of that most theives do not know one doulbe from another so they will just grab all they can and you will be out your entire collection. I know of one fellow who has 15-20 klunkers in a glass gun cabinet to use as bait. The good stuff is in a safe that is behind door number one. He hopes a smash and grab type will take the easy stuiff and leave the good stuff alone. Not a great plan but better than none I suspose.

safe; I go into many homes in my business.And I know of at least 6 people which think someone they knew stole there guns when/ on vacation/ @ bowling league/ one was while having a monthly christian mens breakfast/ even while shooting at the local sportsmans club. We all think (like they did) that could never happen to ME. They lost not only some high priced guns; but guns from fathers and grandfathers. It convinced me to buy a safe.

I have heard that the fire protection aspect is a bit overrated. Your guns may not actually burn but they will cook, the wood will suffer, they'll have to be refinished. Then the insurance co. may deny replacement value, only pay for them to be refinished. What happens to the value of that Parker AAH if the wood is refinished?

Better to have them documented and burn completely I think.

And if you have to worry about hiding guns from the wife you shouldn't
a- be married, or
b- be playing with guns.

Disclaimer: I'm not married.