Gun Safe or Gun Cabinet?

[ericire12]

Well, I am in need of a method of locking up my guns and I can't decide how to go about it...... gun safe or gun cabinet?

I need a way to secure my long guns and handguns so that my little kids can not have access to them as well as keeping them safe if there is a break in. So what do you guys think?




***My biggest concern about a gun cabinet would be if it is really safe enough to keep out a burglar, or could you just kick it in and pry it open?

***My biggest concern about a gun safe is price. A gun cabinet is much more economically feasible and you know what they say..... "A penny saved is ammo earned."




Any thought you guys have about this would be greatly appreciated.



---->And just so we don't get off on a tangent...... I will be strategically placing a couple handgun safes around the house to keep pistols at the ready in case any trouble might arise. I just need a way to lock up the long guns and handguns that are not being used for home defense.

[ellis4538]

The safe is the only way to go...end discussion!  I have had one since my 15 year old neighbor broke in and stole a shotgun and .22 semi auto and had it loaded when the police knocked on his door. 

Richard 

[DaverZ]

definitely a safe

[Jim Urban]

I agree with ellis.Get yourself a safe.

The ONLY time I'd store guns in a cabinet is if that cabinet was inside a gun vault/secure safe room.

[DDMac]

Can't beat a safe for peace of mind. Get a larger one than you think you need.

How many people know you have guns? Add dog, alarm and perhaps a bullet witch if you can't count how many people know. Word gets out. No need to save for ammo if your launchers are gone.

Mac.

[Sponsor]

[wisconsin]

My brother put his firearms in a beautiful cabinet he made. They smashed the glass and walked away with all that he owned. If you want to keep what you own. SAFE.

[CybScryb]

Fire-proof gun safe is the only way to go.  If you're situated somewhere close to permanent, I'd even go so far as to bolt that sucker to the floor.  But all a gun cabinet does is scream "START HERE" to burglars.  My dream home keeps evolving, but those recent walk-through photo's of Charlton Heston's gun room has me pondering an actual vault room after my next and last move.

[ericire12]

My brother put his firearms in a beautiful cabinet he made. They smashed the glass and walked away with all that he owned. If you want to keep what you own. SAFE.

No, I mean an all metal cabinet.... like the StackOn ones.

[Wheelgun Dunn]

Ericire12,

I must agree with the other guys here on this post.  I  have always thought a safe is a great choice and provides better protection from theft especially if you place it in an area where you can bolt it to the floor or studs in the wall.  Having said that, something is better than nothing and if a $100 cabinet is all you can afford buy it and bolt it down!  I have been shopping economical safes lately as I am in need of another so hopefully some of my efforts may help you as well.  I found that a decent Cabinet is almost as much as a less expensive safe!  A large cabinet is usually about $250 and a non-fire proof safe can be $250-$350.  Stay away from Stack-On's low end product line though.  These are typically sold at Dick's Sporting goods and places like that.  I looked at one that was $369 and the steel was 2mm thick not the more common 5mm and the bolts were screwed into the side of the door instead bolted in and it was actually flimsy.  While this is sitting on the floor for $369 Home Depot has a 14 gun, heavy duty 5mm steel safe from Sentry for $399!  This of course is a no brainer.  Check your local Sam's Club, Costco, or BJ's wholesale clubs also.  They sometimes have deals on safes that are pretty good.  The local Costco here had an electronic safe with a humidifier included and an internal lock box for just $389.  Start with how many guns you need to store, double the number and find a safe that meets those needs.  Decide if you want/need a fire safe or not.  Fire safes are great especially if you have something handed down to you by a relative or you are a collector and the guns you have cannot be replaced.  A fire safe means two things though, a higher purchase price and more weight so no storing it upstairs!  However, you will never regret investing in a safe.  You definitely don't want to ever think someone was hurt with a gun you failed to properly secure.  Having said all of that buy as much security as you can afford as that is the best you can do.  Hope some of this helped!

(By the way, I love the Han Solo quote!)

Wheelgun

[wisconsin]

No, I mean an all metal cabinet.... like the StackOn ones.

Sorry my misunderstanding. However. Unless the metal cabinet door can withstand an attack from a prybar or other such tools or can't be walked off with, Its just not worth the money. My old Browning safe that I bought back in the 80's. even with out fire protection weighs 450 lbs. Let me tell you I've had move it a couple of time by myself. It ain't easy. The safes of today give you more bang for your buck in both fire protection and price. Seems these days everyone is selling one. I don't have to worry when I leave for the weekend. A metal cabinet in my opinion is only good for storing reloading components and your soda. Good Luck in your choice.