Gun safe

looking for a gun safe for under $500. Any recommendations?

 

^^ What he said.

Buy bigger than you need if you can.

 

did you check tractor supply? sometimes they had good deals

 

Fire safe prices go by thickness of the sheet rock. Probably have to go used. I'll be selling mine in ten years or so and I paid $1,000.

 

At least ten long gun capacity. I hadn't thought about Tractor supply, I'll check them out too. Dial or electronic keypad, does it matter?

 

Usually both have a safety feature..or alternate access. I like the keypads myself.
Currently own neither. Just a cheap stack on with key access.

 

This made my safe so much easier. Especially since I have rifles from 10.5" to 24" barrels.

$35 Gun Storage Solutions Pack of 10 Rifle Rods Starter Kit with Loop Fabric (15 x 19")

https://www.amazon.com/Gun-Storage-Solutions-Starter-19-Inch/dp/B00570T3R4

 

I prefer a dial. Less to go wrong. Your safe is for storage, not quick access. I don't trust a keypad to work as long as a dial will.

 

^^^Dial not affected by power/long term power outage, buttons can always screw up. As said by others not for quick access. And x2 on the Tractor Supply.

 

Buy at least twice as big as you think you need. It fills fast.

 

Keep an eye on Tractor Supply, especially display models with superficial damage. Sign up for coupons and wait. It pays to play the long game with Tractor Supply to get what you want at the price you want. My dad and uncle did this and bought two safes apiece by waiting and getting TS to bend a little on price. They each got what they wanted, flipped 1 of 2 safes each, which of course went towards more guns/ammo.

 

I like a dail, I have seen people get into the electronic safes before. It was a few years back so I'm not sure if that issue was fixed.

 

I've been reading and asking LEO friends with more experience with safes for a couple months. Prices started to jump on the safes I was watching on Amazon. I snooped Sams, Home Depot, Academy, and other in-town retailers. After checking out camelcamelcamel, I opted for the Stack-On Armorguard 18. It was as high as $888 a few months back, but is at an all-time low on Amazone for $401 shipped free with Amazon prime.
It has an electronic lock, which I dislike, but it's also the most affordable gun safe they offer that has adjustable shelving and a fire rating. While only 30 minutes at 1,400 degrees, it's better than a cabinet, or no safe at all. It's compact enough to fit in snug places and weighs 300 lbs. I like the pistol and magazine storage on the rear side of the door too.
This model is currently out of stock, but the best deal at this price. Amazon will let you buy at the current price ($401, as of 10:39pm on 5/13/17). I wanted to lock in this price before it jumps like the others. I really wanted to keep it at $400 or lower. I'm currently keeping 2 shotguns, 2 pistols, and 1 rifle, but I'll bring more from home if I have an adequate safe:

Stack-On A-18-MB-E-S Armorguard 18-Gun Safe with Electronic Lock, Black

https://www.amazon.com/Stack-18-MB-Armorguard-18-Gun-Electronic/dp/B01DSYHXUY

I know I know, Stack-On is the Chevy Cavalier of gun safes, but any safe is better than no safe at all.

 

Go with a digital keypad. Way more convenient. I used to work at a big box retail store and we had a safe in evey store with digital keypads where we all entered the same code to access it at least 3 times daily and those batteries would die (with warning, slow bolt and you could replace from outside) and never wore out keypads. I went with a digital keypad for my safe and its great.

 

Like @Longshoreman and @MadDaddy said don't overlook the fire rating. My in laws place burnt down a few years ago and I bought a safe just after that. Fire rating is huge on my list because I have a lot or aireloom rifles.

 

My uncle (who has flipped a couple of big-box safes) says fire rating is most important if/when you want to resell the safe. Many cheaper Stack-On brands do not have a fire rating at all. I really liked a Cannon safe I saw at Academy, but I can't swing $600+ tax right now. Cannon has fire and flood protection and will repair or replace the safe if damaged by either.

 

Something I didn't know until this weekend is that (most?) safes with digital keypads have a backup master key if the pad goes out.

 

COSTCO.

 

As others have said, get the biggest one that fits your budget but pay attention to weight. The heavier the better. Mine has an electronic key pad but also has a key override. I have had zero problems with the keypad but I didn't trust anything electronic 100% so that was a good compromise for me. Also, I'd recommend a heated dehumidifier to keep your stuff ship shape--I think I paid ~$30 for mine. It works like a charm. Lastly, door organizers are super helpful. If yours doesn't come with one I'd recommend getting an aftermarket one.