Gun Safes

mystical_tutor · 09-27-2013, 01:12 PM

We have had two disastrous fires here in Colorado Springs in the last two springs.

My confidence in gun safes as a partial protection from fire has dropped a lot. Stories have all been bad. It seems that paper wood and leather suffer heavily, at least being charred and metal is "baked".

I would really like to hear some experiences or known events with fires and gun safes and what the results have been.

As inconvienent as it is, I may need to rent more bank safety deposit boxes.

Comments would be appreciated.

Gary

Edward Tinker · 09-27-2013, 01:21 PM

I have never considered a safety deposit box.

I lived in Castle Rock and had a house fire, safes were in the basement. They were locked and still the bore stores (I had them on each gun, a silicon sock) and they smelled like smoke.

Gun Safes are rated as to fire resistance, most are rated NOT for fire resistance. So, you look for ones that are, price is higher for those types. And only are rated for certain heat and time....

One guy I knew had a fire resistant safe with a fire sprinkler over them, he figured if the fire was not put out as quick as he'd like, that this would give him more time.

cirelaw · 09-27-2013, 01:26 PM

We might need a pretty large strong box! I'm sure walking into a bank with your firearms for any reason is a NO NO!! I just found out! http://www.washingtonsavings.net/per...-deposit-boxes

Kitkat041836 · 09-27-2013, 01:37 PM

I have been told that fire safes can be broken into easer as they can be peeled and a strong safe can not.
Thanks,George Fortier

jagervw · 10-10-2013, 02:35 PM

I'd go with a Ft. Knox safe.

SteveM · 10-10-2013, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jagervw

I'd go with a Ft. Knox safe.

I have a 25 year old Ft. Knox and a 2 year old Liberty. I like my old Ft. Knox over the Liberty. Heavier steel and a better interior. They don't build 'em like they used to.

BTW, these aren't what you can call safes, they are RSC's(residential security containers). Real safes cost an arm and a leg...

mystical_tutor · 10-11-2013, 01:46 AM

Thanks much for the comments. I bought my safe with an eye on the hype about fire protection. I never believe half of what I see but I can hope. In the Black Forest fire there were quite a number of gun safes involved (it is the kind of place my kinda guy likes). There is no definitive information available about what happened though.

The one opinion though was that almost no safe is good enough to have a burning house fall on it and burn out leaving it in a pile of coals and expect to find anything inside that isn't cooked.

Lets not talk about safety deposit boxes... I just keep the valuable part of my card collection there....

Jasta2 · 10-11-2013, 01:26 PM

Lucky lesson learned about my fire safe. Rather small, can hold about 6 handguns, cost about $250, VERY HEAVY! Placed in semi-heated basement on the floor. Stored only about $2,000 cash in it over the winter. Opened after 6 months. Cash was quite damp with mold starting to grow. Needed to recycle that cash! Glad I refrained from storing my handguns in it. Have not used it since. Give it a go again after I move it upstairs (with help!). Will try a desiccant bag next time.

mystical_tutor · 10-12-2013, 11:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jasta2

Lucky lesson learned about my fire safe. Rather small, can hold about 6 handguns, cost about $250, VERY HEAVY! Placed in semi-heated basement on the floor. Stored only about $2,000 cash in it over the winter. Opened after 6 months. Cash was quite damp with mold starting to grow. Needed to recycle that cash! Glad I refrained from storing my handguns in it. Have not used it since. Give it a go again after I move it upstairs (with help!). Will try a desiccant bag next time.

While living in Washington State I had the same problem with a large gun sefe. I found a device that would actually collect moisture in the safe and percipitate it into a container. It had to be emptied ever so often but really helped to keep my card collection dry(er).

09-27-2013, 01:12 PM	#1
mystical_tutor User Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 230 Thanks: 32 Thanked 39 Times in 25 Posts	Gun Safes We have had two disastrous fires here in Colorado Springs in the last two springs. My confidence in gun safes as a partial protection from fire has dropped a lot. Stories have all been bad. It seems that paper wood and leather suffer heavily, at least being charred and metal is "baked". I would really like to hear some experiences or known events with fires and gun safes and what the results have been. As inconvienent as it is, I may need to rent more bank safety deposit boxes. Comments would be appreciated. Gary

09-27-2013, 01:21 PM	#2
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,930 Thanks: 2,030 Thanked 4,527 Times in 2,090 Posts	I have never considered a safety deposit box. I lived in Castle Rock and had a house fire, safes were in the basement. They were locked and still the bore stores (I had them on each gun, a silicon sock) and they smelled like smoke. Gun Safes are rated as to fire resistance, most are rated NOT for fire resistance. So, you look for ones that are, price is higher for those types. And only are rated for certain heat and time.... One guy I knew had a fire resistant safe with a fire sprinkler over them, he figured if the fire was not put out as quick as he'd like, that this would give him more time. __________________ Edward Tinker ************ Co-Author of Police Lugers - Co-Author of Simson Lugers Author of Veteran Bring Backs Vol I, Vol II, Vol III and Vol IV

09-27-2013, 01:26 PM	#3
cirelaw Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: PORT ST LUCIE, FLORIDA Posts: 12,216 Thanks: 6,209 Thanked 4,133 Times in 2,173 Posts	We might need a pretty large strong box! I'm sure walking into a bank with your firearms for any reason is a NO NO!! I just found out! http://www.washingtonsavings.net/per...-deposit-boxes

09-27-2013, 01:37 PM	#4
Kitkat041836 RIP Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 195 Thanks: 0 Thanked 21 Times in 18 Posts	I have been told that fire safes can be broken into easer as they can be peeled and a strong safe can not. Thanks,George Fortier

10-10-2013, 02:35 PM	#5
jagervw User Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: S. Florida Posts: 47 Thanks: 52 Thanked 26 Times in 13 Posts	I'd go with a Ft. Knox safe.

10-11-2013, 01:46 AM	#7
mystical_tutor User Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 230 Thanks: 32 Thanked 39 Times in 25 Posts	Thanks much for the comments. I bought my safe with an eye on the hype about fire protection. I never believe half of what I see but I can hope. In the Black Forest fire there were quite a number of gun safes involved (it is the kind of place my kinda guy likes). There is no definitive information available about what happened though. The one opinion though was that almost no safe is good enough to have a burning house fall on it and burn out leaving it in a pile of coals and expect to find anything inside that isn't cooked. Lets not talk about safety deposit boxes... I just keep the valuable part of my card collection there....

10-11-2013, 01:26 PM	#8
Jasta2 User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Lakeland, Fl. Posts: 514 Thanks: 349 Thanked 101 Times in 52 Posts	Lucky lesson learned about my fire safe. Rather small, can hold about 6 handguns, cost about $250, VERY HEAVY! Placed in semi-heated basement on the floor. Stored only about $2,000 cash in it over the winter. Opened after 6 months. Cash was quite damp with mold starting to grow. Needed to recycle that cash! Glad I refrained from storing my handguns in it. Have not used it since. Give it a go again after I move it upstairs (with help!). Will try a desiccant bag next time.