Biometric Safes

By Gun-Safe-Guru, onAugust 10th, 2011

In the world of guns and gun safes, few topics are as divisive as biometric safes.

Those who love them, really love them, and those who don’t, well, they just really don’t.

The benefits of a fingerprint recognition safe are, of course, that it is nearly impossible for an unauthorized person to gain access. Each safe is coded to accept only the prints you wish it to recognize. This also means you can have remarkably quick access to your safe–a big plus if you’re using it to store your home security weapon.

Smaller fingerprint-recognition safes are generally more popular than full-sized safes, but the big boys are out there, and many find them to be a secure and convenient option for storing gun collections and important documents.

People who dislike biometric safes cite the possibility of not being able to get into it when they need to, or a battery going dead at an inopportune time. Though these are valid points, with better technology as well as options like direct AC connectors with battery back-up, these issues become a little less relevant each day.

Is a biometric safe right for you? Check out our video to see some of the features, then go to our biometric page to check out all the styles and brands available.

Barska Biometric Safes

When Security Matters

By Gun-Safe-Guru, onAugust 8th, 2011

Here at GunSafes, we don’t really endorse one brand of safe over another. There are so many models and styles of gun safe, in so many price points, that what works for you might not work for someone else.

We can say, though, that most of the time, you get what you pay for. Just look at this post from a public firearms forum:

“I live in a rural area where there are no neighbors to hear an alarm. Last year on May 19 my home was broken into. My Browning safe put up a good fight and won, but unfortunately my Cannon safe gave up 13 long guns, two pistols, and a laptop computer. Please don’t think just any old safe is really safe. I lost a lot of family history that day because ‘it would never happen to me,’ and I tried to save a dollar. I now know the meaning of priceless. Spend the money buy a quality gun safe.”

I’m not here to tell you that Browning is better that Cannon, or that a $3,000 safe is going to work better for you than a $1500 safe. I will say that there is a difference in manufacturers, and a difference in prices. You also can’t compare Cannon’s cheapest model with Browning’s most expensive.

What you can do, though, is research exactly what you  need. Decide beforehand the amount of space you require. Are you more concerned with fire or theft? Does a standard dial lock suit you, or would you be better served with an electronic lock? Only you can decide the features and degree of protection you need.

Once you have an idea of what you’re looking for, give us a call or open a chat window. Nobody knows more about gun safes than the reps at GunSafes.com

You tell us what you’re looking for, and we’ll give you the straight dope. Whether your priority is saving money or saving your legacy, we’ll make sure you find exactly what you need.

Our goal is your satisfaction, and the peace of mind that comes from knowing you and your valuables are protected. When security matters to you, give us a call.

Best Prices, Best Practices

By Gun-Safe-Guru, onAugust 1st, 2011

Why is it that GunSafes.com has the best prices on gun safes?

To start, we are the top retailer of gun safes on the internet. Moving so many safes means we can narrow our margins, thereby offering our customers better prices.

In addition, we do not charge sales tax (unless you live in our home state, Idaho) and shipping is free.

We have a small team of dedicated and knowledgeable gun safes sales reps, who know the products inside and out, and who maintain close relationships with all our gun safes manufacturers. So not only do you get the benefit of their combined years of experience, you also have powerful advocates who can exert their influence should any issues arise.

We also have special relationships with our shippers, and because we do a lot of business with them, they can offer us the best possible prices on both curbside and white glove delivery.

Best of all, should you find a better price on a gun safe, GunSafes.com will do our best to price match it.

GunSafes has made a science of easy ordering, customer support, quick delivery, and simple returns. We also provide technical support throughout each step of the process.

At GunSafes, our goal is to make online shopping easy and pleasant. That’s why we offer the most brands and models, the most friendly and helpful sales reps, and, of course, the best prices on gun safes.

Safe Rooms

By Gun-Safe-Guru, onJuly 29th, 2011

When I say “safe room,” one of two things probably comes to mind—a place to hide from home invasion, or a place to store a lot of guns.

Actually, you can have either or both with a little clever architecture. If you want a truly secure panic room, you will need to have reinforced walls, floor, and ceiling, and methods that go beyond the scope of this post. However, if all you need is a secure place to regroup and call for help, or store a large number of valuables, you can achieve this with an interior room and a vault door.

Whether you need a security door, fire door, or combination-locked vault door, check out our selection at http://www.gunsafes.com/Vault-Doors.html

Vault doors lock securely, and can be opened easily from the inside, but not the outside.

Styles of vault door vary, but most have thick steel plates filled with insulation. These doors feature from 10 to 20 locking bolts that penetrate into the doorframe, making the door virtually pry-proof. Higher-end doors also feature re-lockers, so if someone attempts to drill the lock from the outside, a re-locking mechanism will engage extra security bolts or lock existing ones into place.

If you have renovation and remodeling experience, you will be able to install one of these doors with some assistance. If you don’t, be sure to contract the job to a trustworthy source. It’s not only a matter of personal safety, these doors weigh several hundred pounds and need to be installed correctly in order to function properly.

So whether you need a retreat or a walk-in gun closet, look into making your own safe room with a vault door from GunSafes.com

Fire Safes

By Gun-Safe-Guru, onJuly 25th, 2011

Among the top reasons for purchasing a gun safe for your home are security against theft and safety for children. Also in the top position is protection against fire.

Fire resistance is one of the most important factors to potential gun safe purchasers.

In addition to choosing a safe that will hold the proper number and type of firearms, you also need to think about what other items you might store. Plastic media such as CDs and film negatives are damaged at temperatures as low as 140 F, while paper chars at 400 F. Although metal will not be greatly affected at these temperatures, composite and wooden gun parts can be damaged. At temperatures over 400 F, ammunition can discharge and damage the contents of your safe.

Look at the safe’s UL rating to determine how much protection it will offer. A UL rating of 125 means the internal temperature of the safe will not go above 125 F for the indicated hours. A UL rating of 350 means the internal temperature will not go above 350 F for X number of hours.

Fire safes are rated for half, one, two, and three hours of protection. The average home fire burns for 15 to 30 minutes before responders can put it out. Consider how flammable your home is, how large it is, and how far you are from help. Wooden structures will obviously burn quicker and hotter than those made of masonry. Larger homes may burn longer than smaller ones because of the time and volume of water required to put them out. If you live in a secluded area, it may be some time before the fire department can reach you.

Think about where you will place the safe. Safes are very heavy, and in case of fire, a safe stored on an upper floor may fall through.

Remember that no safe is fire proof, just fire resistant. Consider your requirements and conditions to determine which style and rating of fire safe will suit your needs.

Bullet Tax

By Gun-Safe-Guru, onJuly 20th, 2011

This week’s “Seriously?” news comes from Baltimore, where mayorial candidate Otis Rolley says he would institute a $1-per-bullet tax, with the hope the tax would cut down on the amount of ammunition people buy.

“This is not a revenue-enhancement tool,” Rolley said. “It’s a make-it-difficult-for-you-to-buy-bullets tool.”

Rolley believes that the tax would generate awareness and decrease random shootings.

One has to wonder if he took seriously Chris Rock’s standup routine of some years back, where Rock stated that gun control wasn’t necessary, all we had to do was make bullets $5,000 apiece. That way, he said, there will be no innocent bystanders. If a bullet costs $5,000, he reasoned, a person is going to be very careful who they shoot, and certainly the victim would have deserved it at that price.

While Rock’s routine is quite funny, and certainly makes sense in the context of random shootings in inner cities, Rolley is failing to take into account that, like most gun control legislation, criminals would simply find a way around it. It will only be honest, law-abiding gun owners, who would like to purchase large amounts of ammunition for range practice, who would suffer by passing such legislation.

Criminals care little for conscientious gun ownership, nor do they care about properly caring for and practicing with their weapons. The bad guys will find ways to get cheap bullets, or steal them, just like they find ways to get guns even when strict purchasing and ownership laws are in place.

The spirit of Rolley’s idea is actually quite clever, and makes sense from the point of view of someone caught in the crossfire of drive-bys and gang violence, but taken to its logical conclusion, this is a proposition that just doesn’t pass muster.

Super Secret Safes

By Gun-Safe-Guru, onJuly 19th, 2011

If you’ve seen even a handful of mystery movies,  no doubt you have witnessed the scene: someone carefully moves the oil painting aside,  revealing a safe,  then procedes to open it,  placing the very important item inside,  securing it,  then taking a quick look around to make sure no one was looking.

In the movies,  someone always knows the combination,  or finds a way to thwart the plan,  usually with the old switcheroo.

In real life,  wall safes are a great option,  and not just because they look cool and add an air of mystery.

Wall safes have the advantage of being out of sight,  giving you one more layer of protection from would-be thieves. Wall safes are also easy to access,  since there is no bending or stooping required. Since wall safes are smaller than traditional safes,  they are much easier for the average homeowner to install.

GunSafes.com has a great selection of wall safes,  as well as other types of diversion safes. Check them out here: http://www.gunsafes.com/Wall-Safes.html

For tips on installing wall safes,  visit our GunSafes Wiki: http://www.gunsafes.com/Installing-Wall-Safes-is-Easy.html

You don’t have to be a double agent or a minister of finance to have a wall safe,  just an Average Joe who wants security and convenience.

GunSafes Joins USACarry Giveaway

By Gun-Safe-Guru, onJuly 18th, 2011

GunSafes.com has joined USACarry’s giveaway promotion, which includes a Ruger LC9 pistol, Crimson Trace laser sight, Crossbreed holster and belt, Console Vault vehicle safe, and GunVault GV1000 mini deluxe pistol safe from yours truly.

GunSafes is excited to partner with one of the best concealed carry forums out there, and now you not only get a ton of information and advice about carrying concealed weapons, you can also win one of our products just by being a forum member.

Check it out at USACarry!

Social Butterflies

By Gun-Safe-Guru, onJuly 15th, 2011

GunSafes.com is more than a website specializing in gun safes.

We’ve got all kinds of social media presence, as well.

You can chat with us on Facebook, get Tweets via Twitter, and sign up for exclusive e-mail promotions. Heck, you could even stop by our showroom for a face-to-face talk!

When you’re ordering a safe, you can purchase on our site, live chat with one of our reps, or call in.

The lines of communication are many and varied!

Here’s links to our various media:
Facebook: http://on.fb.me/pNbeMQ (daily updates, exclusive promos, and shooting news)

Twitter: @GunSafesPR (sales and links to gun stuff)

E-mail sign-up: http://www.gunsafes.com/email-sign-up.html

Live chat: http://www.gunsafes.com/ (for questions about gun safes, just click the pretty lady in the upper left corner)

And of course, if you’re ever in beautiful Sandpoint, Idaho, stop by our store at 509 North Fifth Avenue and say hi. We love to keep in touch with our customers and find out what’s happening in their lives.

Rifle Rods

By Gun-Safe-Guru, onJuly 12th, 2011

If you’re having trouble getting your guns to fit, or you just want a better way to stack and organize them in your safe, check out Rifle Rods.

These ingenious little devices are rods that you insert into the rifle barrel, then Velcro into place. Super easy to install, super easy to remove.

The Rifle Rod starter kit comes with loop fabric that you simply staple to the shelf of your gun safe. Drop a rod into your rifle, position your rifle where you want it, and press the Velcro end onto the fabric. Simple as that.

Check out this video for a demonstration of how quick and easy Rifle Rods are:

Console Vault

By Gun-Safe-Guru, onJuly 11th, 2011

Lately, news of the recession has reminded me of Michael Corleone’s quote in the Godfather III “Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in.” These days, it seems like any time the country take a few steps forward, we take a step back into economic trouble. What’s a person to do?

Well, one thing the experts say will help is to buy American. Supporting U.S. manufacturers means your money stays in the loop and helps reinforce our economy.

One company that makes great products at great prices right here in the U.S. is Console Vault. Based out of Nevada, Console Vault has been manufacturing safes and vaults for over 8 years, and outfits some pretty well known companies, such as the CIA, FBI, U.S. Marshalls Office, and the U.S. Army.

You may not be on missions quite so secretive and crucial, but chances are, if you carry a firearm for personal protection, you’re constantly struggling with how to safely store and access your pistol when travelling. Console Vault has the answer—actually, several answers.

Console Vaults are locking inserts that fit into your vehicle’s console without modification. Console Vault has more than two dozen styles to fit a wide variety of vehicles, and offers their vaults in key lock or combination lock models. If they don’t have a vault that fits your model, there’s always the “universal” fit option.

Console Vaults fit inside your vehicles console while still allowing the lid of your console to open and close normally. They also feature a spring-assisted lid, so when you need to get into your vault, you can do so quickly.

Console Vaults are fabricated from 12-gauge cold-rolled plate steel with welded tab and notch seams, and feature a drill-resistant locking system.

Not having to modify your vehicle mean less chance of a thief spotting your vault, giving you an extra edge.

And remember, all Console Vaults are made in the USA, so not only do you know you’re getting a quality product, you’re giving a boost to the economy as well.

Mesa Safes

By Gun-Safe-Guru, onJuly 8th, 2011

This week we have two Mesa brand safes on sale at GunSafes.com

“What’s so great about Mesa?” you might ask.

To start, Mesa was founded and continues to operate right here in the U.S. Since 1981, locksmith George Vicente has been designing and building Mesa safes, with an eye for quality that only someone who has spent a lifetime legally breaking into safes can provide.

Mesa got its start by focusing on high quality depository safes that were both affordable and easily accessible. From there, they began developing residential safes that were both secure and comfortably priced.

Today, Mesa is a leader in safe manufacturing because they can offer professional-level security features at consumer-level prices.

Even our top-of-the-line gun safe from Mesa is well below $2000, and yet it has the same features as much more expensive safes, including 12-gauge steel body, 1 hour fire rating, re-locker, and a 4-plus-inch thick door. In addition, Mesa is one of the last safe companies out there that will replace your safe if it is damaged by fire or burglary. Now that’s a lot of confidence in their product!

With Mesa, you get dozens of options, all at remarkably low prices, without sacrificing safety and security. Check out the Mesa brand at http://www.gunsafes.com/Mesa-Safes.html

Annie Oakley

By Gun-Safe-Guru, onJuly 7th, 2011

Annie Oakley is known across the United States as not only an amazing sure-shot, but one who could out-gun even the most skilled men who dared challenge her.

Oakley was born Phoebe Ann Mosey in 1860 outside of present-day North Star, Ohio. She was the last of six children born to her parents. Her mother would marry and be widowed three times and have three more children.

Between the ages of 6 and 8, Annie hunted to feed her family as well as earn extra money from local restaurants and hotels. Accounts vary, but it seems she may have trapped small game, only shooting a rifle once, and getting into serious trouble from her mother after doing so.

Annie was put in the county poor farm for a time when she was 8 years old, then reunited with her mother and second stepfather at age 13. Her hunting skills, now aided by the rifle, helped pay off the farm’s mortgage a few years after that.

Oakley’s skill became well-known throughout the region.

During the spring of 1881, the Baughman and Butler shooting act visited nearby Cincinnati, and 21-year-old Annie responded to Frank Butler’s challenge that he could outshoot any local “fancy shooter.”

A local hotelier arranged a shooting match between Butler and Oakley. Oakley bested Butler, and he became enamored. The two married the next year and lived in the Oakley neighborhood of Cincinnati, from where it is believed she took her stage name.

Butler and Oakley joined Buffalo Bill’s Wild West show in 1885. At a mere 5 feet tall, Oakley was given the nickname of “Watanya Cicilla” by fellow performer Sitting Bull, rendered “Little Sure Shot” in the public advertisements.

Oakley became the star of the Wild West show, her most famous trick being splitting a playing card edge-on, then firing several holes into it before it hit the ground.

Annie performed for kings and queens and heads of state, and even volunteered her services and those of 50 other lady sharpshooters for the Spanish-American War effort.

Annie survived a train wreck and an auto crash. She dabbled in acting. She continued to set shooting records well into her 60s.

Throughout her career, it is believed that Oakley taught upwards of 15,000 women how to use a gun. Although she never believed in women’s suffrage, Oakley felt it was crucial for women to learn how to use firearms.

Annie died in 1926, but not before earning a reputation as the best shot in the country, a skill, it is said, that never diminished as she aged.

Annie Oakley

The Pistol Storage Solution

By Gun-Safe-Guru, onJuly 5th, 2011

If you’ve got more handguns than long guns, take a look at Cannon’s Patriot P14.

Although it can hold up to a dozen rifles, the slim, compact design of this safe makes it perfect for pistol storage, especially with GunSafe’s current deal—a free door organizer. Combine this with the Patriot’s adjustable shelving and a few pistol racks, and you’ve got your arsenal ranked, filed, and ready to go.

The Patriot is built tough, with heavy-gauge steel, internal hinges, and a re-locker to provide an extra level of security. This safe offers 30 minutes of fire protection at 1200F, with a triple-fin seal that expands upon contact with heat—and all for only $794.95

At that price you’ll have enough cash left over for another pistol!

SAVE BIG! BLOWOUT PRICES! ONE DAY ONLY! SAVE NOW!

By Gun-Safe-Guru, onJuly 1st, 2011

Those annoying TV commercials that holler at you about celebrating your independence by purchasing new stuff are so loud and irritating, aren’t they? I can’t think of how appliances and furniture could possibly have anything to do with patriots fending off their oppressors, nor how yelling at me about saving money is going to inspire me.

Now gun safes, on the other hand….

It just wouldn’t be right if we didn’t offer some kind of Independence Day sale here at GunSafes.com, so here it is: the Mesa MBF6032E. That’s a lot of numbers and letters, but here’s all you need to know—this is a 26-gun safe with a 1-hour fire rating and plenty of tamper-proof features.

Oh, and I almost forgot—if this safe is ever damaged due to fire or theft, Mesa will replace it. How cool is that?!

Mesa has a lot of confidence in the quality of their products, as well they should. Mesa safes are made from 12-gauge steel, reinforced with 1½ -inch solid steel locking bolts and a massive 5-inch thick door. Add in an electronic lock protected by a punch activated, spring loaded re-locking device, and your safe is safe!

Normally we sell the Mesa for $1089.95, which is already almost a thousand bucks lower than retail, but this week, we’re proud to offer it for just $999.95 so you can celebrate your freedom AND your security this Fourth of July. And the best part? We’re going to do it very quietly! Check the Mesa out here, and don’t worry, we’ll have it on sale for more than one day.