What’s the Best Gun Safe Dehumidifier?

By Gun-Safe-Guru, onSeptember 28th, 2011

Asking the best type of dehumidifier is kind of like asking the best model of hunting rifle. Everyone has their preferences, and everyone finds a certain style fits them best.

In the case of dehumidifiers, it’s good to start by choosing either a desiccant or electric type.

If you don’t have a lot of moisture problems, and if an electrical connection is not available or too difficult to access, then the desiccant option might be the right choice for you.

The Browning Sacc Dry Zone is a vented box of moisture-absorbing material, much like the little packets you find in foods or medicine, but on a much larger scale. This is also similar to the RV and closet packs you can find at retail stores, with one important exception—the Browning pack can be recharged in the oven. That means that should the pack ever absorb to its capacity, you can place it in a warm oven to dry and reactivate it. You can repeat this process indefinitely. No electricity, no fuss, no problem. The Dry Zone protects up to 37 cubic feet of space, about the volume of a standard 30-inch-wide safe. This product retails for $34.95

For an even more convenient desiccant solution, try the Eva-Dry E-333 dehumidifier. With this product, the desiccant crystals are enclosed in a plastic body, and recharging is achieved by plugging the unit into an outlet. Convenient color-changing bars indicate when the crystals are spent and in need of reactivation. The lifespan of this product is up to 10 years. The Eva-Dry is rated for 333 cubic feet, and is eco-friendly and non-toxic. Retail price $34.95

If you have more challenging moisture problems, or changes in temperature extremes that come from keeping your safe in a non-climate controlled area such as a shop or garage, think about investing in an electric dehumidifier. They are only a few dollars more than desiccant-type units, but provide more aggressive moisture control.

The Browning EverDry electric dehumidifier is an 18-inch-long bar that plugs into a standard outlet. Most safes have a hole in the back or side to allow for the cord, which detaches from the unit for installation. This unit should be used on safes 30 inches wide or larger to avoid touching the sides of the safe. The EverDry retails for $39.95

Another option in electric dehumidifiers is the Browning Flexible EverDry. This unit is flat and flexible, and can be bent around the corners and contents of your safe. Like the bar unit, the cord on the Flexible is removable to help with installation. This products retails for $49.95

Ultimately, the decision on the best gun safe dehumidifier is an individual choice, but these suggestions should give you some idea of what’s on the market. These models are available at http://www.gunsafes.com/store/Search.aspx?SearchTerms=dehumidifiers

Vehicle Vaults

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

Spend much time in small towns out West, and you’ll see a lot of trucks with gun racks mounted in the rear windows. Until recently, a rifle in the window and a pistol in the glove box were your only options for firearms transportation. Not uniformly legal, and definitely not secure.

Enter Console Vault and TruckVault.

Console Vault specializes in locking vaults designed specifically for the make and model of your vehicle. These boxes fit into your existing console without modification, offering the high security of an all-steel locking vault, plus the added layer of concealment from the console.

Console Vaults feature thick, 12-gauge steel, plus drill-resistant locks with key or three-digit combination option. And when you need to access your firearm or valuables quickly, the spring-assisted lid makes it easy.

For larger or longer gun storage needs, TruckVault offers custom solutions in the form of truck gun safes. TruckVaults rest in the bed of your pick-up or SUV for storing long guns and other equipment. You can stack several configurations for a complete weapons and valuables cache in the back of your SUV, or use a single unit in a pick-up bed and still park motorcycles or ATVs on top.

TruckVaults are available with one or multiple drawers, and are carpet-lined to prevent damage. These boxes are fire, water, and pry-resistant. TruckVaults are available with key or combination lock.

TruckVaults can serve as a secure way to organize your hunting, fishing, and camping gear; or act as a complete mobile office and operations center. These are especially useful for law enforcement and crime scene vehicles, for storing, organizing, and securing supplies and firearms.

For about the price of a comparable traditional safe, you can finally have security and peace of mind while transporting firearms in your vehicle. And once you have a Console Vault or TruckVault, you’ll wonder how you ever got by without one.

Modular Gun Safes

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

If you want an easy option for placing and moving your storage system, whether for guns or valuables, look into modular-type safes and cabinets.

These units are shipped in pieces, and typically assemble in a matter of minutes. Best of all, they can be put together right where you need them, and taken apart if you need to move.

Modular safes are the perfect solution for people who live in high rises, or who move frequently. These are also great if you have to negotiate narrow staircases or fit your safe into an awkward place, like a closet or niche.

SnapSafe makes a great modular safe called the Titan. Not only is it convenient to move and assemble, the heaviest part of the entire safe is the door, weighing in at 90 pounds. This means an average man can haul and manipulate the safe pieces without any assistance. In fact, our SnapSafes rep put a safe together in our showroom, unaided, in about 15 minutes.

There is also a smaller SnapSafe, the Little Titan closet vault, perfect for storing small arms and valuables.

Other less secure options are the modular cabinets from Stack-On. These don’t offer the same degree of fire and theft protection, but are a great solution for keeping guns out of young hands and important documents safe.

All of these options are very affordable, with cabinets priced at $160, and SnapSafes from $770 to $880, including shipping. You’ll save even more money assembling and installing the safe or cabinet yourself. And when it comes time to move, you’ll be really happy you went with a product that can move so easily with you.

Quick-Access Gun Safes

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

There are many reasons to have a gun safe in your home: protecting your firearms from damage, preventing theft, and keeping them from the hands of children.

But as important as all these considerations are, if you keep a handgun for home protection, it will not do you a lot of good locked up in a safe when you have mere seconds to respond to a threat.

That’s why there are so many options in quick-access gun safes at GunSafes.com.

There are small and large models, safes that open with fingerprints or codes, and even safes that hold only the trigger mechanism, for super-fast access as well as peace of mind.

By far the most popular handgun safes we carry are the GunVault line. GunVaults have a molded finger bed and operate with a simple 4-key combination you can program. These vaults are also available with fingerprint recognition that you can program to accept a number of different prints.

Homak also makes a line of safes with quick and easy keypad access. These offer a vertical profile, rather than GunVault’s more horizontal function.

Another interesting option is the Sooner Thor handgun stand. This stand keeps your pistol at arm’s reach, handle ready, by locking the area around the trigger. This keeps the gun secure and prevents firing, but allows you to actually have the gun in your hand before it is even unlocked from its stand.

As you can see, there are many options for quick-access gun safes, in a variety of styles and prices. Check out our entire selection of pistol safes, and you are certain to find something that will fit your unique needs and circumstances.

Out of Sight

By Gun-Safe-Guru, onAugust 24th, 2011

When it comes to keeping your items secure, out of sight is definitely out of mind.

Although there are plenty of safes that can protect your valuables from thieves, it’s even better if the thieves don’t know you have valuables, or a safe, in the first place.

There are several options for keeping things covert. At GunSafes.com, we have safes that fit into the wall or floor, to be covered by artwork or a carpet, as well as safes that look like electrical panels or refrigerators. There are vaults that replace all or part of your bed’s box spring, and vaults that are designed to sit flat against the back wall of a closet. We also have RocLoks, which are very realistic and durable locking landscape rocks, for hiding keys or other small items. And of course, if a safe is small enough, you can hide it inside many kinds of traditional furniture pieces.

SnapSafe

By Gun-Safe-Guru, onAugust 17th, 2011

As I write this, Tom from SnapSafes is in our showroom, putting our reps to work assembling one of their modular safes.

What makes SnapSafes so cool is that from the time it arrives in a shipping box, a single human can move it with a hand truck, unpack it, then start assembly.

SnapSafes are lined with ceramic fiber blankets for a 2300F one hour rating, though Tom says it’s good for 2½ hours. The consensus is that these blankets provide superior protection to a gypsum board.

Each piece is clearly labeled, so assembly is, literally, a snap.

A great feature of SnapSafe is that because it’s modular, should a piece get damaged in shipment or during assembly, you can easily replace it without having to send back the entire safe.

SnapSafes can also be moved and assembled to places other safes can’t go—like up narrow stairs, or in tricky closet spaces. It’s just a matter of moving a few panels.

SnapSafes have multiple interior configuration possibilities, from long guns with shelf, to all gun, to all shelves.

It took about ten minutes for Tom to unpack all the parts, and maybe another ten minutes to get the safe together.

And if you ever need to move it—super easy from the inside! Outside, it’s just as secure as any of the safes in its price range.

SnapSafes warranties for a year, and of course, any damaged piece can be shipped and replaced quickly and easily.

Learn more about SnapSafe here.

Long Live the King!

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

Last Thursday was a special day at the GunSafes offices. On that day, we said goodbye to a dear friend.

The Pendleton King was a tall drink of water, a six-foot high 40-gunner with a substantial girth.

The thing most people asked when they saw him was “Is that a tanning booth?” Tanning booth, no, but a sweet round gun safe, with a revolving rack inside, plus interior light, yes.

The Pendleton was the kind of safe you would own if you were an international spy, or maybe a very important monetary fund manager.

The thing about this particular round gun safe is that it was a one-of. It was our showroom model for many a year, and in between now and then, Pendleton changed the design of the King.

But last week, someone finally scooped him up and took him home.I can’t say as I blame them. Amongst gun safes, the Pendelton King is kind of a superstar. It just looks amazing, to start with. A round safe is not very common in the industry. Plus, the special features are just a knockout. Not to mention Pendleton has a reputation for strength and durability. Combine all this, and you’ve got the luxury sedan of the gun safe world.

It wasn’t easy to see him go, but we’re quite happy that the King now has his own kingdom of firearms to protect.

Never fear, though, if you like the sounds of a round gun safe with a revolving rack, Pendleton has a shiny new model for this year. You may not be able to tan in it, but with dedicated tiers for long guns and pistols, interior light, and spinning at the touch of a button, I don’t think you’ll much miss the UV feature.

Pendleton has changed a few things with the new model, but they’re still offering a beautiful safe with great security features. So long live the new King!

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.

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.

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