The Pistol Storage Solution

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!

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.

The Right Safe for a Tricky Space

If you have been putting off buying a safe because it’s just not convenient to your lifestyle, you might want to give modular safes a look.

Modular safes are shipped in easy-to-assemble pieces, and require no special tools to put together. Each piece of a modular safe can be moved by a single person, and their light weight means you can transport and set up modular safes in places that conventional safes can’t go.

Modular safes assemble from the inside out, so a potential thief can’t simply disassemble your safe to get inside.

Once assembled, a modular safe is as sturdy and reliable as a traditional gun safe, and has many of the same safety features, including fire rating and theft deterrents.

If you live several floors up, have limited space, or tend to move a lot, check our modular safe selection at http://www.gunsafes.com/Modular-Safes.html

Hiding your Handgun

If you keep firearms, especially handguns, for home protection, you need a safe but accessible place to keep them. The bad guys know about your nightstand, and the kids can find it under the mattress. So what’s a person to do?

The answer, of course, is to check out the variety of pistol safe options at GunSafes.com!

We have small safes that can function as end tables; boxes that can be bolted to floors, walls, or under shelves; biometric vaults that open with the touch of your fingers, or safes that open with a simple touch-combination. There are even stand-type devices that keep your pistol in the ready position, key-locking safes, digital locking safes, and dial-locking safes. We have safes that look like refrigerators, and safes that look like electrical panels. We even have safes that fit inside your vehicle’s console.

No matter what type of pistol you are using for home defense, or what type of method you prefer for accessing it, we can help. See what we have to offer at http://www.gunsafes.com/Pistol-and-Handgun-Safes.html

You’re sure to find something that will work for you!

Winchester R19

Our featured sale item this week is the Winchester R19. At the risk of gushing excessively over a hunk of metal, I REALLY love this safe.

First, the price. Where can you even find a 24-gun fire safe for under a thousand bucks?

Next is the door panel organizer. I know that may seem like a small thing, but a safe isn’t just to keep your valuables secure and sheltered from fire, it also needs to a be a place you can go to find what you need. Problem solved with the nifty door system.

In addition to the shelves and rifle holders, the door organizer completes the perfect organization picture. All the components together provide dedicated places for rifles, pistols, documents, and accessories. Everything in its place means things are both better protected and easier to access. Having this included in the purchase price is a big plus for me.

Of course, it also doesn’t hurt that the safe is rated at 1400F for one hour, and features an expandable heat seal. Another super safety feature is the re-locker—a mechanism that drives bolts into both sides of the safe if someone attempts to tamper with the hinges or lock.

Finally, GunSafes customers who bought this safe reported appreciating how roomy it is inside, and how the shelves can easily be changed into different configurations. And of course, everyone was pleased with the quality of safe they were able to get for $970.

All things considered, I think the R19 is one of the best deals we offer at GunSafes.com

THE END IS NEAR!

The end is near! The end of our $50 off Bighorn Safes Sale, that is.

Purchase any Bighorn safe on or before Father’s Day, and get 50 bucks off. You don’t even have to be a dad or be buying for a dad, though we know your father or grandfather would really like this gift.

Can’t get it there on time? Just call. We have all kinds of ideas for presenting the present when it isn’t present!

Guns and/or Ammo

Although many people keep all their guns, ammunition, and valuables together in one safe, there is a school of thought that advocates separate ammo storage. Why?

Let’s take a look at some of the reasons you might want a strong box, or even a second safe, to keep your ammunition in.

Kids
Having a second safe keeps your kids and grandkids safer. If you keep your guns locked in a safe and unloaded, and keep your ammo in a separate safe, it’s just one more step to keep kids from accidents. It’s also a good idea to have a pistol safe near the bed if you keep a handgun nearby for home protection. I know that’s a lot of safes, but they’re called “safes” for a reason!

Guns and Valuables
A second safe keeps your guns and valuables protected. If you should have a fire, the heat may be enough to discharge your ammunition. The flying bullets will stay inside the safe, but may cause some serious damage to your firearms, and will most likely destroy any valuables. If you have important papers or fine jewelry, you will want to keep them away from volatile gunpowder.

Outgrowing
In some cases people simply split their gun and ammo supplies because they have outgrown a single safe and need to acquire another. In this case it is simply a matter of convenience—one safe for arms and valuables, another for ammo.

Long-term Storage
If you want to store large amounts of ammunition for a long time, a safe with a dehumidifier is your best option. Though most rounds will still work even after years of exposure to elements and moisture, if you want to fully protect your investment, you should think about a secondary safe.

On Blogging

Here at GunSafes.com, we write a lot about gun safes and gun-related items.

Go figure!

There’s a lot of areas to branch off into, though, and if you would like to see us write about something specific, review a certain product, or even post a guest blog, drop us a line and let us know!

Flag Day 2011

Whether you call her Stars and Stripes, Old Glory, or the Star-Spangled Banner, Flag Day is the time set aside to honor the symbol of the United States of America.

Flag Day is June 14, which falls on a Tuesday this year. During the entire week—Sunday to Saturday—flags are to be flown from public buildings. Because the holiday falls on a Tuesday, many ceremonies will be conducted on June 11, the Saturday before.

This is also a time in which long-flying flags are lowered for cleaning or repairs. Flags that have been damaged beyond repair are respectfully burned, and many times the ashes are interred or scattered on the gravesites of veterans.

Here are some guidelines for proper flag etiquette:
• Flags are normally flown from sunrise to sunset, raised briskly in the morning, and lowered slowly at sunset. Flags flown at night need to be illuminated.
• Flags should not be flown in inclement weather (all-weather flags are permitted).
• When flown vertically, the blue field (union) is placed to the left. When visible from both sides, the union is placed away from the building.
• The American flag is flown at equal heights when flags of other countries are also on display. Lesser-ranking flags, such as those that represent states, are flown lower. The flag appears to the viewer’s left with lesser-ranking flags.
• The flag should not touch the ground. If the flag does touch the ground, it does not need to be burned. Clean the flag if necessary, and hang or store it properly.
• The flag is not dipped to any person or thing. It is not used as a drapery or covering, except on caskets, where it is removed before burial.
• Flags should not be used on temporary or disposable items, nor on clothing, except as part of an official uniform.
• The flag should not have writing or marks of any kind placed on it, or be used as a receptacle.
• A flag should not be flown upside down except in cases of distress where immediate assistance is required.
• Flags should be folded for storage.
• Flags should be cleaned and repaired as necessary, and destroyed when they become too tattered, either by burying or burning respectfully.

There are many regulations for flying the flag at half-staff. Follow the lead of the nation’s Capitol, or refer to a more comprehensive list that describes each scenario.

To retire a flag properly, contact your local American Legion, or Boy and Girl Scouts. They conduct flag retiring ceremonies.

Gun Safe Buyers Guide, part 5 : Gauge of Steel

One question we get asked quite frequently is “What gauge of steel should my gun safe have?”   This is a tough one to answer because some are looking for more protection than others.  In my opinion, a gun safe with less than 12 gauge steel is more of a “gun cabinet” than a gun safe.  12 gauge is a good starting point, but for something that is more resistant to torches, saws, and axes, I would look at 10 gauge or thicker.  For those looking for one of the thickest solid steel safes available, I would point them towards the Pendleton King Series gun safe.  Not only does it have a 1/4″ of solid steel throughout the safe, but it is also unique in that it has a circular design with a rotary gun rack for quick access to your guns and valuables.  Combine this was LED lighting, moisture management system, and a completely adjustable interior, and you have a top of the line safe.  Any thicker than that and you’re talking about bank type safes and vaults.  In fact, Pendleton Safes are made in the same factory that produces many of our countries bank vaults.  That means that they’re MADE IN THE USA!

When you start explaining the steel thickness in inches and not by gauge, you’re talking about some pretty thick metal.  Pendleton Safes offer a minimum of 3/16″ solid steel on their gun safes.  That’s equivalent to a 7 gauge steel.  You’ll also find this thickness of steel in Browning’s Platinum Plus gun safes.

Another thing to keep in mind when buying a gun safe is how the body and doors are measured.  If a manufacturer is claiming a 1″ door, is that a solid 1″ piece of steel?  Probably not.  In most cases it is a thin layer of steel, then fire insulation, and then another piece of steel.  These composite doors can mislead some people, so keep that in mind and feel free to ask questions.  To many smash and dash burglars, just the site of a steel gun safe is enough to keep them from even trying to break in.  It’s the more sophisticated burglars that are going to have the tools and time to break into a safe.  In many cases though, a 10 or 12 gauge steel safe may be all you need for your particular situation.

Below is a guide to show you the thickness (in inches) for a certain gauge of steel.

Gauge  /  Inches

16           0.0625

15           0.0703

14           0.0781

13           0.0938

12           0.1094

11           0.1250

10           0.1406

9              0.1563

8              0.1719

7              0.1875

6              0.2031

5              0.2188

4              0.2344

3              0.2500

2              0.2656

1              0.2813 

Gun safe sales continue through the end of the year

Sorry it’s been a little while since the last post. GunSafes.com has been very busy this holiday season.

Even though the holidays may be over, the holiday sales have not ended!! There are many sales continuing through the end of the year, so if you are in need of a gun safe, office safe, wall safe, or a handgun safe, we have the link for you:

Take a look at some gun safe sales here.

Sentry Gun Safe Sale Extended!

The sale was due to expire today, but has been extended until Oct 1, 2010.  This is a great opportunity to purchase a Sentry Safe at a $75 – $115 discount.  Whether your looking to store guns or other valuables, the 4-way adjustable interior will allow you to remove or add shelving to accommodate your needs.  Choose from two different paint finishes and your choice of a dial combination lock or electronic lock.  These safes have a ETL fire rating of 30 minutes at temperatures up to 1400°F.  Available in 14 gun, 24 gun, or 36 gun models.  Prices start at $729.95 and the sale ends October 1st, 2010.

Check out the sale here.

Sentry 1459E

Gun Safe Buyers Guide, Part 3 : DELIVERY & INSTALLATION

In this section of the gun safe buyers guide, I’ll focus on the delivery and installation for gun safes.

Q: How are gun safes typically shipped?

A:  Due to their weight, gun safes are shipped via a truck freight carrier.  This is typically a semi-truck (18 wheeler), but it can sometimes come on a smaller box truck (UPS type truck).  The safes are packaged with corner protectors and cardboard and they are bolted down to a wood pallet so the driver can easily move the safe with a pallet jack.  Most curbside deliveries that are over 150 lbs come with a liftgate.  A liftgate is a mechanical lift on the back of the truck that lowers the safe down to the ground level.  If a safe is shipped “curbside”, that means it is left at the curb.  On occasion, if the truck is able to do so, they will lower the safe on the driveway a little closer to the home.  This depends a lot on the driver, the truck, and the slope of the driveway.  Sometimes a large semi-truck just cannot back down a particular driveway.  In that case it will be left at the curb.

Q: How do you move a gun safe into your home?

 A:  There are several methods and I think I’ve heard just about all of them.  I’ll start with the easiest:  Hiring a company to move it in for you.  This service is called “White Glove” and there are usually several levels of service available.  The first level (Bronze) is where the delivery company will wheel the safe into your garage for you.  They drop it off inside your garage which is ideal if that’s where you plan to keep it.  Keep in mind, the pallet will still be attached to the bottom of the safe.  The next level of service (Gold) involves the company bringing the safe inside your home into a room of your choice.  They will also remove the pallet that is bolted to the bottom of the safe.  If the safe is under 900 lbs they can also move the safe up or down two flights of stairs.  Once the gun safe is in place, the movers will take away all the packing debris and leave the it ready to use.  If the delivery is out-of-the-ordinary or requires a lot of assembly time, a Platinum white glove service is also available. 

The next method of delivery is for the “Do-It-Yourself-er”.  By arranging some helpers or friends to move it from the curb into your home, you’ll avoid paying any additional delivery fees.  I’ve heard all kinds of stories about rolling a safe on ping-pong balls or other various methods, but the most popular is to use a pallet jack or furniture dolly.  The pallet jack is a great tool because the safe is already attached to a pallet so the jack easily rolls right under.  The hydraulic lift on the pallet jack can make the move from the curb to your threshold very easy.  Once it’s at your front door (the threshold), you’ll probably want a crew of 3-4 people there to help lift it inside.  A furniture dolly would be helpful here as well. 

A new product that I’m really impressed with is the Shoulder Dolly.  This simple piece of equipment makes it easier and safer to lift heavy objects.  It doesn’t give you “superpowers”, but it can make large and awkward items easier to handle so you can use all your strength without losing your grip.  Keep in mind the weight limit is 800 lbs and you’ll need two capable lifters to move a heavy safe.  The nice thing about this product is that a one-time purchase can be used over and over for several different objects.  I highly recommend using the ShoulderDolly not only for gun safes, but for all your furniture or appliance moving needs.

Shoulder Dolly

Q: Can a safe be mounted to the floor?

 A:  Most of the time, yes!  In fact most manufacturers pre-drill the mounting holes and recommend that you bolt the safe into the floor.  Sometimes the mounting hardware is included as well.  If not, the bolts can be picked up at your local hardware store.  Even if you are mounting the safe in the garage or basement and you have a concrete floor there are lag bolts that you can use.  The advantage to mounting your safe is that it won’t tip over and it adds another level of security by making it harder for someone to break-in.  The best way to pry into a safe is by tipping it on its side, so eliminating that method of entry is ideal.

Q: What do I need to know about the delivery before ordering a safe?

A:  First of all, you’ll want to take good measurements of all the doors that the safe will be going through.  Compare those measurements to the dimensions of the safe.  The most important specification of the safe is probably the depth because a safe can be tipped on it’s side which makes the depth the widest measurement when going through a door.  You also want to check if the specification given includes the handle and hinge.  Most of the time the safe is shipped with the handle inside the safe to keep it from getting damaged, but you’ll still want to account for the hinge that protrudes from the safe body.

You’ll also want to plan the best route for the safe to go through your home to its final destination.  Is it easier to go through the front door, around the back, or through the garage?  Make sure to mention at the time of the order if you have a steep or gravel driveway, a section of grass to roll over, a fence, or any other obstacles.  This way the delivery company will make sure to bring the appropriate equipment the first time.  It’s also a good idea to think of a possible “backup plan” in case they’re not able to get the safe where you wish.  If the safe won’t fit or is too hard to maneuver into the location you choose, give them a secondary location to put the safe.

Q: I live in a rural area or have a long or unusual driveway.  What are my options?

A:  These deliveries are determined on a case-by-case basis depending on several factors.  It would be best to contact a gun safe account rep to talk to them about your particular situation before ordering the safe.  They can determine the best way to get the safe delivered.  If it’s not suitable for a truck to drive down your driveway, you may need to pick it up at the end of the driveway or at a delivery terminal in your city.  You can reach a GunSafes.com rep to talk about the different options at 800-540-1695 ext 401.