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Any experience with modular (bolt together) gun safe?
- Thread starter 67ray
- Start date
First "safe" I bought was a DIY Stack-on. Took an hour or so to put together. At the time I had 2 pistols, a Mosin and a Marlin 60. Satisfied MA storage laws. Slightly more secure than a canvas duffle bag. Worth what I paid, not a dime more.
Ymmv...
Ymmv...
I think he's talking about the stuff like what Zannoti sells etc.... basically a truck drops off a pallet of shit at your house and you take in one heavy piece at a time, and there are fasteners in the corners that hold it all together... then the door goes on last and you get something thats at least as hard as a typical gun safe, minus the pain in moving it and it can be put in places you otherwise wouldn't be able to get a safe of the same size....
-Mike
-Mike
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huh! never knew they made such a thing. sounds interesting.
EMTDAD
NES Member
interesting and probably very useful for a niche market. It seems like you're paying at least a few hundred more for the convenience of modularity over a similar unit. At least for the smallish one. If you can get 4 buddies to help move a conventional safe, and don't NEED the modularity, I'd just save the few hundred dollars.
When I was getting ready to buy my big gun safe....something that would hold a dozen or so long guns, the same amount of hand guns and about ten thousand rounds of ammo, my first concern was moving it.
I ended up buying two medium size safes that I could move by myself with a hand truck. Once in place I bolted them together, essentially making one big heavy unit. When I move I can just disconnect them and move them again.
I ended up buying two medium size safes that I could move by myself with a hand truck. Once in place I bolted them together, essentially making one big heavy unit. When I move I can just disconnect them and move them again.
citoriguy
NES Member
Same here - I've been looking at safes lately and was dreading the thought of getting people together to help move a safe. These are pretty cool.
ChevyGuy91
NES Member
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We did a group buy here years ago with a safe shop in Belingham (I think?) and I bought a Dakota Interlock safe because I liked the idea of being able to take it apart and move it. The interior panels were garbage and the entire thing started to rust within a year. On top of that, I never ended up having to move it on my own. I wish I would have gone with a cheaper assembled safe from Bass Pro or something, I would have probably been better off.
I don't think the idea ever took off because there are too many skinflints in the market. Most guys would rather go to tractor supply and get the 500 dollar chinese
special and then bribe their friends with a couple of 30 racks of beer to get it into the house... funny thing is, this often works out pretty well if its done right. (if it's not, someone's probably going to the hospital, lmao).
Edmorseiii covers another issue... like whats the build quality on these things anyways?
I think most people are better served by either buying something cheap, or better yet, by buying a used TL rated plate safe from somewhere (often available cheap) and then just paying the big $$$ to move it into their house. The latter is a pain in the ass to deal with, but likely a much better purchasing decision if they have a basement or garage
floor that can handle the weight. If I ever get into the position where I have a lot of guns ever again, I'm likely going that route myself.
-Mike
johnnylc3470
NES Member
I have a SnapSafe Titan. Bought it years ago because I originally planned on putting my safe in my bedroom on the third floor of the house but ended up putting it in my basement. Mine is very well made and solid as a rock. Safe itself is roughly 400 pounds and has enough room in it for several rifles, handguns and plenty of ammo. No complaints at all
Asaltweapon
NES Member
Modular could have a market for say an apartment dweller or other likewise living arrangement.
Moving a 5-600 pound box around could have needless onlookers. Some people are paranoid and a few are for good reasons.
Moving a 5-600 pound box around could have needless onlookers. Some people are paranoid and a few are for good reasons.
nstassel
NES Member
nstassel
NES Member
EMTDAD
NES Member
I got a $900 safe from BPS for like $300 using discounts and points. 500lb unit.. used an appliance dolly and 4 guys to get it in the basement. Has served me well. I guess I'm a skinflint LOL..
ThePreBanMan
NES Member
I have the Snap-Safe. The finish leaves a little to be desired. The door gasket on mine peeled off and I had to put a little glue to get it back on. Some of the stickers aren't quite square/right. The mechanical build quality is good though. It's at least as secure as any Liberty safe in the same price range. Actually has a better fire rating.
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Snap Safes are good, but I’d go with a mechanical dial S&G combo lock over any electronic lock out there. For DIY fire protection, add 5/8” rock on & around it, as has 1-hour rating. Fact is, that is ALL that they put inside your fire rated safe ...
jasonj84
NES Member
I have the large Zanotti. They don't give them away, but it is high quality for what it is (850 lbs). I got mine used and needed a different shelf configuration. I was will to just order the shelves, but no provision for that on Zanotti's site. Contacted them, told them I bought the safe used, what I wanted for shelves, and asked for a price. He made the shelves, carpeting, etc. and had me just pay for shipping. 67ray, if you are in the north shore area you are welcome to come by and check it out.
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My wife and I chose a brand new BassPro Redhead gun safe. It was on sale for $500, all American made and excellent quality. Our quick access safe is a V-Line that we got on sale and it holds a loaded 12 gauge 870 and a Mini 14 for home defense. The other two 870s share the Redhead with three scoped bolt-action rifles and my younger daughter's BB gun. Both safes satisfy MA storage laws and we got them at bargain prices.
I have a Zanotti safe. The size I have would not fit through any door in our house. Yes, the trucking company unloaded a pallet with all the panels on it. It uses steel pins that need to to be persuaded with a soft hammer to seat. Probably because the floor isn't flat or level. The door is heavy, but, my wife and I got it on.
https://zanottiarmor.com
Still heavy.
These safes are the best modular safes in the business. Might be more secure than a conventional safe.
Enjoy the website and videos!
If I ever bought one, Eastern Security Safe offered to install if for me for a fair price.
Better than busting my back with that door.
Still heavy.
These safes are the best modular safes in the business. Might be more secure than a conventional safe.
Enjoy the website and videos!
If I ever bought one, Eastern Security Safe offered to install if for me for a fair price.
Better than busting my back with that door.
imgone
NES Member
The good thing about them is no one in you neighborhood knows what you got delivered. Nosey neighbors see you and four friends moving in a safe they know its a safe and people talk. I have experience with Zanotti safes. They are very high quality safes. Just be aware that the wait time can be very long for one. They are built to order.
Buck Nekid
NES Member
Another vote for Zannoti. Had mine for 15 years or so. Excellent quality, no issues. Money well spent.
jasonj84
NES Member
Sounds good.
citoriguy
NES Member
Ha! It’s more 4 people fitting through my narrow staircase while being able to secure a safe.
And let’s be real here - we’d be there dicking around for a couple hours drinking beer talking about how to get the safe upstairs, and when it came time to move the safe, we’d be too shit-faced to do anything about it!
citoriguy
NES Member
Wanted to bump this thread because about a week or so after reading this thread, I ordered a Zanotti Z2 in the 15-gun configuration. They gave me a 5 week lead time and they were pretty much on the spot. R&L delivered the safe and put the pallet in my garage on Friday, and I spent Friday evening putting it together, and then arranged everything Saturday morning.
I was able to move all of the parts myself with the exception of the door, which my wife and I were able to put on without any issues. I will say that everyone is correct when they say get the safe you need, then go up a size. I really wish I had purchased the 20-gun safe now, but that's life. I purchased the rifle rods, keyed lock, and the dehumidifier when I ordered the safe. Depending on how you place the upper shelf, the rifle rods are very useful. The dehumidifier I'm not so high on because that thing got very hot very quickly. I reread the instructions and followed everything, but I just don't trust it unless I'm in the house and the safe door is open. I ordered some Zerust pods from Amazon and will try those out. I also ordered lighting, and wish I would have done so before the safe's arrival. I'll have to move everything out to effectively mount the lights, so that's more of a pain in the ass than any flaw. I assembled the safe on mats that could move around so that it was easier to access some portions when needed.
The thing is built like a brick shithouse. It's not Fort Knox, but someone will have to make an effort to get in there. Local PD is right around the corner from my house and my security system alerts them if the alarm goes off, so hopefully that will minimize the chance of penetration.
I did look at the other manufacturers noted in this thread and went with Zanotti because it was made here in the USA, and because it has an old school lock. Say what you want about digital, I just don't trust them.
I'll see if I can get some pictures up later this week after the lights arrive and are installed.
I was able to move all of the parts myself with the exception of the door, which my wife and I were able to put on without any issues. I will say that everyone is correct when they say get the safe you need, then go up a size. I really wish I had purchased the 20-gun safe now, but that's life. I purchased the rifle rods, keyed lock, and the dehumidifier when I ordered the safe. Depending on how you place the upper shelf, the rifle rods are very useful. The dehumidifier I'm not so high on because that thing got very hot very quickly. I reread the instructions and followed everything, but I just don't trust it unless I'm in the house and the safe door is open. I ordered some Zerust pods from Amazon and will try those out. I also ordered lighting, and wish I would have done so before the safe's arrival. I'll have to move everything out to effectively mount the lights, so that's more of a pain in the ass than any flaw. I assembled the safe on mats that could move around so that it was easier to access some portions when needed.
The thing is built like a brick shithouse. It's not Fort Knox, but someone will have to make an effort to get in there. Local PD is right around the corner from my house and my security system alerts them if the alarm goes off, so hopefully that will minimize the chance of penetration.
I did look at the other manufacturers noted in this thread and went with Zanotti because it was made here in the USA, and because it has an old school lock. Say what you want about digital, I just don't trust them.
I'll see if I can get some pictures up later this week after the lights arrive and are installed.
