Reverend73
Founder's Club Member
imported post
Well, it is coming to the point that I need a Gun Safe, so like I do when I buy anything, I did some research. Oh how I wish I hadn't, cause its gonna cost me .
Based on my research, there are basically two types of "safes" ---the typical Residential Security Container (RSC) of which all Liberty, Winchester, Sentry, and the like are classified as and the real deal SAFE. Basically to be UL listed as a Safe, it must meet their TL-15 rating:
Classification TL-15:
Signifies a combination-locked safe designed to offer a limited degree of protection against attack by common mechanical and electrical hand tools and any combination of these means.
Construction Requirements
Successfully resist entry* for a net working time of 15 minutes when attacked with common hand tools, picking tools, mechan-ical or portable electric tools, grinding points, carbide drills and pressure applying devices or mechanisms.
U.L. Label —Burglary Classification.
Then there is the TL-30, which is similar to the TL-15 rating, but requires 30min for a buglar to get in.
None of the RSCs (ie Liberty, Winchester, Browning, Sentry, etc) meet this rating. Check out this video on a "premium" RSC being broken into in less than 2 minutes
http://www.graffundersafes.com/gallery.html (click on the security on sale link)
So now I was all set on getting a Liberty and now there is no way in hell I will get one. Most of the RSCs have a 12gage sheetmetal wall (less than 1/8" thick) that an axe can go thru in no time, though some have a marginally better 10gage sheetmetal. The minimum rated Safe requires 1/4" thick steel plate with a 1/2" thick steel plate door.I think I'll be saving up for the Graffunder BF-28, which carries a TL-30 rating, a 1700F for 60min fire rating, and weighs 1500lbs. Now here's the kicker--$4700, roughly $3k more than a similarly sized RSC, but exponentially more secure.
Is this too much overkill??
From THR: This is a Liberty safe that shows what less than 5 minutes with an axe can do. The theif was gone before the police responding to the alarm got there.
Well, it is coming to the point that I need a Gun Safe, so like I do when I buy anything, I did some research. Oh how I wish I hadn't, cause its gonna cost me .
Based on my research, there are basically two types of "safes" ---the typical Residential Security Container (RSC) of which all Liberty, Winchester, Sentry, and the like are classified as and the real deal SAFE. Basically to be UL listed as a Safe, it must meet their TL-15 rating:
Classification TL-15:
Signifies a combination-locked safe designed to offer a limited degree of protection against attack by common mechanical and electrical hand tools and any combination of these means.
Construction Requirements
- U.L. listed Group II, 1 or 1R combination lock.
- 750 lbs. minimum or comes with instructions for anchoring in a larger safe, concrete blocks or on the premises where used.
- Body walls of material equivalent to at least 1" open hearth steel with a minimum tensile strength of 50,000 P.S.I.
- Walls fastened in a manner equivalent to continuous 1/4" penetration weld of open hearth steel with minimum tensile
strength of 50,000 P.S.I. - One hole 1/4" or less, to accommodate electrical conductors arranged to have no direct view of the door or locking mechanism.
Successfully resist entry* for a net working time of 15 minutes when attacked with common hand tools, picking tools, mechan-ical or portable electric tools, grinding points, carbide drills and pressure applying devices or mechanisms.
U.L. Label —Burglary Classification.
Then there is the TL-30, which is similar to the TL-15 rating, but requires 30min for a buglar to get in.
None of the RSCs (ie Liberty, Winchester, Browning, Sentry, etc) meet this rating. Check out this video on a "premium" RSC being broken into in less than 2 minutes
http://www.graffundersafes.com/gallery.html (click on the security on sale link)
So now I was all set on getting a Liberty and now there is no way in hell I will get one. Most of the RSCs have a 12gage sheetmetal wall (less than 1/8" thick) that an axe can go thru in no time, though some have a marginally better 10gage sheetmetal. The minimum rated Safe requires 1/4" thick steel plate with a 1/2" thick steel plate door.I think I'll be saving up for the Graffunder BF-28, which carries a TL-30 rating, a 1700F for 60min fire rating, and weighs 1500lbs. Now here's the kicker--$4700, roughly $3k more than a similarly sized RSC, but exponentially more secure.
Is this too much overkill??
From THR: This is a Liberty safe that shows what less than 5 minutes with an axe can do. The theif was gone before the police responding to the alarm got there.