I am in the market for a new gun safe - my old one is filled up. I have decided the new one should store 20-24 rifles and have room for a few pistolas. I have looked at several models. Prices range from $500 up to $2000 or so. Most are in the $700-1100 range. All their features appear about the same. Some of the differences are: external hinges vs internal hinges, type of lock, fire rating, size of dead bolts, external paint. Well, the paint doesn't matter much to me since the safe will be bolted to the floor of the garage. As long as it doesn't rust, almost any color will do. I prefer the powder coat finish over the high gloss automobile paint. The interiors are all about the same. Most are reconfigurable and are carpeted. Most of the manufacturers offer electronic locks as an option. Does anyone like the electronic locks over the conventional 3 tumbler combination lock? I have found that weight is a good judge of how well the safe is built. Heavier is better - kind of like me. Does anyone have a preference for the type of hinges? Are internal hinges better than external? What is a reasonable fire rating. I have never had a house fire but if it occurred, I would want my guns to survive. Is one brand better than another? I see Browning is a popular brand although a bit more expensive. The Cannon brand appears to be good. What type of warranty did you get with yours and have you ever had a claim. How were you treated? Any help you guys could give me would be appreciated.
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About the only question you posed that I might be able to answer is...

I'd think the internal hinges would be much more tamper resistant.

I have a Browning presentation version that holds 32 long guns, and has a shelf on the top for pistols and such.

I have three long gun safes and they are a Liberty 35, a Liberty 25 and a Champion 25 gun models. All are combination models which I highly recommend. Electronic tumblers are great when they work and the batteries are good. All the best...
Gil

When I bought my safe about 10 years ago ( from a well trusted shop ) I was told to buy either a Browning or another brand that I can't remember the name of. Sorry!!
I bought the Browning. They had the best anti drill door, IMO.
This was from a shop that carried just about all brands that were avalible at the time.
As far as the hinges go, If the dead bolts are on all four sides of the door as they should be, it don't matter where the hinge is placed. The hinge only serves as a means of keeping the door from falling off when opened.
For the lock, Most all use the standard S & G tumbler lock system that is a industry standard. Don't know much about the electronic units.
Fire protection, Understand these ratings, they are not as good as they sound. Mine is rated at 1200 degrees for 30 mins. The average house fire is way more than 1200 degrees, and I don't know of any major house fire that was put out in less than 30 mins.
Do we have any fire figters out there that can help on this ????

Two major sources for safes are USA and China. IMO the USA brands tend to be more sturdy and better made. Safes are easiest compromised from the rear panel. Make sure it is of the proper gauge. Interiors that are easy changed are a plus and allow some customizing as quantity or type change. Be aware that some safes simply add powdered concrete to the base to add weight and, therefore, the assumption of being heavy duty.

Most importantly, from my experience, always buy a safe that has twice the capacity you need. OTOH, any safe rated for X number of firearms can be filled to 2X capacity, however, some handling marks will occur unless some care is excercised.

FWIW, safes should be bolted down either to the floor or to the studs behind the wall.

Here is a good buyer's guide:
www.6mmbr.com/gunsafes.html

You will find one that can keep pirates out.