Shyster wrote:I plan on buying a safe rated for at least 40 long guns, and I know that number is usually inflated. I only have 10 long guns now, so that would give me plenty of room to buy more even if space is used up by scopes and the like. Also, the safe will go in my basement, which opens directly into my garage. If I buy one than can fit through the opening of that door, there will be no need to tackle any stairs. I could probably just wheel it in on a heavy-duty truck or dolly. I’m mostly mulling over the value of the thicker steel, higher fire ratings, thicker locking bolts, etc. that come with the pricier models.
Go look at how the insides of safes are configured and see if that will work with what you anticipate you will have. Example some layouts are better for large rifles with big scopes on them, Some are better for old military rifles that mainly use iron sights, Some have shelf configurations that allow you to store a lot of long black powder rifles and long barrel shotguns, some have a configuration for quick access to home defense guns (keeps them up front and untangled).
Also make sure there is room for whatever else you are going to store in there. I like to keep documents and a NAS drive running in mine. Do you plan on storing ammo? Digital cameras? Gun Magazines ? Just keep in mind that it doesn't have to be just a gun safe.
Make sure you can get a sleeve that goes on the inside of the door to hold pistols, that is about the best accessory you can get (next to a good dehumid system).