The $600 Sam's Club Gun Safe
We receive many reader inquiries about gunsafes. We often hear: “Look, I know I should get a bigger, more expensive safe, but I just can’t spend more than $750″. For those on a tight budget, Granite Security builds a quality 60″x30″x20″ Winchester Club Safe sold at Sam’s Club for just $599.99 (Pick-up Only price). Weighing 575 pounds, this will be much more secure than the thin-walled “gun lockers” that can cost $300-$400. The interior is about 56″ high, long enough for 30″-barreled guns if you use the pass-through in the top shelf. You can use both sides for guns or have rifles on one side and shelves on the other. The safe has a claimed 24 long-gun capacity, but realistically, figure 8-9 per side.
At 575 pounds, the safe is heavy enough that it would be difficult for a thief to move. The safe comes pre-drilled with holes for anchor bolts, plus a dehumidifier access hole. The safe has a UL-listed electronic lock, but we recommend upgrading to an S&G or LaGard commercial-grade digital lock (or dial lock). Commercial grade locks offer higher-quality keypads with much enhanced long-term reliability. We’ve talked to many gunsmiths who say the Sam’s Club safe (by Granite), is hard to beat for the price. Click HERE to read comments from many folks who own the Sam’s Club gunsafe. One owner writes: “The Sam’s Club Winchester safe is essentially a Granite Security Ranger, minus about $300. Probably one of the best values in the safe market today.” For general info about gunsafe features, read our Gun Safe Buyers Guide.
I’m suspicious of everything Wal-Mart/Sam’s sells… I’ve heard numerous (unproven, but highly believable) rumors about how they will re-specify a product (using cheaper components, materials, or corner-cut assembly proceedures) in order to offer it cheaper than “anyone else”.
I bought a Cannon safe (no hassle warranty in case of fire or attempted breakin – both very unlikley, but still nice) from utahsafe.com (LOW prices). The freight charges are large, no doubt about that (be sure to ask for guidelines for “receiving freight deliveries” so you know when and how to refuse it if it’s damaged by the shipper), but my point is that Paul at UtahSafe.com was a top notch guy with a no-BS attitude. Lastly, Not all fire-ratings are the same, either… check into it before you assume “1200 degrees for 45 minutes” means the same thing to everyone.
Steve,
Understand your comments regarding other Sam’s Club Products. This safe, however, is produced by Granite Security in Texas, a well-respected maker, that offers a life-time warranty on this safe. This $599.99 deal is a “Pick-up” only price, so your concerns about freight would not apply. You’re right regarding the variability of fire ratings–this is covered in detail in our Gun Safe Buyers Guide. The one feature we don’t like on this safe is the keypad. We recommend upgrading that to a UL Type I, Commercial Grade electronic keypad or an UL Group II dial lock such as the Sargent & Greenleaf model 6730.
If you read that Guide, we do tell folks to purchase a larger, heavier, more expensive safe if possible. However, we recommended this safe for those who simply cannot or will not spend more than $700.00 or so.
I didn’t know the guide existed prior to this posting, and I haven’t had time to read the whole thing, but in a quick scan I didn’t see info about the various methods used for fire-ratings. Clearly I need to [re]read it.
My post was originally going to be a “beware of sold via Wal-Mart”, mostly because I’ve had some troubles of my own that seem to fit the already-admittedly-unproven design changes, but as I typed, it evolved into a praise-gush of a retailer I found to be very helpful/useful/etc.
I Own Four of The Safes From Sams Club , The Price Is Right , We Own a Gun Shop & Sell Safes Also a Top Line , But We Need To Save Cash So We go With Granite Security safe , Never had any Big Prob Yet And No Fires Knock On Wood ! We Just Picked Up a New Safe From Sams Last Sunday , We Just Run out Of Room , Now This Time We Are Having a Prob With Changing The Code on The Key Pad , Looks Like We Got a Bad Key Pad , Well That 1-5 Not Too Bad? I Think i Will Take The Advice From Here And UP GRADE The Key Pad . But Still i Think For The Money You Just Can Not Beat The Safe!
Regards,
Col.
SIX FOOT UNDER GUN SHOP
MYAKKA CITY FL