We’ve received inquiries from readers who are looking for a gunsafe that is big and strong but can be broken down and transported more easily that a typical 800 to 1200-lb safe. One product that fits the bill is the Zanotti modular safe. It arrives in sections, none weighing more than 170 pounds. It is assembled in place, then can be dis-assembled when you need to move. The Zanotti is also well-suited for a gun-owner who lives in an apartment up many flights of stairs.
Zanotti Armor safes are ideal for gun owners who need to move frequently or who live in a location where it is difficult to position a conventional safe. Zanotti safes arrive in three or four discrete shipping boxes. The safe is assembled by the owner, on site, in six steps. The heaviest component is the door, weighing 110 pounds in the 16-gun ZAI safe, and 175 pounds in the largest 52-gun ZAIII model. Five safe models are offered, ranging from 350 to 925 pounds assembled weight, without interior. Zanotti safes are popular with military personnel and others whose jobs force them to re-locate often. The safe can be assembled in under 30 minutes with no tools other than a hammer, and all you need is a hand dolly to move any component.
Guns Magazine reports: “The panels are interlocked by 3/8 inch, nickel-plated steel “L” shaped pins that slip into steel tubing sections welded to the interior surfaces of the panels. The slip fit is held to a tolerance of .003 inch, and the safes are completely assembled and hand-fitted at the factory to insure the panels will align properly. The body is made from 1/8 inch and 3/16 inch steel; the door from 3/16 inch steel; the locking bolts are 3/4 inch steel.” This is heavier gauge steel than you’ll find on most conventional gun safes.
Zanotti offers many deluxe interiors including a system of roll-out sliding drawers in the bottom of the safe. We think the sliding drawers are ideal for storing handguns and expensive items such as cameras and binoculars that you want to keep out of plain view. Mark Zanotti, the innovative creator of these modular safes, can also customize any interior to suit the customer’s particular needs.
Editor’s Note: For most applications, a conventional safe is still the best choice. Bolted in place, a conventional safe with welded walls will provide the best security and a conventional safe can provide increased fire protection. Zanotti safes do not employ a separate layer of sheet-rock or ceramic fire lining. The Zanotti is a special product for gun-owners with special needs. The units are well-made and Zanotti offers many nice custom interior features that you won’t find even on much more expensive conventional safes.
To learn more about gunsafe features and fire-proofing, read our Gunsafe Buyers’ Guide.
California maintains some of the toughest firearms laws in the country. In most California counties, it is virtually impossible to get a permit for concealed carry. Handguns are subject to long waiting periods, and many perfectly reliable handguns are banned from sale in California.
Each year the situation gets worse, with new laws enacted that further restrict the rights of Californians to defend themselves and their homes. Recently, the California State Senate approved AB 144, a bill that would dismantle Californian’s long-standing right of “open carry”. If AB 144 is signed by Governor Jerry Brown, this will make open carry a crime — even when camping or hiking.
What will happen to California gun owners if current trends continue? Will citizens of the Golden State be able to protect themselves in their own homes? Well this video answers those questions. The video is a dramatization, but it shows what could happen if California’s anti-gun legislators continue to hold sway. Watch the video to see a chilling preview of gun ownership in California.
You should check out the new GunCases.com website if you need a gun case, gun safe, firearms storage solution, and/or shooting accessories. Guncases.com was recently launched by the folks who run OpticsPlanet.com, a major online optics retailer with a good reputation for competitive pricing, reliable shipping, and responsive customer support.
GunCases.com Offers Wide Range of Products
Hopefully the new GunCases.com website will emulate the better qualities of OpticsPlanet.com. A quick pass through GunCases.com shows that the website name is something of a misnomer — it offers much more than just gun cases, safes, and storage cabinets. You’ll find a complete range of firearms accessories, including ear muffs, eye protection, gun cleaning kits, rifle slings, bipods, shooting rests, range boxes, and more. When navigating the GunCases.com site, you can conveniently search by category, brand name, or keyword.
Quality Brands Featured
As expected the selection of rifle cases is very extensive. We were pleased to see that GunCases.com carries Plano AirGlide (vertical) cases, SKB Double Rifle Cases, Storm cases, Pelican transport boxes, and hardshell range boxes for bullseye pistol shooters. The AirGlide is one of the best choices for transporting a wide-forearmed benchrest rifle, and the SKB “bunkbed” two-gun case offers great protection for a pair of High Power or hunting rifles.
Large Gun Safes, Handgun Safes, and Security Cabinets
Guncases.com also carries a wide selection of gun safes and security cabinets. Large, heavy fire-resistant gun-safes are offered from Cannon, Homak, and Mesa Gun Safes. The prices on the big safes are pretty good. The popular Gunvault handgun safes are offered and you’ll find Homak steel security cabinets ranging in price from $99 – $499. While not as theft- or fire-resistant as a heavy-walled gun safe, a security cabinet can provide secure, locked storage for tools, optics, and other valuables.
GunVault has unveiled a new, affordable security system for AR-platform rifles. The patent-pending AR MagVault ($24.95 MSRP) is a key-lock-controlled bright orange nylon block that fits in AR magwells. When engaged, the AR MagVault blocks magazine access, and more importantly, prevents the bolt from cycling. Once the AR MagVault is locked into place, a round cannot be inserted or chambered.
According to the manufacturer, the AR MagVault fits virtually all .223/5.56 AR-platform rifles. We like this well-designed product. The fiberglass-reinforced nylon block seems sturdy. It can supplement the use of a chamber safety flag at the range (the hi-viz orange color makes it easy to see the block is in place). In addition the AR MagVault can provide added security when an AR is transported or stored in a gun safe. Our only concern is the key system — we’d rather see a combination lock. As blogger Robert Farago cautions: “Don’t lose that key!” For additional info, visit GunVault.com.
We found some interesting, well-designed racks and gunsafe accessories on the ManaboutRacks.com website. First, we were impressed with the 7-slot handgun rack with built-in storage (larger 10- and 12-gun sizes are available). This is the first design we’ve seen that offers organized storage right below the handguns — a perfect place for mags or ammo. There are many different versions, with your choice of drawers, divided compartments, or an open sub-shelf. A 7-gun rack with 4 drawers costs $79.95, while a 7-gun rack with dividers runs $49.95. The 7-gun Greystone rack, with one long shelf below the guns, costs $49.95.
They say “rust never sleeps”. When storing firearms you want to maintain optimal interior temperature and relative humidity inside the safe. By keeping the humidity above the dew point, moisture won’t condense on your guns, leading to rust. Here’s a simple, Digital Humidity & Temperature Monitor that costs just $14.95. With a 3″ x 2″ footprint, it’s small enough to put anywhere in your safe.
Shown below is a slick, battery-powered LED light. The LED lamp holder swivels, allowing you to direct illumination where you want it. This unit, measuring 7.1″ x 1.8″ x 0.9″, is very flat so it doesn’t take up much space. Mounting is easy — the lamp comes with both magnetic and Velcro-type fasteners. Because this lamp uses LEDs rather than incandescent bulbs, the AAA batteries last a long time. This swiveling LED lamp, in either silver or gloss black finish, costs $12.95 on the web and you may find it for less in a large home-supply store.
Zanotti Armor safes are ideal for gun owners who need to move frequently or who live in a location where it is difficult to position a conventional safe. Zanotti safes arrive in three or four discrete shipping boxes. The safe is assembled by the owner, on site, in six steps. The heaviest component is the door, weighing 110 pounds in the 16-gun ZAI safe, and 175 pounds in the largest 52-gun ZAIII model. Five safe models are offered, ranging from 350 to 925 pounds assembled weight, without interior. Zanotti safes are popular with military personnel and others whose jobs force them to re-locate often. The safe can be assembled in under 30 minutes with no tools other than a hammer, and all you need is a hand dolly to move any component.
California maintains some of the toughest firearms laws in the country. In most California counties, it is virtually impossible to get a permit for concealed carry. Handguns are subject to long waiting periods, and many perfectly reliable handguns are banned from sale in California.
