Options for ammo safes to store pistoles in

[Zman]

I'm forced to purchase an ammo safe because I cannot find a Spika pistol safe SPP1 near any of my LGS. I get the same story,

"Spika are a pain to deal with as they demand extraordinary shipping fees and we do not simply order ONE safe from them. So I can order from there but I can't tell you when you'll get it" Same story I received now from 4 LGS. There are stockists further away but would cost me over $160 on shipping.

So Im looking at using a small ammo safe to store 4 pistols, and seeking the opinion of the group, whether ROSS locks instead of bolt locks would be just as secure. The ammo safe im looking at has a recessed rebate but im a bit concerned it can be pry'ed open.

Currently I store mine as a fellow shooters place but he'll be moving out soon so need to get something sorted. And I dont have the space for a Long arm safe.

link attached. of the SPP1 and the ammo safe.
https://www.spika.com.au/shop/spp1-spp1 ... 93?tags=45

Ammo Safe
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/194456886326

[bladeracer]

Have you considered simply getting a cheap rifle safe from Bunnings or Ebay?
[url]https://www.ebay.com.au/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2332490.m570.l1313&_nkw=Spika+pistol+safe+SPP1&_sacat=0
[/url]

My pistol safe I bought in 1990 is a very simple box of steel with a base welded into it and a removable door. Something like this would be more than adequate - https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/223811157317

As ammo doesn't need to be secured in a safe here (it does in WA) I haven't seen any ammo safes.

I'm forced to purchase an ammo safe because I cannot find a Spika pistol safe SPP1 near any of my LGS. I get the same story,

"Spika are a pain to deal with as they demand extraordinary shipping fees and we do not simply order ONE safe from them. So I can order from there but I can't tell you when you'll get it" Same story I received now from 4 LGS. There are stockists further away but would cost me over $160 on shipping.

So Im looking at using a small ammo safe to store 4 pistols, and seeking the opinion of the group, whether ROSS locks instead of bolt locks would be just as secure. The ammo safe im looking at has a recessed rebate but im a bit concerned it can be pry'ed open.

Currently I store mine as a fellow shooters place but he'll be moving out soon so need to get something sorted. And I dont have the space for a Long arm safe.

link attached. of the SPP1 and the ammo safe.
https://www.spika.com.au/shop/spp1-spp1 ... 93?tags=45

Ammo Safe
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/194456886326

[Zman]

Have you considered simply getting a cheap rifle safe from Bunnings or Ebay?

Dont have room for a rifle safe but I'll look into the fireproof safes from ebay. They claim anti pry and 30mm thick walls but obviously filled with concrete or foam.
THe one you linked wont be able to store my 4 pistols. Collection might also grow in the future so either I buy a few of look into that fireproof safe.

[Die Judicii]

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This used to be a cheap commercially manufactured firearms safe.
Now modified to 6mm walls, 12mm door, 20mm base.

Stores all my ammo.

[Zman]

This used to be a cheap commercially manufactured firearms safe.
Now modified to 6mm walls, 12mm door, 20mm base.

Stores all my ammo.

I like it, Looks like you riveted plates to the sides and door?

[deye243]

I hope you have about the equivalent of about 2 square feet of vent holes drilled in that safe if not I would love to be about a 100y up the road if you have a fire .
I remember a bloke in SA that lost half his house because of that same sort of thing

[Die Judicii]

This used to be a cheap commercially manufactured firearms safe.
Now modified to 6mm walls, 12mm door, 20mm base.

Stores all my ammo.

I like it, Looks like you riveted plates to the sides and door?

Nope, all the extra plates were plug welded on and ground flush, although not all were perfect and some are still visible on the surface. What you are thinking is rivets are the dome heads of bolts that hold the shelves in place.

[Zman]

This used to be a cheap commercially manufactured firearms safe.
Now modified to 6mm walls, 12mm door, 20mm base.

Stores all my ammo.

I like it, Looks like you riveted plates to the sides and door?

Nope, all the extra plates were plug welded on and ground flush, although not all were perfect and some are still visible on the surface. What you are thinking is rivets are the dome heads of bolts that hold the shelves in place.

I'd do something similar if I could get 2mm plates cheap enough. By the time I spend $150 for the plates, take 2 hours to weld them, finish it off and paint, I would have bought a 6mm pistol safe from spika.

[bladeracer]

I'd do something similar if I could get 2mm plates cheap enough. By the time I spend $150 for the plates, take 2 hours to weld them, finish it off and paint, I would have bought a 6mm pistol safe from spika.

I've been wanting to build my own safe for years now, that will let me rack my rifles horizontally, five or six per shelf. But I price up the plate and end up just buying another 20-rifle safe. I'll get there one day though

A 1.2x2.4 sheet of 3mm was only $160 last time I priced it. Probably only need a quarter of a sheet for a pistol safe.

[Zman]

A 1.2x2.4 sheet of 3mm was only $160 last time I priced it. Probably only need a quarter of a sheet for a pistol safe.

$260 - $280 todays prices.

Then you need to fabricate door and hinges plus labour whether you're retired or not, it adds up. Add more expense for the locks and that $600 commercial safe looks mighty attractive.

In my case, I cant get one.

[Oldbloke]

I hope you have about the equivalent of about 2 square feet of vent holes drilled in that safe if not I would love to be about a 100y up the road if you have a fire .
I remember a bloke in SA that lost half his house because of that same sort of thing

You are 100% correct.

If your ONLY concern is security, by all means use a heavily constructed safe/box.

HOWEVER, be aware that if you do that you are making a bomb. (W.A. must be run by idiots if its true a safe is mandatory.)

The recommended way to store ammo, powder etc is in a container that will VENT in the event of an ignition. House/shed fire is a perfect example.

Lightly built wooden or thin steel containers are ideal. I use the old school steel lockers, they are well vented and hinges are light weight. If it's steel, ideally it should be earthed in some way. BTW concrete is a very poor conductor and cannot be relied upon as an earth.

You just have to look at packaging manufacturers use. Its very light in construction. They are required to comply with dangerous goods requirements.

Sorry, we'll off topic.

[bladeracer]

HOWEVER, be aware that if you do that you are making a bomb. (W.A. must be run by idiots if its true a safe is mandatory.)

Unless they've changed it recently, in WA your ammo must be stored to the same standard as your firearms - in a steel safe.