Spika SCH1 vs SFABH

[veep]

Hi guys,

So the Spika SCH1 is a popular safe obviously - I see now that Spika do their SFABH which looks to be the same but is also fire resistant.

They're both 150kg, 16 rifle, A,B,C & H etc. and they're both about the same price.

Previously the first fire resistance safe they offered was the SFB1 which was 270kg.

So the previous offering was 120kg more than the SFABH. Obviously that's a lot more safe...

The fire resistance thing is really for a bit of piece of mine. Realistically I doubt we're ever had a fire as our place is lots of concrete & brick, especially where the safe will be.

If getting the fire resistance is getting me less physical security compared to the SCH1 for example I'd probably give the SFABH a miss and get the SCH1 instead.

Anyone got, or got some feedback on the new SFABH safe?

[agentzero]

I notice it's actually about 10cm x 5cm smaller.

They've just shuffled some of the regular steel around with heat resistant mats instead I suppose.

Wouldn't be a bad safe regardless. Still better than your $300 locker setup.

[Supporter]

One less locking bolt on the SFABH I see too.

Whether or not that matters...

Personally I'd rather just have the extra space and few extra KG of the SCH1 if your area is reasonable fire proof as it is.

[tucked]

From what I've read the fire resistance of your average safe has basically been debunked.

Either the fire gets put out before it goes too far, or if your place really goes up anything inside gets oven roasted to oblivion anyway.

I'd just shop for physical security too.

[Rocker]

Just FYI, the 270kg SFB1 is only about $300 more than the other two.

For $300 difference maybe get one of those instead and cover all your concerns?

[Granting]

Either the fire gets put out before it goes too far, or if your place really goes up anything inside gets oven roasted to oblivion anyway.

Someone on here shared their story of that happening to them.

I think their house got struck by lightning and without an hour had burnt down.

All the rifles in the safe were twisted black sticks afterwards.

[sneaker]

It was Kram.

Copy/paste from the thread on this...

The house I lived in out at Condobolin was struck by lightning in 1992. burnt to the ground in 1 hour. The fireproof safe in the house was a twisted piece of scrap and the door was ajar with the blackened ,siezed barreled actions still inside. I let the cops take them away and never even gave them a second thought ,they were that far gone.

So much for that

[Calamity Jen]

Couldn't resist resurrecting this thread. I had been contemplating getting one of these two safes on the weekend. Finally narrowed it down to Spika SCH1, until I realised that the H compartment was only tiny! Just got off the blower from their H/O and apparently it measures 210 H x 310 W x 240 D. What's that like only 2 handguns laying one on top of another? For those who have gone with this, how many pistols have you been able to store? Thanks.

[Monty]

Just got off the blower from their H/O and apparently it measures 210 H x 310 W x 240 D. What's that like only 2 handguns laying one on top of another?

Nah more than that. 4 in small cases, 6 without? Rough estimate there...

[Calamity Jen]

Ah, that's better. Thanks for that Monty. Much appreciated. -Jen

[Norton]

I think you're under estimating the space there, Jen.

I don't have one, but I've had a looks inside one at my local... From memory you could definitely get more than 2 pistols in. Monty sounds about right.

Going and having a look at one would be best obviously.

[Lorgar]

I don't have one

I do...

You can definitely fit more than 2 in Jen.

As an idea for you, at the moment in my cat H section I have 400 .308 rounds in factory boxes. And there would still be room to fanagle a few more in it I really tried.

I don't shoot pistols, but I'm sure you can fit 4 in without much hassle or scratching them up.

[Calamity Jen]

Thanks for the input. I went to have a look inside but they'd sold out of the SCH1. The SFABH 's H compartment was fine for my needs. I suspect the SCH1 is just a bit smaller. One of the gents from Spika suggested I put a pistol safe inside the safe. Hmmm. What do you reckon about that?

[Norton]

One of the gents from Spika suggested I put a pistol safe inside the safe. Hmmm. What do you reckon about that?

I'm not sure that will fly.

Cat H safe must be bolted to the structure. If it's a pistol safe sitting freely in a cat A/B compartment I think you'll have problems.

[Calamity Jen]

One of the gents from Spika suggested I put a pistol safe inside the safe. Hmmm. What do you reckon about that?

I'm not sure that will fly.

Cat H safe must be bolted to the structure. If it's a pistol safe sitting freely in a cat A/B compartment I think you'll have problems.

Immediately that's what I thought. Unless I go about drilling into the safe to secure the pistol safe, which I wouldn't, I couldn't see how that would satisfy the class H requirements? Just found it so odd that he'd even recommend that. You'd think they'd know their onions. Lol. I've just resigned myself to having less pistols. And if the time comes that I just "need" more, I'll go another pistol safe. The SCH1 ought to do for now.

[Norton]

Immediately that's what I thought. Unless I go about drilling into the safe to secure the pistol safe, which I wouldn't, I couldn't see how that would satisfy the class H requirements?

Thinking more on it, I'm certain it wouldn't. To quote the NSW Police website for Cat G:

"The safe must be bolted to the structure of the premises where the firearm is authorised to be kept."

And that underline is included on the site, I didn't add it.

Cat H has 'level two' security requirements. A cat A/B safe meets 'level one' security requirements.

In order to pick up and carry away your Cat H safe which is sitting inside your SCH1, they only need to defeat a Cat A/B security setup.

Just found it so odd that he'd even recommend that. You'd think they'd know their opinions.

Too many people are keen to give out advice with the mentality "It should be be right" or "if they have a problem just say tell them..." when it's someone else's guns and license at stake.

I'd like to see him use the same setup he's suggesting... For some reason I think he'd go to the extra effort for himself.

[Calamity Jen]

Just had the boys from Safari Firearms around to my joint to drop off the Spika SCH1. Totally chuffed with my purchase. Mind you the H compartment is tiny! I'd be flat out getting 1 handgun in its hard low profile/transport case in there. Out of the case in soft bags, 3 or 4 at most. So between hubby and my intended 2014 purchases, another H cat safe will be needed. But not for several months at the earliest. Totally happy with our purchase though. It's a good looking safe. Cannot recommend Safari Firearms highly enough for those in the area. Great shop. Great service.

[Rakk]

They're pretty smart looking safes the higher end Spika's.

On some of the other brands I can't help but feel it's just a big locker when you look/feel the thing.

Gratz on your purchase

[Nimrod]

Hey guys, new here. I'm also looking at the Spika SCH1. It's pretty difficult to find detailed specifications on these safes, possibly due to mobile browsers not liking the Spika website, but I was wondering do they use a SecureRAM digital lock? Also, are there any shelving options for the SCH1 if not what are you guys doing to yours? Thanks in advance

[OODAH]

So i realise you guys got your safes in 2013 have you had any dramas or seen any other safes you wish you bought? I'm yet to lay eyes on the Spika SCH1 (they keep selling out before I get there) but from pictures and measurements it seems it is what I need. I'm trying to kill two bird with one stone and not have to buy another safe in six months when I get my Handgun so a 6mm lock box is a must. I looked at the lokaway LCH1 and the top box was tiny I defiantly want something at least a little bit bigger then that.
Cheers

[Herdsman]

Is there something wrong with the SecureRAM locks?