Harbor Freight Safes - Yay or Nay

[zer0day]

While browsing through the circular from Harbor Freight I saw they have safes branded with the name "Union".
From the selection shown in the paper, they have the following:

.25 cu ft fire rated document safe - $50
portable lockbox - $20
.19 cu ft safe - $29
.37 cu ft safe - $35
.71 cu ft safe - $58
1.51 cu ft floor safe - $120
10 gun electronic safe - $350

The circular has a 15% off coupon for the safes too.

The 10 gun safe has a basic left to right config and a top shelf. Digital keypad and bolt lock engagement. Caught my eye as my collection is outgrowing my current safe.

In my personal experience with HF I've stuck to buying some hand tools and a few of their small "bunker hill" plastic ammo boxes (can't beat $4 a box).

Has anyone had any experience with Harbor Freight safes?

 

[Cameramonkey]

Dont trust them. See other threads in here about crap products and crap customer service.

 

[ccha8778]

They probably have terrible fire ratings. Unless you're looking for a light security safe I would pass.

 

[DadSmith]

Try orchelins they have $100 off safes under $699 and $200 off more than $699. IIRC.

My buddy bought a 24 gun fire safe for $299 with this sale and his 10% military discount.

 

[MCgrease08]

I wouldn't put anything of value in a Harbor Freight safe.

 

[jedi]

OP what is the purpose of a safe in your life?
Is it to store your guns? Your ammo? Paper stuff?

Are you looking to keep kids hands off the guns? If so those safes will work.

Are you trying to keep a burglar from taking them?
I would not recommend these safe for that.

 

[Haven]

I have the .37 and the .71 safes. They can be bolted into wall or floor or both, I don't think they are rated as fire safes. They are fine for what they are. I have mine bolted into the wall, and have bolts and washers in the wire shelf in my office closet. Will it stop a thief, probably, unless they have time and tools. Will it stop my kid, yeah, no problem.

Woud I buy the 10 gun safe, probably not. For that I would go with a more well known safe company.

 

[chubbs]

Plenty of better options in the same price class. Watch tsc and menards for sales on safes. Also, if you like your knuckles, avoid HF hand tools.

 

[Tactically Fat]

As has mentioned: It depends on your intended purpose for them.

I would not worry about using one as an ammo locker. I would not be inclined to store firearms in it (except for stuff like lowers and what not)

 

[zer0day]

As has mentioned: It depends on your intended purpose for them.

I would not worry about using one as an ammo locker. I would not be inclined to store firearms in it (except for stuff like lowers and what not)

Mostly a deterrent for any burglars and keep the kids out of it. I have a cabinet right now thats no better than a standard file cabinet.

 

[Tactically Fat]

Mostly a deterrent for any burglars and keep the kids out of it. I have a cabinet right now thats no better than a standard file cabinet.

With the lower end RSCs, you've gotta do more outside the RSC to help ensure the safety of the contents. Lag them down. Place it in a way that it's hard to get a crowbar in the door gaps or to swing a crowbar's pointy end at the sides. Hide it in a closet if you can. You can definitely make it work.

Signed,

-Guy who'd like an honest and true safe but had to get an RSC instead, too.