Gun safe recommendation - Brattonsound RL7+?

[BlueJuice]

Hi guys, need to get a safe sorted in the near future so just starting to look at whats going to be suitable.

I've put in for 3 different calibres on my FAC and will probably end up with 2 shotguns a bit further down the line. Definitely want to have the capacity for 5 guns but an extra slot or two would be handy.

Brattonsound seem to have a good rep and ive been looking at the RL7+ which is a 7 gun version with the depth for scoped rifles and an internal lock box for ammo. Seems to tick all my boxes really but just wanted to check in reality with 3 scoped rifles and two shotguns am i likely to have space for anything else in there? From what i've read on various posts it seems the gun safe industry has employed the same people who market tents where they love to over egg the capacity in the specs

Finally, are there any alternatives worth looking at in the same price bracket? This one comes in at around £460 so if i could get anything decent thats a bit cheaper it would be nice.

 

[HistoricBore]

Remember that you will need to keep your guns in nice dry slips to prevent cabinet damage, so a seven gun cabinet is best. Shotguns are usually stored muzzles down, with rifles muzzles up, so they nest better that way.

HB

 

[VSS]

I would suggest going for several smaller cabinets (eg, 3 x 3 gun) rather than one big one. If you get 3 the same, and fit them alongside each other, it will look tidy. Alternatively, you can have them in different locations to make better use of available space.
The advantages are numerous (in my opinion). For example, it gives you scope to increase ammo storage; you can store shotguns seperate from rifles; you can store your most used firearms in the most accessible location; you can put rifle bolts in the cabinet with shotguns to separate them, if required; makes it much easier if there are multiple licence holders in one household; And so on.

 

[maximus otter]

Buy bigger than you think; guns are like Pringles: "Once you pop, you can't stop."

maximus otter

 

[SimpleSimon]

I would suggest going for several smaller cabinets (eg, 3 x 3 gun) rather than one big one. If you get 3 the same, and fit them alongside each other, it will look tidy. Alternatively, you can have them in different locations to make better use of available space.
The advantages are numerous (in my opinion). For example, it gives you scope to increase ammo storage; you can store shotguns seperate from rifles; you can store your most used firearms in the most accessible location; you can put rifle bolts in the cabinet with shotguns to separate them, if required; makes it much easier if there are multiple licence holders in one household; And so on.

Just to provide balance, we had 3 smaller cabinets here and have just ditched them in favour of one large one (a Lokaway 4K) I'm elated and would never go back

You can fit more in that one than we could in all three before, even though it's actually slightly narrower on wall space. Code lock on the door so 3 sets of keys is now no sets of keys! Massive ammo locker, easy to spread everything out so you're not pulling out boxes of this and that looking for the one you need, which I've found can be a pain if you're storing lots in the smaller ones.
Best of all, the door is wide so there's no chance of whacking something off the frame as you move things in and out, and you never have to get other guns out just to reach the one you really wanted. Even with a lot of stuff in there, there's space to put something away in its slip if you don't have the time or inclination to dry/clean, etc.

So, in typical SD fashion you've had two totally opposed views in the space of one page! Enjoy

 

[Trickyd66]

I would suggest going for several smaller cabinets (eg, 3 x 3 gun) rather than one big one. If you get 3 the same, and fit them alongside each other, it will look tidy. Alternatively, you can have them in different locations to make better use of available space.
The advantages are numerous (in my opinion). For example, it gives you scope to increase ammo storage; you can store shotguns seperate from rifles; you can store your most used firearms in the most accessible location; you can put rifle bolts in the cabinet with shotguns to separate them, if required; makes it much easier if there are multiple licence holders in one household; And so on.

Exactly as I have done. One cabinet I can access without waking the whole house. 3 others in other locations (one for non FAC air)

I know which gun/s I need to access so just move them to the "quiet" cabinet ready for use.

Also from a security perspective, in my mind splitting over multiple cabinets means less risk. (Also have 2 separate ammo safes for ammo and bolts) so to access rifle,bolt, and ammo would require anyone unauthorised to access 3 separate safes.

 

[75]

Brattonsound RL7 is good for 3 rifles at best. As a guide, take the quoted storage number and half it. I sold mine as it was too small for 4 rifles realistically (especially with bigger night scopes etc)

 

[Tf223]

Ive got the RL7+
Currently have 4 scoped rifles and two shotguns in it. This is the max capacity without any significant risk of cabinet dinks.
I am however looking forwards to a mate retrieving his shotgun, and going down to 4 rifles and one shotgun, giving ample space and no risk of dinks.

If you want a photo of the inside of mine (with guns in) as an example PM me your WhatsApp and I’ll share.

I’ve always liked the Lokaway, with their fancy opening and lined interior. But have no cause to change what I have.

… and remember the most dangerous cabinet is the one that has space to buy more rifles

 

[wytonpjs]

I prefer multiple cabinets for the reason that my "eggs are spread around many baskets". I found a RL5+ was too small for my 4 CF rifles, a fully moderated .410 and a conventional SS shotgun in regular use. I acquired a RL7+ and have got it installed where its ready accessible and it contains 4 CF, a "tactical" .22LR semi-auto and a .22 pistol - cosy but not excessively tight. The RL5+ now holds 2 12g O/U, one 20g O/U, one 12g SS and the moderated .410. Again cosy but not tight. I have 2 other cabinets with less frequently used and "held for spares shotguns" that are accessessed relatively infrequently. Unless you have a particularly large property or a gun room, my advice would be to go for multiple cabinets to keep options open.

 

[Cyres]

You need a 10 gun one. Otherwise as said multiple cabinets.
D

 

[BlueJuice]

You need a 10 gun one. Otherwise as said multiple cabinets.
D

Would rather a single one. Any suggestions on a bigger option?

 

[Cyres]

Ladds of Crediton stock some seriously big ones but will be expensive. I have 4 cabinets so now have some spare capacity.
The problem is that Brattonsound are not moving with the market and need to make deeper and wider cabinets to address customer needs.
D

 

[SimpleSimon]

Would rather a single one. Any suggestions on a bigger option?

Have a look at the Lokaway cabinets, they're good value for money and the proportions are a bit better than the larger Brattonsound models.

 

[Radstorm]

Yes to Brattonsound - get the single key model, and extra deep and as big as you can get it. I think they do a 9 gun version.

Look for second hand on eBay, Facebook, and here. As others said - you want space between guns and so you don’t clang the scopes etc and if you have more then 5/6 guns plan for space for 2 cabinets and don’t forgot space for a separate ammo cabinet - once again look at second hand market for a smaller gun cabinet

 

[the prowler]

Brattonsound RL7 is good for 3 rifles at best. As a guide, take the quoted storage number and half it. I sold mine as it was too small for 4 rifles realistically (especially with bigger night scopes etc)

I get my 5 sako rifles in mine. Bipods removed and bolts. Got scope coats on to. No problem.

 

[75]

I get my 5 sako rifles in mine. Bipods removed and bolts. Got scope coats on to. No problem.

Didn't work for me, especially with something like a Pard DS35 with the silly IR / rangefinder on top (or stuff with tall turrets). It's the extra depth that causes the issue as you have to angle the rifle to get them to stand up.

 

[the prowler]

I've got a couple of pulsar thermion scopes on mine.

 

[Jax]

Would rather a single one. Any suggestions on a bigger option?

I have the Bratton sound atlas with 5 scoped rifles and 3 shotguns. There is enough room to get rifles out with touching other rifle, just! I could fit another scoped rifle if need be

 

[GN01]

Do not touch a digi pad and especially a Buffalo River one! Fantastic safe until it breaks. Zero customer service and even the importers can not get spares. They will tell that they can for the new ones but mine was roughly 6 years old and they have stopped supporting my 'old' keypad! 16 gun safe is now scrap - importers words but they still sell them! Me? Bitter? Noooooo

 

[BlueJuice]

Well ended up ordering a 10 gun Infac safe. My local Sportmans were really helpful and are getting a unit in from a different shop for me to pick up so I don’t have to pay the £70 postage.

Compared a bunch of different gun safes and this one basically has a proper 5 deadbolt locking system rather than the two a lot of cheaper ones seem to have. It’s a little wider and actually a bit heavier than what the likes of Bratton, Winchester and Lokaway offer in this size. Weight probably isn’t the best indicator of quality, it’s about 64kg but that’s a little bit more than the RL7+ and a whopping 24kg more than the Winchester one I looked at.

It’s still a cheapie one at the end of the day but I think it’ll do me just fine, to get anything substantially better I think I’d be looking at around £1000!