I'm a welder. I make my own! Many cabinets can be made from things that folks wear out. Go to your local dump and pick up an old water heater. Strip off all the covering and inside you'll find a metal tank usually made of 14 gauge steel. Makes great stoves(look under our rocket stove section) or even an unsuspecting gun safe. I've converted condemned 200 gallon fuel tanks( big rectangular shaped) into flammable storage containers, sandblast cabinets and bar-b-ques. Old fridges into smokers... If you can make a gun cabinet look like something else, all the better.

I share your concerns. While I'm not worried about an EMP taking it out (would need to be an actual bomb, not a solar flare) those things can take a locksmith to fix at the best of times, I don't fancy calling one after the end of the world. Might not be making the batteries anymore either.

I think if you talk to a high end safe dealer they may hook you up with an older safe from a department store or something for a bargain.

I think most of the ones with electronic access have key backup. As far as dehumidifier inside, most of them have cutouts where you can run a cord into them. I use a rechargeable dehumidifier which cost around 30 bucks. In addition, you can use silica kitty litter from walmart and replace it once in a while. Or the damp-rid traps from dollar store which cost $1.50, but be careful as sometimes they can spill and the contents will cause your safe to rust (i keep mine in a tupperware container in the safe). For sure only buy the safe's when they're on sale...they often go on sale. Costco has some good ones. The stackon Safe (not cabinet) is OK from canadian tire, but it is not really much more than the cabinet if they try to go in from the side or back. Only get those stack on ones when they're around 40 or 50% off.

Thanks for the tips folks. Any one has "reviews" to offer of their own? This is a fair investment, so getting recommendations would be appreciated.

We bought a Liberty Safe "Fat Boy". It came with a digital lock but we had him change it out for a key. We had to drive down to Montana to find a dealer as Wholesale Sports wasn't going to carry them anymore and we wanted the "Made in America" version as they are purportedly better quality according to all of the reviews and forums we read.

http://www.libertysafe.com/liberty-fatboy.php

Nice safe, holds plenty of ammo and rifles. It came with an insert on the door for pistols and documents as well.

I have it too Dangphool and its really useful. You are getting a lot for the price of the safe definitely worth it.

Looks like I can get a very good deal here on a stack on 24 gun safe with electronic combo and back up key. $560 taxes included. So I'll likely go pick one up.

Ok, it turns out that Stack-on has a new line called buck commander. Same quality and all, but the "launch" cost of the new line led me to buy one for $479US all-in. I'l write a review when I get a chance.

I thought I should give you an update on this safe. I like it! I actually bought a second as it was on sale again. It has the programable electronic combo, backed up with a skeleton key if needed. The included door storage works well. My beef, and I presume it is the same thing for most gun safes, is that though advertised to store 24 guns, you can realistically only put 12-16 in it; that unless they are all single shot .410s. Any scoped rifle or weapon with a pistol grip will take the place of 2.

So, I got 2 for under $900 which is still cheaper than most 24 or bigger safes, yet will be a bit more manageable come moving time.