One thing.  Whatever # of guns that safe says it stores... half it... seriously.   Not sure how they count that shit, but they aren't using my guns thats for sure!

I have a 18 guns safe, and it's packed at 12 guns.

Yup read the reviews and most say (with arranging of shelves) that it will hold 8 Long guns with scopes/optics and some hand guns.

Biggest thing I think about first is:  Who will deliver that stuff?  Then I go from there.   Costco has good prices, but they don't deliver lol.

+1 for this strategy.

Ended up with a somewhat crappy Sentry from Lowes only because they would deliver.  The nice one from Costco would have cost $$ to get local delivery.

My question on gun safes, in addition to style and level of protection, is that if you have a single frame house do you "bolt" the safe to the floor or not.

Paul,

From what I recall, failing to bolt a gun safe down is probably the single most common mistake safe owners make. IMO, when you talk about "security levels", what you are actually talking about is how long it takes for someone to break into the safe; not whether someone can break into the safe. If you give me the best safe that money can buy and you put that safe in my backyard, I would be willing to bet my left nut that I will be able to crack it with my acetylene torch or arc welder in an afternoon. Fortunately for us, common thieves usually don't pack portable welders or torches when they break into a house. They often do carry, however, simple tools and hand trucks to cart things to their getaway vehicles. Theives will pick small safes up by hand and carry them to their vehicles or throw them out the window to the ground below and carry them to their vehicle if able. I've read stories about 600+ lbs. safes walking away because the guy thought the safe was heavy enough to prevent a thief from moving it. Wrong!.  I'm a small, skinny dude. Yet, I was able to load a safe slightly heavier than 300 lbs. into my pick up truck, out of my pick up truck and into my basement all by myself with the use of a hand truck. Think it impossible for two big guys to move a 600 lbs. safe from your house? Better think again.

In short, to answer your question about whether the safe should be bolted down, the answer is yes, yes, and yes. 

You should also consider where and how to bolt the safe down. We all live in different setting so we may be limited to where we can put the safe but if you can anchor the safe to concrete and in a position which limits a person's ability to push the safe in any particular direction, that's your best bet. I recall a story where someone lost a safe bolted to a wooden floor. The thieves cut a hole in the wooden floor and dropped the safe through the floor to the room below where they carted it off. 

+1 for this strategy.

Ended up with a somewhat crappy Sentry from Lowes only because they would deliver.  The nice one from Costco would have cost $$ to get local delivery.

If you order your safe online, then Costco will deliver.  They include "drop at curb" freight.  If you want the safe moved further than the curb, you have to pay additional money, or do it yourself.

With mine, the delivery driver unloaded it from the truck, then raised it up to the pool deck inside my front gate.  This was a big deal, because he kept me from having to lift the thing up 4 steps (about 3 feet above curb level).

Did I mention he also had a forklift?

If you order your safe online, then Costco will deliver.  They include "drop at curb" freight.  If you want the safe moved further than the curb, you have to pay additional money, or do it yourself.

With mine, the delivery driver unloaded it from the truck, then raised it up to the pool deck inside my front gate.  This was a big deal, because he kept me from having to lift the thing up 4 steps (about 3 feet above curb level).

Did I mention he also had a forklift?

oh
i thought that costco.com ones are not valid in HI

oh
i thought that costco.com ones are not valid in HI

They ship if you pay the additional "paradise" cost.  Here's my order breakdown:

BIGHORN 19ECB Safe      $569.99
Item #569035

Ship Method                         Curbside

Shipping & Handling          $319.71

Tax                                            $41.92
================================
TOTAL COST                        $931.62
--------------------------------------------------------

My older daughter paid the shipping, as a combo birthday and Christmas gift. 

If we lived on the mainland, Costco would have shipped it for free!

The safe was on sale for $200 off the normal price, so that helps justify the high cost to ship to some degree.

My rule of thumb when it comes to size of the safe to consider, is basically the same when it comes to garage/workshop space and the size of the tool box (I wrench for a living).  First, look at what you want vs. need.  Then purchase the unit double in size, or go one notch more and go with one triple in size.  Some say it's a dumb way of choosing.  But in reality most men will purchase more items in the future.  Sooner or later that unit is packed and now one needs to purchase something bigger.  Then one has to go through this process again. 

My question on gun safes, in addition to style and level of protection, is that if you have a single frame house do you "bolt" the safe to the floor or not.

Always bolt it to the ground. If you have a single wall, post and beam type house, you may need to reinforce the floor (add posts and beams) to the area the safe will sit.

And yeah, don't believe the manufacturer's number for the number of guns it will hold...it won't. And, always buy something bigger (I would recommend at least twice as big) than you need right now. You'll fill it up......

Always bolt it to the ground. If you have a single wall, post and beam type house, you may need to reinforce the floor (add posts and beams) to the area the safe will sit.

And yeah, don't believe the manufacturer's number for the number of guns it will hold...it won't. And, always buy something bigger (I would recommend at least twice as big) than you need right now. You'll fill it up......

was at X-Ring today
they are going to have a full line of safes soon
and delivery and installation will be included (bolting to the floor, according to brian)
not sure if x-ring girl will be there wearing a toolbelt