Compare Gun Safes - Republic by Hollon vs The Rest

Please note. The top right bolt of this safe is intentionally loose. This is our demo safe, we unbolt that bolt and remove it to show customers it's size and leave loose for easy removal. I didn't catch it prior to shooting and I should have. 🤦‍♂️ .
5 Most Important Features When Buying a Safe:
• How to Choose the Best...
22-Capacity Republic Gun Safe
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39-Capacity Republic Gun Safe
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42-Capacity Republic Gun Safe
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EMP Rated S&G Electronic Safe Lock
acme-safes-for-sale.com/elect...
In our video "5 Features to Consider When Buying a Safe," we discussed the most important features of a secure safe.
In this video we look at the Republic Gun Safe by Hollon. The Republic gun safe is an American Assembled Safe out of Texas. Hollon is focused on making gun safes that are far superior to the others in their same class, both in terms of quality and cost.
Other gun safe manufactures like Liberty and Champion offer some beautiful gun safes. But a considerable amount of the cost of that safe, is in the paint. So it's not in the security of the safe.
Unlike Liberty and Champion gun safes, the Hollon Republic gun safes come in one color, three sizes. So more of your hard earned money goes into the construction of the safe, not how shiny it is.
About ACME Locksmith
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00:00 Intro
01:00 Are Hollon Gun Safes Any Good
01:40 Gun Safe Weight
02:02 Door Thickness Republic Gun Safe
03:08 Security Over Beauty
03:31 EMP Rated Electronic Lock
03:49 Interior Features RG Gun Safe
04:40 Premium Door Organizer
04:56 Hollon Door Linkage and Bolts
06:56 Superior Fire Rating

[@AdrianWeber]

Hey Robert, well done again! I like it how you explain and also show all the details for example the manganese drill protection plate! One side note... sadly you don't get gun safes like this in Germany. Best wishes, Adrian

[@LocksmithRecommended]

Thank you Adrian!

[@heavens360]

I find it funny that after all my research the comment section of this video is the only place I have heard of sturdy safe.😂

[@donjuan4933]

Is the lockwork/bolt system gear driven?

[@RedShiftedDollar]

Those little bolts holding the big bolt seem like the weakest link.

[@davehepp3923]

It looks like a very high quality safe. Is the body made with a continuous weld?

[@LocksmithRecommended]

Yes sir, it sure is.

[@sidneywhite749]

Where do you recommend to store bulky sterling silver serving pieces, antique tea set?

[@LocksmithRecommended]

All depends on the value. Check out our video on safe burglary ratings: kzbin.info/www/bejne/b6aQkqaJbLGXr9U

[@glockman9c]

Why is the top side bolt bent?

[@LocksmithRecommended]

See video description

[@glockman9c]

@@LocksmithRecommended - I see. lol.

[@acwatts1]

So out here in the Southeast Valley all the newer homes 2000 and newer have post tension slabs. Is there still a way to floor mount a gun safe? If not watch is the best way to secure?

[@LocksmithRecommended]

You can bolt into a post tension slab. BUT. You need to know where the cables because if you hit one it is extremely dangerous. Best and safest way is to call an engineering / location company. They will mark the cables for you so you will know where to safely drill. The other thing to note is that if the home's slab is still under warranty, drilling would void the warrant. We've had several customers epoxy/silicon the safe to the concrete. But once that's done. The safe can't be moved.

[@Sankeyite]

Just bought a Hollon safe 59"x30x21" at a local safe/locksmith. paid $2363 free delivery and installation. Has the keypad, said he'd add the dial if i wanted at no cost but, went with the keypad with the emp protection. 75 min fire rating. Any good?? Now im thinking i should have gottenthe next model up from this one.

[@LocksmithRecommended]

At this price point, this safe is hard to beat.

[@wgmyler]

I noticed that when the door is locked at 5:31, the top-most bolt on the left side of the door (right side in the video) appears to sag as if it is loose. Is there an explanation for this?

[@bjdunne5113]

wondering the same

[@LocksmithRecommended]

This was our demo safe, we often unbolted that bolt and removed it to show customers it's size. The shop tech left it loose for easy removal.🤦‍♂️

[@donjuan4933]

Which is the better way to go, the EMP digital lock or the traditional combination lock?

[@LocksmithRecommended]

This might help your decide. www.acmelocksmith.com/articles/safe-dial-vs-electronic-lock/

[@billmangerie4424]

Why did the bolt, by your armpit, sag at an angle when the rotated the handle sending the bolts out? It dropped downward.Seems to be loose.

[@LocksmithRecommended]

It's in the video description. This is our demo safe, we often unbolt that bolt and remove it to show customers it's size and weight. The shop tech left it loose for easy removal.🤦‍♂️ I didn't notice before shooting.

[@WillyMandingoWinchester]

Doe's the hollon black hawk 45 have a 1/4 steel plate around the whole interior of the door or just the locking mechanism?

[@LocksmithRecommended]

The RG in this video is the entire door. The Black Hawk is just around the lock. You can see the Black Hawk door plate in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/o5PHloqbg9GHY9k

[@WillyMandingoWinchester]

@@LocksmithRecommended They say different depending on what website you buy it from! That sucks but I'm still happy with the purchase overall! Thanks for getting back to me!

[@toddrasmussen2362]

Ft Knox has 1680 deg 2 hour option.

[@LocksmithRecommended]

Fort Knox makes great safes! Also a bit more expensive tho. At this price point, I'm with this one.

[@MarketSom]

Hi I'm from India. We are dealing with VDH Safes from Holland. Can you please make a comparison with other safes with VDH. Waiting for your valuable inputs. Regards, Somnath Roy

[@travisscottification]

I saw an Amazon review where you can tap on the top of the HS-310e model while turning the knob and it will open. Have you had any issues with that? I'm keen on buying this exact model but I'm curious if you've stumbled across this issue with Hollon's smaller home safes.

[@LocksmithRecommended]

You should not consider the HS-310e to protect valuable content. It is a residential safe aimed at fire protection and keeping honest people honest. There is no burglary rating. Check out our video Safe Burglary Ratings Explained. kzbin.info/www/bejne/b6aQkqaJbLGXr9U That said, nearly all safes of this class use spring loaded solenoids to lock them. This one uses an upside down solenoid. So it is theoretically possible that if you turn the safe upside down and strike it/shake it, it could release, but you'd have to know exactly where / how to do that. To avoid this type of attack, bolt the safe in so it can't be turned upside down.

[@eekedout]

Also with any safe, yes the amount of steel is top of the list but as far as the door is concerned, one also needs to look at the gap between the door and body. The safe in this video has a massive prybar inviting gap that a properly sized bar will defeat.

[@LocksmithRecommended]

@@eekedout This is an RSC-rated safe. It has been tested against a prybar attack.

[@sniper12121991]

The fire ratting on this safe is 2hrs @ 1400 degrees. What would the internal temperature of the safe be? Would it be ok to store digital items in this safe? Thank you for your time! Enjoying the videos.

[@LocksmithRecommended]

The fire rating means the internal temperature of the safe won't hit 350 degrees, which is where paper starts to burn. Film is at 150. But there is no source I can find that talks about USB/DVD or other digital storage. Manufacturers use to make data safes, and few still do but we don't carry them. These are basically safes within safes to keep temperature under 125 degrees for film and magnetic media. However, since everything has gone to digital storage, fewer manufactures make them. In 13 years, we've never sold a data safe. A typical home fires burns at 1100-1200 degrees. If you are in a city area, where the fire department can easily reach you, safes are only exposed to that temperature for about 10 minutes. The house catches fire, fire department is called, things start to really heat up, and then the fire department arrives and starts cooling down the fire. So if you're not buying a data safe, then get one with the best fire rating you can find. I cannot be certain it will be enough, as there is not enough information, but it would be your best chance. If you are someplace where a fire department won't get to you quickly, try to track down a data safe since they are designed specifically for that purpose.

[@sniper12121991]

@@LocksmithRecommended Thank you for all that info. It was very helpful!

[@LocksmithRecommended]

@@sniper12121991 I did discover since responding that Hollon is still selling datas safes. We don't carry them, and I was not aware they still had them.

[@gslavik]

Is the lock UL listed? If so, what category?

[@LocksmithRecommended]

They typically have an S&G Sparten EMP rated lock. UL Type 1.

[@loganramirez316]

On the left side where the bolts lock against is that a sold piece or just plate steel bent around?

[@LocksmithRecommended]

Plat steel bent into a u-channel.

[@loganramirez316]

No no reinforcements just 10gauge bent around?

[@LocksmithRecommended]

@@loganramirez316 It's the 10 gauge wrapped up into a u-channel. So you basically have any force applied to the door being distributed across 14 1.5" bolts against that 10 gauge u-channel. The safe is a UL rated RSC burglary safe, which is pretty amazing at this price point. To learn about burglary ratings, check out our video Safe Burglary Rating Explained. kzbin.info/www/bejne/b6aQkqaJbLGXr9U

[@freddiehodges8033]

I am waiting to hear back from safe vault, my price quoted was $2731- a 2% discount +$100 shipping. They will let me know how much it will cost to bolt it down as well. Are there anymore safe in this same range to consider before I make this purchase Monday or Tuesday?

[@LocksmithRecommended]

Did you check out our website? www.acmelocksmith.com/buy-safes-online/ . At the price point, the Hollon's are tough to beat.

[@freddiehodges8033]

@@LocksmithRecommended I just checked out your website! Do you offer any type of discounton the Hollon?

[@LocksmithRecommended]

@@freddiehodges8033 We match competitors online prices. I should be able to match their 2% . Contact me at www.acmelocksmith.com/buy-safes-online/custom-safe-quote

[@freddiehodges8033]

@@LocksmithRecommended I just submitted everything, thanks in advance!

[@tdb19872]

Not gonna lie, should have gone with this instead of the Superior Master.

[@AV84USA]

Um... Your top bolt on the non hinge side of the door is BENT! How’s that happen?

[@LocksmithRecommended]

Sorry about that. It's in the description of the video. This was our demo safe. We unbolt that bolt and remove it to show customers it's size. As such it was loose for easy removal. Since we shot this, we stopped doing that and keep a spare bolt out for this purpose.

[@cardinalfang7725]

If there was a difference between the Blackhawk model and the Republic model, I would've thought for sure it would've been a step up from 10 gauge to a thicker body steel. Other "quality" safes do so. I notice you didn't respond to the continuous weld question below. I'll bet it isn't. You sell these and it shows.

[@LocksmithRecommended]

The step up is the 1/4 inch steel door and bolt work. The steel gauge is already thicker than any other safe for sale at this price point. Thanks for watching ✌

[@1FAST91SONOMA]

10 gauge is still thin sheet metal. You can cut through it very easily. If you want the best value in safes check out Sturdy safes. They start with 3/16" bodies and go up from there. They're available for the same price as this safe with a better linkage system, more metal, and no stupid drywall insulation. They also offer MUCH larger safes with bodies several times as thick. You can spend $10,000 with them and still be getting a great value because they're spending it on STEEL, not shiny paint and carpet. 10 gauge is too weak for me to trust my guns to.

[@LocksmithRecommended]

More steel is always better! Both Hollon and AMSEC make thicker safes at higher price points. I had not heard of Sturdy Safes, but I did go take a look. Seems like a great safe and the 3/16 body is awesome! But for an equivalent safe it is also 30% more expensive (+$700). So you get a thicker body, and you add cost. If you've got the money, definitely worth considering it! However, I've never seen one or taking one apart, so I can't really say truly, just going by what their website says. Their hinges look weak to me (which may not be an issue depending on bolt work) and they don't UL-rate for fire or burglary. Just a claim that it exceeds the spec. Check out our article on why UL-ratings are important at www.acmelocksmith.com/blog/the-best-fireproof-safe/ . That's not a ding, I've seen great safes without a UL rating, it's just that the UL rating guarantees what is said is true. My though is that the Republic by Hollon is still the best safe available at this price point. Even if you because it is the only safe at this price point with a 10 gauge body. Sturdy would be a notch up with their body in their default configuration, if their website holds true, with the added cost. And if you're adding cost you can go on up then to the AMSEC BF line with 1/2 steel doors and concrete filled walls. Then the AMSEC BFII line that ads an additional layer of 1/4 inch. Then the Hollon TL-15, one of very few UL-rated, TL-15 gun safes. bit.ly/2AMolpy Thanks for the information!

[@terrystephens1102]

iceduckz sturdy is a fantastic product, far superior to the Hollon safe .

[@LocksmithRecommended]

The Republic by Holland is a RSC UL-rated gun safe. If you wanted to spend the extra money I might recommend an American Security BFII line, UL RSCII rating, concrete-filled walls, 4 gauge (5/16) solid steel, 1/2 inch solid steel door.

[@franksadlon8622]

Looks like that bolt dropped when you locked the door / while open ? Are they just bolted to that u channel ?

[@LocksmithRecommended]

I mention that in the description of the video. This was our demo safe. We remove that bolt to show customers it is 3.35 inches long and solid. Very heavy. But, I neglected to tighten it back up before shooting. All of the bolts into are bolted into the uchannel. You can see an image in the photos here on our website. www.acmelocksmith.com/buy-safes-online/hollon-american-made-gun-safe-rg-22c.html

[@kraken509]

@@LocksmithRecommended wouldn’t the small fastener holding the bolt to the the U channel be taking all the load on a pry attack?

[@LocksmithRecommended]

@@kraken509 Nooo. Think of it like a 3/8" thick steel rod. Every try to bend a 3/8" piece of steel? It also feeds through a channel that prevents sheering pressure from being applied to the bolt end. You need to worry about bolts "secured" like this: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z5ScYn-Mp6eDqs0 . This bolt is secured like this: www.acmelocksmith.com/buy-safes-online/pub/media/catalog/product/cache/5fdf8c1453da74c70b93ca6abbd3c37e/r/g/rg_anti-theft_bolt_protection_1_1.jpg

[@gregsicinski8138]

Watch the video Sturdy Safe put out about those bolted on bolts. They pry right open. If the Holland safe used thicker channel and welded the bolts on then I would have more faith in that safe. Sturdy also uses 6 gauge steel or 3/16" standard with the option to "armor up" the rest of the safe. I'll pass on the Holland safe especially after seeing how the door is constructed compared to Sturdy.

[@LocksmithRecommended]

@@gregsicinski8138 You're not comparing apples to apples. You comparing a $5000 safe to a $2500 safe. That said, their $5k safe is it's default configuation is 2" wider, same depth, same height, than the most comparable Hollon RG. Yet it only weights 20 lbs more. So that bigger $5K safe barely has any more steel than the Hollon RG safe. So what justifies the price difference? The bolts on a RG safe have a 3/8 inch solid steel thread, a solid 1.5 inches diameter, are 3 1/3 inch long and installed in an anti-pry channel. If you can pry that open, you can break a weld on a bolt. I stand by my opinion, this is the best safe at this price point, and it can go head to head against safes that cost 2X the amount. I'm not saying the Sturdy safe is bad, it looks great! I'm just saying you can do as good for less.

[@m.f.m.67]

I just bought a Hollon TL-15 rated safe. I was surprised (and disappointed, frankly) to find no door seal on the safe. How can a safe with a supposed two-hour fire rating not have any type of door seal?

[@LocksmithRecommended]

Because of the thickness of the door in these TL 15 safes, and the fire retardant material in the door, an expandable seal is not necessary to achieve the 1750 deg, 2 hour fire rating. The door is about 6 inches thick and the inside lip of the door is recessed into the body of the safe by ~ 4 inches.

[@m.f.m.67]

It may achieve the fire rating, but it will do NOTHING to keep smoke and later, water out of the safe. The safe will survive, but the contents will be ruined. @@LocksmithRecommended

[@andrewhart2747]

😂😂😂😂😂😂​@@LocksmithRecommended

[@LocksmithRecommended]

@@m.f.m.67 I am sorry you are not happy with the design. This is how most high security safes are built now.

[@anthonyn.3575]

As I'm watching this video, I cannot but help noticed that the top bolt (closest to his chest) seems like it's somewhat bent downwards a bit, isn't it?! If I'm correct about that, WHY ?!?! It's supposed to be strong and not bend like that. I'm comparing to all other bolts on both sides (rear and front) and none looks as bent as that top one mentioned. At the 05:30 mark, as he extends the bolt outwards, you can actually see that said bolt, as it’s being extended out, you can see the bolt dips/bends downwards as it’s being extended out, even!!! Just weird and NO THANKS !!!

[@LocksmithRecommended]

This was our demo safe, we often unbolted that bolt and removed it to show customers it's size. The shop tech left it loose for easy removal.🤦‍♂️

[@Amakusa9000]

It is probably held in by a small screw that you could buy at Home Depot for $0.25. Really secure huh?

[@LocksmithRecommended]

@@Amakusa9000 You don't see the bolts that hold those secure?

[@okchief]

When I compare this to Sturdy Safe brand, Sturdy safe gives you more steel for the money.

[@okchief]

Also, look at that droopy bolt when you show them on the top right corner. It hangs down at an angle. I challenge you to watch Strudy Safes videos of them trying to break into their safes using forklifts and cutting out a spot to pry on etc.. Their cheapest upgrade package gives you a 4ga body and a 3/8" Door

[@texputter7928]

Uh, not way more steel for the SAME money. Maybe way more steel for way more money. Compare prices if you're gonna compare steel.

[@kraken509]

Used to be the case. They recently nearly doubled their prices. Not a good deal anymore.

[@sidneywhite749]

The rails look like L rail not U?

[@LocksmithRecommended]

I see your point. It is a u-channel but one side of the "U" is a lot longer than the other side (more like a J I guess). So it looks like this if you were looking at a cross section: | |___|

[@BD90..]

I got a solid little cash box with a high security wafer lock to put my pistol in. It has a unpickable wafer lock. Was cheap too.

[@1FAST91SONOMA]

"unpickable"

[@Evan_Horvath]

This is a joke right?

[@glockman9c]

12ga starts at $1500 by Liberty and they are made in America.

[@LocksmithRecommended]

12 gauge is thinner than 10 gauge. And this has a quarter inch solid steel door. To get that in Liberty you're going to be spending a lot more money. The safe is also assembled in America (with foreign parts) just like the Liberty at this price point.

[@glockman9c]

@@LocksmithRecommended - I understand steel thickness. 10ga is 27% thicker than 12ga. This safe is $2500 which is 66% more than a 12ga Liberty starting price of $1500. I am not saying there is anything wrong with this safe, I was simply making a point. Liberty offers 14,12,10, and 7ga safes. Let's not act like they are all junk that is just painted nice.

[@glockman9c]

@@LocksmithRecommended - Liberty claims they are made in America with American steel. Are you saying that is not accurate?

[@shawnpence8500]

Where did you find a 12ga liberty safe for 1500 start price? I thought colonial was the cheapest option in 12ga and it starts at 2500 on liberty site. Their 10ga safe (lincoln) is 4200

[@glockman9c]

@@shawnpence8500 - USA series is 12ga. It is below Colonial.

[@482lom]

Homeland safes makes 4 guage body and 1/4 inch door for this price

[@LocksmithRecommended]

Looks to be a nicely built safe at similar price point. Wish it had a UL fire and burglar rating to confirm. Interestingly though, it weights less per cf than the RG, which blows my mind. Door specs are similar, but if it has 4 gauge body, I'd expect it to weigh a whole lot more than the Hollon RG (which has a 10g body), and it doesn't. One worth looking at though!

[@TheGroovyJones]

The one I saw was listed at $3600 original on sale for $2100, fireboard not concrete (probably a lot of the weight difference) and lower temp resistance, no burglary rating. My big question is why would they take 40% of the price off what's going on there?

[@True-word74]

I got a for Knox 1/2 inch door 1/4 inch body for 2,700 new bigger than that and weighs 1,200 lbs .

[@snakeman48]

All anyone needs is a 4.5" cordless disc/angle grinder with a cutoff wheel and just cut into any side or top to gain access. Defeats all that security. Fast and easy.

[@LocksmithRecommended]

With enough time and the right tools, you can get into anything. Including bank vaults. Check out our article on safe burglary ratings explained. That safe there carries an RSC burglary rating. kzbin.info/www/bejne/b6aQkqaJbLGXr9U

[@killer2600]

You have to readjust your expectations in the modern era, the word "impossible" doesn't exist in the vocabulary of a determined attacker especially if you're allowing them time to work. Even jewelry stores don't depend solely on their TL rated safes to protect them from theft/loss - in the modern day if you want to be protected from loss you buy insurance.

[@stevesteve6506]

Pick a different example. The one you’re showing has a crooked locking bolt in the upper corner. Not sure a pre bent locking bolt is a great selling point

[@LocksmithRecommended]

See notes in description of video. It's what I get for rushing. 🤦‍♂️

[@GlennWTaylor]

Why not weld the bolt solid to the bolt works... oh sorry this is how China mass produce safes!!!!!

[@autocad_junkie]

Not a fan at all of this safe. I own a Sturdy Safe and it’s construction, steel thickness, and tolerances are far and above better than this mass produced safe. The bolts on a Sturdy Safe are supported all the way through a thick channel, not held on by smaller bolts that could be sheered off. Just my .02.

[@texputter7928]

No doubt a Sturdy Safe is better but you forgot to mention that you paid at least a grand more than the cost of this safe, the old comparing apples to oranges. Just my .02.

[@kraken509]

I wish they didn’t double their prices in past 3 months!! 3500 for their 3/16” thick model now and over 5k for the standard 1/4” thick model in the size closest to this one in video. I’m bummed because they represented such a good value and now they don’t at all. For 5k I could get a TL15 rated Hollon that weighs 2400lbs. Who would buy a sturdy over that for same price?

[@bomber101581]

@@kraken509 I didn't know their prices went up. My guess is inflation hitting the steel market? Glad I got mine for what I paid, 4 ga body and 3/16 in plate door.

[@_DST0NE_]

This could be popped open in minutes with a prybar 😆

[@LocksmithRecommended]

Nope. RSC rated. They've tried and failed.

[@terrystephens1102]

This safe’s bolt work is still quite poor - the bolts operate through a thin piece of frame and do not have a bracket to slide through at their rear end so, they can pivot when a prying force is applied to the edge of the door. Additionally, the bolts are fixed to the bolt work by a small bolt that will shear - look at the top bolt which is protruding at an angle . The metal of the interior door frame is too thin - it will flex with prying and the thick door (because it won’t flex) will transfer all of the prying force to the bolts. It will take longer to pry open, but it can be done because the gap between the frame and the door is relatively big. I wouldn’t buy this safe.

[@LocksmithRecommended]

I'm sorry. But you are wrong. Thanks for watching. ✌️

[@mr.taxpayer5289]

I could break into that safe in 15 mins with an angle grinder. 10 gauge steel is a joke. Nuff Said.

[@LocksmithRecommended]

No safe manufacture out there is using more than a 10 gauge wrap on a gun safe at this price point. Most major manufactures are at 11 gauge (which is thinner) and many are 12-14 (way thinner)! Crazy right? So at this price point, this is the thickest steel safe you are going to get my friend. You'd have to spend more money on a gun safe to get thicker side steel than this one, and more steel is always better if you have the money, but at this price point, this is in our opinion the best you can buy. Now, it you want a TL-15 rated, gun safe, there are some options at: www.acmelocksmith.com/buy-safes-online/shop-safes-by-type/gun-safes/gun-vaults.html Thanks for sharing.

[@kgbreviews35]

Sturdy sade does offer more than 10g in that price point.