I’ve been wanting to buy a larger gun safe for awhile now. My collection has grown over the years and I was fast running out of room in my old 16-gun safe. I started doing some research online to find the best gun safe to fit my needs and hold my growing collection. After hours of research, reviews and comparisons, I finally decided on the Union Safe Company 24 Gun Safe.

This safe seemed to have the ideal balance of security, fire protection, storage space and price that I was looking for. In this blog, I’ll take you through my buying journey and experience setting up the Union Safe 24 gun safe.

Why I Needed a New Gun Safe

As a firearm enthusiast, my gun collection is a point of pride. I’ve accumulated a variety of long guns and handguns over the years as a hunter, for home defense, and simply for sport at the range. As the collection grew, my old 16-gun safe was stuffed to the gills. I quite literally couldn’t fit any more guns into it.

I have some rare and expensive guns too that I wanted to protect better. My old budget safe likely wouldn’t stop a determined thief. The fire rating was only 30 minutes, meaning my investment could go up in smoke. I decided it was time to upgrade to a larger and more secure safe.

Key Factors in My Gun Safe Buying Decision

Before choosing the Union Safe 24 gun safe, I made a list of factors important to me:

• Size – I wanted a safe that could comfortably fit 20-25 long guns, plus handguns and valuables. The Union 24 fit the bill.
• Security – A sturdy locking mechanism and pry-resistant design was critical. Union uses an advanced dual locking bolt system and full-steel construction.
• Fire protection – At least 45-60 minutes of protection was my goal. The Union 24 is rated for 55 minutes at 1200°F.
• Price – I set my budget around $1500. The Union 24 was right in line with competitors at this price point.
• Warranty – A good warranty provides peace of mind. Union offers a lifetime break-in and 5 year parts and labor warranty.

After comparing other top brands like Liberty, Browning and Winchester, the Union Safe Company 24 Gun Safe came out on top for me. Let’s get into the setup process.

Unboxing and Setup of My New Gun Safe

My new safe arrived well-packaged on a pallet. After unboxing, I noticed right away the all-steel construction and beefy 9 locking bolts securing the door. Installation was straightforward:

• I removed the packaging materials and inspected for any damages. All good!
• Using an electric drill, I attached the external hinges with the hardware provided. Very sturdy.
• I placed the safe in my desired location, making sure it was level.
• To deter theft, I bolted the safe securely to the floor using the 4 pre-drilled bolt holes inside. This step is crucial.
• With the batteries installed, I set the digital keypad combination. Easy!
• I attached the power outlet inside the safe for an internal light and dehumidifier.
• Lastly, I moved my gun collection and valuables into their new ultra-secure fortress!

The entire setup took less than an hour. Now the real features testing could begin…

Putting the Union Safe’s Security Features to the Test

Of course I had to try out the advanced locking mechanism and security features on my new safe. As a gun owner, this piece of mind is important. Here are some of the key highlights:

• The dual hardened locking bolts are 1.5 inches thick, with anti-pry brackets to thwart attacks.
• I tested the tamper indicator which shows if someone has attempted drilling or manipulation of the lock. This extra security is welcome.
• The spring-loaded re-locking bolts worked as designed. If one locking bolt is punched in, the others get stronger!
• I activated the illuminated keypad with tamper sensor. Any incorrect combo sets off an alarm.
• The optional biometric fingerprint scanner provides quick, secure access. I was impressed by how quick the sensor worked.
• My safe is pre-drilled to accept large anchor bolts into the concrete floor for added security, which I used.

Based on my tests, I felt very reassured by the multiple layers of security built into my Union Safe. This thing would be extremely hard for any thief to break into.

Interior Customization Options

One thing I appreciated about the Union 24 gun safe was the fully-configurable interior using modular storage panels. With the pre-cut foam pieces, I could customize the layout exactly as I wanted.

For the upper compartment, I created storage slots for 8 rifles and shotguns using the barrel rests and divider panels. I also made space for 6 handguns in the door holsters.

The safe came with helpful accessories too like Electrical outlet, LED lighting and dehumidifier kit. For the lower compartment, I setup shelving units to neatly organize ammo and other valuables. Everything has its place!

I’m really satisfied with my interior setup. The Union Safe’s modular design let me maximize the 24 gun capacity exactly for my collection.

Locking Mechanism and Override Keys

The advanced locking mechanism was a major selling point for me on the Union Safe 24 gun safe. It uses a keypad with 3-8 digit programmable electronic lock.

Setting my unique code was fast and easy. I like that I can access the safe in seconds just by entering my private combo. No fumbling with keys required!

For backup, Union includes a tubular key lock override in case the electronic lock fails or I forget the code. The keys are high-security with over a million possible key combinations.

Plus, there’s a backup 9 volt battery compartment so I can keep the safe powered and accessible even if the batteries run out. Nice redundancy.

The digital keypad makes accessing my safe fast and easy. But I have peace of mind knowing I can override electronically or use the backup tubular key if needed.

Impressive 55 Min/1200°F Fire Rating

One of my major criteria in choosing a gun safe was getting an impressive fire rating. The Union Safe 24 gun definitely delivers here.

It provides 55 minutes of protection at temperatures up to 1200°F. This exceeds the fire ratings of most competing safes in this price range.

Union uses continuous fireboard in all interior walls and ceilings for maximum heat dissipation. The Tripleseal Fire Protection joins the body and door with heat expandable fire seals.

In a major house fire, I can rest assured my collection would survive at least 55 minutes before the internal temperature gets too hot. This fire rating really puts my mind at ease.

For any gun collector, having robust fire protection should be a top priority. The Union 24 gun safe has an excellent fire rating that gives me peace of mind.

Helpful Customer Service Experience

When making such a big purchase, customer service is always a consideration. I’m happy to say Union Safe provides helpful customer support in case any issues come up.

After setting up my safe, I noticed the door wasn’t closing completely flush. I called up Union’s support line and spoke to a knowledgeable rep.

He guided me through inspecting the bolt alignment and door seal. We determined one of the bolts needed adjusting, probably from shipping.

The rep was friendly and courteous. He assured me it was an easy fix and had replacement parts shipped out right away. When the part arrived, adjusting the bolt took 5 minutes and the door closed perfectly.

It was a relief to have such responsive customer service to get my safe properly setup and back to full security. Many competitors don’t even have US-based support teams. This experience made me glad I chose Union Safe Company.

Convenient Delivery and Installation Options

Union offers several delivery and installation options to make acquiring your gun safe simple and convenient.

For starters, they provide free curbside delivery on any safe order. The driver will place your new safe securely on the curb nearest your front door.

If you want your safe carried inside and unboxed, Union provides white glove in-home delivery and setup for an added fee. This was helpful for my heavy 550 lb safe.

You can even choose expert professional installation if wanted. Their team will bolt your safe to the floor, test security features, and handle any required adjustments.

It was great having friendly professional installers handle the heavy lifting and intricate setup. This hassle-free delivery option was well worth the cost in my opinion.

Reliable Lifetime Warranty for Peace of Mind

With any gun safe purchase, an important consideration is the warranty coverage. You want assurance that your investment is protected long-term.

That’s why I was pleased to see Union Safe offers a lifetime warranty on their products. This covers break-ins, fire damage, parts, and labor with no deductibles.

The warranty is transferable too. So if I ever sold my safe, the lifetime protection would transfer to the new owner. This maintains the resale value.

It’s a relief knowing my safe is covered against defects, break-ins, or fire damage throughout my lifetime ownership. The reliable Union Safe lifetime warranty gives me real peace of mind.

My Final Verdict After 3 Months of Ownership

Having now owned the Union Safe 24 gun safe for 3 months, I remain very happy with my purchase decision. Here is my final verdict:

• The electronic keypad and biometric scanner provide fast, reliable access to my safe each day.
• The interior has ample room for all my long guns, handguns, and valuables with custom layout.
• The dual locking bolts and anchoring to the floor gives me confidence no thief could break in.
• Knowing my collection is protected for 55 minutes in a fire allows me to sleep soundly.
• The lifetime warranty and great customer service gives peace of mind for the long run.

Overall, the Union Safe 24 gun safe perfectly fits my needs for security, fire safety, storage space and accessibility. For any collector looking for their next safe, I can enthusiastically recommend Union Safe Company. This safe was an excellent investment I know I’ll rely on for decades to come.