As a gun owner, there are plenty of reasons why you should consider investing in a good-quality gun safe.
Let’s look at a few of them, so you can make an educated decision on what gun safe might be the best choice for your needs.
Kids in the household: If you have kids in your home, it’s essential that you prevent children who are too young to understand the concept of gun safety from getting hold of your firearms.
Neighborhood kids: Even if your own children are well-educated and responsible around guns, there’s always the chance that their friends may not be quite so savvy.
Firearms are Expensive: High-quality firearms are also valuable so you’ll want to keep them protected from damage in the event of a house fire, and a robust gun safe will do this for you.
Guns are targets for thieves: Finally, the black market for stolen guns is always buoyant, and this can make collections of sought-after firearms a target for burglars. A strong, well-made gun safe will help to keep your investment protected from would-be thieves.
A top-quality gun safe is not a cheap purchase so you want to buy one that will last you a lifetime. There are plenty of options to look at and knowing which to go for can be confusing, Here is our buyer’s guide’s top ten tips to consider.
1. SAFE CAPACITY
CAPACITY IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT AND YOU SHOULD ALWAYS BUY BIGGER THAN YOU NEED
Some gun-safe manufacturers advertise their products with a greater capacity than is actually practical. Unfortunately, canny interior design usually results in the inclusion of racks and other features that hold rifles far too close together. Interiors designed in this way probably won’t suit guns that have wide fore-ends, pistol grips, long barrels, and mag wells.
So, when making your choice, bear in mind that a gun safe that is advertised as having a 10-gun capacity will probably fit 10 lever-action carbines or bolt-action rifles. However, if any of the rifles have scopes, the safe will only comfortably take five guns. The same applies to guns with pistol grips and other accessories, which take up extra space.
In the case of handgun safes, you should remember that smaller fire-proof gun safes tend to be used by other family members for storing valuables such as jewelry. Imagine how annoying it will be if you have to rummage through umpteen other items in order to get to your gun, especially in an emergency situation!
The bottom line is to choose a gun safe that has a larger capacity than you need. In addition to the above considerations, it also makes good economic sense to buy a gun safe that has room to comfortably accommodate new additions to your collection than find that you have to buy another safe a few months down the road.
2. SAFE ACCESSIBILITY
THE ABILITY TO ACCESS YOUR FIREARMS QUICKLY SHOULD BE AT THE TOP OF YOUR LIST.
In emergency situations, being able to get to your gun quickly is imperative. “Quick Access”, especially if you have handguns, may therefore be a priority for you. However, if you only use your firearms at the gun range or for hunting trips, you won’t generally need to access your guns in a hurry.
Where you site your gun safe in your home will obviously affect the accessibility of your weapons. In family homes with children, you may prefer to keep your gun safe in an area of the house to which the kids don’t have access, for example in a locked office or den. However, if you are likely to need ready access to your gun, you may prefer to keep your gun safe in your bedroom near to your bed.
Accessibility is also heavily influenced by the type of locking mechanism that you choose. We’ll look at locks in more detail later in this guide.
3. SIZE (BIG OR SMALL)
IF YOU HAVE A SMALL SPACE, OR A LITTLE SPACE – SIZE WILL ALWAYS BE A FACTOR.
Not all gun safes are made equal, and choosing the right size is one of the most important decisions you will make.
When it comes to choosing the right size gun safe for your needs, you must pay careful attention to the advertised dimensions manufacturers give for the product.
The advertised size of a gun safe often differs by an inch or even more from its actual dimensions. This can be extremely frustrating when you take delivery of your new gun safe, only to find that it doesn’t fit in the space you have allocated for it! If you’re buying online, it pays to allow an extra inch all around the designated space. However, the best strategy is to view the gun safe in a retail showroom, where you can measure it yourself, before making an online purchase that could save you some money.
You must also bear in mind that most manufacturers only advertise their gun safe’s external dimensions. The internal dimensions can be crucial if you have long-barrel rifles or bench-rest air rifles. Therefore, before you make a purchase, always check with the gun-safe manufacturer or supplier to make sure that your guns will fit comfortably inside the gun safe.
4. WEIGHT (HEAVY OR LIGHT)
HEAVIER SAFES ARE HARDER TO MOVE BY POTENTIAL THIEVES
As we’ve already said, gun safes are not all made equal. This is certainly true when it comes to the quality of the materials used, which is usually reflected in the weight of the gun safe.
As a general rule of thumb, the heavier the gun safe the better quality the steel shell will be. A heavy-weight gun safe will be more difficult to steal – yes, some thieves will take the whole thing, rather than risk getting caught trying to break into it while they’re still in your home.
If you’re buying a large, very heavy gun safe, you will of course need to position it in a downstairs room that has very solid floors.
5. LOCK TYPES
DIFFERENT TYPES OF SAFES HAVE DIFFERENT LOCKING MECHANISMS
Locks are rated by UL as UL 768 Standard for Combination Locks and UL 437 Burglary Resistant Locks and Locking Mechanisms. Choosing a lock with a rating of UL 768 Group II or better will provide you with the best amount of security against thieves.
Modern gun safes feature a number of different locking mechanisms to choose from.
Biometric Locks: Biometric locks use fingerprint ID to open the lock. These locking mechanisms work in the same way as those on smartphones. When you apply your thumb or chosen finger to the biometric pad, the lock opens the safe for you. Most gun safes with this system allow you to program multiple fingerprints too so that trusted members of your family can access the safe when necessary.
One disadvantage of this system is that a power loss can render the gun safe inaccessible. In addition, grease or other liquids can obscure your fingerprint. Most biometrically operated safes come with keys too so you do have a manual override system if required.
Quick Combo Vault Locks: Quick combo locks use a PIN number entry system, via mechanical or electronic buttons. You program the system with your chosen combination and simply enter the number to unlock the gun safe. You can change the combination whenever you want to.
The main disadvantages of combo locking systems are that they are not quick to access in an emergency and you may forget your code. Many people write the code down, but this runs the risk that it could be found by a child or even by an intruder who could then access your guns.
Radio Frequency ID Locks (RFID): RFID locks use a chip-implanted key card or key fob for entry. This technology allows you to carry your key with you, for example on your keyring or in your pocket. Some RFID locks also allow you to affix a dot to your smartphone, which will open the gun safe when swiped over the RFID reader.
RFID locks allow quick access and convenience. Unless the reader is damaged, there’s a power outage, or you lose all your access devices, there are few circumstances that would stop you from unlocking your gun safe. Most RFID-activated safes include a key or combo option too, just in case you have problems with the chip technology.
Key Locking Mechanisms: The cheapest lock option is generally a classic key lock. As long as you have the key, not a lot can go wrong.
However, if you lose your key, you can’t access your gun safely. And in the event of an emergency, you may well go into fumble mode and find that you can’t insert the key and turn it quickly, especially in darkness.
Dial combination locks are extremely fiddly to use. However, they do not require a power source so you will never find yourself locked out of your gun safe unless you forget the code!
Dial Combination Locks: A dial combination lock is generally regarded as the forerunner to the keypad. These are the traditional safe locks that you’ll see in movies. Your chosen combination is input into the lock and stored. The lock is opened by turning the manual dial to each of your code’s numbers in turn. When the whole code has been entered, the safe door will open.
Dial combination locks are extremely fiddly to use. However, they do not require a power source so you will never find yourself locked out of your gun safe unless you forget the code!
6. SAFE OPENING DELIVERY
PLAN AHEAD WITH THE WAY THE SAFE OPENS TO ENSURE IT’S COMPATIBLE WITH THE AREA YOU’VE PICKED.
Other considerations when choosing a handgun safe include the door opening mechanism itself.
Manual doors require you to physically open the door to remove the gun. Auto-open doors operate via a hydraulic ram, similar to that which opens the trunk of your car, leaving both your hands-free.
You should also decide on your preferred gun delivery option. Do you want to have your gun lying on the floor of the gun safe or on a shelf? Would you prefer a holder attached inside the safe that presents your pistol to you, butt up and ready to draw?
Dial Combination Locks: A dial combination lock is generally regarded as the forerunner to the keypad. These are the traditional safe locks that you’ll see in movies. Your chosen combination is input into the lock and stored. The lock is opened by turning the manual dial to each of your code’s numbers in turn. When the whole code has been entered, the safe door will open.
Dial combination locks are extremely fiddly to use. However, they do not require a power source so you will never find yourself locked out of your gun safe unless you forget the code!
7. FLOOR BOLTING ABILITY
IF YOUR SAFE CAN BE BOLTED DOWN MIGHT BE SOMETHING THAT’S IMPORTANT TO YOU.
Other considerations when choosing a handgun safe include the door opening mechanism itself.
Manual doors require you to physically open the door to remove the gun. Auto-open doors operate via a hydraulic ram, similar to that which opens the trunk of your car, leaving both your hands-free.
You should also decide on your preferred gun delivery option. Do you want to have your gun lying on the floor of the gun safe or on a shelf? Would you prefer a holder attached inside the safe that presents your pistol to you, butt up and ready to draw?
In order to prevent a thief from making off with your gun safe and its contents, you’ll need to secure it.
Note that only standard and medium-level fireproof gun safes come with pre-drilled holes in the base so that they can be bolted to the floor. All nonfire retardant security safes come with pre-drilled holes in the base. Some gun safes are supplied with pre-drilled holes in the back too so that they can be fixed to a wall.
You must fix your gun safe to a solid surface, such as concrete, stone, or brick. Before fixing the safe, check that there are no underlying cables, pipework, or underfloor heating. Do not fix your gun safe to tiles, timber cladding, wooden floorboards, or carpet; tiles will come away from the wall under the weight of the gun safe, wood will splinter, and carpets will twist when the bolts are fitted. When installing a gun safe to a wall, be sure to remove a section of the skirting boards so that your safe will rest flush against the wall.
There are a number of things that will determine how well a gun safe will cope with fire.
The first thing to note is that any conventional gun safe with a fire endurance rating of UL 72 Class 350 will provide basic protection for the safe contents in the event of a fire. The gun safe will keep an interior temperature of below 350F for one hour when exposed to a fire burning at 1700F, or for a period of two hours at 1850F, depending on the unit’s construction.
In order to be awarded a UL 72 Class 350 rating, the gun safe must undergo a Fire Endurance Test, Explosion Hazard Test, and Fire/Impact Test.
During the Fire Endurance Test, paper items and heat sensors are placed inside the gun safe. The safe is locked and exposed to a fire inside a specially designed-furnace. For one hour the furnace is heated to a temperature of 1700F, or 1850F for two hours, before being allowed to cool for two hours without being opened. Throughout the test, the interior temperature of the gun safe is recorded until a definite drop is shown. The interior temperature of the gun safe must never exceed 350F.
8. SAFE FIRE RATING
THE FIRE RATING FOR YOUR SAFE SHOULD BE SOMETHING YOU CONSIDER.
When the safe has cooled, it is opened and its condition is examined. The safe’s fastenings and locking mechanisms are examined for security, and the interior is checked for any evidence of unacceptable heat transmission and consequent damage to the contents.
During the Explosion Hazard Test, the safe will be locked and placed inside a furnace that is then preheated to 2000F. The temperature is maintained for 30 minutes and if no explosion occurs, the safe is cooled without opening the furnace. Once cooled, the unit is inspected for damage to its locking mechanisms and parts fastenings.
The Fire Impact Test is a manufacturer’s optional test. Following the Explosion Hazard Test, the safe is removed from the furnace and within two minutes is allowed to fall 30 inches onto a layer of bricks set on heavy-duty concrete. The safe is then inspected for damage to parts, deformation, damaged insulation, and any other evidence that the integrity of the safe has been compromised. The safe is then inverted and heated to 1550F for 30 minutes or 45 minutes at 1638F for the two-hour test.
Once it is cooled, the safe is opened and checked for damage to its structure and component parts. The contents and interior of the gun safe are examined for evidence of damage and heat transmission.
The steel that is used to make a gun safe is the most expensive element of its construction. In order to be sure that the gun safe is of the very best quality, you must check the gauge of the steel used, and the thickness of the walls and the door.
9. STEEL GAUGE
STEEL GAUGE THAT YOUR GUN SAFE IS MADE OF IS IMPORTANT.
Generally speaking, gun safes that are made in the USA are better quality and much better made than those originating in China. American steel is usually of much higher quality, as is the workmanship involved in making the product. That said, there are a few notable exceptions, and if the safe is UL rated, you can be confident that it will be of good quality and will do the job you want it to do.
Many gun safes are advertised as having walls of a certain thickness, making them sound robust and sturdy. However, this can simply mean that the safe’s outer shell is made from thin 14 gauge steel, sandwiching a few layers of drywall. Doors that look thick can also be an illusion, as sometimes only a small portion of the door is actually made of steel with the rest being made up of drywall covered in thin sheet metal. If the exterior metal coating is too thin, a thief could drill through it in minutes with a standard hand-operated power tool.
Be wary of gun safes that are made from combined thickness steel. Although this sounds impressive, the outer sheet of steel used maybe 10 gauge, but the inner sheet is probably only 16 gauge, and the two sheets are separated by drywall. This construction is too flimsy and can usually be penetrated in minutes by someone using the right tools.
The walls of a gun safe are usually made from thinner steel than the door, making the outer shell the easiest part of the safe for a thief to break through. Always look for a gun safe whose walls are constructed from at least 10 gauge steel. The gun safe’s door should be made from 7 gauge steel.
It’s also important to check the welding at the gun safe’s joints. Remember that a joint that’s been properly welded with full penetration will be much stronger than the base metal. Look at the welds on the safe to ensure that they have not been skip-welded. Skip-welding means that the welder has used short sections of weld, rather than one continuous section.
Although this technique does make for a stronger joint and prevents the steel from expanding and becoming deformed during the welding process, some companies take shortcuts. In cheap gun safes, the skip-welds are not connected properly and are often filled with a plastic filler compound, compromising the integrity of the safe. In addition, these fillers are often flammable. In the event of a fire, the weld would simply melt and the safe would open up like a steamed clam!
Watch out too for gun safes that have no welding at all. As a way of keeping production costs down and saving money on skilled labor, some manufacturers prefer to bend sheet metal, eliminating the need for welding altogether. Safes made in this way typically use thinner steel to further keep their production costs down.
Gun safes with a rating of UL 687 and above demand that a continuous quarter-inch penetration weld is used in their construction, so always look out for this.
10. SAFE WARRANTIES
THE WARRANTY ISSUED BY THE MANUFACTURER IS AN IMPORTANT FACTOR TO CONSIDER.
Warranties are often used as a selling point by marketers, making it appear that a product with a warranty is better than one without.
It’s well worth checking your house insurance policy before you spend out on a warranty for your new gun safe. Many home insurance policies include cover for your gun safe and its contents. In addition, many of the eventualities covered by warranties are so unlikely that they may never even happen!
If you do decide to buy a warranty to go with your new gun safe, check the small print carefully to see what’s actually included in the cover. Some warranties only cover certain parts of the safe, rather than the whole thing.
One thing that is worth having is lifetime insurance for the safe’s locking mechanism and other key components. Bearing in mind that it can cost upwards of $600 to replace or repair a broken lock, the price of a warranty could save you money in the long run.
So, that’s what to look out for when choosing a gun safe.
Safe Storage and Happy Shooting!!
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