The Complete Guide To Buying A Gun Safe

As any responsible gun owner will tell you, if you plan on owning guns, you need to have a gun safe (especially if you live with kids). It is the only way to ensure that your weapons have the necessary safety and that there are no unfortunate accidents. Unfortunately, buying a gun safe is easier said than done. Even a modest gun safe can be a costly investment, which is why we will take you through the entire process of buying one.

Buying a gun safe – the dos and the don’ts

Purchasing a gun safe is in some regards quite similar to buying a car. If you don’t know what you are doing, you will end up with an overpaid piece of hardware that takes up much space, doesn’t accommodate your lifestyle, and is a burden to get rid of. So, firstly, we are going to go over preparing your home for a gun safe and ensuring that you get the right one. Then, we will cover the basics of transporting a gun safe and what to keep in mind when you do.

Image credit: https://guardiansafeandvault.com/

 

Before buying a gun safe

The first thing to consider is where you will put your gun safe. We are not talking here about a small item that you can simply fit anywhere. Ideally, you will fit your gun safe into your wall. While this is an elegant solution to your problem, it is rarely cost-effective. Unless you are building a home and deciding to get a gun safe at the same time. Know that a gun safe can be quite heavy and that some require a fair bit of structural support. So, don’t rush into putting a huge safe on your second floor. The smart thing to do is to consult with a professional and look into how much weight your home can support in various sections. Gun safe dimensions can vary from one manufacturer to another. But, to give you a rough idea, here are some standard measures:

• 30″ x 60″ x 26″ – weight 900lbs.
• 36″ x 66″ x 26″ – weight 1200lbs.
• 40″ x 66″ x 26″ – weight 1400lbs.
• 54″ x 72″ x 28″ – weight 1700lbs.
• 60″ x 72″ x 28″ – weight 1800lbs.

Some people even opt for making a full-fledged gun room to house their guns. Even a gun closet can be a good idea, especially if you have a sizable collection. The only downside is that making one can be costly, both in funds and in space.

What kind of gun safe suits you?

A common rule of thumb is to consider your gun collection carefully. Then, get a gun safe that can house it and has at least 50% extra space. The reason for this is simple. Gun safes are not only used for guns. After all, the gun safe should be the safest, most burglar-proof place in your home. So, it stands to reason that you should put your valuables and your important documents in there. Furthermore, in our experience, most gun collections tend to grow rather than shrink. So, expect that after a while, you will get an extra gun or two. And it would be really nice if you didn’t have to get a new safe for them.

Firearm safety

As you will soon learn, putting your guns is not enough to keep them safe. Of course, if you have a top-notch, state of the art safe, you can put it pretty much anywhere and not worry about your firearms. But, if you opted for a more cost-effective option, you will have to worry about a couple of things: moisture and fire safety. To protect your firearms from moisture, you only need to ensure that your gun safe is not in a humid room and that you inspect and clean your guns regularly. As for fire, you simply need to ensure that there are no fire hazards nearby. The last thing you want is for a house fire to endanger your gun safe.

Potential transport issues

An essential aspect of owning a gun safe that gun owners often overlook is transportation. Namely, if you plan on living in your current home for the foreseeable future, great. But, what if you one day have to move? Should you simply leave your gun safe behind? Well, if you don’t know how to prepare and have everything organized properly, you might as well leave it where it is.

Or you could consult professional movers specialized in this type of thing. So you just need to find the right moving company to help you out. Moving a gun safe is something that professionals do every day. And considering that it requires specific tools and vehicles, it is definitely not something that you should DIY.

A good moving company will take care of the transportation procedure and ensure that your guns are safe throughout the move. Therefore, your main job is finding them as soon as you decide that you are going to move.

Final thoughts

An important thing to point out is that gun safety is not and can never be your only gun safety method. We always emphasize that it is a mindset that will allow you to keep your guns safely, not a tool or a safe. So, do what is necessary to keep your family and friends away from catastrophic accidents.

The final thing you need to consider when buying a gun safe is cost vs. commodity. Gun safes can range from $200 up to $10.000 and more. So, try first to consider your budget and then do ample research. Size, quality, longevity, ease of use, fire protection… All of these are aspects that can impact the price of your gun safe. So, do yourself a favor and research them as much as possible.