Gun Safes – Twelve Key Recommendations for Buyers

The following twelve rules of thumb for buyers purchasing gun safes have been compiled using the blog articles, videos and commentary of locksmiths and industry experts in this field. In their commentary about what to look for when buying gun safes these well-regarded experts all refer to these recommendations in one form or another. The reasons for following these gun safe cabinet recommendations are well documented on the internet and this article is not going to re-hash these reasons. Rather, the purpose of this article is to summarize the guidelines to provide buyers with a framework of what to look for when purchasing  gun safes.

Recommendations for buying a gun safe cabinet:

• Know what the gun safe cabinet is to be used for now and what your future requirement might be.
• Gun safe cabinet doors made of plate steel ¼” to ½” thick
• Safe bodies constructed of 10 gauge steel or thicker
• Constructed using continuous welds not stitch welds.
• The gun safe cabinet can have a dial, digital or biometric lock
• A minimum of two locking bolts on each of the gun safes four sides
• Locking bolts made of hardened steel and 1”to 1 ½ “in diameter.
• Locking bolts on the hinge side of the gun safe cabinet door - minimum of two
• The safe should come with a relocker.
• Preferably external hinges but must have a minimum of two locking bolts on the hinge side.
• A gun safe cabinet should have pre-drilled anchor holes
• Preferable the gun safe cabinet should be fireproof.
• A fireproof gun safe cabinet should have an expandable door seal.

Locking Bolts on the PRO RG45
Republic Series Gun Safes

1 1/2" Chrome Plated Locking Bolts
Hollon PRO Republic Series gun Safes

Many gun safes on the market do meet and exceed the criteria listed above. It is then up to the buyer to weigh up which gun safe cabinet gives them the value for money for their budget.