A gun safe is one of the best purchases a gun owner can make. It keeps firearms away from thieves, kids and house fires, and it gives a collection room to grow. Choosing one comes down to four things. Work through these steps and the right safe becomes obvious.
Four steps to the right gun safe
Step 1: Pick the type
Gun vaults hold long guns and offer the most protection. Handgun safes give fast access to one to four pistols. Concealed safes hide a gun in a wall or a piece of furniture. Gun cabinets keep honest people out but stop little else. Start with Gun Vaults, Handgun Safes or Concealed Safes.
Step 2: Size it
Advertised capacity assumes bare rifles packed tight. Scopes, slings and pistol grips cut that number roughly in half, so buy a safe rated for about double the guns you own today.
Step 3: Check the fire rating and lock
Look for a fire rating that lists both time and temperature, a door seal that expands in heat, and a lock that gets used every day without frustration. Choosing a Gun Safe breaks it all down.
Step 4: Place it and bolt it down
A ground-floor spot on a concrete slab, inside a closet or corner and bolted to the floor is ideal. An unbolted safe can be tipped over and carried off.
Finish it off
Keep the inside dry and organized with Safe Accessories. Common questions are answered in the Gun Safe F.A.Q.
Compare the brands on Gun Safe Manufacturers, and see how safes developed on the Gun Safe Timeline.