Gun Safe Buyer Guide

A responsible gun owner is someone who protectstest, 2) fire and impact test, 3) explosion hazard test,
their guns from unwanted hands, but a safe can4) combined explosion and impact test. The product
transcend many levels of security for your protectionis then rated for each of the tests it has passed, e.g.
needs.  Adequate protection can help prevent theft,impact rated. Make sure if sheet-rock is used that it
accidents from curious children, and damage fromis properly installed. If you have valuable documents
fire.  With varying levels of safes available, picking onand media files, it's not a bad idea to purchase a
can be a daunting task.  With safes, you get whatsmaller, commercial-grade fire safe to put inside the
you pay for, but first, ask yourself what you reallygun safe. This gives you double protection.
need.One-Half Hour Rated Products - The furnace is
Used Gun Safes Onlineheated up to 1550°F over a one-half hour time
What type of safe do I need?period. During this time, the interior of the product
How many firearms do you plan on storing in yourcannot exceed the classification temperature or
new safe? What other items will be housed in thehumidity (if applicable) limits.
safe? A good safe is more than just a gun locker--itOne-Hour Rated Products - 1700°F
becomes a secure storage device for your family'sTwo-Hour Rated Products - 1850°F
other valuables as well. You'll find you quickly fill upThree-Hour Rated Products - 1920°F
even a large safe. Spend the money for the size,Four-Hour Rated Products - 2000°F
protection, and features you want.  A safe is aSafe Specs
good long-term investment, and can be liquidated inJust because a safe is big and heavy doesn't mean
the used safe market if necessary, or upgraded.it's particularly secure. Heavy-gauge steel is much
Consider buying used to get more bang for yourmore resistant to cutting and drilling than light 12- or
buck.  Or, buy a quality safe that will hold its resale14-gauge steel. Some safes on the market have walls
value if you anticipate a future upgrade.so thin they can be penetrated with a fire ax. We
Fire-proofingrecommend 10-gauge steel at a minimum, and 8
You can spend a lot of money for "fire-proofing" thatgauge is much better. The safe should carry a UL
actually is not very effective. Safes may undergoRSC (Underwriters Laboratories "Residential Security
four different fire resistance tests: 1) fire enduranceContainer") or better rating.