Buying Tips for Finding a Quality Gun Safe Cabinet

When you buy a long gun safe, you want to be sure you're not getting taken for a ride. Here are some qualities of high-quality safes that you should watch out for.

First off, you should expect to shell out about $1200 on up for a decent safe. Contrary to popular belief, the major makers know the best placement for hinges is on the outside (unless you're buying a Grade 1 European safe - they place the hinges on the inside, and have solid construction, no complaints here). The reason American safe makers place the hinges on the outside is so that the thieves waste precious time attacking that area, as opposed to the lock itself. They'll get nowhere on a quality long gun safe.

The interior should be, at the very least, 58-inches high. The reason for this is you'll have clearance then for your 30-inch-long barrels, and will allow for shelving near the top for your smaller items. Other great features to watch for, though they may be installed after-market, are a rotational rack, and a stack of drawers for your smaller guns and other items. After all, if you're going to shell out this much money, you may as well be organized to boot.

As to locking mechanism, the dials made by Sargent & Greenleaf®, whose parent company is Stanley Security Solutions®, are top-shelf according to many in the industry. They aren't the only name in the industry, but if they were, your guns would be in good hands! If you want to go with a digital combination, make sure it's a UL Listed Type II or better, or Type I (commercial grade electrical) lock. Anything less is risky business.large rifle primers

Do your homework as to fire-proofing material, and there are plenty of opinions on this subject. Many manufacturers are using the UL listing for fireboard (a. k. a. a thin layer of drywall) to list their safes as a fireproof gun safe. This isn't exactly top of the line quality, so really inquire from your manufacturer of choice how they construct their fireproof gun safe doors, walls and floor. A thin layer of drywall sandwiched between two thin sheets of sheet metal isn't a quality safe!

The weight of your fireproof gun safe - especially the fireproof gun safe! - should be at least 750lbs. The steel should be at the very least 8 gauge steel for burglary protection, the better models use fire cladding and solid steel plating. By the way, when buying a gun safe cabinet, the lower the gauge of steel, the thicker the material.