| There are multiple things to consider when shopping | | | | A little less common, but just as secure, is the |
| for the best gun safe to fit your needs, and just like | | | | biometric, or fingerprint lock. Biometric safes can |
| any other major purchase, you will want to do plenty | | | | store multiple fingerprints and are even quicker and |
| of research to ensure you make the proper decision. | | | | easier to open than digital locks, especially in the dark, |
| If you are just beginning your search it may seem a | | | | since they only require the scanning of the proper |
| little overwhelming at first, but once you understand | | | | fingerprints to be opened. These locks also require |
| the basics, your decision making process should be | | | | batteries. |
| much easier. | | | | A couple of other important security features include |
| Size | | | | fire and water resistance. Most gun safes, by their |
| An optimally sized gun safe should comfortably be | | | | very nature, are at least somewhat fire and water |
| able hold your entire gun collection and gun related | | | | resistant, but the degree to which they are able to |
| accessories without being too cluttered or messy. | | | | withstand the elements varies greatly. To keep |
| There are all sorts of sizes to consider, and most gun | | | | manufacturers honest in their claims, an independent |
| safes are marked with the maximum number of rifles | | | | agency called Underwriter's Laboratory (UL) tests for |
| they can hold, and this can range anywhere from | | | | different levels of fireproof and waterproof |
| under 10 to over 65. | | | | capabilities. |
| One of the biggest regrets people have after buying | | | | For instance, "waterproof" and "water resistant" |
| a safe is that they wish they had purchased a larger | | | | mean two different things. Water resistant means |
| one. This is because, as you will quickly find out, | | | | that the safe was tested in standing water for a |
| there are so many non-gun related valuables you can | | | | period of time without damage to the contents, while |
| store in your gun safe as well. Luckily, there are | | | | waterproof means that the safe was completely |
| several accessories you can use to maximize the | | | | submerged in water. |
| space that you do have. For instance, a door | | | | Certified fireproof safes usually come with a UL |
| organizer can hang on the back of the door and hold | | | | rating that labels the amount of time that the safe |
| many small, loose items, including handguns and | | | | can withstand a fire without damaging its contents, |
| ammunition; pistol racks can hold and organize your | | | | and this can range anywhere from 30 minutes to up |
| pistols; and jewelry drawers and cash boxes can help | | | | to 2.5 hours. |
| protect your jewelry, cash, and other small valuables | | | | Another proactive measure you can take is mounting |
| that you would like to keep separate. | | | | your gun safe to the floor. This prevents burglars |
| Large, free-standing, gun safes are great if you have | | | | from pushing it over to weaken the structure, or |
| multiple guns, ammo, and other gun related | | | | simply taking off with the entire safe. Safes often |
| accessories for it to hold. But if you only own a single | | | | come with pre-drilled holes and the proper mounting |
| pistol, or would like to keep a pistol separate from | | | | equipment to properly secure your gun safe to the |
| the rest of your collection, you can also consider a | | | | ground. |
| pistol or a handgun safe. They are much smaller than | | | | It may be odd to think about, but you will also need |
| normal gun safes and can easily be hidden inside of a | | | | to protect your gun safe from itself. Highly secure |
| closet or under a bed. They are also a lot less | | | | safes are almost air tight, which creates a humid |
| expensive than traditional gun safes. | | | | environment due to the minimal air circulation. This is |
| Security | | | | especially true if you live in a humid region. Metal |
| A steel plate encased within the walls of your gun | | | | objects that are exposed to humidity for too long will |
| safe is what stops a drill from being able to drill right | | | | begin to rust, and this includes your gun collection. |
| through it. The thickness of the plate is measured by | | | | Fortunately, you can easily combat humidity with |
| gauges, and the lower the gauge, the thicker the | | | | safe dehumidifiers. There are all sorts of dehumidifiers |
| plate. For instance, 10 gauge equals 9/64 inch and 12 | | | | and none of them are very expensive, including |
| gauge equals 7/64 inch, making the 10 gauge plate | | | | electric dehumidifiers, renewable dehumidifiers, and |
| slightly thicker, and a little more secure than the 12 | | | | silica packets. |
| gauge plate. 10 gauge and 12 gauge are the two | | | | Pricing |
| most common you will find, just remember that the | | | | Gun safe prices pretty much run the gambit. A large, |
| lower the gauge, the thicker the plate. | | | | free standing gun safe can run anywhere from |
| You will also want to consider the different types of | | | | several hundred dollars to well over $5,000. It usually |
| safe locks. Combination locks are the most common | | | | comes down to a combination of size, looks, security |
| you will find, and they are tested, tried, and true. | | | | features, accessories, and name recognition, with the |
| Electronic locks, also known as digital locks, are just | | | | median price for a good sized, high quality gun safe |
| as secure as combination locks and perhaps a little bit | | | | running in the $2,500 range. There are many different |
| easier to open. They are basically a key pad with the | | | | manufacturers for you to consider and they've all got |
| numbers 0 through 9, and can be opened by entering | | | | their own features and benefits, and there are all |
| a pre-determined code. A common safety feature | | | | sorts of places for you shop for a gun safe, both |
| associated with digital locks is that they temporarily | | | | online and offline, so with a little bit of leg work you |
| disable themselves after several wrong code entries, | | | | can really find a good deal. |
| usually for 10 to 15 minutes. Electronic locks require | | | | Searching for online gun safe retailers is a good place |
| batteries that need to be changed from time to time. | | | | to start because, through the magic of competition, |
| Most manufacturers give you the decision between a | | | | they tend to offer wide selections at discounted |
| combination lock and an electronic lock, with the | | | | prices, often with no shipping costs or sales tax. This |
| electronic lock being a little more expensive. | | | | also makes it easier to comparison shop. |