A gun vault is a type of specialized safe, set up for storing long guns. Its use is not limited to firearms and related items. Other valuables can be stored in the safe along with your firearms.
In a previous article, I identified some very basic questions to ask yourself to help you identify your needs before purchasing a gun vault. In this article, I want to give you some tips on what to look for when building a gun safe that will help you choose a model that is safe and affordable.
Keep in mind this adage: “You get what you pay for.” That statement is very true when it comes to choosing a gun safe. Once you’ve established your needs and budget, a little knowledge of safe construction will help you identify a safe that is safe and affordable.
There are two main types of materials used in the construction of gun vaults. First is the solid rolled steel plate. Available in thicknesses ranging from ΒΌ inch to over 1 inch thick, the steel plate can provide a high level of security against intrusion attempts. Efforts to gain entry by prying and drilling are extremely difficult in a safe made of hardened sheet steel. The thicker the steel, the more time and effort is required to drill or cut.
A safe made of heavy sheet steel is that heavy. Weighing in at 700 to 1000 pounds, such a safe is not likely to be taken away by a burglar, but it is difficult for the homeowner to position and install and may require a reinforced floor. A downside to steel plate is that it is vulnerable to heat and can be easily broken with a cutting torch.
A solid steel safe will be heavy. It will feel heavy. Move the door back and forth and you can feel the weight. A one-inch thick composite door can contain only 25% of the steel found in a 3/8-inch solid steel door. That extra weight means extra security.
The composite is made up of thinner sheets of steel, layered much like plywood, and possibly other materials as well. The lower end composites can consist of plaster, foam, plastic, or organic material sandwiched between two layers of thin metal sheets. Very vulnerable to power tools, a low-end safe can be opened with a basic carpenter’s circular saw that carries a carbide-tipped blade.
Higher end composites will lay more layers of hardened steel sheets and possibly fire retardants. A layer of stainless steel can be included as a barrier against a cutting torch. With higher heat resistance than standard steel, stainless steel is nearly impervious to entry through the torch.
When shopping for your gun safe, don’t focus all your attention on the inside. The security of the content depends on the construction of the box itself. When it comes to insuring your firearms and other valuables, you want the most steel you can afford.
Look for my next article “Gun Vaults: Locks, Bolts and Accessories”