Gun safe weight is one of the most critical factors to consider when shopping for a security storage solution for firearms. More often than not, many gun owners make the mistake of getting swayed by the funky features of a particular safe alone.
They end up paying for it without taking into account its weight and which part of their homes it can be successfully mounted.
Others opt for a safe that is too lightweight to be mounted in their preferred spot at home.
What Determines the Weight of A Firearms Safe?
The weight of a particular model of gun safe is determined by the quality of its construction. For example, a top quality wooden gun cabinet weighs considerably less than a steel model of comparable size, all things being equal.
To keep your guns away from thieves, it is critical that you invest in one made from low-gauge steel.
The lower the gauge, the stronger the steel material and of course, the higher the price you should expect to pay. So for instance, 18-gauge steel is far more vulnerable to break-ins than 12-gauge steel.
The weight of a small walled safe can easily top hundreds of pounds when constructed from 12-gauge steel. This makes it practically impossible for anyone to break into or even steal it away.
What is the Best Gun Safe Weight?
The type of firearm safe you want determines the optimum level of weight to look out for. It’d be foolish to shop for a 100-pound safe when your aim is to carry it on go.
That being said, the average weight of a long gun safe is typically around 500 pounds. If you are looking for something to bolt for multiple rifles, this number is a good guide.
More expensive models from manufactures such as Winchester, Fort Knox and American Security typically range between 500-2000 pounds. Security safes within this weight range can be a real fortress but you should be ready to pay more.
You can expect to pay anywhere from $1500-$10,000 for the heaviest gun safes.
The weight of affordable smaller sized models can range from under 10 pounds to at round 50 pounds. If you need a firearm safe on the go, you should settle for a model that weighs between 10-15 pounds.
On the other hand, your target weight for a concealed wall safe should be at least 25 pounds.
What Are the Benefits of Heavy Gun Safes?
Gun owners with a considerable number of firearms and ammo typically go in for the heaviest safes they can afford. Why should you aim to get a safe that weighs at least 500 pounds?
Large Capacity
The heaviest gun safes on the market usually give you more capacity for storage. Whether you are just starting your gun collection hobby or already own a considerable stash, weight should always be a priority.
The large capacities typical of large gun safes enable you to save money in the long run. Getting one of those eliminates the need to shop for another safe in the not too distant future when your firearm collection grows.
Top Level Security
Most safes weighing over 500 pounds are made from 12-gauge steel or stronger. This gives incredible protection to your guns if your home ever gets breached.
Heavy safes are also integrated with several concealed hinges and other top-level security features. These features keep your gun cabinet protected from prying and other methods of forced-entry employed by thieves.
The truth is buying a gun safe with considerable weight only gives you the peace of mind we all crave so much as gun owners.
Prevents Thieves from Walking Away With the Whole Safe
If your gun safe is lightweight, you can never expect 100 percent protection for your guns.
True, some of those models may be difficult to break into and will require hours even with sophisticated hand tools. However, most thieves are aware of this and will rather steel your safe as a whole to their hideout.
Doing this gives them all the time in the world to figure out a way to break into it at their own convenience.
The advantage of a heavy safe is that once it is bolted to your floor, breaking into or stealing the whole unit away becomes extremely difficult. Can you imagine anyone trying to walk away with your 1000-pound gun safe?
Drawbacks of A Heavy-Duty Gun Safe
While heavy gun safes come with lots of stunning benefits, they have some drawbacks too. It is important to be aware of them in order to make an informed buying decision.
Price
With the quality of construction integrated with high-end models that weigh heavily, prices can be really steep. If your budget is low, getting a safe with considerable weight may be impractical.
Keep in mind that even heavy pistol safes from elite manufacturers such as Fort Knox and Stealth are expensive. You have to be ready to pay over $200 for a compact safe which holds one or two pistols.
For larger rifle models, you are looking at a budget of over $1000. Do you have that kind of money to spend on storage for your guns? Great, if the answer is yes.
However, it will make sense to choose a cheaper priced firearm safe which may weigh less if your budget is restricted.
Damage to Your Floor or Stairs
If your safe’s weight is too high, it can cause damage to various areas of your home during transport. First of all, consider where you want to take the safe.
If it is meant for your basement, make sure your stairs are strong enough to support your safe’s weight. There have been so many instances of stairs cracking up and causing serious injury during transportation of a heavy safe.
The flooring is another important factor to consider. Is your floor strong enough to provide support for your ultra-heavy gun safe?
If you are not sure, get the opinion of a certified building contractor.
This should alleviate all your fears. However, If you are still worried about this, a great tip is to mount the safe in a spot where the floor joists rest on the foundation wall.
Also, a beam or bearing wall below the safe can serve as a great buffer for those which tip the scales.
Investing in an adjustable support block to support the main joist is another great idea. This will give a strong buffer to protect your flooring so you can mount your heavy safe.
The Bottom Line
Gun safe weight is a critical factor to consider when looking for a storage solution for your firearms.
With all the tips we have shared here, you should have no issues finding the best gun safe for your needs.
Please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions about weight or gun safes in general. We’ll get back to you as soon as we can.
