Sports Publications

The gun safe maze

Guns Magazine, Jan, 2003 by Holt Bodinson

The better guns. safes are further protected by a relocking system. If the main lock is punched, drilled or destroyed, one or more hidden spring loaded pins are activated that lock up the cam or gear mechanism operating the locking bolts so that the bolts cannot be retracted.

Finally, there are subtle levels of protection given to the door operating handle itself. Imagine a burglar using a sledge hammer on the operating handle to open the safe. The locking handle of a Browning safe features a shear pin that breaks if excessive force is applied to the handle. Liberty incorporates a built-in clutch system that disengages the handle.

Interiors And Finish

More Articles of Interest

Buy a safe with the future in mind. In short, unless you never plan on buying another firearm, buy a bigger safe than you need at this point in time. The additional space can be used to secure other valuable possessions and is there to serve your future firearm storage needs.

If you live in a humid region of the country, do check to see if the safe maker has incorporated a provision for wiring in a dehumidifier.

Every safe manufacturer offers a variety of interiors. Choice is a matter of matching a design to your needs. Unless you're handy, buy a factory interior.

Exterior finish is another option to examine. You may be able to save some money by going with a more simple finish.

Guarantees

Aside from short-term warranties on combination and electronic locks, the better safe manufacturers will fix or replace your safe if there has been an attempted break-in, an actual break-in, or a fire. That's what I would call faith in your product.

The Gun Vault And Hidden Room Option

As an alternative to having a gun safe, some homeowners have converted an existing room into a secure gun repository by adding a steel vault door and securing or eliminating any outside windows. I have a friend who even reinforced the ceiling of such a room with sheet steel.

Safe-like vault doors pre-hung on hardened steel frames are readily available from the major safe manufacturers. Fort Knox, Sportsman Steel Safes and Browning feature them in their catalogs.

Smaller, handgun and rifle size, gun vault units are available that can be installed in a wall or otherwise secured. The Phoenix and Gun Vault companies supply affordable, quick access electronic vaults that are popular with law enforcement and homeowners alike.

The ultimate deception and one of the most unique answers to potential theft is the creation of a hidden gun room in a house. The possibilities are endless, particularly when a new home is being built.

Cost

As Locksmith Scott Warren pointed out, it doesn't make much sense to put $10,000 worth of firearms in a $200 safe. Buy the very best you can afford. A quality safe will last several lifetimes.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Browning

[800] 333-3288

www.browning.com

Fort Knox

[800] 821-5216

www.ftknox.com

GunVault

[623] 445-0309

www.gunvault.com

Liberty Safes

National Security Safes