What Size Gun Safe Do I Need? - OpticsPlanet.com Gun Safe Guide Part 1

Published on April 24, 2013
Duration: 4:12

Instruction from Steve Ledin, Director of Technical Sales & Product Intelligence at OpticsPlanet, with 25 years of experience, guides consumers on selecting the appropriate gun safe size. Key considerations include measuring doorways for transport, understanding that rated gun capacity is often optimistic and doesn't account for larger firearms or accessories, and the benefit of taller safes and door-mounted storage systems. The advice emphasizes buying a larger safe than currently needed to accommodate future purchases and valuables.

Quick Summary

When selecting a gun safe, prioritize measuring all doorways and pathways for physical transport. Understand that rated gun capacity is often optimistic; account for larger firearms, accessories like optics, and bolt handles. Taller safes and door storage systems enhance usability. It's wise to purchase a safe significantly larger than current needs to accommodate future firearm acquisitions and valuables.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction to Gun Safe Selection
  2. 00:27Physical Dimensions and Doorways
  3. 00:48Weight and Floor Support
  4. 01:11Interior Capacity vs. Reality
  5. 02:17Height and Door Storage
  6. 03:04Future-Proofing Your Purchase

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the critical physical dimensions to consider when buying a gun safe?

Before purchasing, meticulously measure all doorways, hallways, and stairwells the safe must pass through. Standard safes are around 30 inches wide and 28 inches deep, but ensuring passage is paramount to avoid delivery issues.

How does the rated gun capacity of a safe compare to its actual storage capability?

Manufacturer ratings often assume small .22 rifles. Larger firearms like shotguns, rifles with bolt handles (e.g., Mosin-Nagant), or AR-style rifles with optics and accessories consume significantly more space, reducing the actual number of firearms that can be stored.

Should I buy a gun safe larger than my current firearm collection?

Yes, it's highly recommended. Safes are long-term investments. Buying a larger safe than you currently need allows space for future firearm purchases, ammunition, optics, jewelry, and important documents, making it a more cost-effective choice over time.

Does the weight of a gun safe pose a risk to residential floors?

Generally, no. Most home gun safes weigh between 800 to 1,000 pounds or more, but this weight is distributed over a large footprint. Standard residential floors and staircases are typically designed to support this distributed weight without issue.

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