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

Published on April 24, 2013
Duration: 4:12

This guide, drawing on 25 years of experience from Steve Ledin of OpticsPlanet, provides expert advice on selecting the right size gun safe. It emphasizes crucial steps like measuring access routes, understanding the difference between rated capacity and actual usable space for various firearm types, and the importance of future-proofing your purchase by buying a larger safe than currently needed. The guide also highlights the utility of door storage systems for maximizing space efficiency.

Quick Summary

When selecting a gun safe, always measure your doorways and access routes first. Consider the safe's external dimensions and weight, but critically assess the internal capacity, understanding that rated gun counts are optimistic and don't account for firearm variations and accessories. Buying larger than needed accommodates future purchases.

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 key factors to consider when choosing a gun safe size?

When choosing a gun safe size, prioritize measuring your doorways and access routes first. Then, consider the safe's external dimensions and weight. Critically, evaluate the internal capacity, understanding that rated gun counts are often optimistic and don't account for firearm variations and accessories.

How much space do accessories like optics take up in a gun safe?

Firearm accessories, such as red dot sights or scopes on AR-style rifles, significantly increase the space required for storage. These 'protrusions' can prevent firearms from being stored efficiently side-by-side, reducing the overall number of guns a safe can hold compared to its rated capacity.

Can standard residential floors support the weight of a gun safe?

Yes, standard residential floors and stairs can generally support the weight of typical gun safes, which range from 800 to 1000+ pounds. This is because the weight is distributed over a large footprint, preventing excessive stress on any single point.

Why is it important to buy a gun safe larger than my current needs?

Safes are long-term investments intended to last for generations. Buying a larger safe than you currently need allows ample room for future firearm purchases, ammunition, optics, jewelry, and important documents, preventing the need for an early, costly upgrade.

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