The first and most obvious decision is to narrow down the size of the safe that is appropriate for your firearms. They can be found as small as a typical toolbox, for pistol gun safes and handgun safes. These safes are usually very light, around 20 lbs., making them portable for travel. These personal gun safes are best for storing guns, but can also be used for storing valuables such as jewelry, passports, and cash. A great example of a high quality small gun safe is the Fort Knox PB4 Personal Pistol safe. Long gun safes or rifle gun safes are the best option for securing larger firearms. These are typically the size of a small refrigerator and can weigh as much as 3,000 pounds. The Browning SR26 Silver Series Gun Safe is an excellent choice. Made in the USA, it boasts several convertible shelves, a 3-way bolt system, and the ability to store 7 long guns in the door. There are several types of locks to consider when choosing the best gun safe. A dial combination lock is the most familiar and has a long history of security. The Fort Knox safe uses a mechanical Simplex lock that offers over a thousand different combinations. A biometric lock, which opens with electronic fingerprint recognition, is a better option for when quick access is needed. An example of this is the AMSEC DV652, a small safe that’s stored under the bed for use in an emergency. This safe has a digital electronic lock with an illuminated keypad that helps you enter your pin code quickly, even in the dark. The material used in the construction of the safe can make a big difference when choosing a high-rated gun safe. The AMSEC BF6030 Rifle & Gun Safe has concrete composite material injected in between layers of solid steel, including a ½” steel plate. The concrete composite material not only deters theft, but also protects from fire – in this case it’s been rated to protect your valuables from a 1200-degree fire for 2 hours, maintaining an internal temperature of less than 325 degrees. Fireproof gun safes give you an extra layer of security for your firearms. This safe also has 11 massive 1-½” thick locking bolts for incredible door security. It holds a maximum of 27 total long guns. High-quality gun safes will have pre-drilled holes at the bottom of the safe so that you can anchor it down, preferably in a closet or well-hidden area of the home. It’s even possible to bolt some safes down inside of a vehicle. With the larger safes, like the Mesa MGL36E Gun & Rifle Safe, which weighs 572 lbs., it is recommended to bolt them down to add another measure of safety. The best gun safes are given burglar ratings which can be a mix of manufacturer standards and Underwriters Laboratories (UL) ratings. The RSC (Residential Security Container) is independently tested at Underwriters Laboratories (UL). The test is conducted for a net working time of five minutes using common hand tools. The Hayman EV-5922 Everglades RSC Gun Safe is one of the many safes with an RSC rating. This very attractive safe holds up to 16 long guns, has a fire rating of one hour, and is made out of 12-gauge steel with an addition ¾” of steel between the door and the lock for additional protection against drilling attacks.
