Gun safe placement

[Superpsy]

I'm about 99% sure I'll be getting a gun safe before Christmas this year. I've got a little one who is starting to crawl. Up till now the guns have been in a locked closet. I'm thinking of getting this (or one similar).

That safe weighs about 450 lbs. empty and I'm wondering if my floor can handle it's weight. My house was built in the 50s and has a crawl space (no basement ). I'm thinking of putting the safe in the same closet that's held the guns. I'm not certain (will be checking this weekend) but I think the closet is partially over two load bearing (cinder block) walls. One outside wall and an internal load bearing wall. Any thoughts/ideas/comments on what to look for when I'm in the crawl space? Or if I should reinforce the joists under the safe? Any ideas for better placement?

 

[a1abdj]

You should be fine. We routinely place safes weighing up to 1,500 pounds inside of homes. 450 pounds should not require any reinforcement.

 

[Hedgemeister]

superspy, you can get that safe at costco for a lot less and delivered to your house.

 

[Polar Express]

Superspy,

I'm not a safe installer, or retailer, but I have a background in building construction. I agree with a1abdj, that you should not require any reinforcement.

If you have any doubts, consider this concept: a piano weighs a lot more than lots of safes. Even smaller ones. And, all that weight may appear to be dispersed over a larger 'footprint' of space that they take up, but all that weight is transferred to the building floor via 3 (in the case of grands, and baby grands) or 4 (upright) very small contact points- usually metal casters. Most folks don't consider 'reinforcing' the floor or framing when they get a piano, and don't need too. Those safes you are considering, all have a flat surface that will sit on top of your floor, or carpet, and there actually won't be all that much weight on any small spot. Besides, your 1950's home likely has real wood for floor material, perhaps that 2x6 t&g, not that OSB crap they build most houses with today.

Good luck, and congrats on the little one. Get them shooting as soon as possible.

PE

 

[Black Butte]

Superpsy,

If you want piece of mind, do the following from within your crawlspace under your safe. Get some stones or squares of plywood to act as bases/sills. Cut some 2x4s about an inch longer than the distance from the sills to the bottom of the joists to compensate for any settling. Use a small hydraulic jack and a shorter 2x4 to raise the joists about two inches so you can pop in the 2x4 supports you just cut, then remove the jack. You can now park a tank next to your safe.

Also, while you're in the crawlspace, secure the bolts that come down through the floor from your safe with large washers and nuts.

 

[bigfatdave]

Also, while you're in the crawlspace, secure the bolts that come down through the floor from your safe with large washers and nuts.

You know, that's a damn good idea.
If you're under there anyway, bolt that thing down good, and then put your supports right under the bolts.

 

[RTMiller]

My ex-mother-in-law weighed 450 pounds and she visited all the time. You should be fine.

 

[Ruger-Man]

I just purchased a 600 lb safe, 7 year old house, didn't want to take any chances, So went to Lowes purchased house jack for the crawl space ($27.00) spaned 3 joist and put it in tight with a piece of 3 inch angle iron over the joist. Hoping this will work

 

[the count]

My ex-mother-in-law weighed 450 pounds and she visited all the time. You should be fine.

hahaaaaaaaa. that's really funny.

 

[a1abdj]

I just purchased a 600 lb safe, 7 year old house, didn't want to take any chances, So went to Lowes purchased house jack for the crawl space ($27.00) spaned 3 joist and put it in tight with a piece of 3 inch angle iron over the joist. Hoping this will work

If you ever do anything like this in a basement, please make sure that you secure the jack both top and bottom, as well as whatever it is you are using to span the floor joists.

We were delivering a safe to a customer's recently purchased home, and placing it in the basement. The house had a fireplace installed on the first floor that was not original to the home, and the weight of the masonry was supported in the basement by an I beam and two basement jacks. It was all held in place by pressure alone.

His two boys were playing tag in the basement while we were moving the safe in, when one of them ran into one of the jacks. The other took the I beam to the side of the head as it fell, and it pushed him into the concrete floor head first.

Always keep safety in mind when moving your safe, and when making modifications to support the weight.