Gun Safe size?

[Prof]

I notice that gun safes are listed as holding 6, 8, 10, etc. rifles. However, my shooting partner said that his safe holds fewer than listed because most of his rifles are scoped. I'm looking to buy a safe and wonder what rule of thumb I should use in determining what size I need? Thanks!

 

[zahc]

Go Big. Never heard anyone complain about thier safe being too big. Some don't fit short .22's and some don't fit long smokepoles, so ya might wanna measure.

 

[Coronach]

Go big.

You WILL end up buying more guns than you think you will at this point, and even if you don't, you'll like the extra space you have. Plus, when you leave town, its nice to have a place to throw the laptop, the jewelry box, etc etc etc.

Get the biggest bestest you can afford. Especially if you're not moving.

Mike

 

[Northwest Cajun]

I second Coronach's suggestion. Get the biggest one you could afford. Mine is a Cannon 23 cuft fire safe. It is set up for only half long guns and half shelves. I am about maxed out now and considering converting it to all long guns. It does help when the space is getting tight to store some muzzle down. Most of my long guns are the military type and the number of slots are too close together to store side by side if stored muzzle up.

Cajun

 

[HankL]

Prof, At one time I had a 44 slot gun safe and I do think that it would have held 44 single shot shotguns. Scopes and bolt handles invade the near by spaces for other guns. In my case the safe maxed out around 25 long guns some scoped some not. All of the safe brands I have looked at seem to be a little over optimistic on their stated capacity. I would assume a safe would hold half of the rated capacity in comfort. I also agree with what the others have said about out growning a safe.

 

[Prof]

Thanks to all of you for your comments! I will take your advice and get the biggest I can afford (I may be moving houses soon so will buy after the move). HankL, thanks for answering the specific question, too, about how to figure the number I could fit in. I will get the biggest I can, but will make sure that it will at least hold twice the number of rifles I now own!! Gosh, I don't think I'll need a bigger one as I don't think I'll ever buy another rifle: I have all I need! Said that last bit in case my wife is reading this thread!

 

[dongun]

A warning before going 'bigger.' All those empty slots will taunt you, "fill me, fill me," ever time you look in. Those empty slots will cost you in the long run.

 

[xsquid]

My first safe was a 36 gun Liberty and I could no where near get that many long guns in. As HankL pointed out you may get that many single shot shotguns in there but no way if you have any evil rolleyes: ) pistol gripped rifles or if they're scoped. Another thing about having a big fully loaded safe - you'll soon find out what a pain in the rear it is to take a rifle out that's deep in the back of the safe out.

 

[Sven]

Your gun collection will expand to fill the amount of secure space provided.

-sven, stacking

 

[HankL]

dongun You need to think of this in the proper perspective.

The few extra slots will cost nothing. They will provide you with the luxury of being able to add to your investment in firearms while knowing you have a secure place to store a few more.

I still stand on the 50% rule of thumb if you have scopes, bolt handles or pistol grips in your inventory.

 

[COHIBA]

look, gun safes are the same as tents they take a special tent math to figure out it goes like this . X=.5-1 of Y. Y= stated capacity.
example 12 man tent.
divide by two, subtract one.
a 12 man tent will fit exactly 5 grown men.
or 3 and 1/2 midgets.

20 gun safe? 9 guns you can add 2 more if they are all synthetic and you take out the bolts on the boltguns.
additionally if the midgets are really skinny one of them can bring a monkey...


or a small cat.

 

[Byron Quick]

I've got a big Liberty. I might get another just for handguns. But most likely I will be buying a vault door and securing an entire room on the house with rebar and such.

 

[TechBrute]

As everyone has already said, go big. Also, the maximum capacity of the safe will be in "long gun only" configuration. I like the ones that have shelves on one side so I can store handguns, jewelry, etc.. Back in the day, I used to even store my ammo in the safe. Once I started buying by the case and reloading, I found it better to get a cheaper locking cabinet or chest than take valuble safe room.

When I finally settle down, I think I'm just going to secure a room and install a vault door. They are actually cheaper than some of the larger safes.

 

[UnintendedConsequences]

The largest gun safe/vault I have ever seen...

There is a gun shop located about half an hour away from where I live. It has the largest safe/fault I have ever seen. The gun shop is in an old bank building and the offices are used for various things, one has a few normal gun safes and some camo and safe accessories on display, another has other firearm accessories and some antique ammo on display, another has blackpowder shooting items and regular ammo from floor to almost the ceiling. The main foyer/old teller area has his wife's jewlery business and she has one office with train sets taking up one entire wall.

However, the jewel of the building is the old bank vault. On the inside of the vault are about 80-90 firearms around the interior of the vault, with a display case in the middle with handguns and scopes. I can just imagine how many guns you could put in there if you just set up gun racks like library shelves. I could see maybe at the least 300 gun capacity if not more if you build the racks correctly.

I guess that the second best vault/safe would be to buy a nice gunsafe door with frame and devote one entire interior room to firearms.

As for normal gun safes, I view them as more than just secure firearms storage. With the extra space available you can store important papers, jewelery, cameras, laptop computers, family heirlooms and other items of value. That way you don't need a bank safe deposit box. You can also store some ammunition with your firearms if you wish.

Just because you have a big gun safe doesn't mean it has to be filled with firearms only. There are lots of things that can be stored for safe keeping in them.

 

[Hot brass]

Get the biggest safe that you can afford. I spent $1500.00 17yrs ago and got a safe that holds 12 long guns. I upgraded to a unit that holds 30 long guns. I need another safe. :banghead:

 

[M1911]

Figure out how many guns you might ever conceivably own. Then buy a safe that will hold twice as many. That way, it will be at least 5 years before you need to buy your second gun safe.

Ask me how I know this...

Buy the biggest you can afford.

 

[Chairman Meow]

I have a safe listed as holding 50 guns, and I think I could put 25 in and still be able to take them in and out. Thats about it though. Any more and I would be banging them against each other every time I tried to use one.

 

[Tusker10mm]

SAFE SIZE

Bigger is always better, they do hold more than guns you know. Hopefully you will not have to move it too many times

 

[0007]

Prof - If you're down near San Diego, there's a company there called "Sportsman Steel Safe". They usually advbertise in SHotgun News. They have a pretty good REASONABLE priced product line. Everyone else is correct. Buy the largest one that you have room for. It will fill up sooner or later. And they aren't really "safes", they are "security containers", unless you want to get into the big bucks...

 

[VictorLouis]

Besides your strength, the larger safe builds-up

your character. You must worker harder in order to be able to fill it all the way up.

 

[dave5339]

Make sure the safe you get is lighted on the inside. My safe doesn't have a light. When you close the door the guns get together and breed!

My wife and I open the safe and ervery now and then there is something in there that we have no idea where it came from!

Fortunatley my wife is as big of a gun nut as I am!

Semper Fi

 

[blue86buick]

Preventing "grew legs and walked away" syndrome...

I've just started getting into guns, and will need to start securing them. Unfortunatly, my budget is rather slim (want to build my collection ...and have bills to pay off), and I can't afford a 4-5-600 dollar safe. As I said, I'm more concerned with the problem of "gee, it grew legs and took a walk" thanks to roommates or friends, than I am with fire or a "real" theif. I have seen $80-100 sheet steel lock cabinets in gun stores, that can be bolted down or weighted for security. Would one of these do the job, or is it wiser to get an inexpensive ($250-350) thick-wall, 3/4" diameter steel bolt, 100-300 lb safe? Obviously the safe will be more secure than the lock cabinet, but as long as I'm sure to bolt/weigh it down, is there a compelling reason to not get the lock cabinet?

 

[jimcon]

The simple answer is to buy the Biggest safe that will fit in your house. By taking this approach, you are only delaying that inevitable and horrifying day when the safe is chock-a block full.

The is the day that I dread, when I mention a new shooter and my good wife is quick to remind me that "The safe is full and you are not going to buy another gun until you sell some of them. (perish the thought). Honey,I say, there is plenty of room for another safe in the spare bedroom. I am sure that you know the rest of this conversation.

 

[blue86buick]

i wish i could

Right now I can't do that. Basically, I'm working full time earning 9.30/hr, have about 5k in CC bills I'm working to pay off, and have to pay for all the standard expenses (rent (~400/mo) food, car (and ins, gas, any repairs), rent, health/renters insurance, etc...and also want to buy guns and their ammunition! I could probably swing a $300 safe, which is rated to hold 15 guns....trust me, it'd be a LONG time (with my budget) before I could fill that up!

You might say with my current expenses I shouldn't be buying ANY guns. I say, "pooey on you!" I just won't get things in the Kimber price range.