If you’re an enthusiast, you’re also probably a collector. Some folks collect cars, while others collect guns. Regardless of how large your gun collection is, there is no doubt that you will need a safe to protect them. When it comes to the value of used gun safes, however, there is a grey area among gun owners.
How much is a used gun safe worth? The value of a used gun safe will depend on a numerous amount of factors, and there is not just one answer that will apply to every safe.
The main factors that will affect the value include the features and the wear that has been put on it through ownership.
A 2017 Washington Post article reported that U.S. civilians own 393 million guns. The number represents more guns than the 326M people. Further, the average gun-owning household owns approximately eight guns. This is because there are many households where a gun is not owned.
Guns are lethal, so they need secure storage. In treading there, let’s explore used gun safes as opposed to buying new. We’ll look for a 6-8 capacity safe, and we’ll assume three are long guns. That means we need a sizeable safe. Keep reading to find out how much these are worth when they are used.
How Much is a Used Gun Safe Worth?
The used gun safe market varies. For fun, let’s peruse the used ‘hidden gun safe’ design. Anyone with the firepower of several guns needs more than safety, they need discretion.
Used Gun Safe Average Prices:
Under $200 (low end)
Over $2,000 (high end)
A hidden safe hides the contents while the safe is in full view AND the contents are readily accessible.
One site ships (for free) a concealment bench that is a gun safe storage cabinet for $185.31. Add the 2-year protection for $82. That’s a cost of less than $300, and it holds five long guns and has a gun drawer.
Mounting holes, lined interior, hardwood, 10 moving bolts, two anti-copy keys, and ‘heavy steel’ construction round out the description. There’s even room inside for blankets, and you can sit on it. It is, after all, an indoor bench.
The buyer must put it together because it’s technically new, though the bench is advertised as used. Reviews are 4’s and 5’s. Overall, it’s a really good deal, however, used hidden gun safes are not readily available. That might be attributable to their two functions instead of just one.
An examination of traditional used gun safes offers many options. Again, a look at safes will focus on types and sizes that accommodate long guns and handguns.
Working backwards, this shopper will find examples of used safes and their prices, and then we can compare each to the current ‘new’ value to determine the difference between used and new safes.
One site offers a used Large Sentry Gun Safe model ET8523 for $995.00. The safe appears clean and new. This used safe’s interior is in excellent condition.
There are six long gun holders and a shelf with room for your handguns. Its entry is a digital programmable keypad. The outside is spotless, and the inside door offers holders for targets and other paperwork. Free local pickup is available (it’s in Las Vegas), and delivery is possible, but varied.
One problem with this model is with the batteries. A search for the model (new) produced complaints. One, the batteries require changing more often than expected. A greater problem was the individual who changed the batteries and closed the safe. This safe wouldn’t reopen, a cause of chagrin for the owner.
This safe doesn’t appear to be available at this time, but there are similar models, so we can use one or two for comparison. One is a Sun Welding brand that is about $2,200.00 new. Another, this one by Iron Man, includes a basic digital electronic locking mechanism. It goes for about $2,300.00.
Another Sentry, model #1459 with a mechanical combination is $369.00 used. It appears ‘more’ used, but in fine shape. The interior is in near perfect condition. The locking mechanism, a large combination lock, is clean and seems well maintained. The owner’s manual is included.
This safe is of approximate size as the 8523, but the price is considerably less. Free local pickup is available in Ocala, Florida.
Its new version is generally on sale for about $2,000. Shipping is free. This makes the used model a great deal as long as a buyer lives close enough for pickup.
One more example, and this example will cover the gun owner who wants a smaller model of used gun safe. We’ll examine a used safe that can house three handguns. Amazingly,
used handgun safes are sold on Amazon!
Interestingly, the safes for sale on this site don’t appear to be used. But the site does let owners sell used products. It is a conundrum for this gun owner, but an explanation might be that this is unsold inventory that is new.
The Sentry safe with only 2.05cuft costs around $350.00 with free shipping. This is fireproof to endure an hour at 1700 degrees F, and the safe comes with a digital keypad and a secondary key lock.
There are two sliding drawers (plastic) that can accommodate files, papers, and it will protect the small gun collection. The drawers can be removed if the owner wishes. Note that the owner can order this in various sizes, the 2.05 cu.ft, the largest offered.
This exact safe (without optional sizes) is offered through some commonly known stores. It typically sells for $100.00 more.
Most stores don’t have the safe in the store for those desiring to inspect it in person, so it seems a good plan to just purchase it from Amazon. If you’re wondering, it is a Prime free shipping.
In conclusion, the ‘used’ safe (remember, some are not really used) is an interesting consideration for the gun safe buyer who is looking for value. Let’s look more closely at factors that affect gun safe value.
The Factors That Affect Gun Safe Value
There are generally two factors that affect safe costs. One might suspect a factor to be age, but that is not necessarily the case.
Factors That Affect Gun Safe Value:
Condition
Accessories available
One factor that certainly affects gun safe value is the condition of the used gun safe vs. a new gun safe. The second value factor is the accessories that are available to the buyer. Typically, used gun safes seem to be sparsely accessorized.
New gun safes for 6+ long gun capacities are very nice because they can be customized in many ways. Some examples follow, and it is the customizing potential that will probably affect a buyer’s decision.
Customization Accessories:
Pistol rack (by numbers of pistols)
Hanging shelf basket (sizes)
Document basket
Handgun hangers (by caliber)
LED white light strip (number of lights)
Hydrosorbent SG-450 silica gel box
Lock light for dial combo
Lock light for electronic
Most used safes online do not have these customizations, but gun owners who would rather spend money on their collection—as opposed to the safe—might not mind.
In other words, is a used gun safe without some accessories an acceptable choice, or does the gun owner require a highly accessorized safe? That is a very personal decision, but the following information might help gun owners make up their minds.
Buying a Used Gun Safe vs. a New One
Some pros of buying a new gun safe include the potential to multi-code your locking mechanism, and locking mechanisms have transformed to include biometric capabilities that some older models don’t usually offer. These are great security perks.
Buying New:
No repair
Predictable future
Depreciating product
New safes don’t require repair (and if they might, there are warrantees that cover them), and the safes are customizable.
That’s a plus because the gun owner can fairly predict and plan for future needs. Finally, you can return a new safe any time up to 30 days, and new safe purchases normally come with shipping.
Some cons of buying a new gun safe are it’s a little bit like buying a new car: the safe will depreciate over the years, and if you don’t want to have to make payments on this new more expensive item, you’ll need to save for it first.
Buying Used:
Cheaper to buy
Lower insurance costs
Safety/security issues
There’s also some pros and cons to buying a used safe. First, they are always comparably
cheaper. Used safes don’t depreciate if you plan to keep them.
Insurance costs might be lessened, but it will depend on the safe’s age. Further, a used safe has history. Ask about functional or other problems and hope the owners are forthright.
A con with used: it could have been tampered with; a locksmith could determine its health of safety. Another problem: a potential lack of a warrantee. Noted above, there are sites that sell ‘used’ safes, and they do offer warrantees. That’s a real perk.
The gun owner will have to weigh the totality of pros and cons. As with any other collectibles, your firearms are a great investment. Look at your investment from many angles, and you’ll ensure continue enjoyment for years to come.