Going anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars, the money spent on guns isn’t something to overlook; it is a very serious investment. With that being said guns are obviously very dangerous as well.
How much should you spend on a gun safe? Anywhere from a 100 to 3000 dollars is the appropriate amount depending on how many guns you’re storing and the safety requirements that you have.
In the worst-case scenario, the money being spent on trying to protect your family could turn around and hurt your loved ones if additional money is not being spent protecting the gun from being mishandled or from falling into the wrong hands. Unfortunately, this is just a harsh reality of gun-ownership.
Buying a gun safe in a lot of ways like buying a car. People will have multiple opinions and won’t be afraid to share their thoughts on how you should buy a car whether it be used or new, foreign or domestic, and many other reasons.
Buying a gun safe is very similar; there are a lot of different opinions out there and it is easy to get lost in all of the Clutter. It’s important to know the answers to a couple of key questions.
This Is How Much You Should Spend On a Gun Safe
There are many reasons to own and buy a gun. Some might want to have a gun to protect their family in the house from intruders if they live in a bad neighborhood.
Some might want to use their guns so that they can go hunting with family and friends on the weekends. Some might just have a gun from serving in the military and want to hang onto it as a memento. As everyone knows, guns are very expensive as well.
With this question, there seems to be mainly two schools of thought.
Spending on a Gun Safe:
- Buy an expensive safe in an accessible location
- Buy a reasonably priced safe and keep it in a hard-to-reach place
- Low end: $100-700
- High end: $1,000-2,000
Spend the money and buy a proper gun safe and keep it in an area where it will be very accessible in case you need to use it in an emergency that way it can be taken quickly.
This could mean buying a nice gun safe and keeping it in your bedroom where it is easy to access for you and also easy to see for your family members and friends to see. With this school of thought, a higher end gun safe is required as it will need to be pleasing to the eye with very advanced security.
The other school of thought is buy a reasonably priced gun safe and keep it in a spot that is hard to access so that the likelihood that it would be mishandled by someone who should not have a gun in their hands is smaller.
Both of these sides have merit, and of course the decision is ultimately up to the buyer and what is best for his or her situation. With that being said, here is a comprehensive guide on buying a gun safe and how much money you should spend on one.
When it comes to how much you should spend on a gun safe obviously you have to take into consideration how long you going to have this gun safe for as well as how much work you’re willing to put into maintaining the gun safe and what type of gun or guns you’ll be storing in it.
For example, if you’re going to be storing the gun for a short period of time due to the possibility that you’ll be selling the gun soon, there’s really is no need to get a high-quality gun safe.
Also, if you’re not really going to take the proper care of a gun safe there’s no reason to buy an expensive one just to watch it go to waste.
Lastly, if you’re going to be storing multiple expensive guns it might make a lot of sense to buy a very expensive and high-quality gun safe in order to protect your investment in those guns. Then again, if you’re just going to store one small gun then you should shop for something that’s more appropriate for that.
How much you spend on a gun safe completely depends on the type of gun safe you’re shopping for as well as how long and for what you will use the gun safe for.
For a simple one handgun gun safe, you really shouldn’t be spending anything more than $200 and you really shouldn’t be spending anything less than $100 if you want a gun safe that’s going to last for say one to two years at the minimum. The moment you introduce other guns or multiple guns into the picture, it gets more complicated.
Once you have for example three or four guns one of which being a long gun, you’re going to have to upgrade your budget as well as you’re safe.
You’re going to need a longer, taller, and wider safe in which you can store six to seven guns, three of which being long guns and four of which being handguns.
The amount of money you should pay for this seems to be around for a $100 to $700 depending on how high quality and nice of a gun safe you want to have.
Now, the next level is super high and with lots of guns and ammunition that need to be stored. At this level, you can expect to spend at least $1,000 to $2,000 for a quality safe that you’re going to have long-term.
If you’re spending this much on a safe, it’s safe to assume that you’ve owned guns for a while have a multitude of different guns and won’t be giving up the gun-owning habit anytime soon. With these three general categories, you should identify which one you fit into, and that’s how much you should be spending approximately on a gun safe.
It’s important to remember that gun safes are also multi-faceted. So, if you’re going to be using the gun safe to store other family valuable such as fancy jewelry or certificates of different kinds, you might want to then upgrade to the next tier.
Also, it is important to note that gun safes will different prices tags on them even if they’re the same gun safe depending on the shop, and it’s important to shop around for the best price on the same gun safe.
Gun Safes Buying New vs Used
With regards to buying a gun safe new or used, there are multiple views and opinions on the issue. On one hand buying a gun safe used will save you a lot of money in the process as they are generally cheaper.
Additionally, not having to pay other expenses such as a sales tax if you buy it used from someone you know or on eBay or a similar service, can take a lot of money off the bottom line.
Another benefit of buying a gun safe used is that you can know the ins-and-outs of the safe before purchase purchasing it by talking to the previous owner if you have a good relationship and have known the owner before buying the safe.
Purchasing a used gun safe happens a lot, and it often happens between parties that know each other, not so much between parties that don’t know each other or have never had previous interactions.
There are also some cons of buying a gun safe used. For example, the owner knows more about the gun safe than the buyer typically, and thus the owner might be selling it for a reason the buyer does not know and the buyer will not find out this reason until they make the actual purchase.
This becomes a problem for buyers and sellers who haven’t known each other before the transaction. Furthermore, changing owners of gun safes can stop warranties on certain products, and a new warranty will be extra on the existing product.
Buying a gun safe new also has multiple upsides and downsides. On one hand, you’re getting a completely new product which is likely newer with better sophisticated models of security and with a better look and appeal to it. The new gun safe also has no wear and tear and it feels nice to have something new in the house.
On the other hand, buying a gun safe new is often very expensive. In fact, it is likely two times more expensive to get a gun safe new than a gun safe used, but for some buyers this increase in price is worth it and having the peace of mind knowing that if something goes wrong the warranty will protect it.
Also knowing that the equipment is brand new and will be functioning as such is a relief to gun-owners where safety is always the number one priority.
It’s important to know that there are some simple facts about buying a gun safe use versus buying a gun safe new:
- Buying a gun safe new will certainly be more
- The buyers have a disadvantage as they don’t know exactly what they are getting
- A new product comes with a warranty so if anything happens you will have the peace of mind
- There are a lot of opinions out there so it is important to look at your own situation individually and decide what is best for you, as the gun owner
The Best Places to Buy a Gun Safe?
There are lots of places to buy a gun safe. Some of the most common places to buy a gun safe are Internet websites such as Amazon or EBay, retailers such as Cabela’s or gun shops, or gun safe and gun manufacturers and distributors.
Deciding on where you want to buy your gun safe depends entirely on the situation of the buyer. If convenience and ease of delivery are most important to you, ordering a gun safe off the internet seems to make the most sense or ordering a custom delivery to your doorstep would also work.
However, there are also downsides to this approach. For example, you cannot see the actual gun safe in person nor touch it and see it’s quality if you are ordering it online.
This is a lot like wearing clothes which some people like to do and some people hate to do as they are never quite sure if the clothes will actually fit and if they’ll have to return them. If you don’t mind returning a gun safe if the expectations of it when you actually see it are different from when you see it online, this isn’t a big deal for you, however for some people this might be a deal-breaker.
Best Places To Buy a Gun Safe:
- Amazon
- Cabela’s
- EBay
- Walmart
The most common way to buy a gun safe is to actually buy it in the actual store. This is likely because buying a gun safe on the internet you don’t know exactly what you’re getting.
In the actual store, you can talk to a sales representative and see what they what they think of the gun safe and often they’ll tell you what they actually think.
It also might be beneficial for you as a gun safe purchaser to look online to see-reviews of the gun safe from people that I’ve actually owned it so that you know what to expect of the gun safe when you go in to see it.
In my opinion, this is the best approach as you are getting the best of both worlds. When deciding where to purchase a gun safe, one must also take into consideration how far how far the store will be from where the actual gun safe will be installed.
Furthermore, one must also coordinate actually moving the gun safe as it can be quite heavy depending on the model and services that feature this as an in-car package are often very convenient to customers.
Again, with all gun safe purchase details, one must consider their own special and unique situation and make the appropriate decision based on that.
The Best Gun Safe for the Money: Reviews
- Amazon Basics Mounted Firearm Safety Device with Fingerprint Lock – $145
This gun safe solution provided by Amazon is perhaps one of the best value gun safes per dollar. It is small, l easy to install, has great security features, and is very affordable for the average gun safe owner. It has great reviews from its customers and has 4.5 stars on Amazon which is very high rating.
The gun safe has a programmable lock with an electric keypad with a four digit unlock code as well as a biometric fingerprint lock for an extra fast access. The device can hold up to 50 individual fingerprints and the touch lifetime can be up to 1 million unlocks.
If there are any failures with unlocking it there also a set of keys that one can use to unlock the device. Overall this is the best bang for buck gun safe for a simple small handgun gun safe.
Check out this gun safe on Amazon here.
- Fortress 8 Gun safe – $450
The Fortress 8 fireproof safe with electronic lock is also a very formidable gun safe. While this gun safe is slightly more expensive, coming in at $450, it is a more sizable safe with much more storage space for multiple guns or larger guns.
It also has additional features; the gun safe comes with an alarm to prevent theft and deter tempering with the device and the external hinges allow for full 180 degrees of opening so that it is easy and quickly access to the guns inside in case of an emergency.
By default, the safe comes with a smart black exterior which will easily fit blend into the furniture in most rooms. The safe is very protected with two deadbolts for extra built-in security and it is also fireproofed, so that in case of a fire your guns will be safe.
Overall, this is a very solid product for its price and is great for a mid-level gun user who has multiple guns of varying sizes and is looking for a solid protection plan.
This gun safe is available on Amazon, click here to read more.
- Steeler Water Duty 8 Gun Safe – $765
The Steeler water 8 gun safe is the next level in our series thus far. The gun safe is fireproof for up to 60 minutes and the dimensions are 59 inches high by 22 inches wide by 16 inches deep. The locking structure is also superior with 8 deadbolts and up to 16 guns being able to be stored in it.
The weight of the gun safe is quite heavy because of these updated security features, coming in at about 305 lb. overall. This is a very solid gun safe for a serious gun over who plans on taking good care of both his guns and the gun safe and wants a superior product.
The door is removable to make it easier to manipulate and the average rating of the gun safe is a 4.7 which is very high. The safe also comes with a free ammo organizer which is a nice plus.
- Haven Series 48-Gun Fire/Waterproof ELock Gun Safe – $1200
The Haven series 48 gun safe is a top-of-the-line Deluxe gun safe for serious and long-term users the gun safe allows you to store up to 48 long guns and 8 handguns and additional storage is available on the shelf for ammunition and other valuables. The gun safe comes with a fully programmable electric lock and has to backup access keys as well.
The gun safe has fire protection for 75 minutes with up to 1400 degrees Fahrenheit and also the safe has technology which will protect the contents for a full seven days in up to 2 ft. of water in the case of flooding.
Furthermore, there’s also a power outlet inside of the gun safe as well as a theft alert system with an audible alarm that sounds the minute the safe has been tampered with the gun. The safe comes outfitted fully with carpeted walls and is dark Earth Matte black and blends right in with other furniture.
How to Save Money on a Gun Safe
When you start to go shopping for a gun safe, you should have a set budget for how much you think you are going to spend. That way you know going in what you are looking for, and you won’t be manipulated and swayed by the sales people at the gun store.
Also, be sure to check online and at multiple stores when comparing gun safes, you can always circle back with a store that has the safety one cheaper and asked the store that you’re shopping at if they could match it or do better often times they will do this.
In addition, you should do a quick Google search to see how much the gun safes are going for online and if they’re going for a cheaper price in a different area because gun safes can cost anywhere from $100 to $3,000 it really does make sense to do all of this research so that you make the proper decision.
With that in mind, there are multiple ways to save money on a gun safe. One such way could be shopping when gun safe buying offseason and stores are trying to generate sales. Another such way could be buying a lower-tier safe and then upgrading it yourself with a do-it-yourself guide.
Of course, there’s always the possibility of finding a good gun safe at a garage sale or on a website such as letgo.com which gives away such items for extremely discounted prices or even for free sometimes.
If people are trying to get rid of it they will often give it away for a less likely value then they could get for it on the market.
Also, customer loyalty is important to remember here. If you bought multiple guns at a store you could go to the gun store owner and ask if he has a recommendation for a safe.
You never know if he might buy safes for a lot cheaper from a large retailer and then you could get the safe on discount .
You could also go straight to a distributor and purchase two or three safes for a discounted price if you know you’re going to be using them in multiple spots, or if you have multiple houses.
How Save Money When Shopping For A Gun Safe:
- Know how long you’ll be using the safe
- Know what type of guns you’ll be storing in the safe
- Know how many guns you want in the safe
- Be aware that the sales people at the store will try to upsell you
- Compares prices of gun safes in the area and online and see if competitors will match prices at other stores
- Purchase the safe and take appropriate care of it
What are the Characteristics of a Quality Gun Safe
There are multiple characteristics to a good gun safe. Also keep in mind that characteristics for gun safe will change on the type of gun safe you are purchasing.
In general, most gun safes include two or three different methods of getting into the safe whether that be an electronically configure keypad, a biometric fingerprint scanner, or an actual key to get into the gun safe.
Good gun safes also come with built-in alarm system that will alert the user when a gun safe is trying to be broken into or the safe lock is being tampered with.
Another feature common on most good gun safes is fire or water prevention. A good fire prevention gun safe will be able to withstand the heat for at least half an hour with degrees up to thousand degrees Fahrenheit.
With regards to water safety, this is more of a high-end feature, but in general the gun safe should be able to sustain water damage for a good amount of time without the water pressure being too serious.
Most good gun safes also come with a warranty policy anywhere from two to three years, and that is a future that most gun safe fire should be looking for when they are shopping around for a gun safe.
Quality Gun Safe:
- Multiple lock systems
- Fireproof and waterproof
- Easily accessible
- Alarm system built in
Some other features on a gun safe that are as common that are nice to have is built in ammunition containers that can be fitted either on the top of the gun safe or on the door that rotates out on the gun safe.
Speaking of the door it is also a nice feature to have for the door to swing completely open so that if an emergency arises with quick access to a gun being required, the gun is easily accessible from within the safe.
Another nice feature to have is being able to store multiple guns in the same safe or having a compartment of the gun safe be fitted to store valuable jewelry or money.
Some other features that are nice to have in a gun safe, but aren’t common and all gun safes is padding the gun safety actually come to the doorstep and to have it be installed by someone else, as that is very convenient to the customer also.