At times I come across a good deal on a gun safe. The price seems to good to be true. A good way to find out is determine if the gun safe is made in the USA or a cheap import. Gettysburg was a new name to me and I wanted to learn more about what company was behind them.
So who makes Gettysburg Gun Safes? The name Gettysburg is a registered trademark of RK Holdings , LLP in MATTOON, IL, 61938. Rural King Supply (RK) is a farm and home department store with over one hundred stores in thirteen states.
https://trademark.trademarkia.com/gettysburg-87000538.html
There is not a lot of information online about where Gettysburg gun safes are manufactured. On Rural Kings website for the listing of their Gettysburg 24 gun safe there is a question section. In the question section the question has been asked “Who is the mfg. for this?” The answer was given as “NINGBO YONGFA GROUP CO LTD”.
Here is a link to the above posts…https://www.ruralking.com/gettysburg-24-gun-fire-safe?bvstate=pg:2/ct:q#bv_questions
The company based in China is one of the countries largest producers and exporters of theft proof safes and other security products. If NINGBO YONGFA GROUP CO.,LTD is the manufacture then Rural King buys the safes as a private label using their brand name Gettysburg.
http://nbyongfa.en.chinaningbo.com/jesus/about/nbyongfa.html
This would mean the Gettysburg safes are manufactured in China and imported to the U.S. and sold exclusively at Rural King stores.
Is it worth buying this gun safe and how can you determine if the Gettysburg safes are being manufactured over seas?
Gettysburg Gun Safe Closer Look
The most likely scenario is Rural King created the brand Gettysburg and through a private label has the safes made for them by a Chinese manufacturer. There is no sign of made in the U.S.A when viewing the product online. I would imagine this would be advertised by Rural King if this was the case.
Although they are imported Gettysburg gun safes can be good for someone who wants a budget safe that is decent quality.
Rural King only ships one of their gun safes online (24 Gun) but if you live in any below states you can visit a store to see or purchase one in person.
- Alabama
- Florida
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Kentucky
- Michigan
- Missouri
- North Carolina
- Ohio
- Pennsylvania
- Tennessee
- Virginia
- West Virginia
There are six gun safes Rural King sells, one is biometric and the others range in different sizes.
- 14 gun
- 24 gun
- 40 gun
- 48 gun (Biometric)
- 84 gun
- 88 gun
https://www.ruralking.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=Gettysburg+Gun+Safes
Potential problems with imported gun safes
- Quality of steel is worse. United States steel undergoes rigorous testing before it can be sold. These same tests are not required in China for example.
- Chinese drywall used in safes can contain formaldehyde and pyrite. Both are not only unhealthy for humans but can cause corrosion and rusting.
One review on the website mentions a terrible smell in the safes interior. This would be a result of formaldehyde used in the interior insulation.
http://www.tomziemer.com/2015/03/insulation-chinese-made-gun-safes.html
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/why-all-fuss-corrosion-gun-safes-tom-kubiniec
Are Gettysburg safes any good?
A Gettysburg safe for the money can make a great home safe. Beware that the safe is imported from China. There are better safe brands made in the U.S.A. Depending on the value of firearms stored in the safe it would be better to invest more into a higher quality safe.
The good news out of the small number of reviews online for Gettysburg safes they average 4 out of 5 stars.
Gettysburg Gun Safe fire rating
According to Rural King the Gettysburg gun safes have a average fire rating of 30-75 minutes in 1200-1400 degrees Fahrenheit. It is recommended that gun safe have a fire rating of over an hour to protect ammunition from exploding.
| Gun Safe Model by Size | Fire Rating Minutes/Degrees |
| 14 Guns | 30 mins – 1200 Degrees F |
| 24 Guns | 30 mins – 1400 Degrees F |
| 40 Guns | 75 mins – 1200 Degrees F |
| 48 Guns | 30 mins – 1200 Degrees F |
| 84 Guns | 75 mins – 1200 Degrees F |
| 88 Guns | 45 mins – 1200 Degrees F |
Gettysburg Gun Safe Cost
Gettysburg Gun safes have a average price range of $300 – $900.
| Gun Safe Model by Size | Price Range |
| 14 Guns | $300 – $400 |
| 24 Guns | $400 – $500 |
| 40 Guns | $600 – $700 |
| 48 Guns | $500 – $600 |
| 84 Guns | $800 – $900 |
| 88 Guns | $700 – $800 |
Conclusion
Gettysburg gun safes are a private label brand manufactured and imported from China. The company behind Gettysburg safes is Rural King which operates farm supply stores in thirteen u.s. states.
The gun safes are affordable but not as high of quality as other brands/companies. Five out of the six gun safes models are only available in-stores.