Things I Wish I Knew

What I’ve Learned About Gun Safes After 15 Years in the Business

After 15 years of selling gun safes, I’ve gathered some insight into the differences between high-quality safes and those that just “look” secure. I really had no idea how much difference there was between safe companies and safe company models. I just figured that they were all “safe” and as such would do a great job protecting valuables from theft and fire. I thought the main differences between a cheaper safe and a more expensive safe were things like, size, the paint, the interior, the lights, etc., but I realize now that the real difference comes down to weight which generally means the steel thickness in the safe’s door and body. Fire ratings were another big eye-opener for me. I assumed that if there was a sticker on the inside of the door or in the literature, that the safe had actually undergone some serious testing in that regard. That assumption was wrong. There’s no one holding safe companies to the fire (pun intended) as it relates to their fire rating claims. One representative from a leading manufacturer actually confided in me stating that the fire ratings “…were all made up”. Yep, that’s right, fabricated. We no longer carry that brand of course but they are still out there. Perhaps, one can simply do the math and calculate how a safe will fare in a fire, but many companies lead you to believe that their safe has been tested, unbiasedly, in an actual furnace with sensors and thermocouples, etc. when the reality might be that they were not. If I were considering safe brands and models, I would look for customer testimonials along with tests done by independent testing companies not affiliated with the manufacturer.

U.S built safes… You really have to look to find true US built safes, Many brands, with clever advertising and sentence structure will lead you to believe that their product is U.S. built when sometimes it is not. Phrases like, “Assembled in America with Global Components” usually means that the safe was imported and something like the lock and/or the shelving, (also imported) was assembled in America- that doesn’t always mean USA though either. Mexico is America too. See? Clever huh? In my experience, if a safe model doesn’t overtly state that their product is made in the U.S.A., then it’s probably not. You might see US flags all over their advertising and think, Heck yes! I’m buying that to support a US business! Be careful though, they may not be what you think. Not to mention any names but, OLD GLORY is a common nickname for our U.S. flag and I do fly OLD GLORY at our business here in TN. Maybe you got that little hint… Does that mean all U.S. safes are good and all imports are bad? Not at all. It just means that you have to pay attention to the marketing and do some research if you want a true U.S. built safe.

Here are a few key points:

1. Thin Steel Walls & Hollow Gauge Doors

Appearance vs. Reality: Many safes, especially from big-box stores, have thin steel walls and hollow gauge steel doors. While they appear robust, they’re often little more than metal cabinets that offer limited protection against cutting or grinding attacks. You can generally tell these from more serious safes by the door edge or by rapping your knuckles on the face of the door. If it sounds hollow and thin, it probably is.

2. Solid Plate Doors for Real Security

Thicker Plate Steel: In contrast, high-quality safes use solid quarter-inch, half-inch, or even thicker steel plate doors. These doors, paired with similarly thick steel bodies, provide much better protection.

3. Misleading Industry Ratings

No Standardized Testing: There’s no industry-wide standard for fire testing safes, so ratings can be misleading. Just because a safe has a certain fire rating doesn’t mean it underwent rigorous or consistent testing.

4. Fire Insulation: Drywall vs. Poured in Mixture

Material Matters: Some companies line their safes with drywall, which can leave gaps, reducing fire protection. Others use a poured-in concrete-like mixture, which fills every void and offers better overall protection.

5. Warranties Aren’t Always Equal

Beware of Hidden Costs: While some safes come with a “lifetime warranty,” the fine print often leaves customers responsible for costs like removal, freight, and installation of a replacement. Other companies, however, fully cover these expenses.

6. Lock Quality Makes a Difference

Not All Locks Are Equal: Many manufacturers selling in the big-box store arena use cheaper locks, especially electronic ones, which are prone to failure. While there are high-quality electronic locks available, you generally won’t find them on lower-end safes.

These are just a few of the things that I wish I had known earlier. I feel that I’ve always tried to find the product that best fits my customers’ needs and budget. Now that I know more than I did, I hope I can continue to do that. I also realize that sometimes it simply comes down to budget and I can relate to that for sure. I’m just saying that if you are spending the money, it might be worthwhile to research and make sure that the safe you choose will actually do the job you want it to do. Perhaps Parker’s Safes and Vaults can lead you in the right direction.