There is a lot of information and myths surrounding the problem of gun safe security and safety. Are gun safes really secure? We will take you to the answer.
The top reason customers buy those hunks of metal is to protect their firearms and valuables from burglars. But are gun safes really secure?
We don’t mean to go against the idea of storing your ammo and guns in an excellent-quality safe. But, the chance of a gun safe failing can still happen.
Burglars have some tricks that even manufacturers can not counteract, like employing a thermal lance or plasma cutter to cut the safe or using power tools to pry off the door.
So, how secure are gun safes? We’ll spill the beans now.
Are Gun Safes Really Secure?
Sometimes, there might be a minor error during the manufacturing process, hence some issues from the gun safe itself.
For example, the electric lock may not work properly, or the low-quality metal may be too easy to break into.
Regardless of those problems, let’s dig deep into the most regular tactics burglars use to pry into your safe and how your quality safe defends against them.
Pry Attacks
A crowbar can help pry into a safe easily.
Provided that there is some elbow grease, crowbars, and a detailed inferior safe design around, thieves can effortlessly pry off a safe door within minutes.
Because of its simplicity, a pry attack is the most widely used technique, exploiting the vulnerability of small locking bolts or the rivets attaching those bolts to the metal bar that stirs them inside and outside of your safe.
Brilliant manufacturers have incorporated Z-bars, thick locking bolts, narrower door gaps, and anti-pry tabs into their products to deal with this attack.
That said, though, the safest safes shield against this type of attack by utilizing locking bolts made of steel.
Without the rivet points, a safe will offer more excellent resistance to pry and take much effort to open.
Some branded companies provide customers with exclusive military-style, solid steel locking bars, which make their safes virtually arduous to pry off.
Torque Attacks
Once the first technique fails, the thief would most likely invade your container by breaking the handle instead of insisting on the door.
This practice will force the locking gear to slip in inferior designs, freeing the locking bolts and unblocking the safe.
Manufacturers have come up with a countermeasure for torque attacks called “slip-clutch mechanism,” though there are also other names.
Like how a ratchet operates, this device tightly secures the mechanism, deterring the locking gears from moving in another direction without properly being locked.
Please note to avoid testing this device on your safe.
It is to defend against burglars and may put your protective container into the permanent locking mode, meaning that you can’t open your safe again and have to seek help from a locksmith.
Peel Attacks
To answer the question “are gun safes secure,” see how your safe deals with peel attacks.
If the safe’s body includes multiple steel pieces welded together, a sledgehammer with a little effort can help a thief burst the seams of your safe and easily peel it like bananas.
Concerning this type of attack, less is undoubtedly more. A safe body constructed from two to three metal pieces only will be the most brilliant choice for your property security. Those safes are far more challenging to bust.
Cut The Safe
A saw or grinder can cut through a safe’s body.
Should a burglar be exceedingly determined, he might take advantage of high-tech tactics, such as using a saw or grinder to cut through the steel body of the safe – an exceedingly tactic
So, how secure is gun safe in this case? Indeed, the chance of successfully cutting safes open is pretty rare because this kind of attempt involves tons of work.
Most thieves’ plan is smashing and grabbing within ten minutes. If they implement this tool, the possibility of them getting caught will be more likely to happen.
If you’re still worried about this type of attack, buy a safe whose exceptional manufacturers will incorporate a lower steel gauge making it more challenging to cut through the safe and embed ceramic or glass pieces into their products’ concrete build.
Safe Bouncing
Another efficient tactic employed by thieves is bouncing – the practice of dropping or hitting the safe to make the lock bounce open. This technique is more common for small, easy-to-move gun safes.
It works since once you can catch it at the right-to-the-point moment, the handle is straightforward to turn when the safe’s lock bounces.
A quality safe will have a counterweight mechanism that prevents the lock’s movement. The best products mostly come with one locker at least.
If you accidentally trigger the locker, you will have to call a locksmith to help with getting the safe open again. However, it’s still better than letting a thief steal your valuables easily.
All in all, the methods above can be highly effective, yet they require special training, special tools, and plenty of time to accomplish. As such, they’re going to apply more to opening bank vaults rather than a gun safe.
Are Heavier Safes Safer?
A heavy safe is not any safer.
If 2-3 people can bring the safe into your house, then a group of two or three can carry it out of your house. Several thieves can effortlessly pick up your safe, place it in a van’s back, and get away with your expensive stuff.
A heavy safe is not necessarily a strong one. It doesn’t matter if your safe appears sturdy and bulky. A low fire resistance and fire rating and inefficient locking system automatically make your safe a poor firearms protector, despite its sizable appearance.
A tip to make the safe more difficult to steal is to bolt it to your floor. This way, a thief will struggle to get much leverage and pry off the door.
Can I Store Weapons Loaded In My Safe?
If you store weapons loaded in your safe, be careful.
Although storing firearms loaded enables you to approach them fast in an emergency, it also generates major hazards.
You wouldn’t expect to end up with an accident when looking for something in your collection. In the worse case, you and the people nearby you might incur severe injuries.
So please always be well aware of safe handling and storage. Whatever you’re doing, ensure safety is the top concern, and practice proper firearm safety all the time.
Conclusion
Are gun safes really secure? This question can be confusing for gun and property owners.
After all, no gun safe is entirely indestructible or burglar-proof. With the correct tools and a great deal of time, any person can open any safe. So, you know the importance of purchasing a quality gun safe.
Keep this knowledge in mind and invest your money wisely!
