Top 3 Things to Do When Buying A Safe
As you search for where to buy a gun safe, make sure you’re prepared to make the best purchase possible.
When it comes to protecting firearms and valuables, buying a gun safe is a smart choice for anyone who owns firearms. Not only does a safe keep your guns secure and out of the wrong hands—especially curious kids or potential intruders—but it also helps you stay organized and protects your investment from damage.
Plus, many gun safes offer protection against fire and water damage. (There’s no such thing as a fireproof gun safe. Anyone who tells you otherwise is lying.) Buying a gun safe is about peace of mind, knowing that you’re prioritizing safety and meeting legal requirements for responsible storage.
But you want to make sure you're buying the right gun safe for your needs and your space. We’ve been selling gun safes since 1988. In our nearly 40 years of experience, we’ve narrowed down the keys to making a successful purchase. Whether you buy a gun safe from us or someone else, this checklist will ensure success.
Top 3 Best Prepurchase Practices When Buying a Gun Safe
1. Measure. Measure. Measure.
2. Consider Your Security Needs
3. Include Every User in the Purchasing Process (don’t leave your wife out!)
If you’re anything like us, you often want to start with the simplest details. The list above provides that. But because we know you want to do your due diligence when purchasing a lifetime investment, we’re also sharing a deeper explanation of why each item is important.
A gun safe isn’t something you’re likely to replace every few years, like a computer or cell phone. It’s the kind of purchase you pass from generation to generation. We’re here to help ensure you pick the best safe for you.
1. Measure. Measure. Measure.
Though I’ve had close ties with the NW Safe family since I was a boy, I officially joined the business in 2017. In my time here, I’ve sold thousands of safes. In my experience — 50 percent of the people who don’t purchase a safe on their first visit, need to go home and measure.
You want to get measurements for:
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Safe Dimensions: Footprint, Height, and Depth of the Safe
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Door Swing
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Installation Path: Doorways, Stairs*, Landings, and Pathways to Installation
In addition to measuring, we recommend taking a few photos and videos of the path leading to your desired location. These details allow us to narrow down which safes will fit your desired location.
It will also give our crew the appropriate information to ensure a smooth delivery and installation.
*Yes, we regularly move safes up and down stairs. The popular misconception is that you shouldn’t install a gun safe on the second story. But consider waterbeds or even the Tesla store at Bellevue Square that housed a Tesla! Our delivery crews regularly install 1,000-plus pound safes in second-story bedrooms, master closets, and offices. Don’t let a few stairs keep you from the safe you need.
2. Consider Your Security Needs
Though I’ve had close ties with the NW Safe family since I was a boy, I officially joined the business in 2017. In my time here, I’ve sold thousands of safes. In my experience — 50 percent of the people who don’t purchase a safe on their first visit, need to go home and measure.
You want to get measurements for:
-
Safe Dimensions: Footprint, Height, and Depth of the Safe
-
Door Swing
-
Installation Path: Doorways, Stairs*, Landings, and Pathways to Installation
In addition to measuring, we recommend taking a few photos and videos of the path leading to your desired location. These details allow us to narrow down which safes will fit your desired location.
It will also give our crew the appropriate information to ensure a smooth delivery and installation.
*Yes, we regularly move safes up and down stairs. The popular misconception is that you shouldn’t install a gun safe on the second story. But consider waterbeds or even the Tesla store at Bellevue Square that housed a Tesla! Our delivery crews regularly install 1,000-plus pound safes in second-story bedrooms, master closets, and offices. Don’t let a few stairs keep you from the safe you need.
2. Consider Your Security Needs
Everyone has a wide range of security needs. These will be determined by:
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What You’re Securing
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Who You’re Securing It From
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What You’re Securing It From
For instance, if your primary concern is keeping the kids out, an entry-level safe with a U.L. Listed lock might be all you need. However, if you’re storing $75K worth of valuables, you’ll want something that will give you more fire protection and put up a more considerable defense in the event of an attempted robbery.
In the wake of fire seasons ravaging the West Coast, gun safe fire ratings have become an increasingly greater concern. An increase in home robberies has also had many customers on edge, as they’re looking for a more secure daily storage solution and for when they travel.
When you think about your security needs, we recommend considering the following:
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Total Value of What You’re Storing
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How Much Cash You’re Storing (Because you can’t insure hard currency, if it’s destroyed in a fire or lost due to theft, it’s gone.)
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Are You Storing Irreplaceable Items
Our Large Gun Safe Buying Guide can help you navigate the different levels of security.
3. Include Every User in the Purchasing Process
Finally, include everyone who will use the safe in the decision-making process. Typically a safe isn’t for just one person in the house. Rather, it is often a shared resource. We encourage you to bring anyone who will be using the safe to explore your options together — especially your significant other.
From color and size to security features and lock type, you’ll want a solution that works for everyone. (This ‘all parties involved’ approach offers dividends to those husbands who worry about wives buying in. Just think of the jewelry she can store in her jewelry drawer!)
Electronic Locks vs. Biometric Locks vs. Dial Locks
Gun safe locks are a common topic of debate among those sharing a safe. Depending on your mobility, electronic locks and biometric locks can offer quicker access and be easier to use. However, we also have many customers who prefer old-school dial locks.
Nearly all of our long barrel gun safes have a U.L. Listed lock with a “magic module” footprint. This footprint allows our master safe technician to easily swap your lock without voiding your warranty or damaging your safe.
Final Notes on Buying a Gun Safe
While we always prefer happy customers, the most common regret we hear from folks is that they bought too small a safe. Unlike a house, you can’t remodel a gun safe. The only way to get more storage space is to upgrade your safe or buy an additional one.
We do have a robust buy-back and trade-in program. So if you bought a safe that is too small, we’re here to help. But we always recommend buying the biggest and most secure safe your space and budget will allow. Safes are something you fill up quickly.