We’re back with our third episode of Safe Space, our weekly video-podcast with world-class delivery and installation experts. Since 1988, our family-owned and operated business has been selling and delivering safes in the greater Pacific Northwest. Our staff has more than 100 years of combined experience in the gun safe world.
We’re passionate about helping folks protect their loved ones and valuables. And, we like to have a good time. Grab a quick cup of coffee and let’s chat.
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Episode 62 Topics
00:27 – 00:03:35 | Testing an Entry-Level Safe vs. a TL-30 Safe
03:35 – 00:07:31 | Why Composite Safes Take So Much Longer to Defeat
07:31 – 00:12:16 | Proper Safe Installation Makes Breaking In Even Harder
12:16 – 00:15:50 | What Real Safe Break-Ins Teach Us
15:50 – 00:19:45 | The Best Safes Force Attackers to Use Multiple Tools
19:45 – 00:21:46 | Better Construction Provides Better Protection
21:46 – 00:22:37 | Real-World Results Matter
Episode 62 Discussion Synopsis
00:27 – 00:03:35 | Testing an Entry-Level Safe vs. a TL-30 Safe
After receiving countless requests, we decided to perform a side-by-side safe break-in demonstration.
The first safe was a budget-friendly residential gun safe built with 16-gauge steel — the type commonly sold at many big box stores. The second was a commercial TL-30 safe built with heavy steel and composite concrete construction.
The difference became obvious almost immediately.
Using a large angle grinder with a thin cutting wheel, we cut through the side of the entry-level safe in just over a minute. Within two minutes, the side panel was completely removed.
The TL-30 safe was another story. Cutting through the outer steel shell was only the first step. Once inside, we encountered multiple protective layers that made the attack far more difficult than we expected.
This test reinforced an important point: steel thickness alone doesn't tell the whole story.
03:35 – 00:07:31 | Why Composite Safes Take So Much Longer to Defeat
The biggest surprise wasn't the outside steel — it was everything behind it.
The TL-30 safe contained composite concrete fill, heavy internal reinforcement, and multiple layers designed to slow an attack. Even after removing the outer steel, separating it from the composite interior required considerable effort.
Many people misunderstand what a TL rating means. A TL-30 rating measures only the time tools are actively attacking the safe. It does not include changing blades, repositioning tools, or clearing debris.
Our complete attack took about 46 minutes from start to finish, while the actual "working time" was roughly 35 minutes.
That means a properly built commercial safe forces an attacker to spend significantly more time, make more noise, and use far more effort than an entry-level gun safe.
07:31 – 00:12:16 | Proper Safe Installation Makes Breaking In Even Harder
One lesson became very clear during our testing: where you install a safe matters.
We worked outdoors with plenty of lighting, fresh air, and room to move around. A burglar rarely has those advantages.
Installing a safe in a closet, garage corner, or built-in alcove creates obstacles that make every attack more difficult. Bolting the safe to the floor prevents it from being repositioned, while nearby walls and shelving restrict access to cutting tools and pry bars.
Every obstacle adds time.
We also recommend looking beyond advertised wall thickness when shopping for a safe.
Many residential gun safes advertise thick walls, but much of that measurement comes from drywall insulation instead of protective material. With a composite safe, nearly the entire sidewall is part of the defensive barrier.
That's one of the biggest differences between residential gun safes and commercial burglary-rated safes.
12:16 – 00:15:50 | What Real Safe Break-Ins Teach Us
We've seen these differences outside the shop, too.
After a house fire, we were asked to open a Rhino safe that had survived the blaze. When we arrived, we found evidence that someone had tried to break into two different safes before the fire.
The smaller Liberty home safe had been heavily attacked. It showed hours of cutting and prying before finally being opened.
The Rhino safe, however, remained largely intact despite visible damage around the hinges.
Investigators believed sparks from an angle grinder likely ignited nearby carpet or curtains, causing the fire that destroyed the home. The owners were away for the winter, giving the thieves plenty of uninterrupted time.
The experience reinforced what our testing showed. Modern cutting tools continue to improve, making composite-filled safes one of the best choices for anyone who wants greater protection against cutting attacks.
15:50 – 00:19:45 | The Best Safes Force Attackers to Use Multiple Tools
A quality safe isn't designed to be impossible to attack. It's designed to make every step slower, louder, and more difficult.
A basic steel safe often requires only one cutting tool.
A TL-30 safe is different. An attacker must cut through heavy steel, break apart composite concrete, remove reinforcement, and continue cutting through additional protective layers. Each material requires different tools and techniques, dramatically increasing the time needed to gain access.
We've encountered similar challenges during fire recoveries, where warped steel can lock boltwork in place even after the lock has been opened. In those situations, cutting becomes the only option—and it remains slow, difficult work.
As safe manufacturers continue improving composite construction, these attacks become even more challenging.
Our biggest takeaway is simple: when comparing safes, don't focus only on steel thickness. Look at the entire defensive barrier. The more layers, materials, and obstacles an attacker has to overcome, the greater the protection for everything inside.
If you're protecting firearms, jewelry, cash, precious metals, or irreplaceable family heirlooms, investing in a well-built composite safe or TL-30 safe can make a substantial difference when it matters most.
19:45 – 00:21:46 | Better Construction Provides Better Protection
Our testing highlighted one major difference between entry-level safes and commercial burglary-rated safes: construction quality.
Many lower-cost safes use small spot welds to hold the body together. In some cases, those welds can fail under force, allowing the seams to separate and creating another way to attack the safe.
A TL-30 safe is built much differently. Reinforced welds, composite materials, and stronger sidewalls made removing the outer panel far more difficult than we expected. For anyone concerned about cutting attacks, our testing showed that TL-15, TL-30, and TRTL-rated safes provide a much higher level of protection than standard residential gun safes.
We're also seeing more customers move toward commercial safes as insurance companies increasingly recommend higher security ratings for valuable collections.
21:46 – 00:22:37 | Real-World Results Matter
The TL-30 safe we tested had already survived a real burglary attempt inside a jewelry store. Thieves spent hours attacking it before finally gaining access, reinforcing what we learned during our own testing.
A quality commercial safe isn't designed to be impossible to break into. It's designed to slow an attack by forcing burglars to spend more time, use more tools, and create more noise.
We'll continue testing different safe constructions and steel thicknesses to show how each level of protection performs in real-world conditions. If you're unsure which safe is right for your home or business, we're always happy to help you compare your options.