Bolt down or no?

[HOUSTON RICK]

I have a large gun safe and crime is on the rise as break ins start moving nearer and nearer to my neighborhood. Should I bolt down my gun safe? Does it make much difference if you are gone for a week or even a weekend? I suspect the safe will keep the amateurs and kids at bay bolted down or not, but the hardcore criminals can likely open any safe with a few hours bolted down or not. It would be drilled into the slab. It is in a tight spot where it would be difficult to move or tip without taking out a wall. All opinions and particularly experiences welcome. Any additional security tips particular to gun safes? Thank you in advance, Rick

 

[lihpster]

First, why not bolt it down? Not that difficult, and it will take the professionals longer to deal with. Second, get a security system. they're not gonna want to take that extra time with lights flashing, horns blaring and a recorded voice saying the police have been called. Otherwise, they throw it on a dolly and in the back of the van and open it somewhere else.

 

[Rustyt1953]

Rick, I'm sure you have the means and wherewithal to have it bolted down. The fact that you posted this tells me that it is of concern to you so the peace of mind you gain would be worth it.

PS: we're ordering LaRosa's for dinner.

 

[Lee in Quartzsite]

Mine have always been bolted to the slab floor. Otherwise they are “Portable”. Took less than an hour using an impact drill and four hardened bolts.

 

[Auburn4]

I would not do it. You break the seal on the slab in the Houston area and it is !!!!!. Motion Detectors, Ring door camera's, Etc.. My best friend that lives in a less populated area put a air raid siren in attic. Just MHO.

 

[Xfuzz]

Like you said the average mope can't get it open.
If a good thief has enough time he will get into the safe
bolted down or not.....safe burglars are far and few these days.

 

[zeke]

I wouldn't bolt it down, but put some el cheapo guns in it.

 

[Rpg]

In 1975, I had metal worker friend built me a heavy metal Gun locker. This thing has worked well for me in the ensuing years. It’s not fancy, it uses padlocks hidden from easy access: no digital stuff for me. The thing weighs about 400 pounds.

It’s been with me through a cross country move and 3 local moves. I’ve never bolted it down. I’ve always kept it in the basement: I know how many people it takes to get it into the basement. I figure it’ll take 3 or 4 pretty big guys and a few hours to get it up the stairs.

I see no benefit from bolting the thing down.

 

[Xfuzz]

Thought I would add this.....

What is becoming more concerning is the thugs catch
you out in the yard or coming from garage to the house.
Walking you back into the house and forcing the victim to
open the safe.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

Also build a wood frame around it secured to walls and floor. So only the hardened front is available.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

Our county Sheriff told me of one safe break in. Burglers broke a window. Tied a big chain around the safe and snached it completely out of the house with A 4X4 truck. Manhandled it onto a trailer and were GONE.

 

[BB57]

As others have noted a gun safe is just one layer of protection.

Exterior lighting, a security system, video cameras, and even the security company sign in the yard are all deterrents and or items that limit the time a thief has to look for, open or remove a gun safe.

With an alarm system time is limited and the thief will be limited to what amounts to a quick smash and grab theft. If you locate the safe somewhere thieves don’t look at first, the odds of it even being found go way down. The living room and master bedroom are the first rooms targeted as they are the places most likely yo contain valuable items and or consumer electronics that can quickly be turned to money. Kids bedrooms, bathrooms, utility rooms, are way down the list. A gun safe in a bathroom closet probably won’t be discovered unless the thief has ample time to look.

 

[johngalt]

I suspect that any thief who comes prepared to deal a safe will be able to rip it out of the floor.

If I ever get around to buying a house, I'm going to look for an old bank safe/money chest. Those are the real thing. They won't hold a long gun though.

 

[Kanewpadle]

In thirty years of locksmithing I can tell you stories that would cause you to hesitate to take a long vacation.

But I won’t. The rule of thumb is to make it as difficult as possible for the bad guys. Most of them only understand brute force. And when that doesn’t work they walk away.

I would definitely get a Ring camera or something like it. Or check with Simplisafe. Believe me. The piece of mind while you’re away is worth it.

And yes, bolt it down. If it’s next to a wall that’s even better. Take away their leverage.

 

[Beemerguy53]

When you buy a safe you're buying time. Bolting it to the floor buys more time. Enclosing it, as Mike suggested above, buys still more time.

If break-ins are increasing in your area, then yes, I would definitely invest in the above added security measures...

 

[Bald1]

I had no choice but to bolt mine down. I wrestled my safe up into my loft. My loft is carpeted and this may have contributed to it. But when I opened the door it felt a little tipsy. Not like it would fall forward but the back end seemed light. 2 4” lags into floor joist solved problem. 10 min and $2. Probably effects fire rating but what are u gonna do.

 

[Pisgah]

To me, two things are thrue:

1. An unloaded gun is nothing but a rock; and,
2. A safe that is not secured in every way possible is not a safe. Sure, even a bank vault can be defeated given enough time and equipment -- but at least it can't be picked up on a hand truck and wheeled off to be molested at leisure.

 

[wood714]

Mine are bolted to the wall studs and slab.

Few years back someone on the Silencer Talk forum came home to his front door busted and his 600+ pound safe gone.

The most important things in his safe was a sub machine gun, several SBR's and suppressors.

He said it had to have been someone he knew or someone that saw him shooting his cool stuff at the range and followed him home.

 

[444 Magnum]

If someone can "lift your safe with a dolly" or "throw it on a truck", you don't have a safe. You simply have a fire resistant box.

If that is the case, get a real safe. Get one 6 feet high, 4 feet wide made from 3/16 or 1/4" steel with rolled door frame. It will weigh about 1700 pounds without the guns inside. It would take a real pro to get in one. Not many of those around.

Rather than pay monthly fees the rest of my life, I bought these type of gun safes. They hold their value and, when I no longer need them, can be sold to recoup my investment.

No need to bolt down two thousand pounds. These type safes are not usually found at the box stores. I bought mine factory direct and saved. PM me if interested.

 

[Kid44]

Cheapo Guns in a safe

I wouldn't bolt it down, but put some el cheapo guns in it.

A cheap stolen gun is no less dangerous on the streets than an expensive stolen gun.
*** are you thinking????