Having a safe place to put your firearms is one of the key components of safely owning and operating firearms. Whether you are taking your gun when you go camping, storing it in your house, or keeping it in your car, a gun safe is often the best place to put it. In this article, we discuss what you need to know about buying a gun safe.

Shopping By Type

When you walk into a store to buy a gun, nearly all Michigan gun dealers will ask you if you have a firearm safe for the type of firearm that you want. There are three main types of firearm safe: stationary safes, portable safes, and quick access/home defense safes. Stationary safes are designed to be placed in your house in a position where it won’t move, like a bank vault. They tend to be heavy, secured to a part of the house, and difficult to move even with the right equipment.

Portable safes are used to keep firearms in your car or to carry them with you while keeping them secure. They are great for traveling, hunting, or transporting your firearm. Quick access/home defense safes are used in home defense applications where you need to access your firearm very quickly. Having the right type of safe for your needs makes a big difference.

Size Matters

The size of your gun safe is important. You need a safe that can contain the type of firearm that you have and the number of firearms that you have. For example, some safes can hold several rifles and shotguns, while others are meant to hold one at the most. Buy a safe that matches the number of firearms that you plan on owning. If you will only ever own one, then that is all the space that you need. If you think you may buy more than one, increase the size of the safe accordingly.

Have Stationary Safes Setup on Delivery

Stationary safes tend to be large and difficult to move. This is why most dealers offer delivery and setup services, which are well worth the cost. The professionals have the equipment to move and install your safe properly. If you are purchasing a large stationary safe, ask the dealer about the delivery and setup services.

Mechanical vs Electrical Locks

There is an ongoing debate in the community about choosing a mechanical or electrical lock for your gun safe. Electrical locks are quick and easy to use, but may not be as secure in a fire and wear out with age. They are cost-effective to replace and can be easily upgraded by an installer. Mechanical locks are harder to break and more reliable, but they are harder and more expensive to fix or replace. Choose the type of lock that makes you the most comfortable.

Ask for Help

If you need to know more about gun safes, ask for help from a gun safe or gun store in Michigan. Lakeshore Guns can help you with new and used gun safes as well as firearms to fill them up. Call us at (269) 857-2248 to learn more about gun safes.