16 gauge gun safe

[repubconserv]

would a 16 gauge body for a gun safe be an adequate thickness (maybe gun cabinet is a more appropriate term)?

[Reductio]

Thick enough for?

Keeping curious kids and the pets out? Yep.

Keeping out fire or anybody halfway interested in getting in? Not so much.

[repubconserv]

hmm.. I was thinking that. 16 gauge is about .05" right? In terms of inches (for adequate security, both from chihuahuas, labradors, 3 year olds, and those that would burgle) what is a good thickness

[BayAreaShooter]

I would say a Gun Cabinet would be good for all except a Thief or fire. You can get a fairly inexpensive ($300 Range) NON FIREPROOF safe that will be much, much more secure than a cabinet.

[repubconserv]

yeah, Ive been looking around, and Im thinking I can build one for the best price/size/security combo.

[Reductio]

Some pointers here.

http://www.6mmbr.com/gunsafes.html

[repubconserv]

Some pointers here.

http://www.6mmbr.com/gunsafes.html

Good site thanks

[cgseanp1]

How big you looking for? Costco has this safe on sale for 399 delivered:

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11623991&whse=BC&Ne=5000001+4000000&eCat=BC|114|3373&N=4042061%204294965634&Mo=9&No=2&Nr=P_CatalogName:BC&Ns=P_Price|1||P_SignDesc1&lang=en-US&Sp=C&topnav=

Doesnt show it on the site but the coupon book I just got shows the price. Maybe it hasn't taken affect yet.

[Dave A]

16 gauge in steel is approx .059, or a little less than a sixteenth of an inch. Apparently the measurement varies with the type of metal being referenced.

http://www.sheetmetalguy.com/sheet_metal_gauge_chart.htm

No safe will keep out an experienced thief, but that is enough to keep out the casual druggy burglar. However, if they tell their friends, they might know what they are doing. Most modern gun safes are a sandwich of thinner metals and with the proper tools they can be peeled open. Older designs were usually 10 gauge on the door, with some being thicker up to about 3/16" with the sides and top of thinner material.

If you want to get a serious safe, get a Brown as their minimum door thickness is 1/2" and they get thicker from that model. That is a commercial safe and has an appropriate lock. I know one gun dealer that has a Brown that is seven feet tall and the door is inch and a quarter. It broke the floor tiles when it was rolled into place.

[WWDHD?]

Its my understanding that among other things, in order to be called a gun safe or gun locker, it has to be at least 12ga steel.
Sturdy safes are 7ga standard and some models are available with 5ga steel bodies.