Gun Safe -- where do I put it??

[drew4392]

So... just learned that the safe I was about to buy is almost 500 pounds. It is the 19 cu ft size. I previously thought it was 200-300 pounds. The only place I can put it is upstairs.

500 pounds, plus guns/ammo/etc... that is 600-700 pounds on the floor boards. That does NOT sound safe.

Only other places I can put it are:

- Garage (unattached, and about 200-300 feet from my townhouse)
- Outside water heater closet (I can install a more secure lock for the door, as it is technically accessible by anyone who gets onto my patio. Pretty bad idea, I'm thinking)

There are no interior, downstairs options, as the laundry room is crammed and coat closet would be so tight, nothing else would fit.

I can't have a big safe sitting in living room, either.

Last ditch effort, but curious if anybody has different thoughts. Maybe a less secure, but high quality gun cabinet for upstairs is best?

Thanks!

[Mitch]

I have an 800lb safe installed upstairs in a detached garage. I had the garage built myself, so I was able to ask the architects whether the second floor could support the safe. No problem up to 2,000lbs. So if possible you might want to check with your homebuilder. Watching the safe mover (one guy) get the safe up the stairs was worth the purchase price of the safe.

Failing that, bolted to the slab in the garage sounds like the next best bet. If it was me, I'd build a closet around the safe (that's what I did for my own safe). No one casually looking into the garage will see the safe, and that's one more barrier for thieves to defeat.

The garage is generally more damp than your house, depending on where you live, so think about a goldenrod or some other method to reduce moisture in the safe.

[Fozzie TheBear]

How much do you figure a water bed weighs and those tend to be in the middle of a room. Over the years my pop has put hundreds of safes that size up stairs and never had an issue. If possible you can place it near an exterior wall or over a load bearing wall and probably get a little more support.

[Bansh88]

Did you have a plan to get it upstairs? That might be the hardest issue.

If it's a newer place, it might not be too heavy for floors. Hell, obese people push 500lbs+ and I'm sure some of them live up stairs.

[Squidward]

I'm no rocket scientist but how does this sound...

I weigh 200 lbs and stand with my feet together in the spot where you are going to put your safe. Is that weight per square inch (say a 1 foot by 1 foot square) more stress on the floor than the safe at 800 lbs spread over a 30 by 30 inch square?

Maybe someone here that is smarter than me can do the math.

[Mitch]

Did you have a plan to get it upstairs? That might be the hardest issue.

That's actually very easy: you hire a professional safe mover. Problem solved.

[drew4392]

No problem up to 2,000lbs. So if possible you might want to check with your homebuilder.

Failing that, bolted to the slab in the garage sounds like the next best bet. If it was me, I'd build a closet around the safe

Good idea. I have a call into the HOA for the developer's contact info. I'll bounce it off them. Hoping they don't cover their *** and just say "no, not safe". We'll see.

How much do you figure a water bed weighs and those tend to be in the middle of a room. Over the years my pop has put hundreds of safes that size up stairs and never had an issue. If possible you can place it near an exterior wall or over a load bearing wall and probably get a little more support.

Valid point. 1,400 pounds I read. But spread over multiple touch points. Wonder if that helps any. Definitely something I'll ask the developer.

If it's a newer place, it might not be too heavy for floors. Hell, obese people push 500lbs+ and I'm sure some of them live up stairs.

Built in 1988. Int'l Building Code says a certain load rating needs to be followed. Yea, that is another good point re: obese people. Walking around is one thing. Concerned about sustained weight in one very small 4 sq ft area.


Thanks for chiming in everyone.

[six seven tango]

1600 lb safe, on floor joists up against an outside corner. Been there for 15 years with no problems

[FresnoRob]

There are no interior, downstairs options, as the laundry room is crammed and coat closet would be so tight, nothing else would fit.

Dude you live in LA, who needs a coat closet? Yea I know it rains but that would be my first choice if upstairs doesn't work.

[renardsubtil]

Garage, anchored to floor maybe hidden with a couple moving boxes cut to cover it...and with a DropCam on it.

[gear junkie]

You should be fine but if that worried about it, put some bracing in or double up on the floor joists.

[Yreka]

Also look into removing the door if you have to move it yourself. That can turn a 500lb safe into a more manageable 300-350lb safe..

[golfish]

My safe is a little heavier and I had no problem with it up stairs in the walk in closet. If the door comes off (mine does) it will make it a lot easier to move

[russ69]

The safe should be inside in the best controlled environment you have.

[Sharp Shooter]

I would go coat closet and put the coats somewhere else.