RSCII gun Safe

Safe Weight Based on Burglary Rating

When it comes to safeguarding your collection or valuables, a safe is an essential investment. Safes come in various sizes and types, each designed to protect specific levels of assets from theft, fire, or both. One factor that often goes overlooked is the weight of the safe.

The weight of a safe is not just about its physical bulk; it also signifies the quality of the safe. More weight often means a better level of security. In this article, we will explore how much safes weigh and break down the weights according to different burglary ratings. 

Summary:

Gun safes can weigh as little as 100 lbs, offering no theft protection, to as much as 5,000 lbs for premium TL-15 burglary rated safes that provide the best security for valuables.

The Importance of Safe Weight

Safe weight is an important consideration for several reasons. First, it can determine where and how you install your safe.

Second, and more importantly, it plays a role in the safe's overall security. Heavier safes are generally more challenging to move and break into, making them a preferred choice for protecting valuable items.

Gun Safe Weight per Cubic Foot Calculator

When security is a concern and you are considering two similarly sized safes from two different manufactures, we recommend looking at the safe weight per external cubic foot. This will give you a good indication of how well each safe is built. A heavier safe is generally a better built safe that may have: better steel, thicker steel, thicker bolt rods, thicker bolts, etc...

This measure works well when looking at safes that are very close in size (i.e. volume).

Enter the safe dimensions and weight:


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Safe Weight by Burglary Rating

As stated, better built safes will weigh more. This becomes very evident when you start to look at the average gun safe weights for a given buglary rating. For detailed information see Safe Burglary Ratings Explained.

 

Gun Safe Burglary RatingSafe Weight RangeTypical Features
No Burglary Rating100-500 pounds
  • Door Steel Thickness: 0 inch to 1/8 inch (some may be plastic)
  • Bolt Size: Often not steel. Less than 1" in diameter.
  • Body Steel Thickness: 14-22 gauge steel
  • Lock Type: Basic key locks or import electronic keypad locks
B-Class Rating500-1,000 pounds
  • Stated as "Burglary Rated" safe
  • Door Steel Thickness: Up to 1/4" 
  • Anti Drill Plate: Up to 1/4" around lock body
  • Bolt Size: Larger, steel up to 1 1/2" bolts
  • Body Steel Thickness: 10-16 gauge steel
  • Lock Type: Electronic keypad locks or combination locks
  • Relockers: Some safes may have them
  • Fire Material: Fire board
RSC I (Residential Security Container)600-2,000 pounds
  • Door Steel Thickness: At least 1/4 - 1/2 inch. Often with solid steel plate over entire door.
  • Anti Drill Plate: Up to 1/4" around lock body
  • Bolt Size: Substantial bolts, 1.5 inches or more in diameter
  • Body Steel Thickness: 10-12 gauge steel
  • Lock Type: Electronic locks, combination locks, or biometric locks
  • Relockers: Frequently included
  • Fire Material: Fire board or concrete type of slurry
RSC II (Residential Security Container II)600-3,000 pounds
  • Door Steel Thickness: Over 1/2 inch
  • Anti Drill Plate: Up to 1/4" around lock body
  • Bolt Size: Substantial bolts, 1.5 inches or more in diameter
  • Body Steel Thickness: 4 (1/4 inch steel) - 8 gauge steel
  • Lock Type: Advanced electronic locks, combination locks, or biometric locks
  • Relockers: Commonly integrated
  • Fire Material: Concrete type of slurry
TL 15 (Tool-Resistant Rating 15)1,000-4,000 pounds
  • Door Steel Thickness: Over 1/2 inch
  • Bolt Size: Substantial and numerous bolts, over 1.5 inches in diameter
  • Anti Drill Plate: Up to 1/2" around lock body
  • Body Steel Thickness: 1/4 inch or more
  • Lock Type: High-security electronic locks, combination locks, or biometric locks
  • Relockers: Multiple relockers and advanced anti-tamper mechanisms to resist attacks
  • Fire Material: Concrete type of slurry often randomly filled with steel chunks up to 1/4 inch

 

Conclusion:

When selecting a safe, it's essential to consider not only its weight but also its burglary rating and the corresponding security features.

The weight of a safe is a critical factor in its overall security, with heavier safes often providing better protection. 

By understanding both the weight and security features of safes across different burglary ratings, you can make a more informed choice to protect your valuable assets effectively. Remember to consult with a professional safe expert for personalized advice tailored to your specific needs.