Using the Database
We've organized all of our data in a spreadsheet program called Airtable. On the left, there are 6 different views that conviently organize the gun safes based on important data points. Additional information describing the data will appear when hovering over column headers. To quickly find a certain gun safe model or company, there is a search bar in the upper right hand corner.
Disclaimer: We did not test every safe on this database nor are we a scientific testing agency giving out certified ratings (please refer to the Underwriters Laboratory for this). Instead our theft ratings are an educated hypothesis based on the materials used in the side wall of the safe, our experience testing a $2K safe and an $8K safe, deep research on the subject matter, and comparative analysis based on different safe sidewall makeups (and their UL rating if any) . Although we feel the “theft rating” is fairly accurate, it is meant to be more of a comparison among safes rather than a scientific rating. Please view it with that discretion in mind.
Additional Note: The safes in this database are the standard safes offered by these companies. Some companies offer additional customizations for an additional charge to increase the security of the safe. For example, Fort Knox offers a 7 gauge AR500 steel upgrade to their safes for an additional $3,132. This type of customization is not addressed in our rating system.
*Database only available on Desktop*
Our Theft Grading System
| Grade | Combined Score |
| A | 15-20 |
| B | 10-14 |
| C | 4-9 |
| D | 2-3 |
| F | 0-1 |
Scoring Criteria and Ratings
| Outer Steel Thickness (in.) | Score |
| 0 - 0.105 | 0 |
| .106 - 0.135 | 1 |
| .136 - 0.187 | 2 |
| .188 - .207 | 3 |
| .208 - .5 | 4 |
| .5" + | 5 |
| Inner Steel Thickness (in.) | Score |
| 0 - 0.105 | 0 |
| .106 - 0.135 | 1 |
| .136 - 0.187 | 2 |
| .188 - .207 | 3 |
| .208 - .5 | 4 |
| .5" + | 5 |
| Filler Material | Score |
| None | 0 |
| Drywall, "Firebaord", Ceramic Fiber | 1 |
| Drylight | 5 |
| Concrete, Cement, Poured Composite | 10 |
How Accurate is this Grade?
First, we judged theft protection based on a thief entering the side of a safe with an angle grinder or circular saw. The side is the most vulnerable part of the gun safe unless you've done extra work to encase the sides with cinder blocks. We also know the prepared thief has either brought tools or will use the tools you have in your house.
These grades were determined by Outer steel thickness, Inner steel thickness (if present), and the type of material used to fireproof the safe. We also factored in the theft tests we've performed on gun safes. Lastly, we factored in the trustworthy rating system used by Underwriters Labratory (UL).
Please note the "grade" we give is by no means a scientific grade, but an educated hypothesis based on the information we've obtained (read the rest of the information on this page). Therefore it should be considered with discretion. Please refer to Underwriter's Labratories for certified ratings. Also note that many safes do not get UL theft ratings, or if they do, they only focus on the door and not the side walls of the safe, which we believe is what should be focused on. So with that said, we hope this "grading" system helps demystify safes and better compare safe models against each other based on the contents of their side walls.
Grading Example:
Brand: American Security
Model: RF703620X6
Price: $18,599.00
UL Rating: TL-30X6
Our Grade: A
Explanation: This gun safe is rated TL-30X6 by Underwriters Labratory. This means this American Security safe was rigourusly tested against theft on all 6 sides. UL uses drills, chisels, sledgehammers, wedges, power saws, carbide disc cutters, and other tools in this test. This safe remained intact for more than 30 minutes against these tools, garnering it the TL-30X6 rating. With this rating, banks and jewelry stores would look at this safe favorably, trusting it to store and protect their valuables.
Our Real World Test Breakdown:
| Safe Test #1 |
| Grade: F |
| Time Cut Open: 47 Seconds |
| Outer Steel: .105" (12 gauge) |
| Inner Steel: None |
| Filler Material: 2 layers of Drywall |
| |
| Safe Test #2 |
| Grade: C |
| Time Cut Open: 4 minutes |
| Outer Steel: .189" (~6 gauge) |
| Inner Steel: .135" (10 gauge) |
| Filler Material: 4 layers of Drywall |
| |
Explanation:
A gun safe that only lasts 47 seconds clearly deserves an F Grade.
A safe that lasts 4 minutes is better and we gave it a C Grade.
Based on prepared theft statistics, police response times, and average break-in length, a safe owner would want a safe that lasts at least 5 minutes, but break-in times of 15 minutes or 30 minutes would provide ample time for the police to arrive.
With that information, we suggest B Grade safes should last at least 15 minutes and A Grade safes should last at least 30 minutes.
*Database only available on Desktop*
Disclaimer: We did not test every safe on this database nor are we a scientific testing agency giving out certified ratings (please refer to the Underwriters Laboratory for this). Instead our theft ratings are an educated hypothesis based on the materials used in the side wall of the safe, our experience testing a $2K safe and an $8K safe, deep research on the subject matter, and comparative analysis based on different safe sidewall makeups (and their UL rating if any) . Although we feel the “theft rating” is fairly accurate, it is meant to be more of a comparison among safes rather than a scientific rating. Please view it with that discretion in mind.
Additional Note: The safes in this database are the standard safes offered by these companies. Some companies offer additional customizations for an additional charge to increase the security of the safe. For example, Fort Knox offers a 7 gauge AR500 steel upgrade to their safes for an additional $3,132. This type of customization is not addressed in our rating system.