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Modular safes are becoming a true mainstay in the gun safe industry. They offer plenty of the benefits of standard, welded gun safes, but you can quickly and easily build them up where you need and take them apart to transport them from place to place easily. A modular safe is a fantastic option if you want to save money on a moving company and get a better safe in the process.
With that said, there are only a few great manufacturers of these safes, and this article is dedicated to helping you understand which one is worth your money!
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- The BEST Interior of any gun safe on the market
- High quality build
- Lock works very well
- Thinner steel
- Smaller capacity
- Thick steel gauge
- Fantastic fire-rating
- Large capacity
- Double door design
- Modular, take-apart design
- Quite expensive
- The BEST Interior of any gun safe on the market
- High quality build
- Lock works very well
- Compact sizing
- Thinner steel
- Smaller capacity
- Only fits shorter firearms
- Lock: Electronic Lock w/ Key Bypass
- Dimensions: 52” High by 20.25" Wide by 15.25" Deep
- Fire Rating: N/A
- Steel: 14 gauge
- Weight: 105 pounds
- The BEST Interior of any gun safe on the market
- High quality build
- Lock works very well
- Thinner steel
- Smaller capacity
- Lock: Electronic
- Dimensions: 59" High by 38" Wide by 24” Deep
- Steel: 9 gauge (achieved by 2 layers of 14 gauge)
- Fire Rating: 60 mins at 2300 degrees
- Weight: 900 pounds
- Thick steel gauge
- Fantastic fire-rating
- Large capacity
- Double door design
- Modular, take-apart design
- Quite expensive
- Lock: Electronic Lock w/ Key Bypass
- Dimensions: 40” High by 20.25" Wide by 15.25" Deep
- Fire Rating: N/A
- Weight: 100 pounds
- The BEST Interior of any gun safe on the market
- High quality build
- Lock works very well
- Compact sizing
- Thinner steel
- Smaller capacity
- Only fits shorter firearms
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- Lock: Mechanical or Electronic
- Dimensions: 60" High by 37.5" Wide by 24” Deep
- Steel: 12 Gauge Outer Plate, 20 Gauge Inner Plate, 7 Gauge Door
- Fire Rating: Unknown mins at 2300 degrees
- Weight: 600 pounds
- USA-Made
- Extremely high quality
- Thick steel gauge
- Tons of customizations available
- Expensive
- Dimensions: 30" High by 31" Wide by 25” Deep
- Steel: 1/8" Walls, 3/16" Top, Bottom & Door
- Fire Rating: Included (Unknown Rating)
- Weight: 375+ pounds
- USA-Made
- Extremely thick steel gauge
- Only modular home safe option
- Expensive
- Limited customizations
What is a modular gun safe?
Modular gun safes are take-apart gun safes. These safes are received in pieces, and you can quickly build the safe wherever you want to place them in your home. The most significant components are generally under 100 pounds and can easily be carried through the house by one or two people.
This is a huge benefit, as you can easily take your gun safe upstairs, downstairs, or into cramped hallways without worrying about the weight of a welded safe.
So how do modular safes deliver to you at your home? These safes will appear at your door (via curbside delivery) and are laid flat. This is a huge benefit over regular safes, as no one has to know that you just received a gun safe at your home, as would be expected with standard safe delivery.
Modular safes come in various styles, ranging from a gun cabinet with no fire rating to more traditional styled safes with fire ratings, thicker steel, and more.
Benefits and drawbacks of modular safes
Pros
- A great option to install on upper floors (make sure to check your home can hold the assembled weight)
- Easy to install in closets with smaller models
- Arrives in discreet crates, so nosey neighbors don’t know you have a safe
- No need to hire expensive moving companies (Spend the savings on a better/bigger safe)
Cons
- Limited options on the market
- More expensive than comparable safes
What should you look for when shopping for a Modular Safe?
1. Build Quality
When you do a quick search, plenty of “modular gun safes” are on the market. However, you will quickly notice the need for more quality in most of them. That is why I only included brands on this list that I trust. You can only use most of the gun cabinet-style safes you find if you see them here, as they are generally built to a price and forgo the security that is also needed.
2. Locking Mechanism
Take a close look at the locking mechanism of the modular safe you buy! There are plenty of low-quality locks on the market, and an easy way to know is if they lack a brand name. Most high-quality locks will have a name like SecuRAM (what Snapsafe uses) or S&G (in the case of Steelhead Outdoors).
If you can’t find a brand name, you will want to look closely at the company behind the safe to determine its quality. If they lack a reputation online, you can assume they lack a reputation for their locks. Don’t skimp on the lock, as this is one of the essential parts of your safe.
3. Steel Gauge
Not everyone needs 3/16″ steel throughout their safe; however, this is an essential aspect of your safe. If you need a lightweight safe primarily used for basic storage, 14 gauge may not be an issue. However, consider thicker steel if you want something that can withstand hours of tool attack.
4. Fire Rating
Like the steel gauge above, you may not need the highest possible fire rating! This depends on your home’s location, what is in the safe, and more. You can read through our complete article about this here.
5. Budget
I will always tell you to stay within your budget! Before you even start your shopping journey for a safe, you should figure out your budget and stick to it. Make sure to account for any moving costs, shipping costs, and taxes when setting that budget, and find a safe that fits within that price point. Plenty of modular safes include a range of budgets on this list!
Who should buy a modular gun safe?
Modular gun safes are fantastic options for quite a few people!
- People that move often, and need to take their safes with them.
- Individuals living upstairs or downstairs don’t want to spend money on professional movers.
- Firearm owners that want to build the safe into a closet.
Frequently Asked Questions
How are modular gun safes built?
Modular gun safes are built piece by piece. The safes are assembled starting with the floor, then the walls, ceiling, and finally, the door is put into place. The entire safe is attached via bolts that are located and tightened on the interior of the gun safe, leaving the outside more secure.
Do I need a fire rating?
One of the hallmarks of many modular safes is the lack of fire ratings. Many people need fire ratings due to their vicinity to a fire station or areas prone to forest fires. However, if you keep low-value items in your safe or have other ways of fire suppression, you can rethink your need for a fire rating.
Conclusion
Modular safes are my favorite category of safes, as they offer flexibility that no other type of safes can do. With plenty of options, ranging from budget gun cabinet style safes to thick-gauge steel, USA-made safes, you should be able to find a modular safe that fits your lifestyle.
If it were me, I would purchase a heavy-duty modular safe and then get the Model 52 at the top of this list to distribute your items throughout your home for easy access.