Firearms cabinets and firearms safes serve the common purpose of safely storing firearms and other valuable items, but they differ in terms of construction, security features, and intended use. There are budget-priced safes that are built with lighter gauge steel, but the industry term “gun safe” most often refers to the safes constructed with 12 gauge walls, UL listed safe locks, a strong locking mechanism, and a means of fire insulation. The industry term “gun cabinet” often refers to a single wall locker or cabinet with a traditional 3-point mechanism and most commonly a key lock. Here’s a comparison of the two:
Construction:
– Firearms cabinets are typically made of steel or metal, but they are less robust than safes. They often have thinner walls and less reinforcement, which makes them easier to move around the house or apartment and unfortunately to break into.
Steelhead Outdoors Scout modular gun cabinets or gun lockers are constructed with a single wall of 14 gauge steel and do not have any fire insulating layer. The simplified construction reduces cost, while the innovative design of the patent-pending 8 point vertical beam locking technology maximizes the security of the design.
– Traditional firearms safes are constructed with thicker steel walls and doors, and they often feature additional layers of fire-resistant materials. This construction makes them more secure against both theft and fire.
Steelhead Outdoors Nomad and Recon safes are constructed with 12 gauge outer walls and a 7 gauge plate door and an additional 20 gauge inner wall with ceramic blanket fire insulation between the layers.
Security Features:
– Firearms Cabinets may have basic locking mechanisms, such as key locks or combination locks. While these provide a degree of security, they are not as robust as the electronic or combination locks found on most safes.
Scout cabinets feature a high quality Sargent and Greenleaf lock used on many safes, and include a rack drive mechanism protected by a slip clutch.
– Traditional firearms safes often come with advanced locking mechanisms, which can include electronic locks with a keypad entry, biometric fingerprint scanners, and dual-lock systems. They include high quality locks built by companies like Sargent and Greenleaf and Securam. They offer higher security against unauthorized access.
Recon and Nomad safes include top of the line security features such as an internal AND an external relocker, a dual stage ball bearing and traditional hardplate sandwich, a direct drive double-locking, cam-over-center locking mechanism and a full length hinge-side dead bar.
Capacity:
– Firearms cabinets may have less interior space and fewer shelves or compartments. They are designed for basic storage and may not accommodate larger firearms or extensive collections.
Scout Cabinets feature in-line gun racks to maximize accessibility, and full-length steel shelves to maximize strength.
– Traditional firearms safes come in various sizes and configurations, offering more interior space and adjustable shelving to store not only firearms but also other valuable items, ammunition, documents, or important personal belongings.
Nomad and Recon safes feature 3 different standard layouts, and many customizable options including additional shelves, and MOLLE compatible gear panels for the door.
Fire Protection:
– Most firearms cabinets lack fire protection features, making the contents inside vulnerable to damage in the event of a fire.
Scout Gun Cabinets offer best-in-class value, security and mobility by eliminating the fire insulating layer found on traditional gun safes.
– Traditional firearms safes often include fire-resistant materials and insulation to protect the contents from heat and flames. They are more suitable for safeguarding firearms in case of a fire.
Steelhead Outdoors Recon and Nomad safes include a patented dual stage fire protection consisting of ceramic blanket insulating material and a reflective coated inner metal panel that creates a completely dry and non-moisture trapping interior.
Weight and Portability:
– Firearms cabinets are lighter and more portable, which may be suitable for those who need to move them occasionally or placing in upstairs rooms.
Steelhead Outdoors Scout Gun Cabinets ship in panels to be even more mobile than traditional gun cabinets.
– Traditional firearms safes are heavier, which enhances security but can make them less portable. They are generally meant to be installed in a fixed location.
Steelhead Outdoors Nomad and Recon modular safes ship in panels so that they can easily be moved and assembled by two people, breaking down one of the key barriers to traditional safe ownership.
Cost:
– Firearms cabinets are generally more affordable than traditional safes due to their simpler construction and fewer security features.
The Scout series incorporates several key security features of traditional safes like the hardplate and UL-listed Sargent and Greenleaf lock, while the patent-pending locking mechanism increases lock points over traditional cabinet designs.
– Traditional firearms safes come at a higher price point, reflecting their greater security, fire protection, and overall durability.
Nomad and Recon safes offer many top-of-the-line security features found on other high end safes along with a long list of exclusive features not found anywhere else. The Nomad and Recon safes are proud to stand as the only American made, Modular, Fire Insulated long-gun safes on the market.
Firearms cabinets are a more budget-friendly option for basic storage needs, while traditional firearms safes offer superior security, fire protection, and customization options. The choice between the two should depend on your specific requirements, budget, and the level of security and protection you need for your firearms and valuables.
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