My safe is approximately 1100 pounds. The movers placed it with a remarkably simple safe mover dolly that caused me to go "Hummmm--that was too easy." If bad guys come prepared, a residential security container that is not bolted down is trivial to move/remove or tip over.
The safe opened in the video at this link obviously did not meet the UL RSC rating--less than 2 minutes to pry open:
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- Mon Aug 24, 2015 8:54 pm
- Forum: General Gun, Shooting & Equipment Discussion
- Topic: Gun Safe
- Replies: 34
- Views: 7936
- Mon Aug 24, 2015 2:01 pm
- Forum: General Gun, Shooting & Equipment Discussion
- Topic: Gun Safe
- Replies: 34
- Views: 7936
Re: Gun Safe
I've done quite a bit of research on the topic and quickly discovered that most "gun safes" are not safes at all, but security containers.
A Residential Security Container (RSC) is essentially a large, sheet metal boxes with a lock. A RSC helps protect valuables from smash and grab burglaries where the thief wants to be in and out as quickly as possible and often won't have the time or skill to try to defeat the container. RSC locks are usually UL rated and offer good security; however, the weakness is the body of the unit. The metal thickness on the sides and doors is typically 10-12 gauge (although some are thinner). The door or walls may be thicker due to the addition of gypsum wallboard, concrete (in some cases), or similar materials designed to reduce (but not eliminate) heat or fire effects, but this material typically does little to stop a determined forced entry.
The Underwriter Laboratories (UL) RSC classification means that any specific RSC-labelled container will resist a forced entry attack using simple, non-powered, hand tools for up to five minutes (e.g. screwdrivers, hammers, and pry bars less than 18" long). UL-rated RSC's are not rated against any attack with power tools or an attack lasting longer than five minutes.
The minimum true safe rating from the Underwriter Laboratories is TL-15. The TL-15 rating addresses an attack using hand tools (sledge hammers, fire axes), picking tools, mechanical or electric tools, grinding point attacks, carbide drills, and devices that apply pressure. The TL-15 minimum door thickness is 1.5" plate steel plus an inner layer and the minimum wall thickness is 1" plate steel plus an inner layer. This obviously is considerably thicker than 10 gauge (.13”) or 12 gauge (.10”).
So it really boils down to what are you trying to protect your valuables from? Fire, skilled burglary, smash and grab? A true safe will typically start at $5,000 and go up from there. If you chose an RSC, get the thickest walls you can afford.
A Residential Security Container (RSC) is essentially a large, sheet metal boxes with a lock. A RSC helps protect valuables from smash and grab burglaries where the thief wants to be in and out as quickly as possible and often won't have the time or skill to try to defeat the container. RSC locks are usually UL rated and offer good security; however, the weakness is the body of the unit. The metal thickness on the sides and doors is typically 10-12 gauge (although some are thinner). The door or walls may be thicker due to the addition of gypsum wallboard, concrete (in some cases), or similar materials designed to reduce (but not eliminate) heat or fire effects, but this material typically does little to stop a determined forced entry.
The Underwriter Laboratories (UL) RSC classification means that any specific RSC-labelled container will resist a forced entry attack using simple, non-powered, hand tools for up to five minutes (e.g. screwdrivers, hammers, and pry bars less than 18" long). UL-rated RSC's are not rated against any attack with power tools or an attack lasting longer than five minutes.
The minimum true safe rating from the Underwriter Laboratories is TL-15. The TL-15 rating addresses an attack using hand tools (sledge hammers, fire axes), picking tools, mechanical or electric tools, grinding point attacks, carbide drills, and devices that apply pressure. The TL-15 minimum door thickness is 1.5" plate steel plus an inner layer and the minimum wall thickness is 1" plate steel plus an inner layer. This obviously is considerably thicker than 10 gauge (.13”) or 12 gauge (.10”).
So it really boils down to what are you trying to protect your valuables from? Fire, skilled burglary, smash and grab? A true safe will typically start at $5,000 and go up from there. If you chose an RSC, get the thickest walls you can afford.