r/canadaguns • u/AccountantLow8671 • Jun 09 '26

Gun and gear reviews Advice on Gun Safe

I am looking for some advice on a decent gun safe. I don't need more than 8 gun capacity and would like a digital keypad vs key only option. One issue is my shotgun is 49 inches long which seems to be an issue with some of the gun safes available. I would like to have a shelf for ammo etc. Budget is ~$500.

11 Upvotes

92% Upvoted

33 comments sorted by

55

u/Hisoka365 Jun 09 '26

Whatever the gun safe says, get double. So if you want 8 guns, get a 16 gun capacity one minimum

11

u/XTHERUMOURMILLx Jun 09 '26

This is very very important advice.

8

u/BrotherLefthand Jun 09 '26 edited Jun 09 '26

However, if you're a renter or in a dwelling that is inconvenient for moving/storing large and heavy furniture (such as a safe), you're better off buying 2 smaller ones.

Two 8-gun safes are much easier to move than one 16-gun safe.

0

u/looloopklopm Jun 10 '26

But you have to do it twice 🤔

2

u/BrotherLefthand Jun 10 '26

You want to move a 32-gun safe out of an apartment on the 3rd floor? I don't. However, 2 16s doesn't sound so bad.

3

u/HankHippoppopalous Jun 10 '26

Its like buying a Tent lol

1

u/Hisoka365 Jun 10 '26

This guy camps!

-5

u/zporb Jun 09 '26

For what purpose exactly

18

u/blueline731 Jun 09 '26

The issue is though technically you have space to fit as many guns as it says, realistically you lose a lot of space if you have any guns with scopes or pistol grips. Unless you’re into shotguns and wood stock rifles without sights you realistically won’t get as many guns in your safe as it says on the label.

4

u/boomstickjonny Jun 09 '26

If its got slots for pistols it will count those two while not actually adding any additional space.

7

u/Rewindonemoretime Jun 09 '26

An 8gun safe will not fit 8 guns unless they’re all single shot break action shotguns. Once you add pistol grips, optics, any accessories really it cuts into the capacity a decent amount.

4

u/SSjGuitarist Jun 09 '26

Not to mention if you own any side by sides lol

1

u/sorean_4 Jun 09 '26

Check out SecureIt. 8 gun safe fits 8 guns.

2

u/cattabliss bc Jun 09 '26

to prevent your firearms from knocking against each other and wearing themselves down every time you put something in or take something out. give them a little bit of personal space, they will thank u...

2

u/Mo-Cance Jun 09 '26

It's like a tent. You get a four-person, but you'd only comfortably sleep two.

3

u/HankHippoppopalous Jun 10 '26

I've got a 16 man tent, and the only way you'd get 16 men in this tent is if they were inside each other

1

u/Acceptable_Visit_115 Jun 09 '26

For advertisement purposes.

A 16-gun safe will fit 16 single shot break action shotguns. Because technically that's 16 guns and you can't sue them for false advertising. Big number go brrr.

Not everyone owns 16 single shot break action shotguns. Some have scopes. Some have bipods. Some have pistol grips. Some have chassis. Each gun will take up far more space than a single shot break action shotgun. It effectively reduces your usable space in half.

9

u/Any-Rip-9727 Jun 09 '26

12 gun cabinet from Canadian Tire is pretty good for 8 guns but not as structuraly sound as a safe

5

u/Natural_Comparison21 Jun 09 '26

Yep. It’s one of those you definitely want bolted. It’s easy to move it into the place you want if you get a ready to assemble but shit they do not be super strong. They are by definition a speed bump. However sometimes a speed bump is enough to slow down a theft.

3

u/Beers_n_Deeres Jun 10 '26

I have one. Yukon brand I think.

Fits 8 ok, and meets the regulation for storage just fine.

1

u/HankHippoppopalous Jun 10 '26

I’ve got this. Some LED lights inside it so I can see what mag im grabbing. It’s not to keep thieves out. It’s to keep any visiting kids out. We have friends with kids and they’re not smart enough to pick locks

5

u/Rewindonemoretime Jun 09 '26

Options are kinda limited at 500 bucks. You’re in cabinet price range which is all you need for storage compliance. Check our vevor, they have 12-14th cabinets with a digital keypad, or the Yukon gear double cabinet from can tire, it is only keyed though. You can always check FB marketplace or kijiji for used ones and maybe get lucky. Also keep in mind a lot of these cabinets/ safes with shelves inside will have cut outs in the shelf to fit longer barrels.

3

u/thehuntinggearguy 3gun, Mapleseed, YouTuber, SlamFire Radio, Revolver-hater Jun 09 '26

How often do you take the shotgun out of the safe? If you don't take it out that often, just remove the barrel so you can fit it in a smaller safe. If you're using it frequently, that'd get annoying pretty quick.

1

u/AccountantLow8671 Jun 09 '26

Good point. I currently go to the range at least once per week but I’m sure that will decrease in the future (I’m new to guns/hunting).

1

u/BrotherLefthand Jun 10 '26

Get a safe big enough to fit your rifles AND accessories. It's nice to lock all your ammo up too.

2

u/AccountantLow8671 Jun 09 '26

Thanks for the responses. I don’t see myself with more than 4-5 guns but who knows. Right now I am storing them in a hard case with a bunch of desiccant packs. This is not the long term plan. I am hoping to get something manageable for the bedroom closet that I can get into quickly should the need arise. Storage of a bit of ammo would also be nice but I could put that elsewhere as well.

I will check out Vevor and see if they have dimensions for interior. My shotgun is just over 48 inches with a flush choke.

2

u/BrotherLefthand Jun 09 '26

You should buy the smallest safe you can reasonably use. If you find you need more room down the road, buy a second identical safe.

Two 8-gun safes are significantly easier to move than one 16-gun safe. You'll thank me if you ever have to move them yourself.

1

u/Additional_Fold_1350 Jun 09 '26

I bought one of these from Amazon, not a bad cabinet but wouldn't call it a safe. But its sufficient for my needs. It keeps kids away from my guns, though I could break into it if I really tried. Fits nice in my bedroom closet and has a tamper alarm. And it was just under 300.

https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0DX13BD73?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title

2

u/Unlikely_sniper Jun 09 '26

https://unclewiener.com/products/fireproof-gun-safe-electronic-lock-secure-storage-36-50-gun-capacity?srsltid=AfmBOoqPPl3-1qezLUnhBVGAmjX_jyvy_CRVVrr_cp0plb74v5IhGuGM

This was my first "safe" I have since built a room but still have the safe. I would 100% buy it again. This gives you ample storage and will fit you 49" shotgun (which isn't that long), my ELR rifle is 53" and fits with room to spare.

2

u/TeoToTheRescue Jun 09 '26

Just got this safe last week for Father’s Day. It’s still in the box waiting for said event.

https://www.princessauto.com/en/product/23-gun-fire-safe-with-electronic-lock/PA0009481482/9481482

It’s a 20 gun(10gun) with 3 pistols in the door. Modular as well. Great deal for $480 if your local princess auto has stock.

It basically is this safe. But slightly smaller.

https://a.co/d/0bMt6grR that’s an Amazon US link I promise.

3

u/4r4nd0mninj4 Jun 09 '26

Get the biggest safe you can afford for the space available. You'll fill it eventually and wish you got a larger one. 😅

1

u/Humble_Canuck Jun 11 '26

I went with a modular SecureIt. Wasn't cheap. I like that the Agile Mod 52 and Mod 40 stack. I have both. I will be doing a battery modification because the 9V does not last long, which is weird that it would have, seemingly, a parasitic drain.

1

u/AccountantLow8671 Jun 11 '26

Thanks. I’ll take a look at this option