Safe capacity numbers...what do they mean?

[Maia007]

An easy question for those in the know.

Take the AMSEC 6030, as an example......it shows gun capacity as.......

12-18-30

So what does that mean? And, what is the significance of these numbers?

Are "scoped rifles" included in this scheme? I do know that "30 guns" capacity is misleading........

Thx.

 

[Cougfan2]

What the designation means is how many long guns can be stored based on how many flat shelves you have configured in the safe.

The other thing to keep in mind is that always take the max number of long guns they say the safe will hold and cut it by at least 1/3. Then you will have an actual idea of how many long guns the safe will hold without jamming them in their like they were on a slave ship. Some of the mfgs. even refer to the number or "positions" there are. I just bought a safe that claims to hold 36 long guns, but I guarantee you there is NO WAY I could ever get 36 long guns in it unless I didn't care how they looked when I took them out.

 

[78tsubaki]

Sturdy took scoped rifles into account when they designed their hunters rack.

 

[Mags]

Take a safe's capacity divide it by 2 and that is how many scoped long guns can be stored in there without having to move all your guns around to get one out. The worst safe space killer is ARs with their pistol grips and optics.

 

[al123]

Take the AMSEC 6030, as an example......it shows gun capacity as.......
12-18-30
So what does that mean? And, what is the significance of these numbers?

These should be viewed as slots (or positions as mentioned before) for long guns. For the AMSEC 6030 the first number (12) refers to the left side that has slanted 'ready removal' slots. IMO, you might be able to squeeze all 12 positions with long guns provided they have no pistol grips or scopes. More realistic is fitting 8-10 guns if you don't want them banging into each other when removing or putting back a specific firearm. You get much less capacity if you have pistol grips/scopes on your guns.

The second number (18) refers to the number of positions on right side. This area is for your safe queens. IMO, the 18 number is for beanpoles. 9-12 long guns (no scopes/pistol grips) capacity is more reasonable.

The third number (30) is total number of positions. IMO, if you can fit more than 20 long guns in this safe with this configuration, you're doing well.

 

[7.62 Nato]

To start off the Amsec 6030 is giong to be 60" (5') tall by 30" wide. A standard depth for a full size safe is usually 24". The 12-18-30, I believe is long gun capacity options (12,18,or 30) depending which interior you choose. The lower no. options would also have more shelves.

 

[Nowhere Man]

It means it will hold 12-18 guns even though they say it can hold 30.



Dave

 

[45crittergitter]

The numbers mean nothing; just like the numbers on a Baptist preacher's watch.

 

[devildog4329]

45Crittergitter. That post is great "just like the numbers on a Baptist preacher's watch" Made me smile and think of my late grandfather. A baptist preacher.

 

[Maia007]

Thanks guys.......I think I am starting to get it.

 

[Z_Man]

As others have said, divide by two and that is what the safe will hold in reality. Keep in mind this is just a rule of thumb though. I actually have an AMSEC 6030 so let me tell you what I found.

The 12 means:
The safe will hold 12 if you use the left side of the safe for long guns and you fill the right side with shelves.
All my rifles have scopes so I can fit 6 on the left side comfortably.

The 18 means:
The safe will hold 18 if you use the right side of the safe for long guns and you fill the left side with shelves.
Again my rifles have scopes so I can fit 10 on the right side comfortably.

The 30 means:
The safe will hold 12 long guns on the left side and 18 long guns on the right side. Off course you won't have any shelves except for the one on top in this configuration.
So in my case if I removed all the shelves I could comfortably hold 16 long guns.

I will also mention that with the AMSEC 6030 on the right hand side, and maybe other safes, you can't take out a long gun unless you get the row of guns that are in front of it out of the way first.

And as a relatively new safe owner I can't stress, BUY A BIGGER SAFE THAN YOU THINK YOU NEED. The safe will service you for generations. It's a matter of when not if you or your family will outgrow it. I did not take this advice very seriously.

I was going to buy a 6032 but decided to go a little bigger and got a 6030. Now a few years later I should have bought at least a 7240.


That's my two cents.

 

[TonyDedo]

There are two rules to keep in mind when buying a safe. The divide it by two rule, and the 150% rule.

Rule #1 you've already heard: take the number of rifles a manufacturer claims a safe holds and divide it by two. That's how many it actually holds.

Rule #2: take how much space you think you need (how many firearms you have or will have) and multiply it by 150%. That's how much space you need.