Here are a few of the most popular types of Browning Safes so you can narrow down which type is right for you.

1. Large, and Medium Gun Safes

Browning is a renowned brand with a rich history in firearms, outdoor gear and safes. As such, the company offers a variety of safes for different types of firearms. There are long-gun safes for shotguns, and rifles, smaller safes for pistols, and everything in between. These safes come in different fire, and security ratings—and dimensions vary, even if the safes are the same type—so you can choose one that fits your preferences.

2. Home Safes

Home safes aren’t that different from gun safes, but they don’t come with as many firearm-inspired features. Instead, their specifications are designed with security, and convenience in mind. These can also vary in size, but all carry the same craftsmanship, durability, and quality you’d expect from a Browning safe. Also, Browning has different lines of both gun safes, and home safes (e.g., Core Series, Pro Series, etc.), so be sure to consult with a professional or look at online product descriptions to understand the differences.

3. Compact/Small Safes

If you’re looking to store handguns or pistols, a smaller safe might be the best option. This is especially true if you want to keep a handgun near you while sleeping, or in another area of your home for convenient and secure access. These can range from models that hold a single firearm and some ammunition to multiple firearms. It just depends on your desired dimensions, and how you want to mount/store it.

4. Vaults/Vault Doors

Browning also has a selection of Vault Doors for those with the biggest storage needs. These provide protection for entire rooms of firearms, and other valuables, and models can swing outward or swing inward. Materials, and features can also vary on these, but they’re usually available in most standard door frame sizes.

5. Rated Safes

For those with higher security needs, a fire or TL-rated safe may be in order. These safes are designed to withstand sophisticated criminal attacks, explosions, and fires. For example, a TL-15 safe is tested to withstand 15 minutes of intense attack, while a TL-30 is designed for 30 minutes. Both gun safes, and home safes can be specially rated. Again, a Browning safe expert can help you decide if a rated safe is right for you.

If you’re looking for a Browning Safe, consider shopping online with A-1 Locksmith today. We have a wide variety of types to choose from that will meet your needs.

Since the latter is our specialty, we thought it would be beneficial to outline how much firearm safes have advanced over the years. Join us as we delve into the historical timeline of gun safes, exploring origins, milestones, and their current significance today.

Gun Safe Origins

To look at how gun safes started, we must consider the development of firearms, which coincides with the development of weaponry in general. It’s also important to note that in ancient civilizations like Egypt, Greece, and Rome, people had valuables that they protected (usually in a fortified, guarded chamber of their home). Weapons were considered valuable, so it made sense that many stored them in these chambers. This naturally set the groundwork for future safe rooms or enclosures that would hold modern weapons like firearms.

The Medieval Impact

As weaponry, and armor advanced during the Middle Ages, people needed more robust storage solutions. From castles to fortresses, more, and more buildings included armories, where swords, spears, and bows were meticulously organized, and protected (sound familiar?). These armories often featured heavy doors, intricate locks, and even hidden compartments that deterred theft and ensured the safety of the assets inside. It’s easy to see how these practices impacted the security features, and organization options found in many of the modern gun safe options available today. But these early structures were still primarily used for military purposes.

The Rise of Gunpowder

It wasn’t until gunpowder was invented in China in the 9th century that warfare took another big step forward in the development of weaponry. Gunpowder spurred the development of firearms, and they quickly became more prevalent—as did the need for storing them safely. By time the 19th century rolled around, firearms were so widespread that they were popular for both personal, and military use. As a result, the first forms of the gun safe emerged.

Early gun safes were pretty simple compared to today’s options, and were made from less-durable material like wood, and iron. Gun owners prioritized functionality over, sophistication, which is why early gun safes often featured basic locking mechanisms (e.g., key-operated locks, etc.). Even though they were simple, gun safes played a crucial role in preventing unauthorized access to firearms, and ammunition. More convenient features like keyless entry, and combination lock systems would soon emerge.

Industrial Revolution

Significant advancements in manufacturing techniques led to improvements in gun safe design and construction, making it easier for more of the public to be able to afford them. Gun safes were becoming stronger and crafted from materials like steel, making unauthorized access more difficult. Tamper-resistant features began to pop up, and locksmiths, and safe manufacturers worked together to pioneer innovative locking mechanisms. As a result, gun safes became increasingly reliable, and resistant to tampering.

20th-Century Innovations

Technological innovations continued into the 20th century, as the world witnessed the introduction of features like electronic keypad locks, biometric sensors, and digital access solutions. Gun safes became more convenient without sacrificing security, allowing firearm owners quick and easy access to their weapons, which they knew would be secured until the time they were needed.

Additionally, materials, science, and engineering led to the development of fireproof and waterproof gun safes, as well as specialized safes. All of this offered more peace of mind to firearm owners when it came to environmental hazards, as they knew whatever was stored inside would remain intact even in the event of a fire or flood.

Modern Gun Safes

Firearm safety continues to evolve, and the gun safe industry is in a better place than ever. Today’s gun safes come equipped with state-of-the-art security features like remote monitoring, tamper alerts, and mobile app integration. Smart safes offer unparalleled convenience, and peace of mind, letting their owners monitor and control access to weapons from anywhere in the world. Furthermore, owners can pick whatever access type they prefer and even customize their safe in several other ways. Whether it’s a compact safe for home defense or a large-scale vault for collectors, there’s a gun safe tailored to meet every need, and budget.

As you can see, the history of gun safes is a testament to human ingenuity, and our natural desire to protect valuables. As we look to the future, A-1 Locksmith is proud to be at the forefront of future gun safe advancement and will always offer the best security solutions to its customers. If you have questions about gun safes or want to go over which options are best for you, contact A-1 Locksmith or visit one of our Dallas-Fort Worth locations today.

The good news is that if you choose the right professional gun safe installation company, it’s not impossible. While there are conditions for feasibility, and factors that impact cost, A-1 Locksmith would be happy to help you determine if you can install a gun safe on the second floor.

Conditions for Second-Floor Gun Safe Installs

It’s important to note that not all safes can be installed on higher floors, as conditions must be right for both the safe, and environment. If a company guarantees a second-floor gun safe install, be wary of them overpromising, as each situation is unique. That being said, here are some conditions for second-floor gun safe installs:

• Safe weight: The staircase, and floor must be able to withstand the weight of the safe, which can be hundreds (or even thousands) of pounds.
• Ability to get the safe upstairs: There must be a clear path that the safe fits through, including the stairway. 
• Weight capacity: The floors on the second floor (and the surface where you install the safe) must also be able to support the weight of the safe.
• Equipment and experience: Whoever is installing the safe must have the proper expertise, and equipment to do the job properly. Otherwise, you are putting your home, and the safe installers at risk.

If a second-floor gun safe install isn’t feasible for you, there are alternative solutions like reinforcing the floor, choosing a smaller safe or utilizing different storage methods.

Factors That Impact Delivery, and Installation Costs

If a gun safe can be delivered on the second floor of your home, there are still cost considerations before you decide to go through with it. A-1 Locksmith provides no-obligation quotes with upfront pricing, so everything is clear before we start. Here are some of the factors that impact your safe install cost:

• Safe size/weight: Safes under 50 pounds are usually no problem, but the higher in weight and size you go, the more difficult the safe can be to install. Expect a higher fee if your safe is hundreds of pounds.
• Install location: How difficult it is to reach the desired install location in your home is also a factor? Things like the number of steps on the staircase, and whether any safe components need to be removed before transport will increase fees.
• Distance from installer: Safe installation companies like A-1 Locksmith don’t charge a fee if your home is within a certain distance, such as 30 miles or less. But if your location is further than that, expect a fuel surcharge per mile.
• Other installation requirements: There may be other details that make the safe install more complex, like anchoring requirements, coding compliance, and electrical wiring. A reputable safe installer like A-1 Locksmith will go over these costs first, of course.

If you are interested in installing a gun safe on the second floor of your Dallas-Fort Worth home or business, give A-1 Locksmith a call, and we’ll be happy to consult with you and potentially schedule an inspection to determine the feasibility of your request. We’re also happy to provide a no-obligation quote.

If you’re not a professional, however, you should think twice before you tackle something outside your area of expertise. Home safe delivery is one such area.

We often get asked how we deliver big, bulky safes in hard-to-reach locations. In this post and video, we take a look at a 650-pound Liberty Franklin Model Safe we successfully delivered to a customer who wanted it on the second floor.

Watch the video, and/or read about it below.

Key Components for Safe Delivery

When it comes to home safe delivery, there are a few best practices to consider, whether you’re doing it yourself (with help) or hiring a professional. Here are some of the key components for home safe delivery:

• Reachable location: the safe has to fit in the space, and the path to the space.
• Proper weight: the space needs to support the 50-500+ pounds of the safe.
• Experience: whoever is moving it needs to know what they’re doing.
• Multiple people: bigger safes especially shouldn’t be moved alone, even with a dolly.
• Mitigated risk: whether it’s for personal injury or property damage.

Is Delivery or Pickup the Best Option?

The two main factors with this decision are: the size of the safe, and the difficulty in delivery. As for the size of the home safe, many people can handle 100 pounds or less with a dolly (assuming no or few obstacles). Anything more than that requires two people, and some practical knowledge. So if you’re confident in both of those departments, picking up your safe yourself might be the best option.

If the safe is approaching 200 or 300 pounds (or more), it might require professional equipment and experience. The difficulty of reaching where you want the safe delivered might also require an expert’s strategy, whether it’s up stairs, around corners or past obstacles. (Though be aware an extra fee may be charged for difficult delivery situations like this.) 

How A-1 Safe Delivery Works

At A-1 Locksmith Security, and Safes, we pride ourselves in professional, efficient and safe home delivery for our safe options. This includes hiring and training professional team members, using advanced equipment and providing extra security with ropes, and/or cords. Finally, we are insured, and bonded to provide even more peace of mind.

Need a safe delivered? Interested in purchasing a safe? Contact the team at A-1 Locksmith Security, and Safes today, and we’ll answer any questions you may have.