Laying Your Gun Safe on its Side: Important Considerations

Stay upright, stay secure! Why laying your gun safe on its side is a risk you can’t afford to take.

As a responsible gun owner, prioritizing your firearms’ safety and security is important. 

Keeping your gun safe in an upright position is only sometimes feasible. At some point, you may need to lay your gun safe on its side for transportation or storage purposes. 

While it may seem like a minor detail, laying your gun safe on its side requires important considerations to ensure the safety of your firearms. 

Before you lay your gun safe on its side, read on to learn important considerations you need to consider. 

Common Reasons for Laying a Gun Safe on its Side

You might lay your gun safe on its side for several reasons instead of keeping it upright. Some of the common reasons are:

1. Limited Space

When limited space is available, laying the gun safe on its side might be more practical. This can be especially true in smaller homes or apartments with limited space.

2. Easier to Maneuver

Moving a gun safe can be difficult and time-consuming, especially if the safe is heavy and bulky. Laying the safe on its side may make maneuvering through narrow doorways or tight spaces easier.

3. Accessibility

Depending on where the gun safe is located, it may be more accessible when your gun safe is laying on its side. For example, if the safe is located in a closet, it may be easier to access the contents if it is your safe is laying on its side rather than standing upright.

4. Maintenance and Repair

If the gun safe requires maintenance or repair, laying it on its side can provide better access to the inner workings of the safe. 

This can make it easier to perform necessary maintenance or repairs, which can help extend the lifespan of the safe.

5. Transporting the Safe

When transporting a gun safe, laying it on its side can be the safest option to prevent it from shifting during transportation.

6. Installation

Laying a gun safe on its side can make installing or attaching it to a wall or floor easier.

It is important to note that while there may be valid reasons for laying a gun safe on its side, it is essential to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for proper installation and use. 

Failure to follow these instructions could damage the safe, injury, or even death.

Types of Gun Safes That Can Be Safely Laid on Their Side

When it comes to storing firearms, gun safes are an essential investment. 

However, not all gun safes are designed to be laid on their side.

In this section, we’ll discuss the different types of gun safes that can be safely laid on their side and their features.

1. Modular Gun Safes

Modular gun safes are designed to be disassembled into several pieces, making them easy to transport and store. 

They can be laid on their side without damaging their integrity, making them a great option for those with limited space. 

Modular gun safes are also customizable, allowing you to remove or add shelves and other features to suit your needs.

2. Under-bed Gun Safes

As the name suggests, under-bed gun safes are designed to fit under your bed, making them perfect for those with limited space. 

They’re also designed to be laid on their side, with most models featuring a biometric or digital lock for added security.

3. Portable Gun Safes

Portable gun safes are lightweight and compact, making them easy to transport and store. 

They’re also designed to be laid on their side, making them a great option for those who need to move their firearms frequently. 

Most portable gun safes have a cable to secure them to a fixed object, such as a bed frame or car seat.

4. Gun Cabinets

Gun cabinets are designed to store multiple firearms and can be laid on their side without damaging their structural integrity. 

They’re also a great option for those who want to display their firearms, as they often feature glass doors.

5. Biometric gun safes

Some biometric gun safes are designed to be laid on their side for easy access to the firearm. 

These safes often have a unique locking mechanism that ensures the firearm is secure even when laid on its side.

Pros and Cons of Laying Your Gun Safe on its Side

Laying your gun safe on its side or horizontally can have pros and cons. Here are some of the pros and cons of this storage method:

ProsCons
1. Easier to access from a prone position.1. Risk of tipping over if not secured properly.
2. It can fit into narrow spaces.2. Heavier weight can make it difficult to move or transport.
3. It may provide additional storage options.3. It may be more difficult to organize and store items.
4. It may be easier to conceal.4. It may be more difficult to anchor to the floor or wall.

Considerations to Make Before Laying Your Gun Safe on its Side

Before you lay your gun safe on its side, several important factors must be considered to ensure the safety of your firearms and integrity.

1. Manufacturer’s Recommendations: The first and most important consideration is to check the manufacturer’s recommendations for your specific gun safe. 

Some gun safes are designed to be laid on their side, while others are not. 

The manufacturer’s recommendations will guide how to handle your gun safe during transportation or any other situation that may require you to lay it on its side.

2. Contents Inside: The contents inside the gun safe are another important factor to consider. 

If your gun safe is full of firearms and ammunition, laying it on its side can cause damage to the contents, including scratches, dents, or even trigger damage.

Before laying your gun safe on its side, ensure that you have removed all firearms, ammunition, and other valuables from inside.

3. Locking Mechanism: If your gun safe has a biometric or combination lock, laying it on its side can cause the locking mechanism to malfunction or damage. 

If you must lay your gun safe on its side, ensure the locking mechanism is secured properly to avoid damage.

4. Weight and Size: The weight and size of your gun safe can also be a significant factor before laying it on its side. 

If your gun safe is too heavy or large, laying it on its side can cause damage to the floor or surface underneath. 

Before laying your gun safe on its side, ensure that the surface is sturdy enough to support the weight and size of your gun safe.

Maintenance and Inspection After Laying Your Gun Safe on its Side

After laying your gun safe on its side, it’s essential to perform thorough maintenance and inspection to ensure that the safe and its contents are still in good condition. 

Here are some critical steps you should take:

1. Check for any damages

First, inspect the gun safe for any damages that may have occurred during the transport or moving process. 

Look for scratches, dents, or any signs of damage to the lock, handle, or hinges.

2. Test the safe’s lock, and electronic systems

Test the lock and electronic systems to ensure they function correctly. If you have a combination lock, dial the combination and ensure that the door opens and closes smoothly. 

If your safe has an electronic lock, check the battery to ensure it works correctly.

3. Re-organize and secure firearms

After ensuring the safe is still in good condition and functioning correctly, re-organize and secure your firearms. 

Make sure that each firearm is properly secured and that any ammunition is stored separately from the firearms. 

Consider using additional gun safe accessories, such as gun safe dehumidifiers, to protect your firearms from rust and moisture.

Conclusion

Laying your gun safe on its side may seem like a minor detail, but it requires important considerations to ensure the safety and security of your firearms. 

While there may be valid reasons for laying a gun safe on its side, following the manufacturer’s instructions for proper installation and use is essential. 

Failure to do so could damage the safe, injury, or even death. 

Before laying your gun safe on its side, consider the manufacturer’s recommendations, contents inside, locking mechanism, weight and size, and post-maintenance inspection. 

As a responsible gun owner, prioritize the safety and security of your firearms and take the necessary precautions to avoid damage or injury.

FAQs

Can I lay my gun safe on its side during transportation or storage? 

It depends on the specific gun safe and its design. Some gun safes are designed to be transported or stored on their sides, while others are not. It is important to consult the manufacturer’s instructions or contact them directly.

How do I ensure that my gun safe is secure when laid on its side? 

When laying a gun safe on its side, it is important to ensure it is properly secured to prevent it from tipping over or shifting during transportation or storage. This can be achieved by using straps or ropes to secure the safe to a stable surface, such as a truck bed or a floor.

Can laying my gun safe on its side affect its fire rating? 

Laying a gun safe on its side could affect its fire rating, depending on the specific design and construction of the safe. Many gun safes are designed and tested to withstand fires from certain angles, typically vertically or horizontally.

Sources:

Vault, USA Safe &. “Can You Lay a Safe on Its Back?” USA Safe & Vault, usasafeandvault.com/blogs/safes-vaults-store/can-you-lay-a-safe-on-its-back

‌Mizer, Ethan. “How & Where to Bolt down a Safe [Guide].” Pew Pew Tactical, 16 Apr. 2019, www.pewpewtactical.com/how-where-bolt-down-safe/.

Tips for Gun Safety – SLCPD. www.slcpd.com/tips-for-gun-safety/.‌

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