Category: Home Security

Whether you’re buying your first gun safe or have an arsenal of collectors models and want added protection for specific firearms, there’s a lot to consider when it comes to the gauges of the metal.  Gun safe gauges, just like other metal materials, are based on a scale where the higher the number the thinner the width of the metal.

An 18 gauge piece of steel is thinner than a 10 gauge for example.  This applies to wiring, body jewelry, and gun safes.  The gun safe gauge scale ranges from a 20 gauge to a 00.  There is a common belief that the thicker the metal, the harder it is to break into the safe.

This is a rumor as there are modern tools and technologies that can crack a safe pretty easily, just like the jaws of life can rip through a car’s roof.  The locking system can also provide a vulnerability on some brands so even if there is a thicker gauge, the lock could be the safe’s Achilles heel.  If security is your concern, you want to evaluate thickness, lock types, and the materials used both inside and outside.

Interesting fact: The materials used inside your gun safe and in the walls can cause the gun safe to corrode both inside and out impacting your firearms. Even if you go for a higher gauge for protection, make sure the inner linings are also “safe” for your firearms and valuables.

There are four common beliefs about the thickness of a gun safe and if it is more secure. 

They include:

• Being easier to peel or rip open
• Preventing fire damage
• Makes it heavier which makes it more secure
• Less likely to flood or get flood damage

Yes, thicker steel may deter some people looking to rip open the gun safe, so if this is a concern for you, do not go lower than a 10 gauge.  But if the burglar knows you’re knowledgeable about firearms and security, they have already planned for a thick gauge and will still be able to rip it open if their target is inside.  And that goes to the weight factor.

A heavier safe will be harder to steal or move around.  The weight will help prevent a safe from being stolen by unprepared burglars, but not always.  Most burglaries happen while you’re not home as the intruder does not want a direct confrontation, especially with a gun owner.  They’ve likely mapped their pathway through your home as burglars have places they go first. 

If the gun safe is a target, they may have a dolly or lift and will come prepared to take it with them.  Securing your safe to the floor, wall, or some other way will likely be helpful, assuming they don’t peel it.

Next is fire ratings on gun safes.  Years ago this was important, but now fire departments get a majority of fires out before they would be able to impact your gun safe or the contents inside.  If the fire was that bad, no gun safe or gauge is going to help.  You may get lucky, so it won’t hurt if this is a concern for you, but it is likely money you could invest elsewhere.  The same goes with flooding and gun safe protection.    

The thickness of the metal may stand up for a while, but most gun safes have venting, and the humidity, mold, corrosion, and other factors that come after a flood can still impact the security of your gun safe no matter how thick the gauge of the metal is.

When all is said and done, the thickness and weight of your gun safe will deter some theft and some burglaries.  This can be especially true when you use secure locking mechanisms.  Also look for the security level or rating assigned by organizations like underwriter laboratories.  It is important to verify an unbiased third party gave the rating as manufacturers are able to do their own.

Now you know the truth behind thicker safes and thicker gauges being more secure, and you can make a decision on if you want to spend the extra money for a peace-of-mind, or save a bit.

Have you ever heard the adage that “brains run in the family” or that it must be “genetic?”  Whether you believe it or not, the history of how the gun silencer was invented may add proof to the pudding.  This is because one invention led to another, which led to the creation of the first gun silencer, and we still use the concept to this day.

This “family” of events led to a “maximum” amount of innovation that will give you bragging rights at trivia nights, and some interesting ice breakers to get a conversation going.  It all starts with smokeless gun powder, the machine gun, and finally the silencer.

The silencer’s origin is a result of a pair of brothers and their inventions of smokeless gun powder and the Maxim machine gun.  The first brother is Hiram Maxim who was born in 1840 and in addition to firearms, patented improvements to the hair curling iron in 1866 which are features still used today like the tongs for when it’s hot.  But let’s not get off track.

Hiram Maxim is a father to modern defense systems with creations like the aerial torpedo gun, steam driven airplanes, and as we mentioned above, smokeless gunpowder and the Maxim machine gun.  These two inventions in particular changed modern warfare as we know it.

Smokeless gunpowder leaves less fouling so guns can fire without needing to be cleaned as frequently.  In addition, smokeless powder is more powerful than standard black powder at roughly three times the strength giving the projectile a lot more umph.  And this was vital for the next invention.

The Maxim machine gun invented in 1884 fired 11 shots per second and was able to use the recoil to remove the used cartridge so the next one can load and fire.  Water is used to cool the jacket so it can keep running, and with his ingenuity he was able to create what many consider the first usable machine gun in history.  But Hiram wasn’t the only brains in the family, he had a brother Hudson.

Hudson is also an “explosive” name in firearm innovation Hudson Maxim.  Born in 1853, he always had an interest in science and physics, and in 1889 published a theory about matter and atoms and the principle of force (you can access it here via a membership) that led to recognition in the firearms, canon, and explosives industries.  In order to create his dynamite and smokeless powder, opened a mill in Maxim New Jersey in 1890 where he also invented maximite.

In 1901 he sold his technology for maximite and the science behind his powder that claims it could force a projectile through armor without it exploding to the army at Sandy Hook for $50,000.  The two brothers built a name for their family in science, technology, and innovation which lead to a comfortable life.  Hiram eventually had a son who was named Hiram Percy Maxim.

Being around explosives, machine guns, and dynamite can take a toll on your body.  Hiram eventually went deaf from his work.  With ingenuity in the family gene pool, his son Hiram Percy Maxim began on his own creations.  

In 1902 he released the first ever commercially available silencer called the Maxim Silencer, and got the patent for it seven years later in 1909, then filed for another in 1921 which was approved in 1924.  This is the same model and basis for the gun silencer that we know and use today.

This family had a “maximum” impact on the history of firearms, mining and explosives, not to mention the military.  If you enjoyed this post about firearm history, join our newsletter by entering your email below for more like it.

Motion activated lights can absolutely deter some burglars from trying to enter your home at night, especially if it is clear you have cameras that are strong enough to record and identify a person, but in general motion activated security lights are likely not that effective.  This is because most burglaries happen between 6am and 6pm when burglars think nobody is at home and roughly 65% of them between 10am and 3pm while you’re at school or work.  

There are some types of home and property damage motion activated lights may help prevent including:

• Neighborhood vandals or kids looking to play a prank
• Trespassers
• Entry point discovery if a burglar is scoping out a possible target
• Deer and wildlife that get startled easily

Interesting fact: Burglaries are seasonal with more happening during summer months than winter.  

Burglars do not want to come in contact with other people as being caught in person is more likely going to lead to a physical confrontation.  The burglars simply want money, medications, and valuables they can sell for profit.  They likely do not want to have to fight or risk their own lives if you are armed.  

Because they’ll be entering during the day, the motion activated lights won’t be a deterrent on their own as the light won’t be visible.  If there is a camera that records the outside and inside of your home, this could be a deterrent as the perpetrator will be easier to identify.  Another deterrent may be a sticker for an alarm system and that you’re a member of a gun society or association.

When the intruder knows you’re probably armed, and that an alarm may go off if they try to enter thanks to the alarm logo, their lives are now at risk if the proceed.  This can also backfire as they may be armed and if they’re going to enter and risk their own lives, they’ll likely be expecting a fight if you’re home. 

This means you’ll need a gun safe that has quick and reliable access for these threat situations.  If you’re curious, here’s where burglars go first and the reasons why.

Motion activated lights can help scare off neighborhood vandals that may want to play a prank light toilet papering a tree or egging a door at night, or stop a deer from eating your garden, but they likely won’t stop a home intruder from breaking, so there are some benefits to having them.  

If having motion activated lights makes you feel more secure, then by all means add them.  A peace of mind is valuable, and they may help stop some situations so it doesn’t hurt to add them to your home.