See what happens to a gun safe in a fire.

[KahrMan]

This fire happened at Buck Paradise Outfitters. Here is a quote from Grant at BPO:

By the time the fire department was there all they could do was hose water on it but everything was gone. My truck, skid steer, Ian's quad, my Polaris Ranger, 3 skidoos, all my hunting clothes and equipment, all the shop tools and contents, 70 some game trail cameras, blinds, and the list goes on and on. In the bar area my guns were (stored) in the safe. We are not sure how they faired the heat. (The safe) is buried under a wall that fell on it, so I am not sure if all our guns are okay or not.

Here is what they found when they got the safe out. The safe was a Browning Yukon.

[TNFF319]

Total loss.

[Guest spoolie]

Total loss.

[mikegideon]

There's no Yukon listed on their web site. I think it's a Yukon Gold, which is apparently made by Prosteel. I think any safe will burn up if you exceed the fire rating.

[Caster]

I don't care what the experts say, the only thing that's fire proof is GOD, so don't rely on a fire safe. DO NOT put all your guns in one place. What an absolute waste. I'll not be fool enough to think it can't happen to me, but I work at home and I can get everything I care about on my shoulders in one load; In less than 45 seconds. People are too comfortable in their own homes. I don't expect everyone to be like me, but you can't be ready for a calamity if you can't get your stuff and be gone FAST. Personally I like to live like I'm in an extended stay hotel. This just furthers my resolve to not be static with my personal possessions.

Really sad, there WAS some really nice guns in there.

[mikegideon]

I don't care what the experts say, the only thing that's fire proof is GOD, so don't rely on a fire safe. DO NOT put all your guns in one place. What an absolute waste. I'll not be fool enough to think it can't happen to me, but I work at home and I can get everything I care about on my shoulders in one load; In less than 45 seconds. People are too comfortable in their own homes. I don't expect everyone to be like me, but you can't be ready for a calamity if you can't get your stuff and be gone FAST. Personally I like to live like I'm in an extended stay hotel. This just furthers my resolve to not be static with my personal possessions.

Really sad, there WAS some really nice guns in there.

What? Put half of them in a closet? How about you just don't put a 30 minute safe in a 1 hour fire? Don't think God had anything to do with it. Looks like the fire rating was exceeded.

[Caster]

What? Put half of them in a closet? How about you just don't put a 30 minute safe in a 1 hour fire? Don't think God had anything to do with it. Looks like the fire rating was exceeded.

I didn't say he had anything to do with it, My point was NOTHING is fire proof.

[mikegideon]

I didn't say he had anything to do with it, My point was NOTHING is fire proof.

Proof is a strong word. The point I was trying to make... a safe can live up to its rating, and still result in a total loss. That was a low end safe, and probably a long, hot fire. Can't blame the safe if the rating is exceeded.

[hipower]

Words don't help, but I'm so very sorry for your losses..home vehicles and guns. But thank God you are ok.

[Jonnin]

I see three issues here. First, it took that fellow what, 120 seconds to get into the safe? So its not crook proof. Second, there was ammo in with the guns, which, if nothing else, exploded and caused some of the problems. Third, the safe did not protect the guns very well.

All in all, he could have put his guns in an old 'fridge and been as well off.

I took all my ammo out of the safe when I saw a similar show and tell some years back. I dunno how well mine would stop a torch or a fire, but it is what it is. Insurance FTW.

Total loss is a bit extreme, some of those guns might be restored to working condition with a new stock and some work, its not clear. They lost ALL resale value, of course -- so in that regard its total. Also whatever was in some of the other boxes in there may have survived, they didnt open everything on camera.

Its tough to watch something like that, I hope the guy had insurance. Even then, guns are personal, you can't just replace them.... poor fellow =(

[kb4ns]

And this is why I spend money on insurance on my guns and not a fire safe. I use the metal cabinets to make them harder to steal, but we all know nothing is theft-proof just as nothing is fire-proof.

[mikegideon]

I dunno how well mine would stop a torch or a fire, but it is what it is. Insurance FTW.

=(

It should say exactly how well in the safe's literature. x degrees for x minutes. If it's more fire than the rating, then the fire protection will fail. If it fails, YOU underestimated the worst case. Anything will melt if it gets hot enough.

[mikegideon]

And this is why I spend money on insurance on my guns and not a fire safe. I use the metal cabinets to make them harder to steal, but we all know nothing is theft-proof just as nothing is fire-proof.

Yep, a safe is just a tool. I doubt very seriously that my guns will ever burn up in a fire, because of where I live. If I was 15 minutes from the nearest fire station, I would have a 1 hour rating instead of a 45 minute rating.

[vontar]

I see three issues here. First, it took that fellow what, 120 seconds to get into the safe? So its not crook proof. Second, there was ammo in with the guns, which, if nothing else, exploded and caused some of the problems. Third, the safe did not protect the guns very well.

Took allot longer then 120 seconds to get in that safe. They used a big angle grinder and plasma cutter, not tools that are in a normal cat burglar bag. They edited the video while they worked on it.

However I agree, storing the ammo in there was not a good idea and did not help. The Fire I am certain exceeded the fire rating of the safe. This leads me to believe one might consider a water sprinkler above the safe in case of fire if possible to add extra time. Hell I am almost surprised they are not required by some nanny laws though out our entire homes already anyways now.

[W4CCR]

I am surprised the plastic stocks did not melt. That being said, I wonder if they could be cleaned and used. My logic is if it didn't get hot enough to melt the plastic, I wouldn't think it would have damaged the metal.

[Jonnin]

I am surprised the plastic stocks did not melt. That being said, I wonder if they could be cleaned and used. My logic is if it didn't get hot enough to melt the plastic, I wouldn't think it would have damaged the metal.

That was my thought too, the guns look like they can be saved, though they lost a lot of value, they may be shootable.

[TNFF319]

Why would you try to restore the guns? Write them off on insurance and get new ones. Then, you can try to restore them.

[Jonnin]

Why would you try to restore the guns? Write them off on insurance and get new ones. Then, you can try to restore them.

Right. That is exactly the point. They look fixable, so, its a win - win to fix them if possible.

[Guest mikedwood]

Fire proof safes for the most part don't impress me. Espessially for the cost. Some of the videos on youtube show them cutting the cheap walmart type safes open with a 7 1/4 circular saw.

I have been thinking about using several layers of firerated drywall in a closet and a good fire rated metal door. I think if one did the work himself it would be much cheaper, larger and more fire and theft proof.

The safe I have isn't a fireproof one but it came from a bank remodel and given enough time and tools I could get in it.

[willis68]

I use a Fireproof safe and have Firearm insurance, I get a discount on my insurance for keeping them in my safe so it is a win win situation for me

[mikegideon]

I use a Fireproof safe and have Firearm insurance, I get a discount on my insurance for keeping them in my safe so it is a win win situation for me

Bingo! And the dispatch time of the fire department vs. the rating on your safe probably matters.

[DaveTN]

When I started researching safes for protection of guns in the event of a fire I quickly learned that safes are to prevent theft or access; not protect guns from fire. Home owners insurance is for protection from fire.

[mikegideon]

When I started researching safes for protection of guns in the event of a fire I quickly learned that safes are to prevent theft or access; not protect guns from fire. Home owners insurance is for protection from fire.

Well, you need both, but I'm not following you. Are you saying the fire rating is BS, or just inadequate for a real fire? All of it depends on the indivudual safe, of course.

[Tempest455]

About 2 weeks ago, I moved my safe into a cinder block room in my basement. My house burned to the ground once before I owned it (i bought it when rebuilt) and the only room not affected was the cinder block room under the porch.

[Guest Letereat!]

This just furthers my resolve to not be static with my personal possessions.

I am confused, what do you mean by, "not to be static with my personal possessions".