Will Movers Move a Gun Safe?

Here’s the quick answer: Yes, some moving companies do move gun safes, but the process can be challenging due to the weight and size of the safes. It’s recommended to hire professional movers experienced in handling heavy items like gun safes to avoid injury and property damage. Ensure your movers are insured and equipped to handle the task safely.

So you’ve probably got lots more questions. If so, read on. We’ve got tons of answers.

How much does it cost to move a gun safe?

If your gun safe is being moved across town, the cost is usually between $200 and $500.

When moving locally, the additional cost of moving a gun safe may be negligible since you’ll be paying by the hour.

However, on long-distance interstate and intrastate moves, that extra 600 pounds may increase your cost significantly since your charges will be based on weight and mileage.

In addition, on interstate and intrastate moves, you may be charged a “bulky article” fee on top of the weight.

Just keep in mind that your actual cost will be based on:

• The dimensions and weight of the safe
• The distance between your old and new home or apartment
• Whether it’s going to the first floor, upstairs, or down into a den, basement, or “man cave.”

How much does a gun safe weigh?

Most basic gun safes weigh between 250 and 600 pounds.

Mid-range safes can weigh up to 1,000 pounds, while top-of-the-line units can tip the scales at 1,500 pounds.

Did You Know?

Commercial gun safes that dealers and retailers use can weigh 5,000 pounds or more. You’ll need to hire a specialty rigging and hauling company to move one.

Can I move my gun safe myself?

Moving an entry-level gun safe yourself is possible, but you’ll need the proper equipment, sufficient know-how, and adequate help. That said, moving heavy safes of any kind is dangerous. In other words, it’s usually a job best left to trained professionals.

What kind of tools do you need to move a gun safe?

If you’re determined to move your gun safe yourself, you’ll need the following tools, special equipment, and apparel:

• A sturdy steel or aluminum appliance dolly
• 3 to 5 moving blankets or pads
• Packing materials like tape, mover’s rubber bands, or shrink-wrap (stretch wrap)
• A screwdriver and pliers to remove shelves
• Work gloves and close-toed shoes (steel-toed boots are best)
• Long pants and shirts with long sleeves
• A truck or trailer capable of hauling your safe
• A walk board (loading ramp) with a high weight rating

How many people are required to move a gun safe?

When moving even the smallest gun safe, you’ll usually need at least one helper.

Below are a few general guidelines for larger units:

• Two people can move safes under 250 pounds.
• Those between 250 and 400 pounds require at least three.
• Gun safes up to 500 pounds require at least four people.
• Professional safe movers should move ones over 500 pounds.

Did You Know?

Moving a 350-pound gun safe from one first-floor room, home, or apartment to another may not be a big deal, but it becomes exponentially more dangerous and difficult when a flight of stairs is involved.

What are the typical dimensions of a gun safe?

Many standard gun safes are between –

• 4 and 6 feet tall
• 36 and 40 inches wide
• 16 and 20 inches deep

Most in this size range can accommodate more than a dozen rifles or shotguns, multiple handguns, ammunition, and other related items like complex travel cases and cleaning supplies.

Remember the gun safe’s interior dimensions are much smaller than the exterior ones.

When moving a large safe down stairs and halls, through doorways, and around tight corners, it’s essential to measure everything carefully before starting.

Insider’s Tip

Always size everything up using a tape measure – don’t rely on the dimensions from your owner’s manual.

How do you move a gun safe?

Don’t feel comfortable enough to move the gun safe yourself? Get a quote to find help from professional movers!

Learn More

Moving a large gun safe requires lots of forethought. You’ll need a few good helpers, but most importantly, you must have a good plan.

What to do before moving your gun safe

• Empty your safe and take out the removable shelves.
• Please make sure the door is closed and locked to prevent it from opening.
• Plan the route you’ll take from your home or apartment to the moving truck, and make sure the surrounding area is free from obstructions.
• Carefully measure your safe, as well as doors, halls, and stairways.
• Remove doors and door hinges when necessary.
• Make sure interior and exterior stairs will support the weight of the dolly and are safe – keep an eye out for cracked, dry-rotted, or termite-ravaged wood.
• Borrow, rent, or buy a heavy-duty appliance dolly (preferably with built-in ratchet straps) capable of carrying your gun safe.
• Wear long pants and shirts, gloves, and steel-toed shoes if you have them.

Finally…it’s time to move your gun safe

Cover the safe — and other valuables during moving — with quilted moving blankets and secure them with tape, rubber bands, or shrink wrap.

Then, with a helper, carefully tilt the safe to one side and push the dolly’s lip underneath.

Always put the dolly under/against one of the safe’s sides – not the front or back unless the owner’s manual says to.

Now wrap the nylon supporting straps around the safe, tighten it using the built-in ratchet, or secure it with rope or a logistics strap.

If you’re moving your safe up or downstairs or onto a truck or trailer, make sure that:

• The person (or people) holding and pulling the dolly are on the high side.
• The helpers are pushing from the low side.

Once the safe is on the truck, push it against a wall or the bulkhead, remove the dolly, and strap it in place with at least three logistics straps.

Insider’s Tip

On smaller trucks, safes should be placed in the center of the cargo area, ideally between the front and rear axles, to distribute the weight evenly.

How to move a gun safe: moving tips

If your gun safe is too heavy to move easily, you may be able to remove the main door, which may account for nearly 20% of overall weight.

On the downside, some safe doors are so heavy that they must be rehung using hydraulic jacks, so proceed with caution, or better yet, call professionals. Here are some gun safe moving tips to keep in mind.

Safety first

It may be overused, but safety should come first when moving a gun safe.

After all, you’ll kick yourself for skimping on the cost for movers if you throw your back out or knock a gaping hole in the living room drywall while moving your safe.

Last minute safe moving tips

In addition to protecting yourself and your safe, you’ll also want to avoid damaging your home’s walls and floors.

Excess cardboard and moving pads can help protect walls and doors, but saving your floors can be challenging.

Instead of rolling your super-heavy object across hardwood, tile, and linoleum, consider putting down a layer or two of Masonite.

In addition to helping the dolly roll more easily, it’ll help distribute the weight more evenly over the floor.

Also, remember to –

• Have a plan and adequate help
• Use a sturdy appliance dolly
• Check the wheels for embedded bits of rock, glass, and plastic
• Secure the safe to the dolly
• Stay hydrated and wear appropriate clothes and gloves
• Keep your work area free of kids, pets, and other obstructions
• Get out of the way of a “runaway safe” immediately – never try to stop it

Safe moving “no-nos”

There’s lots of crazy information out there when it comes to moving gun safes.

When in doubt:

• Use your common sense
• Hire professional movers
• Avoid gimmicky tricks that sound too good to be true

For example, you may read elsewhere that using steel pipe or golf balls to roll your safe out of your home or from one room to another works well.

The truth is they’re dangerous, rarely work, and are likely to damage your floor and your safe.

Insider’s Tip

Stick with the good old-fashioned appliance dolly when moving a heavy gun safe – you’ll be glad you did.

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