Numerous homeowners have pondered how to move a gun safe as part of their DIY moving checklist. Small, portable safes for a single handgun are simple to use, but handling large, heavy safes for many rifles is much more difficult. These safes are frequently cumbersome due to their size and flat shape, which can easily weigh hundreds of pounds.

We’ll explain to you how to move a gun safe the way expert moving companies do it.

1. Make A Moving Plan

The weight of a gun safe that can hold several larger guns can range from 200 to 1,000 pounds, whereas safes for a single handgun are light and portable. Needless to say, you can’t exactly toss it in the back of a moving truck.

Make a plan for how you’ll transport your gun safe from your current home to your new home and back again before you move. Clear a path through the house, measure any narrow doorways or corners, and then proceed safely. You should also choose at this time whether you want to move the safe yourself (with assistance from friends or family) or work with a specialized safe moving team.

2. Consider Hiring A Professional Safe Mover

Have you ever considered what it might be like to unintentionally drop a gun safe on your toe? The safety risks involved with moving a gun safe prompt many homeowners to hire a local safe moving company instead of attempting it themselves.

Companies that specialize in safe moving have the expertise and equipment necessary to move and reinstall your gun safe without endangering your safety or your possessions. A heavy load is also transported much more easily thanks to the use of specialized vehicles and equipment by safe moving companies.

3. Protect Your Flooring

Moving a gun safe poses risks to your personal safety as well as damage to your flooring. The two main issues are placing too much weight on an unstable area and scratching the floor surface while being transported. 

When moving any safe, you should put protecting your flooring first to prevent future floor repairs. If you hire a professional safe moving company, they’ll probably lift and move the safe using a track system rather than dragging the heavy object across the floor. Lay furniture blankets and other protective materials on the floor to offer as much protection as you can if you’re handling the safe move by yourself. You can also add padding to any walls and doors where the safe might bump into something on its way out.

4. Empty The Safe Before Moving It

The general rule is that before moving a piece of furniture, it should be made as light as possible. Before moving day, empty the contents of your gun safe to lower the weight of the strongbox. Additionally, emptying its contents will shield any priceless items from harm while being transported. Make sure to plan a different, secure way to transfer the contents of the safe.

5. Lock And Close The Safe Door

Although it might seem like a cartoon scene, the safe door can swing open in the middle of a move and collide with a wall. Make sure the gun safe’s door is completely closed and locked before anyone lifts it off the ground. This step makes sure that neither the moving team nor the neighborhood are at risk of injury from the door.

6. Rent Moving Equipment

Renting the necessary tools will help you get ready for the task if you intend to move the safe on your own without the assistance of a professional safe mover.

Luckily, you can easily rent moving tools from a moving company. To move and secure a gun safe successfully, you will require a sturdy appliance dolly or hand truck, supporting straps, and strong ropes. Pro tip: Give the moving company the precise measurements and weight of your safe so they can suggest the appropriate size of equipment.

Learn how to keep everyone safe as you load up your belongings and travel.

7. Take It Slow

No pressure, but when moving a gun safe it’s important to keep in mind that every movement counts. To keep everyone safe (and toes intact), it’s imperative to plan out every step of the removal and reinstallation process. 

Plan your move of the gun safe with plenty of time to spare. Your moving team should be informed of your move’s schedule, which should include the exit route and any potential obstacles. You should also keep in touch with them as it progresses. You should consent to a warning signal that will let other people know if there is a problem before opening the safe. Take things slowly and steadily, above all.

8. Get Friends To Help

Furthermore, you’ll need friends to accomplish this, so while we’re on the subject, make some. You can’t do this alone, so make sure you’re on good terms with your strong buddies and in-laws. Most of the time, beer and pizza will win you over as a helper! Nobody genuinely enjoys helping with a move, particularly when it involves moving a 1,000-pound gun safe, but these incentives might be helpful!

There are additional steps you’ll need to take before a professional gun safe mover can move the safe for you if you do decide to hire them. They cannot transport live ammunition in their moving trucks, nor can they transport weapons that are not properly registered or licensed. So, you will need to:

1. To show your movers, have a complete set of gun licenses and registrations on hand.
2. If you are transporting any rifles or pistols inside the safe, be sure to empty them first (though experts do not advise doing this).
3. Empty the safe of all the ammunition.
4. Keep track of the contents of any valuables you have.
5. Disconnect any wall-mounting hardware.