The Truth About UL Fire Ratings on Long Gun Safes

When shopping for fireproof safes or fireproof gun safes, you might notice claims about “UL Fire Ratings.” It can be confusing — and honestly, misleading. At Sturdy Gun Safe, we believe in telling it like it is, instead of hiding behind numbers that don’t mean much in the real world.

What Is a UL Fire Rating?

UL, or Underwriters Laboratories, is a respected testing lab. Products with a true UL Fire Rating are tested using strict, realistic methods to ensure they actually protect contents from extreme heat. The rating you see on a product reflects a real, standardized test.

Do Long Gun Safes Have UL Fire Ratings?

Here’s the catch: long gun RSC safes do NOT have a true UL Fire Rating. Some small safes have UL fire ratings, but those are not designed for long guns. Some safes may carry a UL RSC rating, but that only measures security against break-ins, not fire protection. Occasionally, manufacturers highlight a UL-rated insulator used inside the safe. But just because the insulation passed a test doesn’t mean the safe itself will survive a real fire. Many so-called “UL Fire Ratings” on long gun safes are either made up or based on incomplete testing that skips critical steps. This leads to buyers comparing fake ratings to fake ratings — confusing, right?

What Is the Best Fire Protection for Gun Safes?

At Sturdy Gun Safe, we don’t rely on labels or numbers. We use premium 2300°F-rated ceramic wool — the same insulation used in industrial ovens and kilns — as the heart of our fire protection. This dense, high-quality insulation blocks heat, doesn’t crumble, and protects your guns and valuables in real fire conditions.

We’ve tested our safes in fully furnished house burn downs with arson investigators and have survived accidental fires with local fire departments. That means our safes are proven to protect your belongings, not just look good on paper.

Why Doesn’t Sturdy Get a UL Fire Rating?

Getting a UL Fire Rating for a long gun safe is extremely expensive, and the cost would be passed on to you, the customer. Even then, buyers would still be comparing fake ratings to real UL ratings on small safes — which doesn’t tell the whole story. Instead, we focus on real-world fire testing and education, so you know exactly how our safes perform in a fire — no gimmicks, no misleading claims.

Is a UL Fire Rating Important?

A UL Fire Rating is a nice label for some products, but no RSC long gun safe on the market currently has one. With Sturdy Gun Safe, you get safes that have been proven to survive real house fires, built with the best insulation available, and crafted to keep your valuables safe — without relying on marketing tricks.