Gardall used to be a major player in the safe industry. While they are nowhere near as big as they once were, they still make quality burglary and fire safes at affordable prices. In these Gardall Drop Safe Reviews, I will explain why its a secure option in the category but inconvenient for daily use.
Lock – Gardall Drop Safe Reviews
UL Approved High Security Mechanical Lock
First and always most important for any safe is its lock. The Gardall drop safe comes standard with a UL Approved High Security Mechanical Lock. This is the S&G mechanical lock which is my top recommendation and the best in the industry. This high quality lock is designed to last forever and uses the traditional 3 number combination. While I absolutely love this lock, it is not ideal for a drop safe application. Drop safes are accessed very frequently, often daily to remove the deposits and having to operate a mechanical lock every single opening can become quite annoying. I would recommend getting a safe with a UL rated electronic lock for this application.
Hard Plate and Re-Locker
This mechanical lock is also protected by both a hard plate and internal spring-loaded re-locker. The Hard plate is a piece of hardened steel that absolutely destroys drill bits. The internal re-locker fires if the lock is punched through securing the bolts in place. Both of these are essential security features and included on this safe.
Security – Gardall Drop Safe Reviews
The Gardall Drop Safe is equipped with a massive 1/2″ thick solid steel door. Gardall then adds up to five 1″ solid steel locking bolts to secure the door along with a full steel dead bar on the hinge side that locks behind the external hinges. Finally, the body is constructed of up to 1/4″ steel certifying this depository safe as B-Rate construction.
Style and Function – Gardall Drop Safe Reviews
The Gardall drop safe series is finished in a smooth light gray paint. Hardware includes a chrome T-Shaped handle and black dial. The interior is all metal and includes a carpeted bottom.
Overall, drop safes are not meant for overnight storage and should be emptied each day with the deposit being taken to the bank.
Gardall offers either a front load deposit or a rotary hopper or a combination of the two in multiple unique configurations. Also available are additional storage compartments, multiple doors and hopper configurations within these doors.
Warranty
Gardall provides a 1 year warranty on their drop safes. Unfortunately, the warranty is very unclear on what is covered or who pays for installation and service. For me, that is a red flag and usually the company will only provide parts but then not pay for drilling, installation and other various labor.
The Bottom Line
Would I buy a Gardall Drop Safe to protect my valuables? Yes, I absolutely would. With a UL Rated high security mechanical lock, 1/2″ thick solid steel door, thick steel deposit construction and advanced security features, these Gardall drop safes are an excellent choice.
With that said, they are still not the best in class. The Stealth Drop Safes are even better as they are made in USA, have a 7 gauge steel hopper in a concave design, double the warranty and are Made in USA. All things considered, I would recommend the Stealth drop safes over these Gardalls.
