Gardall GWB3522 Wide-Body Drop Safe Review

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 this Gardall GWB3522 Wide-Body Drop Safe Review, I will explain why its a secure option in the category but inconvenient for daily use.

Lock – Gardall GWB3522 Wide-Body Drop Safe

UL Approved High Security Mechanical Lock

First and always most important for any safe is its lock. The Gardall GWB3522 Wide-Body 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 GWB3522 Wide-Body Drop Safe

The Gardall GWB3522 Wide-Body Drop Safe is equipped with a massive 1/2″ thick solid steel door. Gardall then adds three 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. The body is constructed of 1/8″ steel certifying this depository safe as B-Rate construction.

Style and Function – Gardall GWB3522 Wide-Body Drop Safe

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. The front load deposit is able to accommodate large size packages and is the following dimensions: 4″D x 2¾”W x 10½”L.

This model is unique in that it features a wide body underneath the deposit hopper that enables it to store cash trays and other wide items. There is also an internal compartment underneath the drop with a tubular cam lock. This enables employees to access the main compartment without providing access to the depository portion.

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 the Gardall GWB3522 Wide-Body 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 DS3020 Drop Safe is even better as it is made in USA, has a 7 gauge steel hopper in a concave design, double the warranty and is Made in USA. All things considered, I would recommend the Stealth drop safe over this Gardall.