Gardall LCF3214 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 LCF3214 Drop Safe Review, I will explain why its a secure option in the category but inconvenient for daily use.

Lock – Gardall LCF3214 Drop Safe

UL Approved High Security Mechanical Lock

First and always most important for any safe is its lock. The Gardall LCF3214 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 LCF3214 Drop Safe

The Gardall LCF3214 Drop Safe is equipped with two massive 1/2″ thick solid steel doors. Gardall then adds two 1″ solid steel locking bolts to secure each 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 LCF3214 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.

Unique to this safe are two compartments instead of one. The first section is the standard drop safe connected to the hopper. The second section uses the same lock, handle and bolt-work but is not connected to the safe eliminating the need for two different safes. It’s an all-in-one solution.

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 LCF3214 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 LCF 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.