Most gun safe buyers would never think about or even notice the type of hinges that a safe manufacturer provides for their gun safes, however there are important differences. A concealed hinge is usually not visible because it is built into the safe door and frame or body.
Pros:
- It may provide a sleek or clean look to the safe door and jamb.
Cons:
- It does not add additional security
- It limits the travel of the safe's door to a 90° opening, making it difficult or impossible to access the contents within the safe on the hinge side of the safe.
- It often create "hot spots" in the safe body. There may either be a lack of fire insulation protection or even no fire insulation protection around the hinge structures that may affect the contents in the event of a fire.
A full mortise hinge is built into the door and the door frame. A full surface hinge is welded to both the door and the door frame.
Pros:
- They generally allows the safe's door to open 180° providing full and unencumbered access to your the contents within the safe.
- They eliminate the "hot spot" and possible lack of insulation problem.
- They can be used as a design element on the safe door and frame making the safe visually appealing in order to place it within a room rather than hiding the safe in a closet, in a basement or in a garage... thus giving you more immediate access to your firearms or valuables, if needed.
Cons: None
For further information and images visit gun safes here.