Home > 5 Best Gun Safe Movers (2022 Review)

5 Best Gun Safe Movers [2022 Review]

Moving a gun safe can be a very sensitive process. It’s usually best to work with a professional, as strict laws must be adhered to when moving these types of items—not to mention the possibility of injury that comes with moving such heavy items. After reviewing dozens of movers across the country, we’ve narrowed down the five best gun safe movers in America. Any of these companies should be able to help you move your safe efficiently, affordably, and safely.

Best Full-Service Mover

International Van Lines

4.8
  • Local, Long-Distance, & Int'l Moving Services
  • Licensed Moving Carrier & Broker Nationwide
  • Live Chat & 24/7 Customer Service

Best for Extended Storage

Allied Van Lines

4.6
  • Local, National, & International Moving
  • Extensive Add-On Service Options
  • Short-Term & Long-Term Storage

Best Moving Add-ons

American Van Lines

4.6
  • Local, Long-Distance & International Moves
  • Direct Carrier to All 48 Continental US States
  • Storage Options Available

The 5 Best Gun and Safe Movers

  1. Best Full-Service Movers: International Van Lines
  2. Best Extended Storage: Allied Van Lines
  3. Best Moving Add-Ons: American Van Lines
  4. Best for Single-Item Shipping: uShip
  5. Best for Hourly Moving Labor: Bellhop

When considering which moving companies to recommend to you, our team used a strict set of criteria to rate each company. We looked at each moving service provider’s transparency, cost and pricing practices, overall ratings, and services offered before narrowing down our range of recommendations. View the chart below to see a summary of our research, and click on the “free quote” links to skip straight to the process of requesting your complimentary, no-obligation estimates.

Provider Quote Superlative Service Model
International Van Lines Free Quote Best Full-Service Mover Carrier, broker
Allied Van Lines Free Quote Best for Extended Storage Carrier, broker
American Van Lines Free Quote Best Moving Add-Ons Carrier
uShip Free Quote Best for Single-Item Shipping Specialty shipping service
Bellhop Free Quote Best for Hourly Moving Labor Labor provider

 

International Van Lines

International Van Lines (IVL) is our recommendation for full-service moving, offering a wide range of transportation and storage services to make your moving process easy. IVL’s services are available in all 50 states and around the globe for streamlined moving processes. Thanks to their ongoing commitment to making the moving industry safer and more transparent, their customer service team have even been recognized by national publications like Newsweek.

Best Full-Service Mover

4.8
  • Local, Long-Distance, & Int'l Moving Services
  • Licensed Moving Carrier & Broker Nationwide
  • Live Chat & 24/7 Customer Service

Their Services

IVL is a full-service moving company. This means that, in addition to the basic transportation services that you can expect with partial movers, their team can also offer enhanced and specialized moving packages. You can currently add the following add-on services to any IVL move to make things easier on your end.

  • Packing and unpacking services
  • Furniture disassembly and reassembly
  • Crating
  • Specialized packing services for fragile items
  • Short-term and long-term storage services
  • Packing supplies
  • Auto transportation services
  • Military moving services
  • Corporate relocation services

All IVL moves include loading, unloading, and transportation as base services.

International Van Lines Cost

Like most full-service moving companies, IVL bases its pricing mainly on two factors specific to your move:

  • The distance that you’re traveling
  • The size of your home

To help you get a better idea of what you might pay for your moving services when you work with IVL, we’ve collected customer data from previous movers. Browse the table below to estimate what you might pay for your move.

<250 mi 500 mi 1,000 mi 2,000 mi
2 BR $1,400 – $4,400 $1,900 – $4,900 $2,100 – $5,100 $2,400 – $5,400
4 BR $3,200 – $6,200 $5,100 – $8,100 $5,700 – $8,700 $6,200 – $9,200

Their Availability

IVL is available in all 50 states and more than 150 countries located on nearly every continent.

Why We Like International Van Lines

If you’re looking for the easiest move possible, we recommend working with IVL’s full-service team. Some of the benefits that come with working with IVL include the following.

  • An award-winning customer service team: IVL prides itself on offering some of the most responsive and well-trained customer service representatives in the moving industry. Their team has been recognized by publications like Newsweek for their commitment to quick responsiveness. This can be a major benefit if you’re moving for the first time and nervous about the process.
  • Comprehensive range of services: IVL is a full-service moving company, meaning that it offers an enhanced range of services. No matter if you’re looking for a simple move with only loading and transportation included or you’re searching for assistance with packing, crating, and other processes, IVL has you covered.
  • Flexible cancellation policy: IVL will refund your moving deposit so long as you submit your cancellation request at least 48 hours before the date when you’re supposed to be on the road. This can make IVL a great choice for anyone with uncertain moving needs.

Allied Van Lines

Allied Van Lines is another full-service mover—and their team can be an excellent choice for your household goods if you need storage services alongside your move. Allied Van Lines’ enhanced storage facilities are monitored around the clock to prevent theft. If you have sensitive valuables that you need to move, you may also schedule temperature-controlled storage to avoid damage from humidity.

Best for Extended Storage

4.6
  • Local, National, & International Moving
  • Extensive Add-On Service Options
  • Short-Term & Long-Term Storage

Their Services

Allied Van Lines is a full-service mover offering extended services like IVL. You can currently book the following moving services and processes through Allied Van Lines.

  • Local and long-distance moving
  • International moving services
  • Packing and unpacking services
  • Provision of packing materials and supplies
  • Debris removal
  • Loading and unloading processes
  • Furniture disassembly and reassembly
  • Appliance connection and disconnection
  • Crating
  • In-transit and permanent storage options
  • Automobile and boat transportation

Allied Van Lines Cost

View the table below to get an idea of what you might pay for your moving services when you book with Allied Van Lines based on your home’s size and the distance you’re traveling.

<250 mi 500 mi 1,000 mi 2,000 mi
2 BR $1,800 – $4,500 $2,400 – $5,400 $2,700 – $5,700 $4,400 – $7,400
4 BR $3,300 – $6,000 $5,700 – $8,700 $7,500 – $10,500 $10,900 – $13,900

Their Availability

Also, like IVL, Allied Van Lines is available in all 50 states. The company also offers international moving services in 120 nations.

Why We Like Allied Van Lines

Allied Van Lines offers some great benefits to its customers, including the following.

  • Enhanced storage options: If you need to leave your things in storage at some point during your move, it’s normal to be concerned about the security of your household goods. Allied Van Lines offers exceptionally affordable rates for long-term storage, as well as 24/7 monitoring of its storage facilities.
  • BBB-approved: The Better Business Bureau (BBB) is an independent review organization committed to keeping companies honest in their advertising and transparent in their services. Allied Van Lines is accredited by the BBB, and the review site has awarded Allied Van Lines an A+ rating. This signifies that the BBB believes that Allied’s team is honest and that you’re likely to reach a satisfactory resolution if you aren’t satisfied with the services you receive.
  • Extensive experience: Like any other industry, a long history of being in business is a testament that a company is operating in a way that promotes customer satisfaction and confidence. Allied Van Lines boasts more than 93 years of experience in the moving industry—meaning that you’ll receive top-quality service from a team that knows what they’re doing.

American Van Lines

American Van Lines is a full-service moving company best known for its range of high-quality add-on services. Unlike many other moving companies, American Van Lines does not schedule out its moving processes to third-party freelance movers—American Van Lines hires all of its team members and trains them in-house. This ensures consistency between teams and helps you rest with the peace of mind that comes with knowing that all of the movers handling your things have passed a background check.

Best Moving Add-ons

4.6
  • Local, Long-Distance & International Moves
  • Direct Carrier to All 48 Continental US States
  • Storage Options Available

Their Services

American Van Lines offers the following moving services:

  • Packing and unpacking services
  • Storage unit arrangement (long-term and short-term)
  • Specialty packing services for items like pianos and antiques
  • Furniture disassembly and reassembly
  • Crating for large items (like pianos)
  • Moving supplies
  • Corporate moves
  • Military moves
  • International moves
  • Commercial moves

American Van Lines Cost

Browse the chart below to learn more about what previous American Van Lines customers paid for their services to estimate what you might pay for your move.

<250 mi 500 mi 1,000 mi 2,000 mi
2 BR $1,700 – $4,700 $2,300 – $5,300 $2,600 – $5,600 $4,200 – $7,200
4 BR $4,800 – $7,800 $5,600 – $8,600 $7,400 – $10,400 $10,800 – $13,800

Their Availability

American Van Lines is available in the 48 continental United States. The company does not currently support moves to or from Hawaii or Alaska.

Why We Like American Van Lines

In addition to offering a great selection of add-on services, you can also take advantage of the following benefits when you schedule your move with American Van Lines.

  • Binding estimates: In the moving industry, a binding estimate is a type of estimate that obligates the moving company to complete your move at a specific price. So long as you don’t add extra items to your move between the time you get the estimate to the date you move, your binding estimate is set in stone. American Van Lines offers binding estimates, which can be beneficial if you’re moving on a very strict budget.
  • Certified piano and antique movers: Are you moving a piano, antique, work of art, or another sensitive item alongside your safe? American Van Lines employs certified piano and antique movers to ensure that your valuables are moved without damage.
  • Price matching: Find a better price from a comparable moving service that’s more affordable than American Van Lines’ quote? Thanks to the company’s price-matching policies, you’ll be able to enjoy top-quality services without overpaying.

uShip

If you’re only moving a safe, you may want to consider working with a single-item mover—like those who list their services on uShip. uShip is an online moving service marketplace that allows you to connect directly with single-item movers in your area. The platform’s flexible pricing options also make it easier to connect only with companies operating at a price that you can afford.

Best for Single-Item Shipping

4.3
  • Provides Shipping Services for Furniture, Cars, Boats, etc.
  • Easy Mobile App for Tracking
  • Ships for Residential and Commercial Moving

Their Services

uShip is a marketplace for moving services—though it does not provide services itself, it allows you to easily connect with a moving company that can provide you with safe and gun safe moving services. If you’ve ever used a platform like Uber, Care.com, or TaskRabbit, you’re already familiar with uShip’s marketplace-based platform. Some examples of items that you can schedule to be moved through uShip include:

  • Vehicles and boats
  • Furniture
  • Appliances
  • Standard household goods
  • Freight
  • Farm and construction equipment
  • Animals (both pets and livestock)
  • Hay bales
  • Waterslides
  • Jacuzzis

These are just a few examples of the things you can move through uShip—however, the platform is very flexible. If you have a heavy item, chances are high that you can find a team to move it through uShip.

uShip Cost

One of the biggest benefits of working with uShip is that you have the option to name your price on your move. You can create your listing at a specific price or price range and allow movers to bid on it. The higher the price you list, the faster you’ll be able to find a moving team. Additionally, uShip will provide you with a recommended listing range based on data from previous listings.

Not sure how much you should be paying for your moving process? No problem—uShip also allows you to list your item and request offers from moving companies. After receiving a few offers, you can view reviews of each moving company bidding for your job and book directly through the marketplace. This system provides you with an optimal balance of opportunities to get the best price on your safe move.

Their Availability

uShip is available in all 50 states, and you can create a listing from nearly anywhere. The number and quality of teams you’ll have access to will vary depending on your specific location.

Why We Like uShip

Some of the reasons why we recommend uShip include the following.

  • Exceptionally affordable pricing: If you’re looking for an alternative to hiring a full-service moving team, uShip might be the ideal option for your needs. Because the company allows you to list single items for transportation, you won’t need to worry about all of the extra costs and expenses of hiring a full-service team.
  • Secure communication and payments: If you’ve ever been caught in a moving scam in the past, you’re likely already aware that you need to be careful about the companies that you trust with your money. uShip’s mobile app provides you with a buffer between you and the moving companies you’re working with. You can communicate with your movers through the app and place your payment in escrow. This system prevents scammers from running off with your funds.
  • GPS tracking: Select moving services booked through uShip offer GPS tracking on shipments. This can allow you to see where your household goods are located in real-time and better estimate when your moving team will arrive.

Bellhop

Bellhop employs mobile and web-based application systems to connect you to some of the best hourly moving services in the country. Funds paid for moving services are stored in Bellhop’s escrow system and are only released when your movers complete the job successfully. Bellhop employs a strict set of criteria for the workers it allows on its platform, ensuring multiple layers of safety and care when you move.

Best for Hourly Moving Labor

4.6
  • Local and Long-Distance Moving Services
  • Residential & Commercial Moving
  • Moving Labor Only or Full-Service
  • Currently Operates in 28 states

Their Services

Bellhop currently allows you to book the following services through its platform:

  • Local and long-distance moving services
  • Hourly labor or hourly labor with the inclusion of a moving truck
  • Driving and delivery services
  • Packing services and provision of moving supplies
  • Arrangement of self-storage options

The company specializes in offering hourly rates for small moves.

Bellhop Cost

Bellhop’s pricing varies by state, the distance you’re traveling, the type of items you’re moving, and many more additional factors. Thankfully, the company makes it fast and easy to get a quote online. Click here to get started—it only takes a few minutes to learn more about what you can expect to pay for service.

Their Availability

Bellhop is currently available in the Washington DC area as well as the following states:

  • Alabama
  • Arizona
  • California
  • Colorado
  • Florida
  • Georgia
  • Illinois
  • Indiana
  • Kansas
  • Kentucky
  • Maryland
  • Massachusetts
  • Michigan
  • Minnesota
  • Missouri
  • Nevada
  • New York
  • North Carolina
  • Ohio
  • Oregon
  • Pennsylvania
  • South Carolina
  • Tennessee
  • Texas
  • Virginia
  • Washington

Why We Like Bellhop

Some of the reasons why we recommend Bellhop for anyone searching for hourly moving services include the following.

  • Guaranteed quote: Bellhop prides itself on offering fast quotes in a matter of minutes. Simply request your quote and see the price you’ll pay for your moving services in just a short time. Bellhop also guarantees no hidden fees on its moving services—the price you see is the price you’ll pay.
  • Short notice services available: Thanks to Bellhop’s comprehensive and responsive customer service team availability, the company can help with moves scheduled at the last minute. This can be a major benefit if you need to be out of your current space quickly.
  • Contact-free moving services available: Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Bellhop has introduced “contact-free” moving options that allow their team members to pick up your things without working alongside your movers. All movers working with Bellhop are also required to wear facial coverings to limit the spread of illness. These policies can be great for anyone at a higher risk of illness or living with someone who cannot yet be vaccinated due to their age or health status.

Finding Affordable Safe Moving Services

Why do we list multiple recommendations for safe and gun safe movers—especially when most companies operate in every part of the country? We provide you with multiple recommendations so you can get a quote from more than one moving service provider. Every moving company uses its own unique rates to determine what you’ll pay for your move, which means that the best way to find the most affordable movers is by getting multiple quotes. We recommend that you take the time to get a quote from each of our recommended service providers to be sure that you’re getting the best rates.

Best Full-Service Mover

4.8
  • Local, Long-Distance, & Int'l Moving Services
  • Licensed Moving Carrier & Broker Nationwide
  • Live Chat & 24/7 Customer Service

Best for Extended Storage

4.6
  • Local, National, & International Moving
  • Extensive Add-On Service Options
  • Short-Term & Long-Term Storage

Best Moving Add-ons

4.6
  • Local, Long-Distance & International Moves
  • Direct Carrier to All 48 Continental US States
  • Storage Options Available

Best for Single-Item Shipping

4.3
  • Provides Shipping Services for Furniture, Cars, Boats, etc.
  • Easy Mobile App for Tracking
  • Ships for Residential and Commercial Moving

Best for Hourly Moving Labor

4.6
  • Local and Long-Distance Moving Services
  • Residential & Commercial Moving
  • Moving Labor Only or Full-Service
  • Currently Operates in 28 states

Buying Guide

If you aren’t satisfied with the companies we’ve recommended on our list, you may want to continue your search online. Here are a few key characteristics to look for when expanding your search for safe and gun safe movers.

  • Willingness to transport firearms: If you’re moving a gun safe, chances are high that you might be moving a firearm along with it. Contrary to popular belief, it is not against the law to transport a firearm across state lines so long as the firearm is legally owned and properly secured in a locked container. However, every individual moving company has the right to deny transportation for any type of item that it believes may pose a danger to its staff. If you’re moving both a gun safe and a firearm, be sure to clear this with your moving company before you book your move date.
  • FMCSA regulation: If you’re moving between states, you should search for a moving company that’s registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). The FMCSA is a government body responsible for regulating the moving industry and ensuring that moving service providers are well-trained and operating safe vehicles. Every moving company must be registered with the FMCSA if they provide moves that cross state lines. You can verify that a company is registered with the FMCSA by asking for the company’s USDOT number and confirming it using the database here. Do not work with any company that does not have a USDOT number or provides you with an out-of-date USDOT number.
  • Offers all of the services you need: Depending on your budget and how quickly you need to complete your move, you might want to consider scheduling additional moving processes to help make your move easier. For example, if you’re transporting a very large safe, you might want to hire your moving company to provide crating services. It can be helpful to write down all of the services that you’re hoping that your moving team can provide before you book your moving date to ensure that you find a one-stop shop for your entire move. Third-party websites (like the Better Business Bureau) are excellent resources that you can use to expand your search for safe and gun safe movers.

Our Methodology

At Pro Mover Reviews, we are committed to providing our readers with comprehensive and unbiased information on each provider that we review. Our methodology is a step-by-step process that ensures we maintain your trust through transparency and data that is backed up through routine check-ins. Our staff has spent hundreds of hours reviewing dozens of local, long-distance, and international moving companies to bring you our recommendation for the best moving companies in the US. We then narrowed down our findings based on criteria that we find to be the most helpful for you to choose the best moving company for your needs. 

Our Rating Categories:

  • Company Transparency
  • Pricing + Cost
  • Services Offered
  • Overall Reputation

While there are many sites out there that compare movers, we believe our rigorous standards give us more insights into company performance and better data to share with our community.  For each moving company we check for:

  • Confirmed Licensing with the DOT
  • Updated & Verified Business Registration
  • Real & Recent Consumer Reviews
  • Industry Ratings and BBB Complaints
  • Accuracy of Online Quotes
  • Services Provided & Total Service Area
  • Pricing & Services vs. Competitors

From here we created a comprehensive, 100 point, rating scale based on the following factors: 

  • Moving services (25): Companies that offer more flexibility in their services are rated higher.
  • Coverage of services (5): The more items a moving company can handle, the higher the score. 
  • Pricing (25): We compare this to the industry average when rating pricing. 
  • Trustworthiness (25): We comb through hundreds of reviews and check on BBB ratings to determine the trustworthiness of a company.
  • State availability (5): Finding a moving company in your state can be a challenge depending on where you are located. The more states covered, the higher the score. 
  • Customer service (10): Is this moving company responsive? Do they respond quickly to issues that are brought to their attention? Are they helpful in answering questions? All of these factors are considered when rating customer service. 
  • Additional benefits (5): Moving companies can sometimes offer special promotions or deals when contracting them for a move. The companies with the most benefit scored higher. 

Of the dozens of different moving companies that we’ve reviewed, we’ve broken down the best interstate and long-distance movers in Indiana. To keep our ratings and data current, we have a full-time researcher who collects (and regularly updates) more than 100 specific data points from each company to help us compare them on key factors such as coverage, cost, service, and dependability. This list is ever-changing, as companies will update policies and procedures, and we will change our information accordingly.

FAQs for the Best Gun and Safe Movers

How much does it cost to move a safe?

You can typically expect to pay between $175 and $525 to move a safe on its own. However, the price that you’ll pay will vary significantly based on how far you’re moving, as well as the size and shape of the safe.

Can you lay a gun safe on its side?

Most gun safes can be safely laid on their side for transportation and crating. Consult your gun safe’s manufacturer’s website before loading it to ensure that your safe is not an exception to the rule.

How much does the average gun safe weigh?

The average gun safe weighs between 200 and 600 pounds. Lifting an item this heavy can be a very dangerous process, so it’s recommended that you work with a professional moving team when loading a gun safe into a moving vehicle.