Silver paper assets vs physical assets do not net out to zero. Less than 1% of Americans are buying and holding physical silver. These are the facts my friend and only you can make that decision
Re: 401k...if your still working and don't have a brokerage option its tough. If it's an IRA I believe you can secure it with phyzzz but I am not the expert. Mike Maloney has a program maybe start with them.