Gun ownership is something that requires exceptional care and responsibility in handling, firing, and storage. Storing your gun properly can not only increase its longevity but keep it out of the wrong hands. Homes with many visitors or children in their homes should consider a gun safe to protect them and those around them. A gun safe also ensures you always know where your firearms are. If there is an intruder, it keeps your weapons from being used against you.
In this guide, we look at frequently asked questions, critical features, and a curated selection of home gun safes for handguns, rifles, and shotguns.
The Best Gun Safe
SentrySafe QAP1BLX Gun Safe
Some folks prefer a mechanical safe without bells and whistles; others want technological advances to enhance their gun safe’s security. The SentrySafe QAP1BLX is a lightweight biometric gun safe with mechanical backups and a single gun capacity. The gas strut lifts the door when your fingerprint touches the pad and turns on the internal light for additional visibility. The interior of the safe has a foam lining to protect your firearm should the safe be jostled.
This device does require four AA batteries for operation. However, there is a backup keypad and override key should the batteries fail at any point in time. While this handgun safe is lightweight, its construction is 12-gauge steel. For additional security, this product can be mounted with the included screws.
Cons: Biometrics are cool, but for those who like to keep it old school, the Fort Knox FTK-PB Pistol Box is our favorite mechanical small gun safe. The roomy interior of this product measures 10.25 by 12.5 by 4.5 inches, is lined with foam, and can hold several handguns—a gas strut assists in opening the lid for quick access to your weapon. The construction of this gun safe under $1000 is robust 10-gauge steel, ensuring its durability. Weighing in at 21 pounds, this top gun safe is portable when needed but can be bolted down to thwart theft. Our only complaint is that the externally mounted hinge could be a significant weak spot on this device should it be stolen. Pros: Cons: When it comes to capacity and security, few safes beat the Liberty Safe Centurion. This product boasts a 24-gun capacity with multiple shelves and additional storage in the door. This top-rated gun safe has the largest capacity out of the options on our list. For those with an extensive collection of firearms or who want plenty of space to store valuables, this fireproof safe is an excellent choice. The exterior is 14-gauge steel with ten 4-inch military-style locking bars and Greenleaf mechanical lock secure and protect the door against prying. A re-locker will secure the door in the case of forced entry, and a single hardened metal plate guards against drilling. As for fire safety, you will find three layers of fireboard in the ceiling, one in the door, and one in each of the walls for excellent fire resistance for up to 40 minutes in the event of a house fire. Lastly, the door seal expands to seven times its size at 212 degrees Fahrenheit, further protecting the contents from smoke and heat. Pros: Cons: The most versatile option on our list of the best gun safes is the VAULTEK Lifepod 2.0. This travel-friendly case can hold a full-sized handgun up to 9.25″ long in overall length, 7.25″ in overall width, and 2.125″ tall. The highlight feature may be the modular design that makes it an excellent choice for carrying all your valuables. For interior organization, you will find a removable tray with Velcro straps and slots. Vaultek also included both pluck foam and crate foam to customize the interior. Entry into the case can be achieved in three different ways, via your fingerprint, a keypad, or backup keys. A 9V alkaline battery is required to use the biometric entry, but the backup keys will work sans battery. This product is not only dust-proof but also waterproof, lightweight, and airtight. It also floats in water. This case can go anywhere you go—to the beach, the river, mountains, or the forest. If life finds you in the great outdoors often, The Lifepod 2.0 may be the handgun safe for you. For more top-quality options like this, check out our selection of the best home safes. Pros: Cons: The Moutec Large Biometric Rifle Safe is a long gun safe with a 7+ gun capacity, three modes of entry, and a 14-gauge steel exterior. This safe can be bolted to the ground for additional security and only weighs 108 pounds, making it surprisingly portable in the event of a move. The interior has slots for 5-7 rifles or shotguns, and the upper cabinet has a separate handgun box. Entry into this device is as easy as the touch of a fingerprint. You can also set up a key code or use the backup keys as a mechanical entry option. Four AA batteries are required for using the biometric and keypad entry. You may also be interested in some of the top handgun and pistol cases from our list. Pros: Cons: Our most budget-friendly gun safe is also one of the most discreet options available. The RPNB gun safe looks rather nonchalant to a passerby and keeps your firearm out of plain sight and away from children. Additionally, passports and other valuables are easily stored inside as well. The 16-gauge powder-coated carbon steel is durable while remaining lightweight – the safe weighs in at under five pounds. There are three entry methods with this product. The first is an RFID key tag, the second is a key code, and lastly, a mechanical key entry. Four AAA batteries are required for entering the safe using the RFID tag or keycode. For more excellent storing solutions for your firearms, check out our guide to the top-rated tactical rifle cases. Pros: Cons: Last up is the Moutec Biometric Gun Safe for Pistols. This pistol safe has a two-gun capacity and multiple entry options for ease of use. The interior of this under-bed gun safe has a foam lining for keeping your weapon free of dings and scrapes that is lit with the interior light to make accessing your firearm easy. The exterior of this safe has a fingerprint pad, key codes, and a lock. Otherwise, the product is discreet and can be hidden in a drawer, under a bed, in a closet, or on the shelf. For additional security, pre-drilled holes are available with mounting screws for surface mounting. Pros: Cons: Storage Capacity – When selecting a gun safe, you will want a safe that is at least one and a half times larger than your current collection or the 1.5 times the space you think you need. Gun safe capacity usually refers to the number of slots in a gun safe rather than the actual capacity. Large guns like automatic or scoped rifles and shotguns with extended bolt handles take up additional space that the gun owner should consider. Additionally, you will likely also need space for ammo and valuables as few people store guns exclusively in their gun safes. Locking Mechanism – There are several types of locking mechanisms. Mechanical locks are popular because they do not rely on batteries or electricity to open your safe but can be a bit more time-consuming to open should you forget the code or wake from a sleepy stupor. Electric and biometric locks unlock more quickly, but they rely on batteries or a power outlet. Should your device be out of batteries or the power is off, you will be unable to access the contents of your gun safe. Fire Rating – In a house fire, the average suburban home burns for 30 minutes at 1100 to 1200 degrees Fahrenheit. If you live further from help in more rural areas, this time is longer. Be sure to look at the manufacturer’s fire-resistant rating to aid you in making a decision. Many people also store precious items like family photos and heirlooms in gun safes to protect them from a house fire. Material – Most gun safes are steel. The rating of the steel will give you an idea of its security. The lower the gauge, the stronger it is. For example, 8-gauge steel is stronger than 12-gauge steel. The interior of most good gun safes utilize foam to protect your weapon from damage. Features – One of the primary features to look for in a gun safe is a raised floor; this will help avoid dings in your gun as it hits the gun safe floor. A modular organization system in your gun safe is also a helpful feature. Modular designs allow you to change your organization to fit your needs best as your collection grows and store other valuables safely. Portability – Generally, gun safes for shotguns and rifles are not portable. However, many handgun safes are portable. If you only own handguns and travel frequently or want something that can move easily with you, then a mobile, briefcase-sized handgun safe is a great choice. However, many large gun safes are not portable without dollies and multiple willing friends. The safety of a gun safe depends on several factors, including how it is secured, the material, and the locking system. Material is arguably what determines how easy it is to open or break into a safe. When shopping for a gun safe, look for thick, steel doors and walls or concrete walls. Alternatively, ensure there are no gaps in the walls or door. A wall or door may appear robust and sturdy, but if it has gaps, it is anything but. It is crucial to research what the doors and walls of your safe are made of to maximize security. Hiding a gun safe is critical. An obvious safe is a tip to an intruder that you have guns and valuables in your home. One of the main reasons to own a gun safe is to keep the weapons out of reach of children. An intelligent teenager could easily spot the safe and crack the code. The most common gun safe storage space is a closet. Clothing or other items can obscure a gun safe, and closets are often easily accessible from a bedroom should an intruder enter your home while you sleep. When selecting a spot for your gun safe, ensure that the location is accessible to you but obscured from others. If you live in a humid climate and want to avoid rust, you can add a small dehumidifier to your safe to protect your guns. This device will help monitor and adjust the environment of your safe and prevent rust. Most gun safe companies will arrange delivery and set up with you upon purchase. However, if you need to move a gun safe to a new home or elsewhere in your home, you will want a furniture dolly and a few friends to help you move a large safe. It is also critical to ensure if you are moving your safe up or downstairs that the stairs are rated to hold the weight of the safe, the dolly, and humans moving the safe.
Fort Knox FTK-PB Pistol Box Gun Safe
Liberty Safe Centurion 24 Deluxe Gun Safe
VAULTEK LifePod 2.0 Gun Safe
Moutec Large Biometric Gun Safe
RPNB Gun Safe
Moutec Biometric Gun Safe for Pistols
Gun Safe Buying Guide and FAQ
Features to Look for in Gun Safes
Gun Safe FAQ
How safe are gun safes?
Where is a good place to hide a gun safe?
How do you keep guns from rusting inside a safe?
How do you move a heavy gun safe?
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