* Updated for 2016. Added some new safes, removed some other ones and updated ratings on most. Filled out some more sections as well to be more thorough.
Owning a firearm comes with a lot of responsibility. First and foremost, you have to worry about the security of your firearm. In the recent past, there has been an increase in crime caused by illegal use of firearms. The majority of these crimes have been caused by children who steal their parent’s firearms for experimentation among other reasons.
As a firearm owner, you also have to worry about potential damage to your firearm. Lastly, you have to worry about the storage environment. Firearms are easily corroded when stored in humid environments. You must, therefore, consider a suitable storage environment for your firearm if you want it to last.
This is where gun safes come in. From the above information, there are three obvious benefits why you should invest in a gun safe:
The gun safe charts and gun safe reviews below will help you make an informative decision about what gun safe is best for you.
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Gun Safe
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Weight
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Dimensions
|
Lock
|
Rating
|
Price
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GunVault NV200 NanoVault
|
3 pounds | 9.5 x 6.5 x 1.8 | Key lock | $ | |
Gunvault SpeedVault SV500 |
8.2 pounds | 6.5 x 3.5 x 13 | Keypad | $$ | |
Stack-On PS-508 |
35 pounds | 20 x 15 x 8 | Keypad | $$ | |
Gunvault GV2000C-DLX |
9 pounds | 15 x 10.5 x 8.2 | Keypad | $$ | |
BARSKA Top Opening Biometric |
21 pounds | 14.75 x 11.25 x 5 | Biometric | $$ |
Gun Safe Buying Guide – The Basics
Like other types of safes, there are many types of gun safes. Gun safes are however categorized mostly according to the material that makes them and their locking mechanisms.
The most common types of gun safes according to the material are heavy gauge steel gun safes. As the name suggests, these gun safes are made of heavy duty steel offering above average protection.
In regards to locking mechanisms, the most common locking mechanisms for modern gun safes include; biometric, mechanical dial and electronic keypad locking mechanisms.
It is important to note that each locking mechanism has its own pros and cons. You should, therefore, study each type of locking mechanism conclusively to be able to make an informed decision.
Another important but rare type of gun safe classification is protection type. Although gun safes offer multiple protection types i.e. fire, humidity and burglary protection, it is still possible to get a gun safe made specifically for one protection type.
If your main concern is fire because firearms are destroyed by heat, you can consider buying a gun safe specifically made to prevent fire damage.
If your main concern is humidity, you can choose a gun safe that is specifically made to offer a humidity free environment. This problem can also be solved with a gun safe dehumidifier. It all depends on your special needs. The best types of gun safes are those that offer multiple protections in one i.e. the safe is fire, humidity and burglar proof.
If you are making plans to buy a gun safe, this article can act as your gun safe buying guide.
Things to Consider Before Buying a Gun Safe
1. Brand
Indeed, all gun safes are not created equal and this is one purchase where brand certainly matters. Brands such as Bighorn, Fort Knox, Centurion, Liberty, Honeywell and Browning are renowned for quality and durability.
2. Metal Thickness
Metal thickness is probably the most important thing to consider when buying a gun safe. This is because the thicker the metal, the harder it will be for anyone to break into it. The metals used to make gun safes range between 12 gauge to 7 gauge. A gun safe that has a 12 gauge thickness is very thin and may be a lot less expensive than one that features a 7 gauge thickness. However, it’s best not to compromise safety for a cheaper price tag.
3. Fire Rating
We don’t plan for fires, but if you become a victim of a fire, you want to ensure that your gun safe can withstand the heat. Most gun safes have a fire rating of 30 minutes and can withstand temperatures up to 1200 degrees. However, if you live miles away from the fire station, it would be wiser to purchase a gun safe that has a fire rating of between 60 to 120 minutes.
4. Biometric Feature
Gun safes with bio-metric features offer an increased measure of security as only registered fingerprints can open them. Since fingerprints are unique to one individual, this gun safe is the most secure to store your weapon.
5. Locks
Even a fire resistant gun safe that is manufactured from the thickest metals would be pointless if the locks are inferior. There are three types of mechanisms that gun safes employ; namely, gear drive, over-center cam and direct drive cam. The direct-drive cam is quite simple, but it is very effective in locking the safe. The gear drive lock mechanism is smoother to touch and prevents side bolt punching. The over-center cam is the best lock for preventing side bolt punching.
6. Re-lockers
Buying a gun safe with a re-locker feature adds an extra measure of protection. This safety feature will lock out the bolt system of the safe if anyone tries to tamper with it by preventing the locking bolts from retracting.
7. Warranty
Gun safes can be quite expensive to repair. Purchasing a safe that has a manufacturer’s warranty is another important thing to consider when buying a gun safe. Some warranties come with limitations though, such as damages caused by fire and damages to the lock. Therefore, you should ensure that the gun safe that you are purchasing has a warranty that carries no limitations with it.
What Materials Make Gun Safes?
As mentioned above, the most common types of gun safes are made using heavy duty steel. These safes also incorporate thick layers of heat resistant material/s on their walls. It is important to note that the thickness of these material/s determines the temperature ratings of gun safes. The materials also dictate the duration a safe takes withstanding specific temperatures.
In regards to humidity, you should consider properly constructed gun safes offering miniature environments where atmospheric conditions can be kept constant. The best gun safes have a unique and exceptional humidity absorption capacity. This is made possible by their construction and material among other additional inbuilt electronic functionalities.
If you live in a high humidity environment, humidity should be a major concern when choosing a safe if you don’t want to spend a lot of time maintaining your firearm/s against corrosion.
Other Features to Consider When Buying a Gun Safe
Apart from the features mentioned above, i.e. fireproof, humidity proof, burglar proof etc., there are other important features to consider when buying a gun safe i.e. size. The physical size of a gun safe is an important consideration because you need to buy a safe that will store your firearm/s comfortably.
The gun safe design is also an important feature consideration because it can help to camouflage your safe. To reduce burglar risks, your gun safe needs to be inconspicuous. You must choose a design that blends well with the environment to reduce intrusion or tamper risks as much as possible.
You must also consider the manufacturer you want to buy from to get the best gun safes in the market. The best gun safes are those made by renowned gun safe manufacturers with a solid reputation based on quality and excellence. Such safes may be a bit costly however they will offer the best value for money.
Gun Safe Reviews – The 4 Best Gun Safes On The Market Today
Gunvault GV2000C DLX Multi-Vault Deluxe Gun Safe Review
This is by far one of the best gun safes in the market today if you own a typical handgun. The GV2000C DLX is the best gun safe for you if you have a 9MM sized gun that you want to store safely at home or in the office.
This is a gun safe with many superior features over traditional gun safes i.e. a tamper indicator, a No-Eyes keypad for quick access, over 12 million easy to program user selectable access codes, audio disable option for silent mode operation, a motion detector, audio low battery warning for avoiding unexpected power loss, an interior courtesy light, AC or DC power connection jack, inside foam lining for protecting your firearm and valuables and so much more.
According to numerous GV2000C DLX gun safe reviews online, this product from GunVault is the best of its kind. Many customers love the fact that the gun safe is portable and sizeable. At just 9 pounds and 15 by 10.5 by 8.2 inches in dimensions, customers love the fact that you don’t need a lot of room to store the gun safe. You also don’t need a lot of energy to move the safe around. Another notable pro about the GV2000C DLX gun safe according to numerous customer reviews is; you can store other valuables apart from your gun.
Unlike other gun safes specifically built for storing guns, you can use the GV2000C DLX to store jewelry safely using its special inbuilt compartment. Customers also love the fact that the gun safe has tamper indicator notes that show invalid entry attempts. The 1 year warranty attached to the safe is also an important benefit according to most customer reviews.
OVERALL SCORE
SPACE & SIZE
BUILD QUALITY
SECURITY FEATURES
PACKAGING & SHIPPING
WARRANTY & MAINTENANCE
- Tamper indicator
- No-Eyes keypad
- Over 12 million easy to program access codes
- Audio disable option for silent mode operation
- Inside foam lining for protecting your firearm
- Interior courtesy light
Click Here to See Pricing, Ratings and Reviews on Amazon.com
Gunvault Speed Vault SV500 Gun Safe Review
This is another top gun safe in the market today. Like the GV2000C DLX, the Speed Vault SV500 gun safe is ideal for individuals who own one firearm because of size. This gun safe is, however, cheaper than the GV2000C DLX at just $127.
The Speed Vault SV500 gun safe is perfect for individuals who want multiple mounting options. This is one of the key features that makes the SV500 gun safe stand out from other similar gun safes in the market.
Other notable features of the SV500 include; a digital keypad, backup override key, 18 gauge steel construction and LED/Audio low battery warning.
According to numerous Speed Vault SV500 gun safe reviews online, the SV500 is the most reasonably priced gun safe for individuals looking for a strong, secure gun safe with multiple mounting options.
Many customer reviews also show that most customers prefer the gun safe over many others because of its revolutionary design and size. If you want the best and most reasonably priced gun safe for your gun, the SV500 Gunvault is the best gun safe for you.
OVERALL SCORE
SPACE & SIZE
BUILD QUALITY
SECURITY FEATURES
PACKAGING & SHIPPING
WARRANTY & MAINTENANCE
- Multiple mounting options
- Digital keypad
- Backup override key
- 18 gauge steel construction
- LED/Audio low battery warning
Click Here to See Pricing, Ratings and Reviews on Amazon.com
Stack On SS 22 MG C 22 Gun Safe Review
In case you have many firearms, you need a big gun safe like the Stack On SS 22 MG C 22 which is capable of storing multiple firearms comfortably and safely.
At $489, the SS 22MG C 22 gun safe will store up to 22 firearms safely measuring up to 54 inches tall. Very few gun safes offering such capabilities cost less than $600 today not mentioning many other outstanding features offered by the SS 22MG C 22 gun safe i.e. 4 adjustable shelves, an exterior epoxy hunter green paint finishing with gold accents, a silk door screen, a drill resistant hardened steel plate, a 3 number combination lock, steel locking bolts, concealed hinges, a fully carpeted interior and much more.
According to numerous Stack On SS 22 MG C 22 gun safe reviews online, this is the best most affordable gun safe for individuals intending to store between 10 and 22 firearms safely in a perfect environment for storing firearms.
Many customers can attest to the fact that there are very few large reasonably priced gun safes in the market today offering the kind of space and unique features the Stack On SS 22 MG C 22 Gun Safe offers.
Many customer reviews also reveal that customers like the fact that you can store 11 firearms and use the remaining space to store valuables. You simply can’t get a better gun safe deal if you own between 10 and 22 firearms.
OVERALL SCORE
SPACE & SIZE
BUILD QUALITY
SECURITY FEATURES
PACKAGING & SHIPPING
WARRANTY & MAINTENANCE
- 4 adjustable shelves
- Hunter green paint finishing with gold accents
- Silk door screen
- Drill resistant hardened steel plate
- 3 number combination lock
- Steel locking bolts
- Concealed hinges
Click Here to See Pricing, Ratings and Reviews on Amazon.com
Stack On 24 Gun Safe Review
This is the best gun safe in the market for individuals who owns more than 22 firearms. Although the gun safe costs more than the Stack On SS 22 MG C 22 Gun Safe (Between $682 and $799.99), you can store up to 24 firearms safely and comfortable in the Stack On 24 Gun Safe. The gun safe also comes in a variety of colors i.e. hunter green, black and green.
The Stack On 24 Gun Safe is not highly rated for nothing. The gun safe has some of the best features you can find in large gun safes today.
For instance, the safe has 4 adjustable specially built shelves capable of accommodating any type of firearm size you can think off. If you are worried about the comfort of your large and unique firearms, this is the best safe to buy.
The gun safe is the most accommodative in the market today according to numerous customer reviews. Many Stack On 24 Gun Safe reviews also indicate that the safe is attractive, heavy duty and highly advanced in security. These are very unique hard to find features in many large gun safes in the market today. You shouldn’t therefore have doubts about getting value for your money when you buy the Stack On 24 Gun Safe.
OVERALL SCORE
SPACE & SIZE
BUILD QUALITY
SECURITY FEATURES
PACKAGING & SHIPPING
WARRANTY & MAINTENANCE
- 4 adjustable shelves
- Hunter green paint finishing with gold accents
- Silk door screen
- Drill resistant hardened steel plate
- 3 number combination lock
- Steel locking bolts
- Concealed hinges
Click Here to See Pricing, Ratings and Reviews on Amazon.com
Reasons Why You Need a Gun Safe in Your Home
Having a gun is a responsibility and therefore, you should take precautions to ensure that you’re being a responsible gun owner. One way to achieve this is by owning a gun safe. People often believe that a gun safe is unnecessary, however, in truth; there are numerous reasons why you need a gun safe at your home.
1. Prevent Theft
The risk of threat is a major reason to have a gun safe. Not only do you risk having your gun stolen, you also risk having it sold and used in a crime that could lead back to you. Purchasing a gun safe will prevent thieves from having access to your guns and may in the process prevent tarnishing one of your guns with an act of violence.
2. Protect Your Children
Children will at times play with guns, especially younger children who don’t know any better, which is why you need a gun safe at your home. By preventing access to your guns, you’ll prevent accidental shootings and thereby protect your children. There have been many accidents and even fatal shootings that were done completely in play, as a gun owner, you need to provide gun safety in your home and prevent having young children injured or worse.
3. Store Valuable Documents
In addition to storing guns, a gun safe can hold other valuables. People often overlook this opportunity when considering reasons to have a gun safe. This is unfortunate in that by overlooking this fact money can be wasted on other home safes. Smaller safes used to store valuables and documents lack the destructibility of large gun safes, thereby leaving you exposed. Make sure you’re protected by choosing a gun safe.
4. Prevent Fatal Disasters
Hopefully, this will never be a reason why you need a gun safe in your home, however, teenage public shootings are an increasingly common societal problem. If your teenagers or simply friends of your teenagers can get a hold of your guns to take out their revenge on students and teachers, you may feel responsible for the rest of your life. Prevent this type of tragedy by having a gun safe that is kept locked at all times.
5. Reduced Insurance Rates
A financial reason why you need a gun safe in your home is to reduce the cost of insurance. Most insurance companies will provide you with a discount if you have a gun safe. This is a safety and risk discount that insurance companies provide due to less of a chance that they’ll need to honor an insurance claim.
6. Prevents Unwanted Political Interference
Political reasons that you should have a gun safe are plentiful, however, to simplify you only need to consider a protection of your right to own a gun. The primary argument by anti-gun activist is that guns are dangerous. By keeping your guns locked up, you can remove the danger element that is heard throughout politics.
7. Ability to Reach Guns when they are Needed
In the unfortunate event that you have an intruder in your home, you’ll be safe with a gun safe and therefore, this is a good reason why you should have a gun safe at your home. During a home invasion, you may get injured while attempting to rustle through a draw and then load a gun. Having all of your guns locked in a safe location will allow you to act quickly and prevent many harmful circumstances.