Best Gun Safes Reviewed by an Expert in 2023: Reviews, Buying Guide, and FAQs

There are many reasons that people want to own guns. It could be that they are required to for their jobs, such as police officers or security guards. It could be that they hunt in order to provide food for their family.

Or, it could be for nothing more than reassurance of personal safety. Whatever the reason, if you own a gun it is your responsibility to practice gun safety.

If you own a gun, you'll probably be needing a gun safe, as in, a safe that is specifically designed to hold firearms.

There are many reasons why gun safes are a good call when it comes to owning a gun, or guns, and we'll get into all of that in this article.

Check out our guide to gun safes below, followed by some of the best gun safes you can get in order to keep things organized when it comes to your firearms.

Top Gun Safes by Editors

• #
  Preview
  Product
  Rating
• Bestseller No. 1
  
  Liberty Safe Centurion 12 Gun Safe
  Rating:

  
  
• Bestseller No. 2
  
  Amazon Basics Steel Security Safe and Lock Box with Electronic Keypad - Secure Cash,...
  Rating:

  
  
• Bestseller No. 3
  
  New and Improved Steelwater Standard Duty 16 Long Gun Fire Protection for 60 Minutes...
  Rating:

  
  
• Bestseller No. 4
  
  Fort Knox FTK-PB Pistol Box Handgun Safe
  Rating:

  
  
• Bestseller No. 5
  
  SentrySafe Biometric Gun Safe for Handgun, Fingerprint Gun Safe with Interior Light, 1...
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• Bestseller No. 6
  
  Vaultek VT20i Bluetooth and Biometric with Auto-Open Lid and Rechargeable Battery (Not...
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• Bestseller No. 7
  
  Stack-On E-040-SB-E Elite Junior Executive Fire Safe with Electronic Lock, 3 Shelves,...
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• Bestseller No. 8
  
  ParaGuard Deluxe Lock Box and Gun Safe - Home or Office Fireproof Safe Box for Money,...
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• Bestseller No. 9
  
  GunVault SV500 - SpeedVault Handgun Safe
  Rating:

  
  

Editors' Picks: Best Rifle Gun Safes

• #
  Preview
  Product
  Rating
• Bestseller No. 1
  
  Heritage Security Products 64-Gun Fireproof and Waterproof Safe with Electronic Lock,...
  Rating:

  
  
• Bestseller No. 2
  
  Barska New Fireproof Fire Vault Rifle Gun Keypad Lock Safe Cabinet (19.9 cubic feet)
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• Bestseller No. 3
  
  Kodiak Gun Safe for Rifles and Pistols KB5933ECX by Rhino Metals | 32 Rifles or Shotguns...
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• Bestseller No. 4
  
  SWSD20GUN-EMP 60 Minute Fireproof 20 Long Gun Safe with EMP Lock
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• Bestseller No. 5
  
  BARSKA Security Safe - AX11780 model
  Rating:

  
  

Summary of the Reviewed Best Gun Safes

Let's dive in!

Gun Safe Ratings

A safe is an important purchase decision. When buying a gun safe, you'll need to do some research and eventually make a choice. Here we're going to be looking at why it's important to buy a safe and what you should look for in terms of gun safe ratings.

Gun Safes: More Than Just Storage?

Like we said above, guns and gun safes go together. There are some people out there who believe that guns should be readily accessible, but this is unwise. Sure, it may not be possible to store every gun you own in a safe all of the time, but it's good practice to lock away anything valuable when you're not using it.

Your guns are valuable assets and could be sold for a lot of money. Your gun safe is equally as valuable; if you're not insured, your gun collection could be all you have left.

Gun safes are great at keeping thieves or kids away from firearms and also protecting them against fire damage (although this doesn't work with magnetic locking systems). Storing your guns safely will prevent them from falling into the wrong hands and will also keep them working as intended.

This is why you should be looking for gun safe ratings when buying a new safe. Not only do you want to know how secure it is, but you'll also need to know whether or not it can protect against fire damage and theft. Look for this information in a review or on the product page, but don't be afraid to call up the manufacturer if you're not sure.

Different Types of Firearm Safes

There are many different types of gun safe and it's easy to get overwhelmed when looking for one that meets your needs. Most gun safes fall into three categories:

Gun safes are one of the most common types of safe on the market. They're reasonably compact while still offering enough space to store all your firearms.

Gun cabinets are less secure than their gun safe counterparts, but they work well if you don't have many guns or want quick access to them without opening a heavy lid.

Vehicle safes are usually small enough to fit under your car seat. They're popular with hunters and people who like to take their gun for a walk on the trail.

What Gun Safe Ratings Should You Look For?

There are some different factors that will play into what you should look for when buying a new safe. For example, if you live in a state that requires your guns to be locked away, you'll need to consider gun safe ratings for burglary resistance. If you have kids, look for fire-resistant materials and locks that are easy to use.

If you're looking for something simple, don't forget about gun cabinet safes. These small safes serve their purpose well and are a sensible way to store a handgun or two. You may also want to consider a vehicle safe so you can safely keep your firearms when you're on the go.

In terms of accessibility, it's best not to get anything with an electronic lock unless you know how it works and have had practice. Biometric gun safes are more secure, but they're also more expensive.

Top 5 Best Gun Safe Reviews 2023

Now, after scouring the market we think these are 5 of the best gun safes for your consideration.

BARSKA Biometric Safe - Link

The BARSKA DOJ Approved Biometric Safe is the perfect solution for quick access to your valuables and handguns. The safe is solidly built with 100% steel walls, tamper-resistant inner edges, and 2 built-in pry-resistant steel deadbolts. The advanced biometric scanner allows access to your belongings in just 2.5 seconds with the simple scan of a fingerprint. The safe can store up to 120 fingerprints. With 0.8 ft3 of space, the biometric safe has all the storage you need for your valuable items.

BARSKA Biometric Safe is a great way to protect your belongings. It is very easy to use and you can access it quickly with the scan of your fingerprint. The safe has a lot of storage space, so you can store a lot of items in it. However, there are some downsides to the BARSKA Biometric Safe. First, the battery life is not very good. It only lasts for a few months, so you have to remember to charge it often. Second, the safe is not very durable. It can be easily broken into if someone tries hard enough.

Overall, the BARSKA Biometric Safe is a great way to protect your belongings. The pros outweigh the cons, and it is a great investment for your home.

Pros

• Up to 30 user memory slots
• 1 year warranty, plus money back guarantee
• Robust steel construction that resists drill and pry attacks.
• Fireproof and waterproof for greater protection.

Cons

• This unit is less expensive than some other comparable models currently on the market, although this price could change at any point in time due to changes in supply or demand.
• The safe is heavy and bulky, which could make it difficult to move when necessary.
• Some users have complained that the safe may not function well in humid environments.

Full Features of BARSKA Biometric Safe

Different Models of The BARSKA Biometric Safe

Barska Quick and Easy Access Biometric Rifles, Firearms and Long Guns Safe for Home - Link

Looking for a high-level, secure way to store your rifle? Look no further than Barska's Quick and Easy Access Biometric Rifles Safe. DOJ approved, this safe features a biometric scanner that allows you to access your valuables in just 2.5 seconds with the simple scan of a fingerprint. It also has an additional silent mode for discrete access. Made with solid steel construction and durable inner edges, it features 3 built-in steel bolts to keep your firearms put away from your kids or intruders. Rifle storage is made easy with the included rifle stanchion system.

The Barska Quick and Easy Access Biometric Rifle Safe is a great option for those looking for quick and easy access to their firearms. The safe features biometric technology that allows users to quickly open the safe with their fingerprints. This makes it a great choice for those who need quick access to their firearms in case of an emergency. However, the safe does have a few drawbacks. One is that it can be difficult to program new fingerprints into the safe. Another is that the biometric scanner can sometimes fail to read fingerprints properly. Overall, though, the Barska Quick and Easy Access Biometric Rifle Safe is a great option for those looking for quick access to their firearms.

Pros

The Barska quick and easy access biometric rifle safe is one of the most secure and reliable products on the market, and comes from a brand with a great reputation for producing high-quality safes. It uses advanced technology to ensure that only you are able to access your firearms when needed, and is well-made enough to store almost any long weapon.

Cons

The biggest drawback of the Biometric rifle safe is cost, with many customers reporting that it's much more expensive than other similar products on the market. It also doesn't offer quite as much space for storing firearms in total, meaning that you'll have to keep your firearms out on display.

Full Features of Barska Quick and Easy Access Biometric Rifles, Firearms and Long Guns Safe for Home

Different Models of Barska Quick and Easy Access Biometric Rifles, Firearms and Long Guns Safe for Home

Steelwater Heavy Duty Gun Safe

If you own more than just a few firearms you will want a safe that can hold them all. The Steelwater Heavy Duty Gun Safe is what you are looking for.

This safe is built from 18 gauge steel with anti prying, punching, and drilling protection. It is fire rated for up to one hour all the way to 1875 degrees. And, the door seal is made to expand to help protect your belongings from water and smoke.

The one complaint that people have about this safe is that it is so heavy it's hard to move around. But, that's really one of the purposes of a safe that is this size.

If someone breaks into your house not only are they not only going to be able to easily access your weapons, but they aren't going to be able to walk off with your safe either.

Check out our full review of the Steelwater Heavy Duty Gun Safe here.

Sports Afield Gun Safe

This safe is overkill if you are just looking for a safe place to store a single handgun. You can hold around 30 guns in this safe.

You are able to customize the position of the shelves so you can tailor the interior design to what you are looking for. This safe features an electronic lock that is fully programmable, but there is still a backup override key just in case.

The safe is also fireproof and will keep the interior from reaching temperatures over 350 degrees for up to 40 minutes.

The Sports Afield brand has been around for over 125 years and provides a no-hassle lifetime warranty that can help you rest easy.

Check out our full review of the Sports Afield Gun Safe here.

Fort Knox PB1 Handgun Safe

If you have a single handgun that you need a safe for the Fort Knox PB1 Handgun Safe is a reliable option. It is a basic safe that has foam padding on the inside and a push-button mechanical lock.

There are over 1,000 combinations that can be entered making it difficult for someone to guess your combination. With this type of lock, you will never have to worry about the batteries dying on your lock or losing the key.

The lid opens easily once you have entered your combination. This is a no frills safe that you can use to keep little hands and unwanted hands off your gun.

Check out our complete review of the Fort Knox PB1 Handgun Safe.

VAULTEK VT20i Biometric Handgun Safe

The VAULTEK VT20i Biometric Handgun Safe is your basic safe amped up on technology. This is a small safe that will hold one handgun.

It easily fits in a nightstand or can slide under the seat of your car (make sure you follow all laws when traveling with a firearm).

This safe can hold up to 20 different fingerprints and can hold up to 40,000 different combinations.

It also works with an app that allows you to view who has been accessing your safe, any failed attempts, and remotely lock or unlock it.

Read our complete review of the VAULTEK VT20i Biometric Handgun safe here.

GunVault SV500

If you are looking for a safe that you can keep hidden while also allowing you quick access to a single handgun this is a good option for you.

The GunVault SV500 is a safe that can be mounted under your office desk or on the side of your nightstand next to your bed. When the safe opens your gun is in a position that is easy for you to grab it out and quickly use it if needed.

There is a digital keypad that will show you if any failed attempts have been made. This is a good option to make sure your children are not trying to gain access to the gun while you are away.

Check out the full review of the GunVault SV500 here.

Which Gun Safe is Right for You?

You are the only one that can determine which safe is the right one for you. The main things to consider when purchasing are:

• The size of safe and how many firearms you want to store inside of it.
• The locking style that you want to use.
• What type of backup access is available for the safe if you are having problems getting in.
• How easy is it for others to break in.
• Is it fireprood and water proof?
• Where do you want to store the safe and do you want it to be portable.

Once you know exactly what type of safe you are looking for checkout the complete reviews for the safes above.

Buyer's Guide: Best Gun Safes for the Money

Before we go further, we should throw this disclaimer out: There is no such thing as a one-size-fits all gun safe. A safe that is perfect for your neighbor might not be the best choice for you. The idea of 'best' really has several meanings depending on what you want from your purchase; so, keep reading to find out what you need to know.

If you just want a safe instead of a second-rate storage unit that can be broken into by any two year old with a hammer, look no further than a biometric gun safe. These safes start at about $100 and go up from there. There are many benefits to a biometric safe. They are quick and easy to open, can hold a lot of different types of firearms, and most importantly, they cannot be pried open or broken into by an intruder. The only downside is the price; these safes typically start at $100 and go up from there depending on size and features.

For the price, there are very few features you can find in a safe that will stack up to biometric safes. If you have firearms you want to protect from theft or curious children, this is the way to go. The only weak point of these safes is that they eat batteries fairly quickly. Be sure to check your safe when you first purchase it to make sure there are still batteries in it.

If you want a safe that will protect your firearms from theft or curious children, but don't want to break the bank buying one, the key lock is the way to go. There are several advantages of using a keyed locking system. You can get many different sizes and shapes, and they range in price from about $100 to several hundred dollars. The main advantage of key locked safes is their price. They start at $100 and go up from there depending on size and features. The only downside to these safes is that they cannot be opened quickly like a biometric safe can; it is a little more involved to unlock these safes. There are also some that can be blown open with dynamite, but you won't find those for sale at Walmart. The downside is the price; most of these models start at several hundred dollars and go up from there depending on size and features. Most people pay between $300 and $500 for a safe of this type.

Pistol Safe vs Rifle Safe: Which one to Buy ?

In a perfect world, everyone would have a good safe with every type of gun inside it. Unfortunately, we live in a world where many people do not have the money to buy both a rifle safe and a pistol safe. Most people who purchase safes plan on buying one or two safes for their valued possessions. The dilemma that arises when choosing a safe is whether to buy a pistol safe or a rifle safe, not both. If you have a choice between buying a pistol safe and a rifle safe, which one should you choose? Here are some things to think about:

1. Do I own a rifle and/or shotgun?

If you own a rifle or shotgun, it is recommended that you purchase a safe specifically for your firearm. A pistol safe will typically not be able to secure any weapon longer than 12" (rifle) or 16" (shotgun). This means that your gun(s) can easily be removed from the safe by a determined criminal.

2. What is my budget for a gun safe ?

Pistol safes tend to be cheaper than rifle safes, so this may be a key factor in your decision making process. You can purchase a budget pistol safe for as low as $80 or you can spend well over $500 for a rifle safe.

3. Where will the safe be located?

If you live in an apartment, your options are limited. It is not recommended that you purchase a heavy/bulky rifle safe if it has to be moved often (such as in and out of storage rooms or vehicles). If you own a large house with plenty of room, you might consider purchasing two safes so one is easily accessible while the other stays in storage.

4. Do I own handguns and/or long guns?

If you do not own any weapons that are more than 12" (rifles) or 16 " (shotguns), then it is recommended that you purchase a pistol safe. If you own long guns and handguns, then your safest bet is to invest in a combination rifle/handgun safe. This type of safe will give you the most flexibility and security for all of your weapons.

Other factors may be important to consider as well; such as aesthetics, the amount of weapons you own, and what value they hold to you. If you are still undecided about which safe to purchase, consult a professional safecracker or another knowledgeable person in the field for their advice.

FAQs for Best Gun Safe Buyers

Quite possibly the most important questions when it comes to gun safes are regarding their build quality.

And with good reason - it's a safe after all, and you want something that's going to last a good while, and that will be able to withstand anything that might happen.

Why gun safes are important?

There are several reasons that gun safes are important. The first one is to keep those in your family safe.

If you have young children in your home, or individuals that don't understand the difference between real guns and toy guns, or how they work, you need to keep your guns locked up.

Even if you don't have children of your own, you should be cautious if you ever have children that will be coming over to your house.

Guns in the hands of children are incredibly dangerous to both themselves and others.

Another reason that gun safes are important is to protect your guns from being taken.

As you probably could guess, firearms are one of the most popular items that are stolen from residential break-ins.

If your house is broken into you don't want our guns to be stolen and used on you or someone else.

Gun safes help you to protect yourself and those you love, but not all gun safes are effective.

In fact, there are many different kinds of safes that offer different advantages. That being said, what are some popular questions people have when it comes to gun safes?

Are gun safes airtight?

The first thing to discuss is whether or not the safe is airtight. Strictly speaking, no, gun safes are not airtight. An airtight box will have issues with humidity and moisture, which are thing you want to avoid.

However, at certain temperatures, the seals around the door do close, and get you decent moisture protection. Which leads to the second thing we'd like to discuss …

Are gun safes waterproof and fireproof?

No, gun safes are not waterproof. The seal that prevents smoke and heat from entering won't hold water out, and even if it did, that would result in a massive buildup of pressure inside the safe (you'll see why below), and no way for it to escape.

If you have items that you want to stay dry, you should have them in zip lock bags, or in a smaller waterproof safe that fits inside the gun safe.

Next, we have fire resistance. All gun safes come with a fireproof rating, which indicates how long the safe keeps the air inside at, or below 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

There are some fire systems that will pump moisture inside the safe to keep things at bay, this is another reason why you don't want a fully sealed safe.

Basically, if the fire around the safe goes on for longer than the rating indicates, the items inside might be damaged.

Are gun safes bulletproof?

Last but not least, are gun safes bulletproof? No. Well, yes and no, actually.

They're made of steel, and multiple layers of it, which has a pretty good chance of stopping / deflecting a bullet that's fired from a pistol.

However, a larger caliber weapon will more than likely cause quite a bit of damage.

Are gun safes secure?

This is the next question that pops into your mind once you're past build quality. Now, this does greatly depends on the safe you're going to buy, and the options below are all as secure as they come. Two things will impact this.

First, you have the build quality of the safe itself. If a burglar can't break into it, this is a safe that's doing its job, and you should be happy for it.

Then, you have the size and weight. If you have a gun safe, you want it to be large enough for a burglar not to be able to carry it out of the front door.

This lets them have all the time in the world when they try to get into it later on. If you have a small gun safe, you should take a look at our next question.

Do you need to bolt down a gun safe?

This does depend on the type of safe you have. For example, a large, massive safe doesn't need to be bolted down because it's nearly impossible to move.

But if you have a small gun safe, such as one that's made to keep your gun safe in your nightstand drawer, it might be a smart idea to bolt it down. This prevents a thief from potentially stealing it, which would allow them to try and get into it later on.

Note, however, that if you have a gun safe that you use for traveling, bolting it down is quite counterproductive, and not a very good idea.

Is a gun safe worth it?

The question of whether something is worth it is often quite dependent on personal opinion. However, gun safes can help with a few things:

• They can protect your weapons in case of a fire in your home (and any other items inside, for that matter)
• They can prevent unauthorized access to your weapon, whether it's by a child, or by a potential criminal breaking into your home

With that in mind, when you consider how much trouble a gun safe can prevent, it's actually very well worth it.

Now, sure, you should consider a quality model that won't cost you much more than it's worth it, but that's why we've got a list of options below.

Where to buy a gun safe?

A gun safe can be found at a few places. With today's state of the internet, you can easily order one online, for example.

This helps you since you won't have to carry it home, and instead it'll be delivered to you. Some companies will even send a professional to install it for you, so you can have peace of mind that it's set up right.

Aside from that, chances are you can buy it at your local weapons store, or sometimes even in well-supplied hardware stores.

However, buying locally means you're limited in terms of choice, and you might be the victim of a marketing ploy and end up with a safe that isn't as secure as they convinced you it is.

Is a gun safe EMP proof?

EMP stands for an electro-magnetic pulse. It's a type of "attack" that disables any electronics nearby, and yes, that might include the electronic lock on your safe. If it does have one, it can very well be disabled completely.

The thing is, most, if not all, safes that have an electronic lock will also come with an entry key as a backup solution. Just because the electronic lock is disabled, that doesn't mean that you won't have access to your weapons.

This does depend on your specific model. Therefore, it would be a good idea to do some research and see how you can solve this, if it does happen. And do so now, not when this happens. Better to be safe than sorry.

Internal hinge vs. external hinge

While some may think that this has a lot to do with security, that isn't particularly true. With a gun safe, with any gun safe, the hinge is made in such a way that you can't destroy it easily, and you can't use it as a "weak point" to enter the safe.

Therefore, in terms of safety, both options are okay, and one isn't better than the other.

The place where this does make a difference is convenience. With an external hinge, you can open the safe's door almost 180 degrees.

With an internal hinge, you're limited to around 90 degrees, and not much more than that. This is something you should decide on depending on where you'll be putting the safe, and how much space you have for maneuvering the hinge.

Why can't you store 20 guns in a 20 gun safe?

Oh, you can. But in a very limited number of situations. Why is that, though? Well, it has to do with the design of the gun safes, and how manufacturers make them.

You see, when a manufacturer tries to see how many weapons you can fit in the safe, they only take the weapons in mind. That means nothing that's out of the factory setup weapon. No optical attachments, nothing additional of any kind. However, not many people actually use their weapons like that. Chances are they have some sort of attachment on their weapon.

This does increase the amount of space a single weapon takes up, which in turn results in less space for other weapons.

Hence, you'll have a hard time fitting 20 guns in a 20 gun safe, unless all of them are free of attachments and aren't larger than what the manufacturer estimated.

How do you clean your gun safe?

Cleaning and maintaining your gun safe doesn't have a significant impact on how safe it actually is. However, it can help with it looking nice and clean, and it can certainly help with it operating smoothly. It does protect your valuables, so showing some appreciation is in order.

On the inside and outside, you'll want to remove any dust from the safe. A soft cloth or a duster is the easy way here, and it's actually much simpler than you'd think, so don't worry about it too much.

To remove any fingerprints or dirt that still remains on the safe, you can use a soft cloth and either straight water, or mild soap and water.

This helps you clean the metal parts of the safe, and won't damage or scratch the finish. Once you're done, make sure you wipe the safe dry with another soft cloth that's non-abrasive.

Last but not least, you'll want some oil. Occasional oiling of the hinges and any other moving parts such as the lock's prongs will keep them working smooth. Be conservative with the amount of oil you use, and make sure to wipe any excess once you're done.

Related posts for Steelwater Heavy Duty Gun Safe Buyers

1. SentrySafe SFW123DSB 1.23 Combination Fire Safe Review
2. Best Location For a Gun Safe
3. Mesa MBF1512C Burglary And Fire Safe Review

Buy on Walmart, Ebay, or Etsy

Liberty Safe Centurion 12 Gun Safe - Etsy, eBay

Amazon Basics Steel Security Safe and Lock Box with Electronic Keypad - Secure Cash, - Etsy, eBay

New and Improved Steelwater Standard Duty 16 Long Gun Fire Protection for 60 Minutes - Etsy, eBay

Fort Knox FTK-PB Pistol Box Handgun Safe - Etsy, eBay

SentrySafe QAP1BE Gun Safe with Biometric Lock, 1 Capacity - Etsy, eBay

VAULTEK VT20i Biometric Handgun Safe Bluetooth Smart Pistol Safe with Auto-Open Lid and - Etsy, eBay

Stack-On E-040-SB-E Elite Junior Executive Fire Safe with Electronic Lock, 3 Shelves, - Etsy, eBay

7803 Paragon Lock & Safe ParaGuard Deluxe Electronic Digital Safe Home Security - Etsy, eBay

GunVault SV500 - SpeedVault Handgun Safe - Etsy, eBay

Barska Quick and Easy Access Biometric Rifles, Firearms and Long Guns Safe for Home - Etsy, eBay