Every responsible gun owner must have a gun safe at home. It secures your weapon while keeping it handy in case of emergencies. Pistols and long firearms are dangerous and must be kept away from the hands of unauthorized users. Regardless if you own just a single pistol or a collection of handguns, you must invest in the best gun safes on the market.
There are many types of gun safes in the market, each one catering to different types of firearms and needs of the user. What matters is that the safe will serve its purpose: secure the weapon with an efficient locking mechanism.
Quick comparison
Last update on 2023-06-04 at 00:08 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
We’ve heard a lot of tragic stories about children taking hold of their parents’ guns at home. It’s a tragedy that could have been prevented if there’s a gun safe in place. Take note that aside from securing the gun inside, the safe must have a form of lock. It could be a biometric system or a passcode that only the owner can open.
Below, I reviewed five of the best gun safes in the market that you can use at home. Check which one suits your needs and budget.
1. SentrySafe 2-Gun Biometric Safe
If you have two handguns, I highly recommend the SentrySafe 2-Gun Biometric Safe. This can fit two standard pistols on its fingerprint-equipped construction. This is easy to use while ensuring that unauthorized persons won’t access your firearms.
This safe uses a gas strut technology for quiet and instant opening. The best thing I like about this safe is its one-hand operation, which comes handy at night when someone breaks into your home.
To ensure that your gun is secured inside, the SentrySafe is made of solid steel with a pry-resistant door. There’s also a digital keypad as well as a fingerprint biometric so you can choose which way to access the safe. And in case the safe runs out of power, you can use the override key to access your guns.
Overall, this is 16.4” x 9.8” x 3.2” and weighs 16 pounds. There’s also a blue interior light that’s not blinding even if opened in the dark. But to operate this and the digital features, you need to use 4 AA batteries that are not yet included in the package.
You can use the SentrySafe on your closet, cabinet, or drawer for convenience.
Pros
- Pry-resistant door
- Biometric technology
- Quiet operation
Cons
- You need to ‘wake it up’ first by pressing a button or sliding a finger on the biometric
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2. Stealth Handgun Pistol Safe
For those with more guns, the Stealth Handgun Pistol Safe is a good choice. It can fit three handguns on the ready position and another two lying flat on the floor. It’s an affordable way to secure your pistols in an inconspicuous way.
This uses a spring-loaded door that drops down upon opening so you can see the guns right away. Also, there’s a red interior light so you can see your handguns even in the dark. And to ensure that no one will hear you access the firearms, there’s an optional silent mode for its locking mechanism.
Moreover, this has a solid 3/8” steel door fitted with anti-pry tabs. It also has a high-strength locking latch that’s pick-proof and guaranteed to last long. Also, I like the new welded lock housing that boosts the security of this safe.
Aside from that, this has a durable security cable and a foam interior to prevent your guns from clattering. Overall, this safe is 9” x 9” x 12’ and weighs 20 pounds. It’s also CA DOJ-approved, which is a big selling factor for me.
This specific model has an electronic lock, but you can also get in a biometric version.
Pros
- Can load 5 handguns
- Spring-loaded door
- Optional silent mode
Cons
- Slight delay on opening, but not really too slow
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3. BILLCONCH Biometric Gun Safe
Another top-loading gun safe that I recommend is the one from BILLCONCH. It can fit two small pistols on its 16-gauge carbon steel body. It uses an automatic opening door with a backlit keypad as well as a biometric fingerprint option. In case the two won’t work, the BILLCONCH comes with a spare key to override your other locks.
Aside from that, this has an app control function that allows you to connect it to your smartphone via Bluetooth. You can manage the fingerprint feature, change password, and view unlocking history through your phone. Another thing that I like about this gun safe is that you can enter up to 20 fingerprint records in case you want other people to have access to your safe.
I also like the dual anti-impact latches and interior mounted hinges. To ensure that your gun safe will be durable, this one from BILLCONCH is equipped with anti-pry bars. There’s also a LED light inside so you won’t fumble in the dark when retrieving your firearms.
Overall, this is 9.3” x 7” x 2” with an 8-pound weight. It’s lightweight but not short of safety features for your pistols.
Pros
- 16-gauge carbon steel body
- Register up to 20 fingerprints
- Smartphone app connectivity
Cons
- I wish the battery lasts longer
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4. GunVault Microvault Pistol Safe
In case you’re looking for a lightweight pistol safe, you should consider the GunVault MicroVault Pistol Safe. It only weighs 4 pounds, but it’s made of 20-gauge steel for optimal security for one handgun. It can hold one pistol with extra room for small items like pieces of jewelry or credit cards.
Aside from that, this has learn buttons that make it easy to open without looking. You can program your entry code easily. And for added safety, this comes with a security cable so burglars won’t get to steal the safe with the gun inside.
Moreover, this has a tamper-resistant mechanism that you can also use for other items. Inside, there’s a foam interior that prevents your gun from rattling.
GunVault swears by the quality of their products. Proof to this is the 5-year replacement promise that covers this safe for your peace of mind. This safe is also available in a biometric option aside from the standard learn buttons.
I also like that the lock is easy to program, even if you’re not really a techie person. You can also operate this in the dark, in case you need to retrieve your weapon in the middle of the night.
Pros
- Made of 20-gauge steel
- Feel buttons for easy operation
- 5-year replacement promise
Cons
- The instructions could have been clearer
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5. Lincom Quick Access Gun Safe
The Lincom Quick Access Gun Safe is one of the wall-mountable and small gun safes for pistols. It’s useful for immediate weapon retrieval in case of emergencies. You can mount it inside your closet, under your nightstand, and other inconspicuous spots.
This gun safe is powered by a biometric technology that allows you to unlock it using your fingerprint. The best part is it supports up to 120 sets of fingerprints, which means you can register all your fingers and those of others.
Moreover, this gun safe is crafted using sturdy steel with an anti-corrosion finish. It’s also fitted with mounting hardware so you can put it in place straight from the package.
This has a one-hand operation so you can retrieve your weapon without too much effort. It’s slim and easy to use for one handgun. This is made tough and rugged to stand the test of times.
Aside from the Lincom gun safe, you will also get mounting screws, mounting bracket, override keys, external power plug, and an instructional manual.
If you have a curious child at home, this is a must-have. It may not be durable enough for an eager thief (same thing with most safes), but it will give you peace of mind that your gun won’t fall in the hands of an unknowing child.
Pros
- Can program up to 120 fingerprints
- Mountable design
- One-hand operation
Cons
- You need to push a button to activate the biometric feature
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How to choose a gun safe for pistols
Choosing the right gun safe for your home is necessary for the utmost security. If you’re looking for one to house your pistol, you should consider the following points first:
Capacity
The first thing you should consider is the capacity of the safe. It depends on the number of pistols you need to store. Nevertheless, you can always get a larger safe in case you want to secure other valuables like jewelry, money, and the likes along with your handgun. If you have more guns, you should get the best gun cabinet for the money.
Take note that the larger the safe is, the more difficult it would be to store. Still, it’s always a trade-off between the capacity and the size.
Pry-resistant design
The purpose of your gun safe is to keep the weapon away from the hands of unscrupulous people. This is why you should invest in one equipped with a pry-resistant door. Even if it can’t withstand theft 100%, it would take a burglar more time to get the contents of your safe. Most of the time, this will discourage thieves from pursuing their motive.
Lock mechanism
The lock mechanism of the gun safe is one of the most important features. It’s the one responsible for the security of your firearm. For this, you can choose between a standard code lock and a biometric technology.
Standard locks that use passcodes are straightforward to operate. Also, it doesn’t run out of power faster than biometric types. However, it will take time to open, which is a bummer during emergency situations.
On the other hand, biometric locks are the latest innovation in gun safes. It uses fingerprints to unlock the safe. You first have to program your fingerprint on the safe so you can open it within seconds. It’s a convenient option, but you have to ensure that the batteries won’t run out.
Real-time response
If you’re using the gun safe for emergency situations, you must get one that you can open in split seconds. During a fit of panic, you may not be able to punch a code. Your fingerprint is the fastest way to get hold of your weapon to defend yourself.
Mounting option
While this isn’t a requirement, a mounting option allows you to secure your safe at a specific spot. This makes the safe more difficult to steal. If there’s no mounting option, look for a security cable instead so you can attach the safe somewhere that’s difficult to damage.
Lighting
Interior lighting is important for gun safes. Imagine having to get your gun in the middle of the night. Interior lighting will prevent you from fumbling and making noises. It’s also for your safety, especially if you always leave your gun cocked and loaded.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Are gun safes bad for guns?
A: As long as the gun safe has a soft lining and anti-corrosion finish, it wouldn’t damage your handguns. You should also inspect your safe once in a while to ensure that it’s still in good shape.
Q: Is it okay to put a gun safe in the garage?
A: As much as possible, don’t place a gun safe in your garage. It increases the risk of theft and unauthorized access to your weapon. However, if you have no choice, the gun safe must be bolted to the ground and enclosed in a closet.
Q: Should you store ammo in a gun safe?
A: Make sure that there’s no moisture in the gun safe before you store your ammo. This will prevent corrosion that can damage the primer and brass casings of the bullets. Take note that damaged and corroded ammo is unsafe to fire.
Final words
The best gun safes on the market will secure your weapon away from unauthorized hands. Gun safes can save a life, especially of an innocent child who might play with a loaded weapon. Like what they say: better safe than sorry. Be a responsible pistol owner and get a gun safe now.