I can recall how much of a difference it made in our household when my father got his gun safe and stopped storing his firearms in his closet. Now we knew proper firearms safety and knew better than to mess with his guns but there is no denying that there are many important benefits to using a gun safe to properly store your weapons. As a kid it just felt safer to have the guns stored away properly even though I was comfortable with them and as an adult now with kids I see it as very important to maintain proper weapons disciplines and to pass them on to our kids.
If you’re thinking it might be time to step up your gun storage and organization then it is absolutely worth taking the time to familiarize yourself with the wide variety of gun safes available on today’s market. Let’s get into just what makes a gun safe a solid purchase, some examples of gun safes that are both cost-effective and useful, and some frequently asked questions pertaining to gun safe purchasing.
There’s no shortage of reliable gun safe products out there these days so you will have an overwhelming amount of options available to choose from. Before we get into the reviews, here are my top picks:
| GUN SAFES | DETAILS | ||
|---|---|---|---|
#1 Safe
|
|
Check Price on Amazon.com
|
|
|
|
Check Price on Amazon.com
|
|
|
|
Check Price on Amazon.com
|
SKIP AHEAD
Best Gun Safes Under $300: Our Top Picks
1. Best Home Gun Safe – American Furniture Classics Gun Concealment Storage Bench Review
Anyone who knows me knows that I tend to favor products that can perform multiple functions so it’s no surprise that this gun concealment storage bench catches my attention.
Not only is this polyurethane lined gun safe able to store a decent amount of firearms and ammunition it can also provide seating as well additional storage space for valuables such as smaller guns, money, tools, or whatever you like.
Pros:
- Plenty of storage space for several weapons and other additional items with several compartments present.
- Hidden in plain sight so the chances of potential thieves finding this particular gun safe is lower than average. Locking mechanism present as well.
- Can also serve as seating and the size of this gun safe would make it difficult to steal without drawing attention.
Cons:
- Too large to carry to the range or travel with in general. Cannot easily grab this one if you need to flee with your family in case of an emergency.
- Seems there have been batches of this particular product that have had shipping errors and have arrived with damage.
- Some installation of hardware is required on your end.
Customer Sentiment:
The majority of purchasers of this product are pleased as it serves its purpose well but reviews show that there are those who received the gun safe in a damaged state. For the price range, available space, and ability to blend in with home decor most seem pleased with this gun safe.
| GUN SAFES | DETAILS | ||
|---|---|---|---|
|
#1 Safe
|
|
Check Price on Amazon.com
|
2. Best Handgun Travel Safe – AdirOffice Portable Travel GunSafe Review
On the other side of the spectrum, here’s an example of a reliable gun safe that you can use for travel purposes. I was always taught that multiple forms of safety are ideal for weapon management so having something like the AdirOffice Portable Travel GunSafe can be ideal if you need a safe place to store a weapon and maybe a few additional items in your vehicle or other places.
This one is sleek, clean, and fits easily into plenty of spaces without being obvious about what it is. It can also just be used as a small mobile safe for your valuables.
Pros:
- Easy to carry and transport while providing a decent degree of security. Great to grab and go if a survival situation occurs.
- Very affordable and has a steel anchor cable included.
- Easily hidden and has a locking mechanism with a 3 digit code.
Cons:
- The compact size does not allow for more than one weapon and a few small items to be stored within.
- The casing seems somewhat thin and the locking mechanism does not appear to be the highest quality so the potential for forced entry is higher should a thief find this gun safe.
- Interior padding seems minimal so if you want to ensure that your weapon and items are secure then you would need to add extra padding yourself.
Customer Sentiment:
Hard to go wrong at the price point it is sold and it certainly does its job and can even store a few additional items, which can be quite handy if you’re on the go. Most purchasers of this gun safe are pleased and use it with regularity. Decent value for a low price.
| GUN SAFES | DETAILS | ||
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Check Price on Amazon.com
|
3. Best Large Safe – Stack-On 18 Gun Cabinet Review
I think we can all agree that buying guns can be addictive. Then we end up needing a primary large gun safe to store a portion of our arsenal in a secure fashion. I recall my father getting one of these and he was very pleased with how well it stored a couple rifles, shotguns, some ammo, and a few other items.
Having a large gun safe handy means you can store larger weapons and other valuable items in a container that someone cannot simply walk away with or easily pick the lock.
Pros:
- The large size allows for plenty of interior storage and makes it difficult for potential thieves to steal.
- Steel frame allows for high level durability so this gun safe should be able to keep your weapons and ammo secure from forced entry.
- 3 point steel locking mechanism provides superior security compared to many gun safes on the market.
Cons:
- Many customers have complained about receiving this product with some dents on the exterior.
- Large size means that you will not be able to use this product as a travelling gun safe or able to grab if you need to bug out.
- Large size also means that potential thieves will have no trouble spotting and identifying this gun safe.
Customer Sentiment:
It would seem that most customers feel they got more than their money’s worth by purchasing the Stack-On 18 Gun Convertible Cabinet. The general consensus appears to be that this is a very solid economy gun safe.
| GUN SAFES | DETAILS | ||
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|
Check Price on Amazon.com
|
4. Best High-Tech Travel Gun Safe – GunVault GV1000C Review
These GV’s are awesome for smaller weapon use with a unique electronic locking mechanism at budget prices. The locking mechanism is very intuitive to use and the size allows for two handguns and maybe a few small items.
The metal frame is surprisingly stout so this small gun safe should be quite resistant to forced entry and locking mechanism is very tamper resistant. The locking mechanism is electronic and requires a 9 volt battery which should last for over 12 months.
Pros:
- Conceable size allows this gun safe to be easily hidden in your home, vehicle, or office and makes for easy transportation should you need to grab and go.
- Strong exterior shell is surprisingly resistant to damage and forced entry.
- Unique locking mechanism method is intuitive to use once set up.
Cons:
- The locking mechanism does require a new battery to be installed approximately each year.
- According to some reviews, there have been issues in some models with the internal sensor for the locking mechanism.
- Smaller size means that there is limited space inside and that it could be easily carried away if found by a thief.
Customer Sentiment:
GunVault has a decent reputation due to the solid products they put out and this one seems to have a pleasant reception for the most part. Aside from those that received their gun safe with a compromised internal sensor, most customers seem to appreciate the sturdy little gun safe and how versatile it can be.
| GUN SAFES | DETAILS | ||
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|
Check Price on Amazon.com
|
5. Best Starter Gun Safe – Stack-On 8-Gun Cabinet Review
This Stack-On product is a smaller version of the one my father had back in the day. I’d consider this one to be a starter gun safe if your arsenal is still smaller but in need of a secure place to be stored.
Pros:
- Mid size allows for decent weapon storage while not taking up too much space.
- The 3 point, double bitted locking system allows for superior security levels compared to other gun safes of similar size.
- Design and hardware included makes fastening this gun safe to the floor a very simple task.
Cons:
- The frame is lighter in person than it appears in photos.
- Minimal interior options to customize the organization options.
- Interior size may not be overly accommodating for larger guns or guns with scopes.
Customer Sentiment:
Many customers who purchased this product might argue that it’s more of a gun storage cabinet and less of a safe but none dispute that this Stack-On product is solid bang for the buck and keeps your weapons out of curious hands. It might not be the highest quality safe but gets the job done well at a low price point.
Gun Safe Buying Guide: What Makes a Safe Good?
My initial thought on where to begin when looking for a gun safe is to start by assessing your own needs and intentions for the gun safe and thinking about specifically what makes a gun safe ideal for securing your guns and ammo as you need.
There are so many different gun safe products on the market with various pros and cons that it makes sense to do some due diligence by figuring out just what it is that you need and which products will satisfy those needs.
Here are a handful of factors to consider when looking at gun safes:
- Locking Mechanism – How effective is the locking mechanism? Is it mechanical, biometric, or electronic? How resistant to hand tools is it?
- Fireproof – Does the gun safe claim to be fire resistant? Is the fire retardation capability based on ceramic, cement, or drywall? Note that safes that possess only one gasket or fire-resistant drywall lining tend to be inferior.
- Strength of exterior shell – What gauge metal is used for the gun safe? Does it seem like it would resist forced entry or other potential issues in order to keep your guns safe?
- Bug out ability – Is this a gun safe that you can easily grab if you need to suddenly take off?
Gun Safe FAQs
Q: Does my gun safe need to be fireproof?
A: The answer to this question will vary with your intentions. If you are looking for a long-term safe to store your guns in and do not plan to move then a fireproof safe makes more sense for both residential and commercial locations.
Q: Do I really need a gun safe?
A: Yes, it is ideal to have your guns locked away for a variety of reasons. If you have children in the household then it becomes all the more imperative to have multiple forms of gun safety precautions implemented in your home. The idea of a burglar/robber getting their hands on my weapons and committing crimes with them irks me so taking the additional effort to keep our weapons out of questionable hands seems to be very reasonable to me.
Q: What factors should I consider when choosing a gun safe?
A: You should consider whether or not you intend to live on the premises for an extended period of time or not as having a large gun safe system installed in a home you will not remain in does not strike me as pragmatic. Is this something I can easily carry in an emergency situation?
Whether or not the safe will be installed on the second or first floor is a factor to think about considering that the weights of larger gun safes can exceed the load capacity of second story residential floors. We also need to be clear in our intentions for picking a gun safe and what our own priorities are such as a focus on stealth gun safes, fireproof gun safes, or security gun safes to help us make better decisions when it comes time to make a purchase.
Q: What’s the difference between a normal gun safe and a security/anti-burglary gun safe?
A: A standard gun safe will have a basic lock mechanism and not much beyond that which is more of a deterrent from kids and curious browsers. Someone who has come prepared to steal and rob might have tools on hand and will invest more effort in cracking safes and containers so that’s where security/anti-burglar gun safes come into play. Security gun safes are designed to be more resistant to drills, hand tools, and such tactics that burglars use to force their way in. The locking mechanisms in security gun safes tend to be more complex than standard gun safes to further deter potential thefts.
Q: What factors stand out among fireproof gun safes?
A: Many companies claim to have the best fireproof gun safes but I think we all know by now to question any marketing message and look into things ourselves. A reliable fireproof gun safe will have two fire gaskets, 2,300 degree ceramic fire insulation, and multi-steel step system doors present to ensure that your valuable arsenal remains safe in the event of a fire.
Verdict
I think by now it is clear that we can get decent gun safes below $300 as long as we understand just what it is we are looking for and do our proper research on which products are best for what we need.
Take the time to better understand just what it is you specifically need in a gun safe before making your purchase. Do you need something for travel that is accessible in a survival situation? Are you looking for something for a larger amount of guns? Or do you need something that you can easily conceal in your home or office? Strive to find that proper balance between high performance, low cost, and understand that no gun safe in lower price ranges will be perfect so be prepared to choose which pros you prefer and which cons you are willing to deal with.
