Mount: Many handgun safes offer a variety of mounting options so you can fit them to a desk, inside a closet, bolt them to the floor, etc.īatteries: All but the most basic handgun safes need batteries of some kind. There are also rapid-access models (usually for a single firearm) that flip open or slide out, presenting your gun to you in the ready position. Multi-gun safes often allow you to slot your firearms in, one alongside the other. To allow for faster access, some of these have lids that are spring-loaded, others have gas struts. Cheaper handgun safes are simply a secure box that can be used for other valuables. Some safes also have removable internal shelves.įirearm presentation: This is worth thinking about. Some are specifically designed to take a spare clip, with others you’ll need to check if there’s space for additional ammunition. With the variety of handgun sizes available, it’s vital to check the safe’s internal dimensions to make sure yours will fit. Size: This varies considerably from holding a single handgun to storing as many as eight. Thickness: Steel thickness varies from 16 gauge (the thinnest) to 12 gauge, which is really the thickest practical on casings of this size. Many handgun safe doors auto-lock on closure so you don’t have to remember to do it. Hinges: The hinges are almost invariably hidden to prevent tampering.ĭoor: Seams and doors are precisely fitted so there’s no way to get a pry bar or other effective lever into the casing. It might take more than one attempt, thus negating the fast access they’re intended to offer. On the downside, cheap biometric handgun safes have been criticized for inconsistent recognition. Many of these safes have smartphone apps, so you have user logs, alerts if tampering occurs, or the ability to open them via WiFi, for example. The memory capacity allows a few or dozens of people to have access. These offer one-touch access and absolute security - nobody else has your fingerprint. The weakness lies not with the safe but with the security of the RFID device itself: it can easily get lost or stolen.īiometric: The most advanced handgun safes are biometric models: they scan fingerprints into a memory chip. Only someone with a tag can open the safe. Access is fast: the RFID chip is a proximity sensor, so it doesn’t have to be in contact the safe to open it. RFID: Some handgun safes offer radio-frequency identification ( RFID) in the form of a keyring, pad, or even a small adhesive sticker that you can attach to just about anything. People also write down the code and leave it in a purse, wallet, or even a drawer near the safe. A surprising number of people choose 1111 or 1234 as their code, which is much too easy to guess. On the downside, access is comparatively slow. Keypads may be backlit to aid use in low-light conditions. Although most only require a four-digit code, some provide eight keys, upping the possible combinations to 100,000,000. Even a basic four-digit keypad has 10,000 possible combinations, so it’s almost impossible for anyone to guess the code or hit it at random. Keypad: More advanced handgun safes offer keypad access. For this reason, many manufacturers add a locking steel cable for securing the safe to a stationary object. They may not be easy to break into quickly, but they could be taken away for a more deliberate assault. On the downside, access is comparatively slow, and their portability can be a drawback. They’re also easy to conceal in a closet, drawer, or under a car seat. These are low cost and convenient, particularly for people who are often on the move.

Lockbox: The most basic handgun safe is a lockbox with a key. Some offer keypad/RFID or keypad/biometric combinations, thus offering you plenty of choice. Usually the second is a backup key if the primary system fails for some reason. Buying guide for Key considerations Types of securityĪll handgun safes (except lockboxes) have at least two methods of access. If you want fast access in case there’s an intruder in your home, choose a handgun safe that bolts to a desk or nightstand and presents the firearm ready to grab and go.

Drawer pistol safe