Top 10 Best Pistol Safes in 2022

If you’ve decided to keep a handgun at home for security purposes, getting a pistol safe is a must to keep it away from visitors and kids. Every responsible gun owner should include a pistol safe as one of their top priorities. And with all of the great options for quick access, the added peace of mind knowing that your pistol is secured will be worth the extra time to retrieve it.

Safes protect your family from tragic accidents, especially if you have small children at home or that visit. Or, if a thief gets inside your house and goes through your stuff while you’re away, he could use the gun against you and your loved ones when you come back (you can read our recommendations on how to secure your valuables here). That is why keeping your gun at your favorite hiding places is probably not the best solution!

This post summarizes the essential things you need to know about pistol safes. If you haven’t yet decided what to buy, go ahead and check out our top list below. 

You can check out our previous article that discuss the must-have features for the best gun safe.

Guns aren’t cheap. And one of the most obvious reasons why you would have to invest a pistol safe is to protect your firearm from burglars. Burglars may steal guns and use them in criminal activities or simply sell them for cash. Even worse, intruders can use your gun against you and your loved ones. A high quality pistol safe has  durable construction that makes it hard for thieves to steal anything inside it.

Hopefully, your alarm system will get the police on the way quickly, and criminals won’t have time to open your safe!

Several states have implemented laws that should prevent children from having access to guns. With Child Access Prevention laws, gun owners are obliged to keep their guns in a secure place where children cannot access them. Even if you don’t have children, the law still applies since it will protect young children that might visit your house. 

If a child gains access to your guns and uses it to cause injury, you will face a criminal liability for negligent storage.

A lot of states require locking of guns between purchase and storage. For example, the District of Columbia strictly requires gun owners to store firearms with a lock. Make sure that you check your local laws for gun safe regulatory standards.

If you own a gun, you are fully responsible for its proper storage. Failure to do so will cause unauthorized people to have access to your guns and may use it to cause injuries or accidents. What is worse is that burglars can steal your gun and use it for their criminal activities with you being unaware. Despite of this, authorities can come after you and file criminal charges. With a pistol safe, you can prevent these unwanted circumstances to happen.

In times of emergency, having quick access to your firearm is extremely important. Most pistol safes are designed to be opened in a matter of seconds. Having a quick access pistol safe is much safer and easier than having a traditional safee that needs a key or a spin dial combination lock to open it.

Did you know that you can be sued for not properly storing your guns? You can even face criminal liabilities if your gun is used by someone else to cause injury or accident because you failed to secure it. Having a pistol safe is not only a long-term investment but also makes you a responsible gun owner.

A gun is an expensive and valuable possession. In case of fire, a pistol safe can mean the difference between a completely destroyed weapon and protecting your investment. The best pistol safes offer multiple layers of insulation which make them resistant to fire.

Purchasing a pistol safe may entitle you for a tax rebate or deduction. Most states in the US provide exemption from sales tax for buying a pistol safe. Make sure that you check this out in your state.

To be fully covered, most insurance companies require gun owners use a safe, and a pistol safe is a great option for your handgun. A certified safe will enable you to get your claim quickly paid in case of damage or burglary.

A great way to keep your firearms away from unauthorized hands is to invest in a reliable and durable pistol safe. Before you check what types of pistol safes to consider, you can also read our recommendations of gun safe accessories to take your firearm storage to the next level.

There are many types of pistol safes that fit different needs. We’ve listed them below according to the type of lock and storage.

When choosing a type of pistol safe, it is best to consider what kind of firearms you have to store as well as how fast you can access them in times of emergency. 

You can check out our previous article that discusses the must-have features for the best gun safe in more detail.

Consider the following factors before you purchase a pistol safe:

A gun safe can have different lock mechanisms and these are biometric, electronic, and manual dial. Of the three, biometric lock offers faster access while electronic and dial may take some time as you still need to encode your security code. However, both biometric and electronic requires batteries or a power source to open. This might become a problem if the batteries goes out or there is a sudden power interruption. On the other hand, a dial lock mechanism doesn’t need a power source.

The size of the pistol safe may depend on how you want to use it or if you are planning to collect more guns. You can choose a pistol safe that is small and portable if you plan to bring your firearm while travelling or get a quick access under your bed. Or have a large safe that camouflage through your walls to store more guns.

Don't forget to consider that you'll probably want to lock up your ammo too.  While that doesn't have to be in a safe, making sure you have a secure plan for storage when buying a safe is a good idea.  After all, buying home defense ammo in bulk when good deals are available is a smart way to insulate yourself from ammo shortages and high prices like we've had the last few years.

Do you own a handgun or long guns? There are many types of pistol safes you can get but you need to choose the one that fit the current gun or guns you have.

Be sure to choose a pistol safe with a steel gauge between 9 - 14. The thicker the steel, the more durable the safe is. Experts suggest that a steel gauge of 10 is ideal for home security safes.

Firearms are considered as an investment and you want to protect it in case of fire. Most safes are made of steel with 2,500 degree Fahrenheit. Make sure that you choose a pistol safe that can protect your weapon between 30 to 120 minutes during fire.

If you have decided to get a larger pistol safe, it is best to choose the one with adjustable shelves. This allows you to organize your small and large firearms easily.

Rating: 4.8/5

Pros:

• Single-handed entry
• Anti-tampering capabilities
• Biometric lock for quick and easy access
• Durable construction

Cons:

• Noisy when opened
• Battery drains easily

If you are looking for a portable pistol safe which you can easily move around or take with you when you travel, then the Amsec Easy Carry Handgun Safe is your best option to secure your gun away from unauthorized hands. You can easily access your gun during emergency situations using a biometric lock. Other features include anti-tampering, gas-strut door, mountable to a wall, and durable construction.

Rate: 4.7/5

Pros:

• Durable construction
• Built with gas strut assisted door
• Simple locking system
• Can store multiple guns and valuables

Cons:

• Too expensive

This pistol safe is designed by one of the most trusted brands for making best safes, Fort Knox. The safe offers simplicity yet compact design which you can easily store in any places. It is made up of 10-gauge uni-body steel construction which makes it durable and lasts for years. It features a tamper-resistance and shiny enclosure which is ideal for two compact semi automatics, a large revolver, and some valuables like cash and jewelry.

Rate: 4.7/5

Pros:

• Comes with pre-drilled holes for easy mounting
• Two-gun capacity
• Slim housing

Cons:

• Need to improve storage capacity to hold more guns

If you are looking for a simple and reliable pistol safe, then this one is for you. The V-Line safe is known for its top performance and simple mechanical lock system. In terms of storage capacity, you can place up to two pistols, a magazine and some valuables inside which works perfectly if you own more than one gun. The safe’s enclosure is made up of thick and rock solid steel. It is also coated with gloss black powder coating to prevent corrosion.

Rate: 4.6/5

Pros:

• Interior comes with soft foam
• Low battery warning alarm
• Comes with override backup keys
• No-Eyes keypad allows quick access

Cons:

• Unplugging its cord without a battery installed will turn it off and delete current data stored

What makes the GunVault safe different from the other brands is that it is designed with No-Eyes keypad for easier opening. The safe can also be opened easily even if it’s dark. The manufacturer of this safe uses the 16-gauge steel for durable construction that can withstand abuse from a thief. If you own two guns, you can easily fit them inside with enough space for other valuables.

Rate: 4.5/5

Pros:

• Anti-tampering features
• Biometric lock
• Durable construction
• Can be mounted on a wall

Cons:

• Noisy when opened
• Short battery life

This pistol safe is designed to keep any standard handgun while providing a secure and quick access to your weapon. It features a biometric lock and anti-tampering capability to prevent burglars from prying open it. You can choose to mount the pistol safe on a wall beside your bed for easy access.

Rate: 4.3/5

Pros:

• Multiple access options
• Rechargeable battery
• Comes with a smartphone app

Cons:

• Biometric sensor at times can be faulty
• Limited storage space

What makes Vaultek VT20i standout from the rest is that it offers multiple options for quick access. You can easily open the safe using the keyed entry, its keypad, or its Bluetooth. Its high-resolution biometric finger scanner can hold up to 20 fingerprints. Through an app on your smartphone, you can view its battery status, determine if it has been toggled on or off, and other stats. Moreover, it doesn’t make a lot of noise when opened and provides interior light so you can see your firearms inside at night.

Price: $1,657.49

Rate: 4/5

Pros:

• Highly durable enclosure
• Anti-pry features
• Triple hardplate door
• Manual backup lock
• Lifetime warranty

Cons:

• Difficult to move around
• Very expensive

Rate: 4/5

Pros:

• Easy to install
• High security electronic lock
• Durable construction
• Programmable digital access

Cons:

• Not fireproof or waterproof

When it comes to durability, you can be assured that this safe is strong enough and will last for years because it is made of steel. It is pry-resistant and can withstand the abuse of a burglar who would want to open it up. The safe has a programmable digital access which allows you to set your own access code. An override key is also provided in case you forgot your access code. You can store multiple guns and other valuables inside and still have a little space left.

Rate: 4/5

Pros:

• Interior is fully carpeted
• Comes with LED light
• Reliable finger scanner

Cons:

• You still need to unscrew the label to access the security hole
• Display doesn’t have a backlight

The Viking VS-25BL offers quick access wherein you can unlock the door in less than a second. Its interior is fully carpeted and comes with an LED light so you can see inside when it’s dark. It also comes with an adjustable or removable shelf so you can easily organize your larger valuables inside. The manufacturer of the safe used a 5 mm thick steel door as well as 20mm motorized deadbolts to ensure durability that lasts for years.

Price: $177.99

Rate: 3.8/5

Pros:

• Holds up to 30 fingerprints
• More room for multiple weapons
• Finger scanner is less prone to false opening

Cons:

• Finger scanner may take seconds to read your fingerprint
• Not fireproof/ waterproof
• There’s no interior light

Investing in a pistol safe is worth your money for so many reasons. There are many types as well as brands of pistol safes you can choose, and we have summarized some of the best pistol safes available in this post. Just be sure to assess your needs and pick the right one for your situation.

If you have used any of the safes mentioned here or you have other suggestions, please comment below!

https://gunsafereviewsguy.com/articles/reasons-to-own-a-gun-safe/

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