The Best Gun Safes for Your Valuables

If you’re looking for the perfect safe for your firearms or valuable items, then check out our guide before buying something you may regret.  We’ve taken the guess work out of your next safe purchase so you don’t get the wrong item for your needs.

Gun safes are among the best purchases you can make as a gun owner, especially if you have a growing gun collection and accessories to match. The importance of safely storing your firearms (and ammo) can’t be overstated.

Even if you don’t need the most robust anti-theft protection, it’s always a good idea to lock up your firearms in a proper storage device. It might be that you prefer optimal fire protection for your hunting rifles or the convenience of quick access to your self-defense pistol. We’ve got you covered.

With a variety of prices and manufacturers to choose from, this gun safes guide will help you purchase one of the best long gun or pistol safes on the market, whether you’re looking for something luxurious or affordable.

Gun Safes For Long Guns & Pistols

Ironworks AIW6042X 54 Long Gun Safe

Let’s start with one of the most stylish and heavy-duty long gun safes you’ll find from an American manufacturer—the IRONWORKS AIW6042X Gun Safe.

This unique work of art is hand-crafted and distressed after ordering, so no two productions are identical. Due to the natural variation in the steel, the safe looks like it has been passed down as an heirloom for generations. And because of its size and artistic quality, it would compliment an interior like a decorative piece of furniture.

This massive, heavy-duty fireproof safe measures 60″ tall and 42″ wide (w/ a 27″ depth), and weighs a whopping 1120 lbs. It comes with a 130-minute fire protection rating, deluxe door organizer, interior lighting w/ power outlet, UL listed lock, and is compatible with an IRONWORKS swing-out gun rack.  Perfect for someone with a bunch of custom firearms to go along with a fancy home with decorations.

In terms of fire protection, the IRONWORKS AIW6042X features four layers of 5/8″ fireboard in the ceiling, plus three layers on the walls, floor, and door. The heat-activated door seal is capable of expanding up to 7x its size to seal out heat and smoke (so your firearms won’t bake inside).

It is practically impossible for thieves to break into this indestructible safe. First of all, it has a 10-gauge formed steel body and nearly 6″ thick formed door with 1/4″ solid plate steel door front for full coverage.

It also features a F-4 locking system with internal anti-tamper clutch, ball bearing drill plate, anti-punch and anti-drill boltworks. It has 14 large door bolts in total (each 1.25″ in diameter). It’s basically built like Fort Knox.

However, it is perhaps its style and function that really make the IRONWORKS AIW6042X gun safe stand out.

It is capable of storing up to 54 long guns and 8 handguns, which is enough firearms to equip a small army. It has a beautiful interior with leatherette fabric, plush shelving, and a deluxe door organizer for added storage space. It also features LED lighting with a motion sensor and USB electrical outlet.

The 3-spoke cast iron hand wheel on the front door is one of its coolest features.

Gun capacity: 54 – 62

Fire protection: 1400 F (130 minutes)

Exterior dimensions: 60″ H x 42″ W x 27″ D

Lock type: Manual key

Weight: 1120 lbs.

Stealth Handgun Electronic Pistol Hanger Safe

The Stealth Handgun Hanger Safe is a solid option if you want quick-access storage for multiple handguns at the ready. A “hanger safe” is designed to store your pistols in an upright position for you to quickly (and quietly) pull out in an emergency situation. This cna be a great option when considering weapons safety.  This medium-sized pistol hanger safe can store up to three handguns in the ready position and two on the floor.

The Stealth Handgun Hanger Safe is basically a solid steel box that provides quick-access to your firearms using a 3/8″ thick, anti-pry, spring loaded door that instantly drops open with a soft landing. The door is fastened shut with a pick-proof locking latch and opened using a 6-digit electronic keypad (or manual override key).

It’s nearly impossible to pry open this durable pistol safe because the 2-piece steel door is tightly recessed into the frame and the latch is made of high-strength steel. Due to its high-density foam interior and scratch-resistant hanging rods, you can expect your firearms to stay well-protected over time.

The Stealth Handgun Hanger Safe has a very clean overall design. With the exception of the blue-illuminating push buttons on the keypad (and the override keyhole), the safe is simply a black cube with rounded edges. Its nondescript and inconspicuous look allows you to store it in your house without drawing attention.

It also has a few bells and whistles. An interior red light for subtle visibility in the dark, and a cable plug-in for use instead of a 9V battery. Audible feedback and silent mode options as well.

Gun capacity: 3 – 5

Exterior dimensions: 12″ L x 9″ W x 9″ H

Interior dimensions: 9″ W x 9″ H

Lock type: Electronic keypad / Manual key

Weight: 15 lbs.

Liberty Safe HD-50 Key Vault

 

Liberty has a good reputation for making really simple, solid, and portable key vaults for reliable handgun storage. The HD-50 Key Vault is Liberty Safe’s most compact and affordable “Home Defender” key vault.

This safe box is perfectly designed to protect handguns, wallets, and accessories (such as your phone or passport). You may want to consider the Liberty HD-50 if you need a cheap and secure pistol safe you can carry with you on the go (with no frills). In addition to being small and portable, it is equipped with the essential lockdown and anti-pry security features that make carrying a handgun safe and easy. The interior is lined with foam padding.

With a key vault, you don’t need to worry about passcodes or batteries, as it provides reliable key access (and an anti-theft cable attachment). The Liberty Safe HD-50 Key Vault is built tough and concealable.  It’s the perfect option for your favorite 9mm or 40 cal options.  It has a clean, tamper-resistant design and is constructed of lightweight 16 gauge steel. The HD-50 is thin and compact, so you can store it almost anywhere (e.g., drawers, car seats, nightstands, shelves, luggage).

It is TSA compatible and has a 2-year defect warranty. Truly an excellent value if you want a portable and convenient handgun safe.

Gun capacity: 1

Exterior Dimensions: 2″ H x 6.5″ W x 9.75″ L

Interior Dimensions: 0.75″ H x 6.5″ W x 9.5″ L

Lock type: Manual key

Weight: 3.01 lbs.

Browning Hells Canyon Extra Wide 65 Gun Safe

The Browning Hell’s Canyon 65 Extra Wide is another massive, heavy-duty masterpiece (made in the USA) which, like the name suggests, features ample security and toughness to protect your valuable assets from theft or fire. The spacious interior provides a ton of storage space and organization features. 

This elegant long gun safe was created with hunters in mind and has 48 cubic feet of storage space. The “extra wide” interior can comfortably store up to 65 long guns with leftover room for jewelry, handguns, documents or other personal items. That’s truly cavernous!

The Hell’s Canyon 65 has a clean, efficient exterior design that is wider than other “box-like” gun safes (55″ W), yet able to fit elegantly in any interior space with its 25″ depth. The interior storage is one of this Browning ProSteel safe’s best and most versatile features. 

For example, the patented Axis Adjustable Shelving system allows you to completely configure the shelves along the vertical and horizontal axes (or you can just remove them to free up space for other items). There aren’t many other safes that provide such a flexible shelving system for a dedicated gun owner’s array of firearms and equipment.

Another way the innovative storage capabilities cater to hunters is with the DPX Scope Saver design that creates spaces within the door frame to fit a gun scope. So it lets you store a scoped rifle without taking up too much space. The unique DPX Door Storage System features door-mounted racks for long guns and pouches/pockets for handguns (or smaller valuables).

There’s no doubt that the Browning Hell’s Canyon Extra Wide 65 gun safe has one of the most efficient space utilization design features of any heavy-duty safe on the market.

When it comes to fire protection, the Hell’s Canyon 65 can tolerate heat like no other. All kinds of technical aspects play an important role in protecting a gun safe from fire. This safe features the ThermaBlock fire protection system which utilizes thicker insulation sheets arranged in an interlocking pattern to reduce air gaps that allow the internal temperature to rise to catastrophic levels.

Additionally, 11-gauge steel is used for the safe’s body so it doesn’t distort as much when heated. Continuous welding provides resistance to heat flexing. External hinges are used as well to increase fire protection. These are just some of the little design features that make a big difference as a whole.

Gun capacity: 65

Fire protection: 1680 F (90 minutes)

Exterior dimensions: 60″ H x 55″ W x 25″ D

Lock type: Electronic keypad

Weight: 1055 lbs.

Snap Safe SS Super Titan Digital 24-Gun Modular Safe

 

The SnapSafe 75011 Super Titan is a heavy-duty, modular gun safe with an elegant design, electronic keypad, and hand wheel. Standing 59″ tall and 38″ wide, the Super Titan is built like a cabinet with a foam-lined interior capable of storing up to 24 long guns. It also features adjustable shelves (including a 15-slot full gun rack and 2 half shelves) for storing documents, jewelry, and other valuables.

In comparison to other fireproof long gun safes on this list, the SnapSafe Super Titan is unique because of its modular design. Weighing 550 lbs., it’s a self-assembly safe (Kwik-Lock Modular Assembly system) that can be quickly and safely assembled in your house or office, and features pre-drilled holes for floor mounting. The piece-by-piece assembly of this safe is useful if you intend to store the safe in an upstairs closet, or if you intend on moving it to a different part of the house (such as the basement).

Despite being a modular system, the SnapSafe 75011 Super Titan looks and feels like a fully-welded iron safe. It is fire-resistant to 2300 degrees (up to one hour), has heat-activated door fire seals, eight 1″ locking bolts, a spring-loaded relocker, 9 gauge steel walls (exterior), and a “non-breach seal” deadbolt front door (made of 3/16″ thick solid steel). A sledgehammer couldn’t break this safe.

The door locking mechanism is a UL-approved digital keypad with mechanical backup key.

Gun capacity: 24

Fire protection: 2300 F (1 hour)

Exterior dimensions: 59” H x 38” W x 17.5” D

Interior dimensions: 53.5” H x 33” W x 14.5” D

Lock type: Electronic keypad / Manual key

Weight: 550 lbs.

Awesafe Gun Safe Box

 

The Awesafe Gun Safe Box (with biometric lock) is one of the highest-rated biometric pistol safes available, and remarkably affordable given its advanced protection features and solid steel construction. It can accommodate two compact pistols or a full-size handgun with extra magazines. In addition, it features three different methods of access: biometric lock (fingerprint recognition), electronic keypad, or manual key.

The easily portable design and sleek, pry-resistant door are some of the exceptional features of this biometric handgun safe. The door is recessed tightly within the frame and secured by a high-strength, anti-impact latch. A compression gas strut raises the door quietly and quickly to provide single-handed access and removal of your firearm.

The floor and door are lined with thick sponge fixings to protect your pistols. This small gun safe is constructed of 18 gauge steel, giving it a sturdy yet lightweight feel. Its compact shape allows you to place it virtually anywhere (such as a drawer or bedside table with your favorite .22).

The biometric lock on the Awesafe Gun Safe can store 30 fingerprints for shared access. A zero-feedback digital keypad ensures the safe can be opened silently. Of course, there is a manual override key as well. There is also interior LED lighting. All of these electronic devices are powered by four AA batteries.

Gun capacity: 1 – 2

Exterior dimensions: 12″ L x 10″ W x 3.2″ H

Interior dimensions: 9.7″ L x 6.7″ W x 2.4″ H

Lock type: Biometric (fingerprint ID) / Electronic keypad / Manual key

Weight: 9.4 lbs.

Sentinel 12 Long Gun Safe

 

The Sentinel 12 Gun Safe is an affordable fireproof safe with a locker cabinet design. When it comes to gun cabinets, we had to include it in our list of gun safes because of its great price. This 15-gauge long gun cabinet only weighs 233 pounds, so it can be moved easily using a dolly. It has a fire rating of 1400 degrees for 30 minutes and 1/2″ thick interior insulation. Eight locking bolts secure it.

Even though it’s called the Sentinel 12, it doesn’t actually fit up to twelve long guns. More like 4 to 5 with additional shelving for a handgun and some safe accessories or ammunition. It actually has a customizable interior depending on your needs. It might be able to carry twelve long-barrel guns if they were nothing but youth-sized guns without add-ons or magazines.

However, the interior height of 52.75″ is high enough to accommodate a 12-gauge shotgun. There is also enough room for rifles with scopes (9.75″ width). If you are a gun collector, buying a couple of these safes to separate certain types of firearms might not be a bad idea.

Learn more about safety on the Texas Gov Website.

The Sentinel 12 Gun Safe features an electronic keypad for easy access. To maintain its fire warranty, the safe must be bolted to the ground.

Gun capacity: 4 – 5

Fire protection: 1400 F (30 minutes)

Exterior dimensions: 20″ L x 18.5″ W x 60.5″ H

Interior dimensions: 16.5″ L x 9.75″ W x 52.75″ H

Lock type: Electronic keypad

Weight: 233 lbs.

VAULTEK VT Full-Size Handgun Smart Safe (w/ Bluetooth)

 

The VAULTEK VT is the most high-tech safe on our list. Featuring Bluetooth technology, this rugged smart safe can hold two handguns (13.7″ interior length), magazines, and other personal items. Users can take advantage of a variety of advanced features for convenience, portability, and security. Among these features is mobile access and monitoring from a smartphone.

As with other digital gun safes, the VAULTEK VT can be accessed using an electronic keypad (8 digits)—this causes the 14-gauge carbon steel lid (secured by dual anti-impact latches) to automatically open and reveals a closed-cell foam padding interior with adjustable LED lighting. It may not be a compact pistol safe (weighs 16 pounds), but the VAULTEK VT is TSA-compliant and can be transported if needed. A thick steel cable and mounting hardware can also be used to secure it in place.

VAULTEK smart safes are known for their ruggedness and anti-theft protection (e.g., anti-pry bars, interior mounted hinges). Of all VAULTEK safes, the VT series is perhaps the most reliable and protective. The safe is designed for gun enthusiasts who desire break-in protection features and built-in smart technology, such as impact detection (which sets off an alarm) and remote access/monitoring using a smartphone app.

A 4-point entry is provided by Bluetooth app, backlit keypad, smart key, or manual key.

Gun capacity: 2

Exterior Dimensions:  14.5” L x 10.6” W x 3.3” H

Interior Dimensions:  13.7” L x 6.5” W x 2.75” H

Lock type: Electronic keypad / Remote access / Smart key / Manual key

Weight: 16 lbs.

Wrap-Up

Not all gun safes are created equal and the first step to picking the right one is by figuring out exactly what you want to store in it.  While some people may prefer something with a keypad, others desire something a little more old-school.

The choice is completely up to you!

If you have a home with children or are just conscious of the fact that firearms should be stored in a safe, then make sure you get the one that’s right for you and your needs.

Add a rhino safe for something that classes up the joint, or go with something more economical if you’re all about utility.