As a gun owner, you have to be responsible for your weapon. This includes protecting it from dust and keeping it out of the wrong hands. The best way to do this is with a gun safe. A quality small gun safe should keep out curious kids and would-be thieves well enough.
Rather than scrambling over what safe to go for, we conducted our research to find top-rated products. We honed in on important features to make our selections so that you may leave here with the small gun safes for home use.
Your time is important, so let’s not waste any more of it and kick things off with our reviews.
Best Small Gun Safes:
1. VAULTEK Essential Series Quick Access Handgun Safe
The Vaultek Essential Series MXE is a compact handgun safe that provides enough room to store weapons, accessories, and valuables.
It’s user-friendly with its intuitive electronic lock and auto-open lid feature. The safe is also built to last as it’s constructed from carbon steel. There’s even a powder-coat finish applied to prevent corrosion.
Many see this as the mini gun vault as it features two compartments and two access points so you can get to what you need fast. The keypad lights up when you approach, and the inside even features an optional light.
Storage is customizable as well. It can hold up to eight handguns or a mixture of guns, magazines, and documents. The padding holds everything together and reduces the chances of your gun scratching up.
This secures well enough with pre-drilled mounting holes and mounting hardware included. For security, it has interior hinges and anti-pry bars.
There are some complaints about the noise. It does have a loud beep that you can turn off but not adjust the volume, and the safe may even move a bit when the lid auto-opens.
Pros
- User-friendly
- Padded interior
- Customizable storage
Cons
- Loud when opening
2. Barska Quick and Easy Access Biometric Rifles
The Barska Quick Access Rifle Safe is a small biometric gun safe that can store up to four rifles without any attachments. Inside is a removable shelf at the top that you can use to hold magazines and extra gear.
As a biometric safe, you can store up to 120 fingerprints. If you don’t want any noise when you access the safe, you can turn the biometric scanner to silent mode.
Consumers praise the simplicity of this safe. It’s the small long gun safe with a quality biometric layout. You can scan every finger in various directions so that you can open the safe even while fumbling around in the dark.
It doesn’t take up much room with its narrow design so you can tuck it away somewhere out of sight. This is also built rather well with solid steel walls. The edges are even temper-resistant.
There are noted issues with uneven weight distribution. Most of the weight is in the door, so when you open it, there’s a risk the safe will fall forward. So, it’s best to use the pre-drilled mounting holes and hardware to secure it.
Pros
- Small footprint
- Good biometric design
- Long-lasting construction
Cons
- Uneven weight distribution
3. SentrySafe SFW123GDC Fireproof Waterproof Safe with Digital Keypad
This safe from SentrySafe might be the small fireproof gun safe. It gives you one hour of protection against flames up to 1700°F. This safe even has waterproof protection in 8″ of water for up to 24 hours.
There’s quality protection against forced entry thanks to the four large live locking bolts and the ETL-verified impact resistance. It can survive a 15ft. drop without unlocking.
There’s much appreciation for the durability of the safe. Beyond the fire, water, and impact protection, the safe features a reinforced door with a pry-resistant hinge bar. You can anchor it to the floor as well using the bolt-down hardware.
With interior lighting, you can see inside with ease at night. It lasts for about 30 to 60 seconds. For storage, there’s an interior locking drawer for smaller, fragile items.
A downside that consumers mentioned is that the key provided for the safe doesn’t unlock it. It’s an override key that disables the primary lock so no one can get in. It also means that if the electronics fail, the only way in is to break the safe.
Pros
- Durable
- Multiple storage options
- LED lights
Cons
- The key doesn’t open the safe
4. RPNB Gun Safe, RFID Gun Safe for Pistols
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The RPNB Gun Security Safe is a rugged gun safe that features steel construction with a corrosion-resistant finish applied so that it lasts long.
It’s designed with a pry-proof body and a pry-resistant door. The pre-drilled holes and mounting hardware allow you to quickly secure it to the floor.
Consumers feel this is the budget gun safe as you can store plenty inside. It secures a couple of handguns, magazines, and other important valuables. The door opens automatically so you can have one-hand access.
Also, another high point about this safe is that there are four total access points. You can use the manual keys, the backlit keypad, an RFID key card, or an RFID key fob.
Some consumers mentioned some issues with setting up the RFID, so you may want to take your time with that. Also, the keypad buttons beep loudly, so you can’t get in quietly using that access point.
Pros
- Sturdy design
- A good amount of storage room
- Various ways to gain access
Cons
- Some issues with the RFID setup
- Loud button beeps
5. Stack-On PDS-1500 Drawer Safe with Electronic Lock
The Stack-On PDS-1500 is a quality home gun safe that’s an ideal size to both secure your firearm and the safe itself. It’s touted as a drawer safe since it takes up a small footprint so you can slip it inside a dresser drawer.
As for the interior, it seems just big enough to stash a handgun, magazine, ammo, and additional small valuables like money and spare keys.
As far as personal gun-safe reviews go, consumers appreciate how user-friendly the PDS-1500 is. It’s simple to mount, but if you don’t want to secure it to the floor or wall, you can easily hide it inside a drawer.
It’s simple enough to use the electronic keypad and you can quickly turn the beeps off if you want. There’s also praise for how well-built the safe is. It’s made from solid steel and features pry resistance.
Although the lid is recessed to hide the hinges, this does cause the lid to take up space inside. You can’t stack items or have anything too tall or else the lid won’t close.
Pros
- Simple to mount
- Easy to hide in small spaces
- Solid, heavy build
Cons
- The lid takes up a good deal of space
6. Hornady Rapid Safe AR Gun Locker with RFID Touch Free Entry
The Hornady RAPiD Safe is certified child-resistant thanks to the strength of its lock as well as the pry-resistance and hinge attack-resistance. Its tamper-proof steel construction even survives drops without unlocking.
With RFID, you can access this safe quickly without touching it. Alternatively, you can use the keypad combination.
Many consumers appreciate that you can store this safely in various places. They feel it’s the under-bed gun safe as it slips easily under your bed for quick access.
You can even place it in your truck bed if you want to take it on the road. Or you can make use of the mounting holes to put it up on the wall. There’s plenty of room to store more than one gun as the foam inserts help accommodate two rifles that are tactical length or two shotguns.
It is loud when you open it, so there’s no sense in trying to be quiet. Also, although the foam helps you divide your guns, it can feel too stiff, which can make it tough to remove the guns at times.
Pros
- Multiple places to store it
- Room for more than one gun
- Quick access
Cons
- Loud mechanical noise when opening
- The foam seems too stiff
7. SnapSafe Under Bed Safe
The SnapSafe Under Bed Safe allows you to store your gun without hassle in low places. It does have a good weight to it, but the bottom moves easily on the carpet so you aren’t hindered if your bedroom doesn’t have hard floors.
This safe works well for home security against unauthorized users like children. The pry-resistant door seems stable, and the steel body construction is tamper-proof.
Many consumers enjoy how reliable the overall build of the safe appears to be. It weighs over 100lbs to deter would-be thieves from carting it off in the middle of the night. At the same time, you can still move it around to access it.
The drawer rolls out and back in with no issue. It’s spacious enough to fit multiple firearms as well as anything else you deem valuable from laptops to documents.
Setting it up is straightforward with the keypad, and the backup key comes in handy in case you forget. Even though the construction is durable, some consumers note that the knob and locking mechanism may feel a touch flimsy.
Pros
- The drawer rolls in and out smoothly
- Roomy interior
- Easy setup
Cons
- Knob feels flimsy
8. Stack-On GCB-500 Steel Pistol/Ammo Cabinet
The Stack-On GCB-500 is an easy-to-use gun cabinet. It features a simple mechanical key lock so you don’t need any power to access the safe.
This safe also has plenty of room inside to fit more than a few handguns as well as whatever extra gear or important items you want to lock away from kids or guests.
The handgun safe reviews for the GCB-500 show appreciation for how easy it is to mount. It features pre-drilled holes so you can attach them to the wall, floor, ceiling, or with other Stack-On gun cabinets. With such a compact build, this tucks away out of sight with ease.
You can adjust how you store your valuables thanks to the removable shelf. On the bottom is padded foam so your weapons won’t scratch up against the steel.
An issue consumers brought up is that the lock isn’t that high in quality. With no light, it’s difficult to insert the key in the dark as it only works if it goes in one certain way. It does well to deter kids, but not so much with determined thieves.
Pros
- Removable shelf
- Quick to mount
- Compact build
Cons
- Low-quality lock
9. Viking Security Safe VS-37PZ Two-Gun Safe
The Viking Security Safe is a robust, compact gun safe that has an FBI-certified fingerprint biometric sensor reading. There’s also an electronic keypad you can use as well as a backup key.
This has mounting options too as it has pre-drilled holes and a mounting kit so you can anchor it under your bed, in a drawer, or a closet.
Consumers appreciate this high-end safe thanks to how responsive the biometric sensor is. There’s no delay, and you can readily set it up to store up to 100 precise images of your fingerprints.
It has anti-spoof technology so no one can try to fool the sensor. The construction of the safe also feels durable. It’s padded inside as well to protect your gun.
Any issue seems to stem from the minimal amount of space it offers. You may fit two handguns inside while the door pocket lets you slip magazines, but that’s all you can manage.
Pros
- Durable build
- Simple setup
- Quality biometrics
Cons
- Minimal interior storage
10. Large Rifle Safe, Long Gun Safe for Rifle Shotgun for Home
The BBRKIN Electronic Rifle Safe is an ideal storage option to keep your long guns safe without taking up too much room.
You get two options to unlock the safe: electronic keypad or backup keys. Resetting the keypad is done with a simple press of a button.
Consumers enjoy the reinforced door that offers some semblance of security even if this is more like a gun cabinet than a secure gun safe. It has enough room for a handful of long guns, and there’s even a small safe box on the top to hold extra items.
There’s no worry about losing your combination in the event the batteries die as the keypad memorizes your combination.
As for any issues, consumers report that it’s top-heavy. As such, it can topple over if you’re not careful, so it’s important to utilize the pre-drilled mounting holes to secure it.
Pros
- Reinforced door
- Room for multiple guns
- Easy to set keypad
Cons
- Can topple over
Factors to Consider
When you’re searching for the small gun safe, there are many factors to address. We made certain to focus on these important features in our reviews, but if you still need some assistance in making a decision, our guide should dive deeper into these aspects.
Size
You don’t need too much space if you’re in the market for a small gun safe. However, it’s still helpful to examine the size as well as the interior storage capacity.
The size will help you learn exactly where you can stash the safe. Does it fit better in a closet, or is the profile low enough to slide under your bed? Always consider where you want to store the safe when deciding on one.
As for the interior, not all small gun safes are designed to store things the same way. Some have room for more than one handgun, while others feature separate spaces for additional valuables or accessories. Keep in mind the practicality behind the safe in addition to everything you want to leave in it.
Lock
Gun safes are vital if you need to keep unauthorized users away from your firearm such as small children.
Small gun safes aren’t known for having top-quality security when it comes to skilled thieves. However, they should be secure enough to prevent children from accessing it.
Durability
Most quality safes feature steel construction. They may also have the likes of pry resistance and drill resistance added to deter robbers from breaking into them.
Consider the fire rating and waterproof rating, if any, as well. Protection from additional elements is vital, especially if you keep more valuables inside the safe with your gun.
Ease of Use
You want your safe tough for kids and potential thieves to get into, but that doesn’t mean you should have a hard time with it.
The lock should be easy to manage no matter if it’s mechanical or electronic. Keys should turn effortlessly while putting in a code on a keypad should be intuitive enough.
Some safes feature biometrics, and if this is the case, then there should be no issue reading your fingerprint.
FAQ
Are there small gun safes made for long guns?
A small gun safe isn’t limited to just handguns. You can find compact safes for your long guns as well that don’t take up nearly as much room as their heavy, thicker counterparts. Do keep in mind that with such a small footprint, these safes don’t hold that many guns or additional accessories.
Do all small gun safes have fireproof protection?
Unfortunately, not every small gun safe provides a fire rating. Some offer a level of fire protection while others are made with some sort of waterproof or water-resistant material.
Where is the best place to store a small gun safe?
There isn’t one clear place that works best because what may help in one household may hinder another. If you want to quickly access your safe, consider keeping it close by like tucked away in a closet, nightstand, or under the bed.
Consider if you need to deter children in the house when stashing your safe. In this case, place the safe anywhere higher up where they can’t reach it.
If you just want to store weapons away, the basement is a good choice as most burglars won’t waste time looking there. Just be sure that your basement is humid as it can ruin the contents of your safe.
Making the Decision
We hope our recommendations help you narrow down your choices so you can invest in a quality small gun safe to protect your weapons as well as your loved ones.
As for our number one suggestion, we feel the Vaultek Essential Series MXE is the small gun safe for you. It has plenty of room and customizable storage options so you can stash multiple guns, ammo, or other valuables. The safe is user-friendly too with an auto-open lid and responsive electronic lock.
If you need to store larger guns, then the FCH 5-Gun Rifle Gun Safe is a good pick too. It’s narrow enough to fit in a closet, and it features room for larger guns as well as the smaller ones if you use the lock safe box inside.
