Gun Safe Buying Guide: Fire Rating, Security, and Size Options

Proper gun storage protects your firearms from theft, fire, and unauthorized access. Whether you need a compact bedside safe for quick access or a full-sized vault for your collection, understanding safe ratings and features helps you choose the right protection for your situation.

This guide covers gun safes across all sizes, price points, and security levels.

Why You Need a Gun Safe
Understanding Safe Ratings
Types of Gun Safes
Key Features to Consider
Safe Buying Guides

Why You Need a Gun Safe

Legal Requirements

Many states require secure firearm storage, especially with minors in the home. Some jurisdictions mandate specific safe standards. Insurance companies may require documented secure storage for firearm coverage.

Theft Prevention

Unsecured guns are prime targets during home burglaries. A quality safe significantly reduces the risk of your firearms ending up in criminal hands. Bolt-down capability and weight both contribute to theft resistance.

Fire Protection

House fires reach temperatures that can destroy firearms and ammunition. Fire-rated safes protect your investment and prevent dangerous ammunition cook-off during fires.

Understanding Safe Ratings

Fire Ratings

Fire ratings indicate how long a safe maintains safe internal temperatures during a fire. Common ratings include:

30 minutes at 1200°F: Basic protection, adequate for most home fires
60 minutes at 1400°F: Standard protection, recommended for valuable collections
90+ minutes at 1700°F: Premium protection for irreplaceable items

Security Ratings

UL (Underwriters Laboratories) provides security ratings based on attack resistance:

RSC (Residential Security Container): Resists common hand tools for 5 minutes
TL-15: Resists professional attack tools for 15 minutes
TL-30: Resists professional tools for 30 minutes

Types of Gun Safes

Full-Size Gun Safes

Large capacity safes holding 20+ long guns plus handguns and accessories. These represent the gold standard for serious collectors, offering the best fire and security ratings. Weight ranges from 500 to 2000+ pounds.

Long Gun Safes

Sized for rifles and shotguns with limited handgun storage. More affordable than full-size vaults while providing meaningful protection. Good choice for hunters with modest collections.

Compact and Handgun Safes

Sized for one to several handguns. Quick-access designs for bedside or office use. Electronic or biometric locks enable rapid deployment while maintaining security.

Car and Travel Safes

Portable safes designed to secure firearms during transport. Cable locks anchor to vehicle frames. TSA-compliant options enable legal air travel with firearms.

Key Features to Consider

Lock Types

Mechanical Dial: Reliable, no batteries required, slower to open. Proven technology trusted by banks for generations.

Electronic Keypad: Fast access with programmable codes. Requires battery replacement. Some models offer audit trails of access attempts.

Biometric: Fingerprint access for fastest opening. Most expensive option. Quality varies significantly between manufacturers.

Construction

Steel gauge matters – lower numbers mean thicker steel. 12-gauge steel (0.1″ thick) provides excellent protection. Look for pry-resistant doors and bolt-down capability.

Safe Buying Guides

Find the right safe for your needs:

By Type

By Feature

By Budget

Installation Tips

Always bolt down your safe – an unanchored safe can be tipped and removed. Install on concrete floors when possible. Consider dehumidifiers in humid climates to prevent rust. Keep the combination private and change electronic codes periodically.

Position safes away from windows and in inconspicuous locations. A safe hidden in a closet attracts less attention than one visible from hallways.