In firearm safety systems, buying a safe under $1000 can be challenging when you consider the number of firearm safety issues. For this price range, it behooves the buyer to stay close to the upper edge of the range to reap far more dividends than disappointments when selecting the best gun safe for your needs.
When the cost goes up, so will the benefits such as higher-grade steel, hardened lock bolts, and more active fire resistance.
Name | Type | Material | Price |
---|---|---|---|
Steelwater Gun Safe AMSW592818 | Digital Keypad | Steel | |
Barska AX11652 | Biometric | Steel | |
Mesa Safe MBF3820E | Digital Keypad | Steel | |
Stack-On | Digital Keypad | Steel | |
Cannon RF4820 | electronic locking system | Steel | |
ARMOR FIRE GUN SAFE-64 GUN | ELECTRIC LOCK | Steel |
1. Steelwater Gun Safe AMSW592818
This safe by Steelwater is an improved version of a full-size long gun safe. As one of the best safes, this one features auto LED lighting in the interior, provides 60 minutes of fire protection, and stores about 20 long guns depending on the type and style. Additional items such as scopes, lights and sights can take up extra space.
The MP proof lock system with a high-security double-sided bypass key lock ensures that you will never be locked out of your safe.
The safe is built with an 8X area of hard steel plate making it drill resistant in the lock area.
The exterior dimensions of the safe are 59” high by 28” wide and 18" deep. The safe's total weight is 455 pounds.
The locks feature a gear drive to provide maximum defense against prying attacks, punch attacks, and attempts to drill out the locking mechanism. This safe uses a high-quality cam drive locking system.
This fireproof safe provides fire protection to a temperature of 187.5 degrees F for a period of 60 minutes. The composite constructed 4 3/4” thick door includes two full layers of fireboard. Fireboard covers the total wall area of the safe including top and bottom areas. In other words, the firebox is sealed.
The safe uses 1.5” diameter solid steel locking bolts. There are seven chrome plated active bolts and three additional inactive bolts on the hinge side of the door.
The gear-driven lock and bolt system provides additional strength against a burglar's attempt to open the safe with a pry bar. The safe's steel construction makes it ballistic-resistant and allows it to fight off a direct attack by a drill. The safe features a series of removable shelves or adjustable shelves for storing handguns, ammo, and other equipment.
This safe is equipped with a dehumidifier that includes a dry pack 200-gram silica box.
2. Barska AX11652
Now we will move to a smaller unit while maintaining the quality of a heavy-duty safe system, comes the Barska AX series long gun safe.
This safe uses a biometric identification system that scans in just 2.5 seconds and stores up to 120 fingerprints. The single button locking system provides quick access with its easy to use design for opening the safe.
The safe's security features include three pry proof deadbolts and tamper-resistant inner edge materials.
The safe includes a removable accessory shelf and has a hidden keyhole with backup keys. The safe can be programmable to operate in a silent mode.
The information on this safe regarding fire protection, wall thickness, and ratings for pry bar or drilling protection are not available at this time.
3. Mesa Safe Company Model MBF3820E
At a base price of less than $1000, this safe seems to have some good features and is set up for large volume storage and protection.
The total weight of the safe is 300 pounds which indicates to me that it is about a medium weight product. The safe's 1 3/4” steel wall thickness fits easily within this product level.
Current information indicates that the safe is not waterproof. However, it offers a two-hour fire rating.
The exterior of the safe measures 22 inches wide by 40 inches tall by 22" deep. Inside, the safe measures 19 inches wide with 16" of depth. The safe's door features a resistant hard plate that is 4 ½ inches thick.
The door has a total of six locking bolts. The lock includes a key override for bypassing the electronic lock system.
The safe carries a one-year part and labor warranty.
4. Stack-On W-40-BH-E-S 36-40
The Stack-On gun safe is a big boy with the ability to hold 40 guns or a combination of guns and other equipment. The safe provides protection up to 1,400-degrees Fahrenheit with a 30-minute fire rating. It features a flexible, convertible interior and extra door storage space.
The door bolts measure 1½ inches. The lock uses a three-spoke wheel handle. In terms of weight, the safe comes in at 499 pounds indicating that it has some heft to the wall and top thickness. No exact figures are available regarding wall thickness measurements.
Information I have found indicates this safe to be large, but a basic model with middle of the road construction. It fits tighter budgets that require a large interior safe area.
The safe size is 26.5" x 29.2" x 56". The safe has a backlit electric lock, bolt down floor features, and batteries. This safe is made in China.
5. Cannon RF4820
This smaller safe seems to advertise its looks instead of its ability to store weapons. The company talks about color and design as it fits into your home. This is a smaller safe at 4.2 cu ft interior and a 7.8 cu ft exterior. The safe carries a 45-minute fire rating by way of an expanding door seal.
The safe has six 4" door bolts. No information is given regarding the type of steel used in this safe's construction. The safe uses a Trulock internal hinge system for anti-pry protection and triple hard steel plate for anti-drilling protection.
This safe is a good size for small spaces whether used in your home or office. However, because this is a budget-based safe, don’t expect ultra-high-end features or quality. Again, you're getting exactly what you're willing to pay when buying firearm protection products.
6. ARMOR FIRE GUN SAFE-64 GUN
Based on what I could find while researching this safe, it seems to be a buyer's favorite. This safe carries a good fire rating of 30 minutes at 1400 degrees.
This basic safe offers a 64 gun capacity. It programmable electric locks allow the user to set 3- to 8-digit codes. The safe's total weight stands at 608 pounds.
The safe's measurements stand at 40 inches wide by 25 inches deep and 55 inches high.
The safe uses a three-pin wheel lock control system, but as noticed from photos the hinge system is on the exterior of the steel box. This design needs improvement in my opinion.
A word on pricing middle of the road gun safes: What I have found is that the space between storage safe cabinets and real gun safes is a tight fit when the price is less than $1000. In all cases, the need to advance into the high priced safes is an absolute requirement when you want both quality and size.
Aside from what has been listed above, there are few additional examples of budget gun safes that are large with full height for long gun storage while still offering a medium protection level of protection.
A general piece of advice to follow when shopping for a good gun safe: If little is stated regarding the construction of the product, you can be sure that there is little to talk about in the first place!
Better grade products have many features, high levels of manufacturing quality, and solid raw materials going into the final product. Stay sharp and you won’t get burned when selecting storage and protection for your firearms.