6+ Best Rifle Safe Options For The Money

You’ll buy a bunch of guns over your lifetime, but you’ll likely only invest in one or two gun safes. With that sort of investment, you want the best bang for your buck.

We will explain all you need to know about rifle safes and run through your options.

Is a rifle safe worth the money?

Gun safes are definitely worth the investment, and they fulfill multiple needs.

1. Sometimes, a gun owner needs a rifle safe to fulfill legal requirements. Usually, you can meet that requirement with an inexpensive firearm locker.
2. Of course, you want your rifle in reach in case of an emergency, but you also want to ensure your kids are safe. You have the option of biometric and quick access safes if you’re willing to invest a little more.
3. You may want to store a firearm in your office or another open space, and you need to restrict access to only yourself. Hidden gun safes are effective, and they keep everyone safe. And they are cheaper than full-on gun rooms.

6 Best Rifle Safe Options For The Money

Rifle safes are slightly different from traditional gun safes, mainly due to their size. And it certainly gets overwhelming when you’re looking for the best safe option.

Liberty 72 Gun Safe 

The Liberty 72 is sorta like a limited edition rifle safe because you can only find it at Tractor Supply. But, you don’t have to pay bougie prices to secure your guns.

What else we like:

• incredibly thick
• electronic keypad
• fire-resistant for up to 60 minutes at 1200°F
• If you don’t have a Tractor Supply near you, they are more than happy to ship it.

What we don’t like so much:

• super heavy
• expensive

Can you put a rifle safe in your car?

Vehicle rifle safes are bigger than your typical handgun safe, but if you can put one in your vehicle, go for it. You always want your long gun secure, but in a place you can access it in an emergency.

You do want to be prepared for a not-so-easy installation. 

Vaultek RS500i

The RS500i has all the bells and whistles you expect with any Vaultek product. And the 14-gauge steel safe is extra deep so that it can hold all of your optics and inserted magazines.

What else we like:

• biometric access
• a keypad
• backup keys
• battery backup
• WiFi access
• The RS500i can store up to 20 fingerprints.
• You can manage codes and fingerprints using the Vaultek app.
• You’ll get an alert if the conditions inside of the rifle safe change.

What we don’t like so much:

• no Bluetooth
• The Vaultek RS500i isn’t fireproof. It’s not going to save your firearms from a housefire.
• It claims to hold five-plus long guns. But, you’ll likely only have room to store 3 to 4 AR-15s
• The RS500i might be too small for your needs, but Vaultek offers other gun-safe options.

Stack-On 8 Gun Cabinet

The Stack-On rifle safe is as affordable as it comes, and you can find it at your local Walmart.

What else we like:

• extremely affordable
• shipped flat
• easy to assemble
• The Stack-On 8 Gun Cabinet will keep kids away from your rifles.

What we don’t like so much:

• not fireproof
• The 8 Gun Cabinet is pretty easy to break into with the right power tool.

How much should I spend on a rifle safe?

It’s always a personal choice, especially when you are making this sort of investment.

You’re looking at somewhere between $1000 and $2000 for a reliable rifle safe. Of course, you will find inexpensive models ($500) and others that are as much as a used car ($5000+).

The Tactical Walls Concealment Mirror

Tactical Walls Concealment Mirror will do the job if you’re looking to stow riffles secretly.

What else we like:

• doubles as a literal full-length mirror
• hinged or sliding options
• N52 rare-earth magnet to disengage the hidden lock
• You have customizable options, including LED lighting, accessory hooks, and more shelving.

What we don’t like so much:

• It’s a lot to install because it is effectively a renovation project.

What is the most secure rifle safe on the market?

SecureIt Agile 52

If you want something a bit more simple and affordable, the Securelt Agil 52 combines aspects of a firearms locker and a traditional rifle safe.

What else we like:

• easy-to-use electronic keypad
• backup keys
• high-quality steel
• The Securelt Agile 52 is shipped deconstructed and flat. It saves on shipping and installation costs.
• The CradleGrid system was developed by the U.S. Army Special Forces.

What we don’t like so much:

• no fire protection
• The Agile 52 doesn’t give you a ton of clear guidance about assembly.
• The keypad system only allows access to one person.

Ironworks AIW6033X

The first thing you should know about the Ironworks AIW6033X is that it’s awfully pretty to look at. Oh, and it’s pretty damn secure, too.

What else we like:

• size up to up to 72″ x 56 (lordy)
• 10 gauge steel
• 130 minutes at 1400°F

What we don’t like so much:

• eye-popping price
• super heavy and bulky

Who makes the best home gun safes?

The consensus is that Cabela’s Gun Safes by Liberty Safe® are the best home gun safes.

You should expect a heavy investment if you go with even Cabela’s most basic rifle safe options.

What should I look for in a rifle safe?

You’ve arrived at the more technical part of long gun-safe knowledge. Let’s run through what to look for when you’re making the investment.

Gauge

When you read or hear the word gauge, all it stands for is the thickness of the safe’s metal. It is mostly like steel, but there are exceptions.

The higher the number, the thinner and smaller the metal is.

But, the thickness of the steel only tells part of the story. Many safes have multi-layers, making them harder to break into.

Are rifle safes bad for guns?

You can’t just leave a gun in a rifle safe and not expect it to degrade or rust; just like if you were to store it anywhere, in a garage, or in a closet, you must maintain your firearms according to the firearm manual.

Fire Rating

The fire rating isn’t as cut and dry as the gauge. And, a fire-resistant safe doesn’t mean fireproof. You’re just buying time with a heavy-duty quality safe.

You’ll need to double-check the fire protection. Most of the time, you are told whether or not a rifle safe is fire resistant. But, you don’t want to assume or take someone else’s word for it. 

A rifle safe fire rating reflects the higher temp and the fire duration.

Example of Fire Rating

• 2.5 hours of certified fire protection at 1200º F.”

Type of Locks

The type of lock on the best rifle-safe option is important, but it’s not quite as important as you think.

Electronic & Digital Locks

For the most part, electronic locks have a mechanical backup in case the batteries go caput. So, you don’t have to worry about being locked out for good, and you can still get in relatively quickly.

With an electronic lock, you get access to tools like biometrics, so you don’t have to remember combo codes. In some cases, you can access your rifle safe when you’re not even at home through app alerts.

Biometric or Fingerprint Locks

Speaking of, biometric locks have too many drawbacks at the moment to call them an actual option. 

Sure, they’re cool, but for a small portion of the population, they aren’t going to work. And, they are apt to malfunction and reject a fingerprint for no rational or reasonable reason.

Mechanical Locks

Mechanical locks are a little harder to open, but that’s not always the case. But, easier accessible mechanical locks are easier to break into than electronic locks.

When you go with a mechanical lock, you choose the more reliable way to secure your long gun safely. It doesn’t depend on batteries or WiFi; it just locks up your safe.

Redundant Lock

A redundant lock means that it’s both a mechanical and electronic lock. It’s a great option just because you can utilize the electronic lock and not worry about the battery power because a mechanical one is a backup.

Is a rifle safe worth it?

Absolutely, a rifle safe is worth the cost. You can find all sorts of models that are affordable and secure. 

At the same time, if you’re looking for a Fort Knox tight safe, you’re going to spend a bit more.

Where should I put a rifle safe in my car?

It depends on your preference. A gun safe typically goes on the inside of the car door or in the trunk.

Types of Gun Safes

We’ve covered the best rifle safe options. Let’s look at what else is out there to secure our firearms.

Handgun Safes

The handiest of all safes are those for our handguns and sidearms. They are typically small and portable, and you can use them in a house or in your car.

Firearm Locker

The most basic of safes, a firearm locker works well when meeting legal requirements and is cheap and lightweight. 

A firearm lock will not have anything other than a key lock, so don’t expect a ton of extras.

Hidden Safe

You can find all sorts of hidden safes that double as pieces of furniture – nightstands, under drawers, etc.

While they’re super cool, hidden gun safes aren’t the most secure gun safes and aren’t fire-resistant.

Truck Safe

When possible, don’t leave a firearm in your vehicle.

If you do, you need to invest in a vehicle firearm safe. It can go on the console, under the seat, etc. 

How big of a gun safe should I get?

Go with double what you think. You want to leave enough room to store scopes and other equipment. So, you’ll likely want to take a measurement to get it right.

You know you’re going to buy more guns, and you want room for those, too. Having to purchase multiple quality gun safes adds to an already expensive venture.

Keep Your Guns Safe

Would-be thieves and burglaries look for firearms because they are quite valuable on the streets.

You want to make sure your guns are secure to avoid having your firearms stolen.

• Keep all vehicles and home doors locked.
• Invest in an alarm system. (at the very least, you can put a sticker or placard on your property)
• Never share that you own guns; for example, avoid using NRA stickers.
• Always teach children to stay away from your firearms.

FAQs

Do all gun safes have lifetime warranty?

We wish, but for the most part, they do. Other brands and models may come with a five or ten-year warranty. 

Always ask about the warranty on your rifle safe, and read the fine print. Certain working parts, like the lock mechanisms, may have a shorter warranty than the safe itself.

Are Liberty Safes worth the money?

Liberty safes are some of the best quality on the market. And they are entirely made in the United States using premium parts and components.

Should I bolt my safe to the floor?

You will always want to anchor your gun safes to the floor. Even the heaviest models can somehow walk themselves out of the door. It’s quite amazing, actually.

You also don’t want a gun safe to fall or tip over to someone. 

Do thieves steal safes?

Safes, gun or otherwise, guns are the first thing that any criminal looks for. The size of it isn’t going to matter, especially if they have the right tools.

Of course, the heavier the gun is safe, the less likely they will take the entire thing. But that makes choosing the right lock that much more vital.

If you do have a firearm stolen, report it to the authorities ASAP. It’s the only way you have a chance to recover the gun, and if it’s used in a crime, you certainly don’t want it coming back to you.