For most people, the best way to carry a gun is as a concealed carry weapon. But that’s not always ideal. Some states are stingy about providing CCW permits. Or maybe you have to go somewhere like a post office where firearms are prohibited. In these cases, you need a vehicle gun safe to keep your weapon secure.
We’ve searched far and wide for the best car gun safe, and we’ve come up with 15 car gun storage options that cut the mustard. Some of these are designed strictly as a vehicle pistol safe. However, we’ve also included a handful of larger car safe choices that are suitable for storing a long gun while you’re on your way to or from a hunting trip.
Each auto gun safe we’ve listed is ideally suited for a particular purpose. So which one is best for you?
Read on, and find out for yourself!
8 Best Car Gun Safes
The Lock’er Down LD3012 is a long gun care safe with lots of space.
Key Features:
- Holds multiple long guns
- Sized to fit most trucks and SUVs
- Weighs 9 pounds
- 12 gauge steel construction
- Keyed and electronic locks available
- Cutouts for mounting
- Lifetime manufacturer’s warranty
- Optional magnets available
The Lock’er Down LD3012 is designed specifically for a 2005-2017 Toyota Tacoma Crew Cab. However, it’s appropriately sized for most trucks and SUVs, so we included it as a nearly-universal choice for carrying your hunting guns. However, you can also mount some handguns inside. Just select the optional magnet add-ons when you make your purchase.
This is a sturdy safe, constructed from 12 gauge steel. It’s available with an easy-to-use keyed lock, or an enhanced electronic combination lock depending on what you order. That said, you’ll need to order aftermarket brackets if you want to mount it permanently; there’s no mounting hardware included.
Pros:
- Heavy gauge steel
- Sized for long guns
- Fits most trucks and SUVs
- Large capacity
Cons:
- Requires aftermarket brackets for mounting
- Expensive
This beast of a safe can be mounted in your truck bed, hatchback, or behind the seat in some cabs.
2. Lock’er Down LD1929
The Lock’er Down LD1929 is constructed from heavier gauge steel than most small pistol lockboxes.
Key Features:
- Holds 1 full frame handgun
- Measures 13” wide x 9.75” deep x 3” high
- Weighs 15 pounds
- 12 gauge steel construction
- Mechanical combination lock
- Includes security cable
- Lifetime manufacturer’s warranty
- Spring-loaded door
- Rubber carrying handle
The Lock’er Down LD1929 is a small pistol safe that’s designed to be removed and installed easily. Instead of bolting in or mounting it to a bracket, you use the attached security table to padlock it to one of your vehicle’s seat frames. It features a rubber carrying handle, so it’s easy to bring it up to your hotel room if you’re spending a few days on the road.
This safe has a spring-loaded door, which opens immediately when you enter your combination and press the release button. On the downside, there’s no padding on the interior. You’ll need to carry your pistol in a soft holster, or put a sock over it to keep it from getting scratched.
Pros:
- Heavy gauge steel
- Easy and quick to open
- Small and portable
Cons:
- No padding on the interior
This is a small pistol safe for car transport or staying in a hotel.
3. Lock’er Down LD2001
The Lock’er Down LD2001 is a long gun safe with a spring-loaded door for easy opening.
Key Features:
- Holds several long guns
- Measures 38” wide x 12” deep x 12” high
- Weighs 82 pounds
- 12 gauge steel construction
- Mechanical combination lock
- Rubber padded interior
- Pre-drilled for mounting
- Includes Mounting Hardware
- Lifetime manufacturer’s warranty
- Spring-loaded door
The Lock’er Down LD2001 is a beefy long gun safe that’s designed to mount in your truck bed, behind the back seat, or in your hatchback. Its rubber-lined interior protects your rifles from scratching, and is roomy enough to hold several long guns depending on how large they are and how they’re oriented.
This safe is constructed from tough, 12 gauge steel, and weighs a hefty 82 pounds, so you may want a friend to help you install it. It also features a spring-loaded door, which makes it easy to open quickly in an emergency.
Pros:
- Heavy gauge steel
- Large capacity
- Opens quickly and easily
Cons:
- Expensive
This long gun safe includes mounting hardware to secure it in your truck bed or back seat.
4. Lock’er Down LD2002
The Lock’er Down LD2002 is a sturdy, under-the-seat lockbox for transporting your pistols.
Key Features:
- Holds 2 full frame handguns
- Measures 19” wide x 13” deep x 4” high
- Weighs 26 pounds
- 12 gauge steel construction
- Mechanical combination lock, electrical combination lock, and keyed lock options available
- Eggshell foam padded interior
- Lifetime manufacturer’s warranty
- Optional magnets available
The Lock’er Down LD2002 is designed for transport, not for permanent storage. There’s no mounting hardware, so you’ll either have to drill and mount it yourself, or use it as intended: as an under-the-seat storage box for taking your pistols to and from the range. The eggshell padding on the interior will protect them from getting scratched while you’re en route.
We liked this lockbox because it’s very large for a pistol safe. It’s one of the few compact gun safes available that still has enough space for a full-length revolver. If you’ve got a big cowboy gun, this is a great choice for you.
Pros:
- Heavy gauge steel
- Several lock options
- Large enough for long-barreled revolvers
- Slim enough to fit under most car seats
Cons:
- No mounting options
This lockbox has several locking options, so you can choose a key, mechanical, or electronic design depending on what you’re most comfortable with.
5. Sentry Safe GSP005C
The Sentry Safe GSP005C is a small handgun lockbox for car transport.
Key Features:
- Holds 1 compact handgun
- Measures 8” wide x 5.9” deep x 2.6” high
- Weighs 2 pounds
- Mechanical combination lock
- Felt padded interior
- Includes a security cable
- Available in black, red, or blue
The Sentry Safe GSP005C isn’t, strictly speaking, a safe. It’s a small, portable lockbox, which is easy to transport in a purse, briefcase, or backpack. This makes it ideal if you’re taking your pistol to or from a shooting range. Even better, it’s secured with a heavy steel cable, so you can take it with you into a hotel, and cable it to the bed frame to deter theft.
This safe is lighter than your pistol, at only 2 pounds. It utilizes a mechanical combination lock, which can be reprogrammed to use whatever code you desire. And if the standard tactical black finish doesn’t appeal to you, you can buy it in red or blue instead.
Pros:
- Small enough to fit in a purse or briefcase
- Can be stored discretely under a seat
- Inexpensive
Cons:
- Not as durable as many other safes
This is the most portable vehicle handgun safe on our list.
6. TruckVault
The TruckVault is a custom-built gun safe for your car, truck, or SUV.
Key Features:
- Holds several long guns
- Sized for your vehicle
- Weighs between 85 and 350 pounds
- Tough MDO plywood construction
- Optional external steel sheath
- Mechanical combination, or keyed lock
- Interior carpeting
- Includes mounting hardware and installation instructions
- Lifetime manufacturer’s warranty
- Custom built to your specifications
The TruckVault is a unique entry on our list, because it’s custom-built to fit your vehicle. As long as you have a tailgate, TruckVault can build a gun safe for your car or truck. Of course, since it’s custom built, it’s expensive, and can take a few weeks to ship depending on what options you choose.
This safe is constructed from durable MDO plywood, and can be sheathed in steel if you’re willing to pay a little extra. It features interior carpeting that’s gentle on your guns, and has a large capacity that’s as wide as your tailgate.
Pros:
- Highly customizable
- Very large capacity
- Tough, durable design
Cons:
- Takes awhile to ship
- Only works in vehicles with a tailgate
- Expensive
If you want to drive around with a small arsenal under your tailgate, the TruckVault has you covered.
7. Lock’er Down LD3025
The Lock’er Down LD3025 is large enough to hold several long guns.
Key Features:
- Holds several long guns
- Fits most pickup trucks and SUVs
- Weighs 90 pounds
- 12 gauge steel construction
- Mechanical combination lock, electrical combination lock, and keyed lock available
- Rubber padded interior
- Pre-drilled for mounting
- Lifetime manufacturer’s warranty
- Gas pistons on door
The Lock’er Down LD3025 is designed specifically to fit under the rear seat of a 2009-2015 F-150 Crew Cab. However, it’s appropriately sized for most full-sized pickups and SUVs that don’t have rear sub-woofers.
This safe is constructed from heavy gauge steel, and features a rubber-padded interior to prevent your guns from getting scratched. It also has gas pistons on the doors, allowing for quick access as soon as the lock is opened.
Pros:
- Heavy gauge steel
- Large capacity
- Opens quickly and easily
- Several lock options
Cons:
- Too wide for many cars
- Expensive
This long gun case is primarily designed for trucks and SUVs.
8. Du-Ha Behind Seat
The Du-Ha 20105 holds your guns as gently as you’d cradle a newborn baby.
Key Features:
- Holds 2 long guns
- Measures 50” wide x 6 ½” deep x 6 ½” high
- Weighs 9 pounds
- Durable polyethylene construction
- Soft plastic gun rack inside
- Includes Mounting Hardware
- Lifetime manufacturer’s warranty
The Du-Ha 20105 is designed to mount behind the seats of a 2004-2008 Ford F-150. However, it’s also compatible with many other trucks and SUVs. At 50 inches wide, though, it’s too large to fit in most cars.
This isn’t actually a safe. It’s a gun rack. But it’s extremely durable, with a polyethylene body that can handle any kicks, bumps, or knocks you dish out. It holds 2 long guns in soft plastic brackets, which won’t scratch metal parts or wood furniture. It also includes mounting hardware, so you can install it in just a few minutes.
Pros:
- Lightweight and easy to mount
- Ideal for trips to the range
- Affordable
Cons:
- No lid or locking mechanism
- Too wide for many cars
This isn’t a safe; it’s a gun rack, but it’s very high quality.
Bottom Line
If you’re looking for a gun safe for car use, many of the options you’ll find are specific to a particular make and model vehicle. This can be frustrating. For example, if you really like a center console safe for a 2007-2014 F-150, but you own a 2015 F-150, you’ll be out of luck.
Because of this, we stuck with portable gun safe options that are as universal as possible. This way, we were able to give you plenty of choices, without the need to compromise on quality. That said, not all “universal” safe will fit every vehicle. Just to be on the safe side, we recommend measuring your car before you make a purchase.
Whether you’re looking for a car handgun safe or a bigger long gun safe, we think we’ve presented enough options for you to find something that meets your needs and budget. Even if you decide to go another direction, we hope you learned more about what’s on the market, and what you should expect.
Visit the OutdoorWorld Reviews homepage for more expert information and guides.
The Review
Best Car Gun Safes
We've reviewed the best car gun safes on the market today today to help you choose which one to buy.
Review Breakdown
- Lock'er Down LD3012
- Lock'er Down LD1929
- Lock'er Down LD2001
- Lock'er Down LD2002
- Sentry Safe GSP005C
- TruckVault
- Lock'er Down LD3025
- Du-Ha 20105
Best Car Gun Safes DEALS
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