If you own a pistol, it’s important to keep it secured. Not only is it the responsible thing to do, it’s also the law in many locations. But you also want to keep your personal defense firearm close at hand in the event of an emergency. In most homes, a long gun safe is not going to be located appropriately for this purpose.
You need a handgun safe, which is why we set out to find the best handgun safe available online.
In the course of making our selections, we looked for the best handgun safe quick access features, so you can get to your pistol as quickly as possible. We also looked at the gauge of the metal used in their construction, and any padding or lighting on the interior. And, of course, we looked for the best small gun safe for the money. If value is what you crave, we’ve got you covered.
7 Best Handgun Safes
The GunVault NV200 is an ideal choice for frequent flyers.
Key Features
- Holds 1 compact handgun
- Measures 6.5” wide x 9.5” deep x 1.75” high
- 18 gauge steel construction
- Weighs 2.1 pounds
- Mechanical key lock
- Foam padded interior
- Includes security cable
- TSA compliant
The GunVault NV200 is a small, lightweight lockbox that’s designed specifically for travelers. It comes with a security cable, which is designed to fasten your lockbox to a bed frame or the inside of a car.
It’s also TSA compliant, which means it’s legal to use for transporting your pistol in checked baggage. Both of these features make the NV200 an excellent choice for travel.
On the downside, the steel is only 18 gauge, which is fairly flimsy. This isn’t for keeping out a determined thief. It’s meant to be a “better than nothing” option for when you’re on the road. That said, it’s very affordable, and a good value for the money.
Pros
- Approved for airline travel
- Small enough to fit in a purse or briefcase
- Affordable
Cons
- Relatively flimsy construction
This lockbox includes a security cable for locking it to furniture or an automobile seat.
2. Barska AX11556
The Barska AX11556 is big enough to fit 2 large pistols.
Key Features
- Holds 2 full frame handguns
- Measures 14 ¾” wide x 11 ¾” deep x 5” high
- 14 gauge steel construction
- Weighs 21 pounds
- Biometric lock with key bypass
- Felt padded interior
- Pre-drilled for mounting
- Includes mounting hardware
- Opens automatically
- Programmable for up to 30 fingerprints
The Barska AX11556 is a biometric safe that also includes a key backup in case the battery runs out. It’s large enough to fit 2 full frame pistols, which makes it a good choice for couples. But unlike many large pistol safes, it has a relatively thin profile, allowing you to store it in a drawer. It’s also pre-drilled for mounting, and includes the hardware required to mount it on top of your nightstand or dresser.
This safe can be programmed for up to 30 fingerprints, which is enough for both of your hands, both of your partner’s, and one other person.
Pros
- Heavy gauge steel
- Provides quick, one-handed access
- Ideally sized for a nightstand or desk drawer
- Backup key prevents accidental lockout due to a dead battery
- Good choice for couples
Cons
- A little pricey
This safe features internal hydraulic pistons which open the door quickly as soon as the lock clicks open.
3. Barska AX11910
The Barska AX11910 has a rubber handle for easy transport.
Key Features
- Holds 2 full frame handguns
- Measures 17 ½” wide x 12 ½” deep x 5” high
- 14 gauge steel construction
- Weighs 16 ½ pounds
- Electronic combination lock with key backup
- Rubber padded interior
- 1-year limited warranty
- Carrying handle
The Barska AX11910 is a mid-sized pistol safe that’s designed to hold 2 full-frame pistols. It’s constructed from 14 gauge steel, which is fairly heavy for a safe of this size. It has a rubber handle for carrying, which makes it easy to transport.
The only thing we didn’t like about this safe was the padding, which only covers the bottom and top of the interior. If you carry it by the handle, your guns will fall down against the side, scratching them. That said, it’s very affordable, and is a good choice for a simple drawer safe.
Pros
- Heavy gauge steel
- Ideally sized for a nightstand or desk drawer
- Portable
- Affordable
Cons
- Poorly padded
This safe is very sturdy for the price.
4. Fort Knox PB1
The Fort Knox PB1 is a very sturdy handgun safe, with walls as heavy as you’ll find on some long gun safes.
Key Features
- Holds 2 full frame handguns
- Measures 12 ½” wide x 10 3/8” deep x 4 ½” high
- Weighs 22 pounds
- 10 gauge steel construction
- Mechanical combination lock
- Eggshell foam padded interior
- Pre-drilled for mounting
- Lifetime manufacturer’s warranty
- Hydraulic piston-driven door
The Fort Knox PB1 is a slim handgun safe that’s sized perfectly for the drawer in your bedside table. It utilizes a mechanical combination lock, which isn’t susceptible to battery loss, so you’ll always have access to your pistols in an emergency.
This safe is extremely sturdy, with 10 gauge steel walls that can stand up to a lot of abuse. Bolt it in place, and it’s one of the most secure pistol safes that money can buy.
Pros
- Very heavy gauge body
- Opens quickly and easily
- Suitably sized for a drawer
- No batteries required
Cons
- Pricey
This safe utilizes a reliable mechanical lock that requires no batteries.
5. Fort Knox PB4
The Fort Knox PB4 has a lifetime warranty that covers all defects in materials and workmanship.
Key Features
- Holds 2 full frame handguns
- Measures 9” wide x 12” deep x 4” high
- Weighs 20 pounds
- 10 gauge steel construction
- Mechanical combination lock
- Felt padded interior
- Pre-drilled for mounting
- Lifetime manufacturer’s warranty
- 3/16” plate door for added security
Like the PB1, the Fort Knox PB4 is constructed from tough, 10 gauge steel, but it goes a step further by including a 3/16” steel plate door that’s impervious to all but the most determined thieves. It’s pre-drilled for mounting, which is fortunate; the front-opening design isn’t well suited for drawer use, so you’ll need to put it on top of your nightstand or dresser.
This safe has a mechanical lock, which means you’ll never need to worry about dead batteries.
Pros
- Very heavy gauge body
- Reinforced door
- No batteries required
Cons
- Not designed as a drawer safe
- Pricey
This is the toughest, most durable handgun safe we’ve looked at.
6. V-Line Top Draw
The V-Line Top Draw has a mechanical lock, which requires no batteries.
Key Features
- Holds 2 full frame handguns
- Measures 12” wide x 9” deep x 2 ½” high
- Weighs 10 pounds
- Mechanical combination lock
- Foam padded interior
- Pre-drilled for mounting
- 1-year manufacturer’s warranty
- Optional mounting hardware
The V-Line Top Draw Handgun Safe is a slim drawer safe with a mechanical lock. As a result, it requires no batteries. It’s pre-drilled for mounting, although you’ll need to pay a bit extra for the custom mounting bracket. It holds 2 handguns, and it opens from the top for quick, easy access.
Pros
- Slim design
- Ideal for use in a drawer
- No batteries required
Cons
- Pricey
This safe has a slim profile, which is perfect for using it in a drawer.
7. V-Line Desk Mate
The V-Line Desk Mate is designed to mount under your desk for easy access.
Key Features
- Holds 1 full frame handgun
- Measures 7 ½” wide x 10 ½” deep x 2 ½” high
- Weighs 8 pounds
- Mechanical combination lock
- Foam padded interior
- Pre-drilled for mounting
- 1-year manufacturer’s warranty
- Slide-out drawer opens along with the door
- Includes mounting hardware
The V-Line Desk Mate Handgun Safe is a slim, lightweight safe that’s designed to mount from the top, instead of from the bottom. It includes mounting hardware, allowing you to install it discretely on the bottom of a desk or table. It includes a drawer for your pistol, which slides open when you open the safe.
The locks on this safe are mechanical, so no batteries are required.
Pros
- Opens quickly and easily
- Mounts under your desk for easy access
- No batteries required
Cons
- Pricey
This safe features a drawer that opens right along with the door, bringing your pistol close to your hand in an emergency.
Bottom Line
As you can see, these aren’t your grandfather’s pistol safes. Gone are the days of old-school mechanical dials. Today, almost every small handgun safe uses an electronic or biometric lock.
These locks are almost impossible to crack, making them significantly more reliable. Even the handful of mechanical locks we’ve looked at are far more reliable than their older predecessors.
That said, pistol safes are designed to be small. There’s simply not enough room in your nightstand drawer for ultra heavy sides or a door that’s 5 inches thick. As a result, none of them are theft-proof, and a determined thief can eventually gain access.
But burglars like to get in and out of a house quickly, so even a moderately secure safe can send them looking for something that’s easier to steal. And in addition to deterring would-be thieves, safes are an effective way of preventing inquisitive children from gaining access to your firearm.
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The Review
Best Handgun Safe
Here's our ratings of the best handgun safes on the market today.
Review Breakdown
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GunVault NV200
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Barska AX11556
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Barska AX11910
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Fort Knox PB1
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Fort Knox PB4
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V-Line Top Draw Handgun Safe
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V-Line Desk Mate Handgun Safe
Best Handgun Safe DEALS
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