You can satisfy your needs and your budget with the greatest wall gun safe. You might choose a basic, affordable steel safety box that maintains your firearms nearby or spend a lot of money on a high-end solid concrete vault that safeguards them from fire and crowbars. We’ve all heard or seen reports of people using a parent or guardian’s unlocked gun to perpetrate mass killings, or we’ve read or seen reports of people who were mentally ill locating a family member’s weapon and using it to commit suicide. Although locking away your guns is not a perfect solution, it can help avoid tragedies like these.
When choosing the best wall gun safe, consider how much space it takes up, whether it comes in a portable version, and what type of locking system it uses. The safes are then evaluated based on their overall strength and durability, and safety features such as an alarm system, keypad entry, and biometric scanner.
What To Consider When Choosing The Best Wall Gun Safes
When shopping for a wall gun safe, there are many things to consider. The following section looks at some of the most important features and functions when selecting the best wall gun safe for your needs.
Size/Capacity
The first thing you need to determine is how much space you have available in your home or office for a firearm storage solution. This will impact both the size and type of safe that you choose.
- Gun safes come in various sizes, with small ones designed to hold only one or two handguns and larger models holding multiple firearms or even an entire collection of weapons.
- If you’re looking for a versatile option, then you might want to check into a multi-use safe that can protect guns, knives, tools, and other valuables. These safes are built to withstand fire, water, and shockwaves, making them a great choice if you keep multiple types of weapons stored together.
Security Level
A high level of security is essential when it comes to protecting expensive firearms and their accessories. While standard locks won’t stop determined thieves, they can make it more difficult for them to get what they want, such as firing a weapon or removing a handgun from its holster.
For added protection, look for a locking system that uses multiple factors like a combination lock, digital keypad, and/or biometric sensor to secure individual items within the container. A typical example would be a car ignition with a remote fob; without knowing the code, the driver could not unlock the vehicle with this method.
Fire Rating
In the unfortunate event of a home invasion, a gun safe offers a measure of protection by slowing down potential thieves. However, even if they don’t manage to break into the house, a fireproof wall gun safe can prevent damage to valuable firearms and accessories. These safes contain special steel that prevents heat from affecting the contents inside, allowing the owner to grab his or her guns and go safely.
Water Resistant Material
While standard plastic won’t rust under water, it’s still vulnerable to moisture exposure, which can lead to mold growth and weakening of the structure. To avoid problems, look for a waterproof model or one made with double-walled construction (more than just plastic).
Installation Type
There are several different ways to install a gun safe, including mounting, bolting, and sliding.
- Mounted safes are installed using screws through holes in the wall framing instead of drilling holes directly in the drywall. They tend to be smaller than bolt-and-locker designs but offer the advantage of being harder to detect since they’re less likely to pull on the surface of the wall where someone may notice it.
- Bolted safes utilize metal latches that attach to the frame of the bed frame or table legs to securely fasten the safe to the floor or ground. They’re generally bigger than mounted options but require access points behind the drywall, so they’re less stealthy.
- Sliding safes consist of a long metal box that slides along the ground when opened. It has wheels attached to each end, so it can easily move around when necessary. These safes are typically used for large quantities of cash, jewelry, and firearms, though they can accommodate other belongings as well.
Lock Type
Most gun owners purchase a quality lock for their firearm, and while all locks are intended to deter theft, certain types work better than others. Here are a few examples:
- Fingertip latches use sensors to open the latch when touched anywhere on the outside. As soon as the touch stops, the lid pops open.
- Padlocks rely on a numerical pad to release the catch. Like a PIN number, users enter a code to unlock the safe.
- Dialed locks allow the user to specify any three-digit code via a telephone dial. Users punch in the code and hang up the phone, then the lock opens.
- Biometric locks use sensors to identify a person’s fingerprint or retinal scan to gain access to the safe. This method is highly secure but requires the user to place their finger or eye close to the sensor to unlock the lock.
Features
Wall gun safes can incorporate a variety of features, including cable ports, charging stations, lights, alarms, and dust covers.
- Cable ports give the user easy access to their phones or laptops so they can stay connected while keeping their firearms safely tucked away.
- Charging stations provide power for cordless devices. Some also include USB ports, so the user can charge mobile batteries while keeping gear charged and ready for action.
- Lighting helps improve visibility during operation, especially if the room isn’t completely dark.
- Alarms can alert users to a potential security breach or simply provide a louder signal when the safe has been opened.
- Dust covers help keep the interior of the safe clean while preventing dirt, grime, and other elements from entering through gaps between the door and frame.
Types Of Wall Gun Safes
Gun safes come in all shapes and sizes. There’s a reason for that, though; you need to pick the right tool for the job.
Long gun safe
A long gun safe is one of the most common types of gun safes on today’s market. These safes are usually designed to be placed along a wall with some shelves or drawers extending out from the far end. The good thing about this type of safe is that it gives you plenty of space to put your guns and ammo. The bad thing about this style is that there isn’t much security since anyone can just walk up and rifle through the weapons without having to first open a lockbox or trigger a biometric sensor.
Short gun safe
A short gun safe is an attractive option if you don’t have very many firearms or want easy access to some of them. This kind of safe is smaller than a long gun safe but still has plenty of space for multiple handguns and small caliber ammunition magazines. These safes often feature a locking lid that opens at the push of a button rather than using keys like more traditional safes.
The quick-access design makes it easier to grab what you need and get back out into the field quickly. It also means these safes require less maintenance because you aren’t constantly changing the combination locks.
Biometrics
Some safes use fingerprint scanners or iris recognition systems as their main method of entry. While these methods may seem a bit futuristic, they’re actually quite reliable. Fingerprint scanners work by storing a digital copy of each person’s prints and comparing it to whatever is being scanned.
With over 90% accuracy rates, this system should work well for most people. Iris recognition uses cameras to read irises within seconds and then compares the data against a database of known irises. Because iris patterns are unique to individuals, this system should keep individual records secure.
How We Chose Our Top Picks
When choosing our recommendations for this article, we relied on personal experience with multiple safes and security systems. With so many safes to choose from, we relied on buyer generated content to narrow down the field.
We looked at a variety of factors when making our picks including price, capacity, weight, warranty options, and more. In order to make sure we didn’t miss out on current trends, we also read through customer reviews to get an idea what people are saying about each product. Finally, we consulted with experts in the field to get their opinion on which products were the best overall option for your situation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Wall Gun Safes
What is the most secure way to store a firearm?
The safest place for your firearms to be stored in your home or business is locked up and away from where unauthorized users could tamper with them. This means you should keep it somewhere that’s hard-wired into a security system, not accessible by anyone who doesn’t know the code.
How much space do I need for a wall gun safe?
Depending on what you want to carry, how many guns you have, and whether they’re large or small frame, your weapons will determine how big of a wall safe you’ll need. Most manufacturers offer limited sizing options, so make sure to check out the specs before making a purchase.
Also, remember that whatever you choose will likely be larger than needed, as companies tend to advertise their maximum capacity rather than their storage requirements.
Can I bolt my wall safe to the floor?
Yes, this can be done if desired. Make sure you get one with enough carrying capacity to hold all of your gear though, as you won’t have access to it when you need it.