When purchasing the best fireproof gun safe, it is extremely important that you go for one that has been thoroughly tested against exposure to fire. This is one factor that many gun owners do not take seriously. Guns are expensive, and it is only reasonable that you invest in the best affordable gun safes for another level of security measures to ensure it is safe from fire and burglars. Fireproof gun safes are not created equally when it comes to their functionalities, security features, and fireproof ratings.
This review will help you reduce the stress by getting you familiarized with the best fireproof gun safes that we have looked into. For the best fireproof gun safes, we take into account different factors such as whether or not it is indeed fireproof and comes with internal A/C or not, has security features and a safe size, and what the rating of its UL Fireproof is.
Contents
Best Fireproof Gun Safe
1. SentrySafe SFW123GDC Fireproof Gun Safe – Most Versatile Fireproof Gun Safe
SentrySafe is a well-known fireproof safe. Apart from guns, people use them to keep mementos, documents, and more. It is designed to protect against both fire and water, and these features have been verified by both Underwriter Laboratories and Edison Testing Laboratories respectively. These bodies are leading reputable third-party testing labs. It also has both electronic and combination lock version. However, you can’t set a custom combo with the combination lock version. This Fire and Water Gun Safe is a heavy-duty security safe that’s designed to withstand about an hour in an extremely hot fire (up to 1700℉). Not only can it withstand up to a foot of water, but it can also survive falls up close to 15 feet. This locking drawer provides enhanced security, and it also comes with a reinforced door. This particular model can be ordered with either a digital keypad or as an old-school combination lock, and you can open it manually with its backup key. It is available in the market in different sizes, between 0.82 to 2.05 cubic feet. It also has impressive hardware, an interior light, a locking drawer, hinges that are resistant to prying, and four live-locking bolts. Click here to see the best price.
Key Features:
- Interior light
- 23 cubic feet capacity
- Solid steel construction
- Weight: 87 lbs
- Electronic Lock
- Fire Resistance for 1 hour.
- Water Resistance for 24 hours
- Waterproof design
- UL classified (high fire-resistant)
- Extra key
- Portable
- Strong, solid steel construction
- Battery needed for the electric lock
2. Moutec Rifle Fireproof Safe – Tampering Resistant Features
Moutec Rifle Fireproof Gun Safe boasts solid steel construction and tamper-resistant features.
The silent mode is suitable for home defense, and you don’t have to worry about losing power because the gun safe gives a warning sign when the battery is low. The gun safe has a pre-drilled hole that makes mounting easier. Also, the lock mechanism is reliable; you can create your own PIN code with an electronic keypad or use the backup key. The sound can be turned off too. The pre-drilled holes in the back and at the bottom make it easier for you to attach it to the wall or floor. The safe also comes with complete accessories; 4 bolts, 1 cabinet safe, 4 batteries, 2 backup keys, and 2 interiors keys. The safe is deeper and large enough to stores about 5-6 rifles /shotguns. It comes with a separate lockbox where you can store small guns and your other valuables. The safe has a solid structure, high strength, and smart technology that can help you secure the contents of your safe away from intruders. Click here to see the best price.
Key Features:
- Electronic key
- Alloy steel and metal material
- Separate lockbox
- Silent mode
- Higher security level
- Easy installation
- Takes up to 5 rifles
- Smart and reliable electronic lock
- 2 backup keys
- Pry-proof and resistant to tampering
- Easy to install and mount
- 24/7 customer service
- Silent mode feature
- Not bulletproof
3. Barska Large Fireproof Gun Safe – Best Fireproof Gun Safe For Long Guns
This model of Barska Fireproof Gun Safe for Rifles is a nice looking safe that comes with tons of storage space, which makes it suitable for a large arsenal.
It has a good-looking, well-organized interior and a great fireproof rating. The door organizer and upholstery look good because they are well designed. You could fit 8 normal long guns or remove the shelves to add 8 more long guns or to make it 16. With this much storage space, many people could keep lots of supplies. The gun safe also has a door with awesome handgun storage slots. The safe comes with a set of backup keys, one 9v battery, a removable shelf, and mounting hardware.
It also comes with six deadbolt locks and has a fireproof rating of 1 hour at 1,200°F. However, there is no internal power socket to install a dehumidifier and LED lights. So, you will need a rechargeable dehumidifier, and ongoing maintenance is another thing to consider. Click here to see the best price.
Key Features
- Dimensions: 40 inch x 22 inch x 59 inch.
- Weight: 667 lbs
- 45 rifles storage capacity
- Removable position rack
- Silent access
- CA DOJ Approved
- Plenty of storage space
- Great and decent look
- Nice interior design
- Plenty of space
- Standard safety
- Good fireproof rating
- No Internal Power
4. Steelwater Gun Safes 2 Hour Fireproof – Best Gun Safe for Handguns
Steelwater is a popular and dedicated gun safe brand with an excellent reputation.
This particular gun safe model is a good innovation among the list of other medium-sized gun safes that are suitable for pistols, documents, gold, ammunition, and cash. It comes with a high fireproof rating and strong safety features.
It also comes with safety features that are higher than average. There is no need to hype any domestic safes’ security because of the unfortunate fact that there is hardly any safe that experienced and determined thieves can’t break into. The shelf is nice and removable, but some people prefer the idea of having their guns and ammo on different levels. Although there is no perfect residential safe, Steelwater has reliable security. It comes with deadbolts and a combination of live locking for enhanced security. It also has a 4″ thick door. However, we think an upholstered interior would have been an added touch, and there are cheaper fireproof gun safes from top brands and with a quality build. Click here to see the best price.
Key Features:
- Interior Capacity: 1.5 Cubic Ft.
- Weight: 195 lbs
- 2-hour fire rating
- External battery compartment
- 2 Layers of steel
- Door swings 180° plus
- Chrome plated handle
- Electronic keypad
- Reliable brand
- High fireproof rating
- Good security features
- Premium safe for handguns
- Removable sturdy shelf
- Not that cheap
5. Fortress 8-Gun Fireproof Safe – Most Affordable Fireproof Gun Safe
This fireproof gun safe from Fortress brand is made affordable and still manages to get certified by UL. It is at a good price point when compared to popular brand safes.
Fireproof safes are costly, and it is very rare to get one that has a great find when it comes to value for money like this particular model from Fortress brand. This safe comes with everything that is required to have it bolted to the floor, such as the lag bolts and two holes in the safe floor, which do not come with most safes. One thing to keep in mind is that you will need to ensure the contents of the safe separately because the warranty does not cover them but only the safe itself. Another downside to this gun safe is that it has a low fireproof rating. It has a UL-certified 1200F fireproof rating of 30 minutes, which is lower than most competitors. However, it still shouldn’t be easy for a thief to break in, thanks to the 2 deadbolts, 3x locking bolts, and a Notch Bolt from the deadbolts which can confuse the thief. Click here to see the best price.
Key Features:
- 30-minute fire rating at 1200F
- 2mm Steel Construction
- External hinges
- Gray Convertible Interior
- Outside Lever Handle
- Electronic keypad lock
- 9V battery
- Bolts to the floor
- Affordable
- 180-degree opening
- Great upholstery
- Removable/adjustable multiple shelves
- Low fireproof rating
- Limited storage space
Buyer’s Guide
No fireproof gun safe is absolutely fireproof. An extremely intense fire that goes on for a long time will eventually render a safe useless. Each of the five best fireproof gun safes reviewed above are designed to resist extremely high temperatures for long periods. This is what makes them fireproof. So, what features or qualities should you watch out for when buying the best fire rated gun safe? What makes them different from other safes? They are:
Independent Fireproof Rating
When choosing a fireproof gun safe, the most important factor to keep in mind is the fire rating. Underwriters Laboratory (UL) is the premier company that carries out the independent standard fireproof ratings for gun safes, fire-resistant bags, and home extinguishers. UL certification is important because they will let you know the amount of time at which your gun safe can continue to be resistant to fire and at what heat. Usually, the rating for heat is between 1400°F and 2000°F—a house fire burns between 1550°F and 1850°F. However, the higher a safe’s fire rating is, the higher its cost will be.
Security
All gun safes do not have the same levels of security. It is important that you watch out for this factor when buying the best fireproof gun safe for safekeeping your valuables. Ensure the gun safe you are opting for has good thick deadbolts on the door’s four sides and drill resistant plates. From our research, the best security for affordable gun safes comes with the Steelwater brand.
Locking Mechanism
Safe guns come with any of these 3 lock types:
- Electronic keypad
- Combination code
- Key
Batteries are not required for the keys and combination codes. Some people prefer either of them because it makes them feel more at peace. If you choose any of them, you also won’t need to worry about the maintenance because it is low. It is also recommended that you have backup keys. This will come in handy when and if the electric keypad or combination code fails. Another thing to note here is that electric keypads are prone to eventual failure, which happens as a result of low battery.
Size
The size of your gun safe depends on the number of guns you are preparing to store with it, so you want a model that has the best gun capacity. Some safes can take up to 30 guns while others come with an extra room where you can store important accessories. The interior space should make it easy for you to store additional ammo. Basically, gun safes come in three sizes. The smallest size; pistol-only, followed by the regular rifle gun safe that can comfortably hold between 4 and 8 rifles comfortably and the one for a large gun safe for people with big arsenals.
Internal A/C Power
It is ideal to fit a dehumidifier into a fireproof safe. Moisture will not be able to get into your safe. So the air inside the safe will create a moisture build-up.
So having a dehumidifier plugged into a wall saves you from the trouble of replacing or recharging it when it no longer has puffed. This will help you curb maintenance issues, especially for a fireproof gun safe that is located in the hunting cabin that you can’t always visit. A/C power is also good for internal lighting as it adds a touch of class to your gun safe.
Wall Thickness
It is highly recommended that you go for a gun safe that has the thickest wall. Thickness highly contributes to the ability of a gun safe to be resistant to fire. Your firearms and documents can easily get burnt in high temperatures. This is why you need to buy a very thick gun safe. To test the thickness of a gun safe, measure it with a gauge. A lower gauge indicates thick steel. Apart from the quality of the materials that your gun safe is built with, you should also go for a safe with a minimum of seven gauge steel. This provides ample protection against fire and makes it more difficult for your safe to be bugled.
Budget
As you consider the important features you want in your gun safe and the storage space, don’t forget to make your research with your budget in mind.
You can get a top performance safe with the right, flexible budget. Pay attention to the features because you want to get the best deal for your investment.
Construction
This requires you to pay attention to the various materials that are used in constructing the safe. Most gun safes are made of steel, and there are times when you will get confused because of the steel gauge. Sometimes, the one you pick does not really matter. However, what you should focus more on is whether or not the durability is guaranteed. You should probably consider conducting more research on the steel gauge before settling for purchasing a fireproof gun safe for yourself.
Proper Safe-Keeping Etiquette for Using a Fireproof Gun Safe
There are some measures you need to take to protect what protects you. The following tips can help you make the most use of your gun safe:
Always keep it locked
Make sure you always lock your gun safe. It doesn’t matter what you keep inside. There are times when you may not remember to rearm your safe, and you don’t know who may want to pry into the contents.
Avoid using cliché passcode
Do not give in to the temptation of keeping your gun safe’s extra key or passcode in an easy-to-find spot. It will not favor the security of your gun safe’s content. Anyone may guess your passcode or snoop around and locate your backup key. Be sure to keep them from others.
Hide the location
Don’t draw attention to the location of your safe. Guard it the same way you would guard any expensive item. Letting many people know about the safe will eventually compromise its location. Make it hard to find. You can have it mounted on a wall behind a fixture or piece of art if you are the homeowner. Having an artwork or a fixture cover it that way is another good way to hide its location.
Bolt your safe
Going an extra mile to keep you safe from unwelcomed visitors is worth it. Bolt your safe to the wall or to the floor. If this is not done and your home fall victim to intruders, it will be hard to see the safe again.
FAQs
What is the best fireproof gun safe for home use?
From our research, the best fireproof gun safe for home use is the SentrySafe SFW123GDC Fireproof Gun Safe, thanks to its versatility, strong steel construction, interior light, and water and fire-resistant features. You can keep mementos, documents, guns, and more inside it. The gun safe is verified by both Underwriter Laboratories and Edison Testing Laboratories and also comes with both Electronic and combination lock version. It is also portable and comes with an extra key.
Are fire resistant gun safes worth it?
Typically, a gun safe that does not have the capability to resist fire for more than 1 hour is not likely to protect your money or paper when there is a fire outbreak. Fireproof safes are really worth your investment as they are best for protecting your paper documents in the event of an inferno. However, it is not recommended that you resort to them to protect when it comes to protecting your high-value items or large cash amounts from theft.
Will paper money burn in a fireproof safe?
If you are curious to know whether or not your cash will burn in a fireproof gun safe, then you can relax because your paper money won’t burn. However, this is possible if the safe has about a UL Class of 350 rating and above, and if the house fire is not above the specification values for the particular model. If you want to secure your paper money more, it is best that you choose between certified variants of UL Class 125 certified.
Who makes the best gun safe for the money?
Barska Biometric Safe makes the best gun safe for money. The safe has advanced security features that can really help you keep unwanted visitors out. It allows you to store about 30 fingerprints, which makes it an excellent choice for commercial setting storage. Another advantage is that the batteries can last a full year.
Conclusion
While there is no infinitely fireproof gun safe, there is indeed the best fireproof gun safe that can actually resist a fire longer than others. To buy the best fireproof gun safe that meets your requirements, it is important to pick the one with the best functionality. Such fire rated gun safe will provide you with the best protection and give you zero-trouble when it comes to using it. While choosing the best safe for you, don’t forget to consider the construction, security feature, independent fireproof rating, locking mechanism, size, wall thickness, and your budget. The above highlighted best fire rated gun safes are amazing in terms of price, quality, and performance. You can confidently choose any of them as they are guaranteed to suit your gun safety needs.
