Best Gun Safes for Apartments | Keep Your Valuables Secure

As real estate becomes more and more expensive by the day, people have started looking towards apartments and condos as a more economical alternative. However, living in such a space has its own challenges, especially when gun safes are concerned. To understand this, we will take a look at some viable gun storage options for apartments.

This guide will also shed some light on the major and minor considerations when buying a gun safe for an apartment. To wrap things up, we have also handpicked and reviewed the best apartment gun safes on the market, so you don’t have to take the pain of scouring the internet for best deals.

Comparison of the Best Gun Safes for Apartments 

Gun Storage Options for Apartments 

The most common problems an apartment dweller faces are space and the constant need for shifting. For the sake of simplicity, we will outline the most viable and widely used gun storage options for an apartment which address these common issues. These can be classified into three different categories:

Lightweight Gun Safes

Living in an apartment means being in a place which is at some height from the ground level. We know that gun safes are bulky in general, which is necessary in some cases.

However, moving a heavy gun safe to the third, seventh, or even twentieth floor is a herculean task. Plus, if you plan to shift your apartment anytime soon, moving your gun safe will be even more hectic.

To tackle this problem, you must use a lightweight gun safe, which is easy to move and store, in addition to being sturdy. There are also safes on the market which can be disassembled for moving.

Box Models

As the name suggests, a box model type gun safe is a sort of small to mid-sized portable box. Two examples of these are small handgun safes or under the bed gun safes.

Most box models are lightweight and some can also be bolted down to offer better protection. Such safes can be concealed with ease, plus, they can also be used to carry handguns or other valuables securely. However, you must always estimate the number of handguns you plan to secure in such a safe, so you can buy the right size.

Custom Gun Wall in a Lockable Area

A gun wall is a customizable gun storage space, where racks or a wire mesh is installed over a wall, to mount guns and other accessories. This is the typical wall mounted array of weapons you see in Hollywood movies.

These gun walls offer a large storage space to keep your firearms. But you must ensure that such a storage space is guarded by a properly lockable door or other secure locking mechanisms.

Other Considerations When Buying Gun Safe for an Apartment

Apart from the above-mentioned problems, there are certain factors which come into play when you buy a gun safe for your apartment. Aside from the issues relevant to shifting and storage, a gun safe must be a durable product in itself, so it protects you and your valuables under all situations.  

How Thick is the Safe?

A sturdy safe must be thick enough to prevent any intrusion. The thickness of a safe (or steel) is measured in terms of gauge. The smaller the gauge, the thicker is the steel.

For example, 14-gauge steel translates to 1.63 millimeters thick, whereas 10-gauge translates to 2.59mm thick steel. Generally, safes ranging between 14 to 18-gauge steel are a safer choice meanwhile being quite affordable.

What Style of Locking Mechanism is on it?

The locking mechanism plays a vital role when you access your gun safe. A quick-to-open lock can mean the difference in a desperate situation. A safe can feature either one or a combination of several locking mechanisms which include biometric sensors, keypad locks, combination locks, or RFID.

For example, fingerprint locks are a good choice for gaining instant access to the safe, whereas combination locks are meant for larger safes with more valuable items than guns.

How Does it Hold up Against Fires?

Protection against fire is an important feature to be looked for in every gun safe. The most foolproof way to evaluate fire resistance is to check the UL fire rating of the gun safe.

For example, a UL 150-rated safe offers protection to documents, disks, and magnetic tapes, whereas a UL 350-rated safe offers protection only to paper documents. Similarly, you must also check the duration for which a safe is resistant to certain temperatures.

Review of the Best Gun Safes for Apartments

Based upon the aforementioned considerations and precautions, we have handpicked the best apartment gun safes on the market. These gun safes have been tried and tested for function and durability, plus, they fall in the affordable price range. So you don’t have to spend an arm and a leg for the right gun safe.

1. SentrySafe Pistol Safe, Quick Access Biometric Gun Safe

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This Pistol Safe from SentrySafe is a compact quick-access gun safe which can be used to store one full-sized handgun with ease. The safe is made from 12-gauge steel, which ensures durability. The gas-operated struts allow a silent entry into the safe and also prevent the lid from banging down on its own.

The safe features a fingerprint-based lock which can be programmed to accept four different fingerprints. Subsequently, there is a keypad lock which can be programmed to accept codes.

To prevent a full lockdown in case of an emergency, the safe also has a couple of backup keys for additional entry. The safe is padded on the inside to prevent any damage to the contents. It can also be bolted down to any surface, for added protection.

Bottom Line

The Sentry Safe Quick Access Handgun Safe is a lightweight, sturdy, and portable gun safe with multiple locking options to enhance its safety. It is quick and silent to operate and can be bolted down to any surface. At this price point, this is definitely the best value for money.

2. Monster Vault Underbed Safe

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This drawer-style safe from Monster Vault is primarily an under-the-bed gun safe, but it can also be stored in the trunk of your car, or any other viable placement. The gun safe is made from 11-gauge steel on the top and bottom and 7-gauge steel on the sides, which makes it hammer-proof and resistant to any other type of intrusion.

Entry to the slide-out drawer is guarded by a dial pad based lock which can be programmed for a 3-8 digit code with ease. This safe is quite spacious and offers approximately three cubic feet of storage.

You can use it to store rifles, handguns, and other valuables. Plus, it can be easily concealed under the bed or closet due to its shape.  The manufacturer offers a warranty on the safe, plus it is made in the USA.

Bottom Line

The Monster Vault Gun Safe is spacious and can be used at home or in your car’s trunk. The safe has a secure locking mechanism, plus it can be easily concealed under your bed. It might seem a bit overpriced to some people, but considering its durability and storage space, it is a good bet for your money.

3. GunVault SV500 - SpeedVault Handgun Safe

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The GunVault SV500 is a compact, lightweight, and easy to conceal gun safe which can be a precious asset in emergency situations. Made from 18-gauge steel, this compact gun safe can be mounted in any position, at any place you desire.

It features a keypad-based locking mechanism which can be programmed with ease. The safe drops open when unlocked so you access the firearm single-handedly. Plus, the backup override key prevents you from getting locked out.

The safe is powered by a single 9V battery which runs for months at a stretch. The safe is foam padded on the inside, and also has an LED light to allow visibility of the safe’s contents under low light conditions.

There’s enough space to store a full-sized handgun with a couple of mags. It is also available in a biometric version, and you can obviously choose it if you don’t mind the cost.

Bottom Line

The Gunvault SV500 is good for home, as well as office (under the desk) use. It can be mounted anywhere, at any position and allows you to use it single-handedly. It is sturdy enough to withstand the test of time while being affordable.

4. Master Lock Gun Lock, Keyed Trigger Lock

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This trigger lock from Master Lock is an intelligently designed device, which keeps other fingers away from your triggers, except for yours. As the name suggests, this lock clubs over the trigger guard of the weapon, and prevents a person from pulling it. It is just a simple mechanical lock, but with a different design.

It has been made from steel and zinc, so there’s no point in doubting its strength. This lock is compatible with most handguns, rifles, and shotguns. Plus, it also prevents kids from firing the weapon accidentally, if they find it.

If you already have a gun safe, or gun cabinet, and are just looking for a cheap alternative to protect your firearm, this is your answer.

Bottom Line

The Trigger Lock is no doubt an intelligent security measure to protect the weapon from kids or unauthorized use. However, you still need a cabinet or gun safe to secure the firearm. Although, it is still good for personal use and added safety.

5. GunVault MV500 Microvault Pistol Gun Safe

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The GunVault MV500 is good for storing a single compact handgun at home, office or while in transit. The gun safe has been made from 12-gauge steel and features a ‘no-eyes’ keypad lock, which can be accessed without the need to look at it.

Plus, the safe also has an override key for backup. The safe can be operated in an audible mode to validate entry by a beep, or in stealth mode.

Additionally, the safe automatically locks for some time after several wrong password entries. It can be coupled with a security cable for extra security. The safe is fully-padded on the inside and is also good for portable use.

Bottom Line

The GunVault SV500 Micro vault is a smart alternative for home defense, as well as securely storing your firearm. It is easy to program and can be carried securely with the help of a security cable. Its price is the only factor which might concern you, so choose wisely.

Conclusion

An apartment gun safe should be sturdy, lightweight, and occupy less space, meanwhile being easy and quick to access. A safe made from steel of optimum thickness and featuring a good locking mechanism greatly reduces any chances of theft or forced intrusion. Conclusively, your own discretion and budget are the final factors which come into play after you agree upon a set of features to choose from.