The 6 Best Gun Safes Under $500 – (Detailed Buying Guide 2021)

The Constitution has guaranteed the right to possess a firearm, but with this definitely comes a much greater duty: store it %100 safe and secure.

Don’t think this is optional! You are totally responsible, as a weapon holder, to keep your guns secure. So you have to grab one of the good quality gun safes on the market. But here’s the deal: if you don’t want to spend a fortune on that, you don’t have to actually. In this article, we will show the best gun safes under $500 that suits your particular needs, and what you should know before buying any of them. 

Best Gun Safes Under $500

1. AmazonBasics Box Safe

Apart from guns, you can also use this safe for other valuable items such as documents and digital media. You can rest assured that this fire-resistant box will keep everything you place in it, safe both from fire and from thieves. The security of the safe is additionally achieved by five large 0, 75-inch bolts.

This safe meets all necessary fire resistance standards, and it has been tested to endure for 20 minutes in 1200 degrees.  You can easily access the interior of the box using the electronic keypad. Keep in mind that the electronic part of this safe needs a 9V battery, which has to be bought separately. The battery compartment is situated in the keypad outside the box. In case anything happens to the keypad or you forget your code, you can use the provided emergency key.

Inside the safe, there is a shelf that you can adjust according to your needs. Thus you can store more things in the box. AmazonBasics provide a 1-year warranty for this product. If you want to, you can bolt the safe to the ground. Another useful feature of the safe is that you can mute and unmute the key tones when entering your code with the keypad.

2. BARSKA Quick Access Biometric Safe

Barska’s biometric safe has an advertised total capacity of up to 3 rifles, but it can hold only 2 if they don’t have scopes or modified grips. This safe is ideal for holding your home defense weapon. The biometric technology used for the lock allows you to access your weapons quickly in case of an emergency.

The lock is able to store up to 120 different identities. Now, you might be wondering why anybody would need these many identities stored? But here’s a great tip: when you buy a safe with a fingerprint reader, don’t scan only one finger. Most people do this, but it’s a mistake. Scan all your fingers. If you really need to access the safe in an emergency, you don’t want a band-aid or a cut to stop you from it. If you have multiple fingers scanned, you’ll be able to access the safe quicker.

The scanner is powered by four AA batteries which should last up to two years. If the safe’s door is closed and you hear 3 repetitive beeps while the indicator lights turn red, the batteries need changing. You’ll also get two emergency backup keys, so even if the batteries run out, you’ll still be able to open the safe.

The safe is made out of powder-coated steel. The door uses a 3-point deadbolt locking system. You should mount this unit before you start using it. Because it is tall and narrow, the whole safe will tip forward when you open the door.

This model’s biggest disadvantage is its small capacity. Even though it is advertised as being able to hold 3 guns, but it will barely hold 2. If you have a large weapon, such as the AR-15, it will only hold that one and a handgun. This model does not offer fire protection.

3. Stack-On 10-Gun Double-Door Steel Security Cabinet

Stack-On’s steel security cabinet has two separate sections, each accessible from a different door.

• The first section (the gun section) should hold 10 rifles or shotguns, but will actually fit only 6.
• The second section of the cabinet has 4 removable steel shelves. Each shelf is padded with foam to reduce the chances of scratching. You can use the shelves to store your handguns, ammunition, scopes, or other gun accessories.

The whole construction is made out of steel. The doors are made out of reinforced steel and have additional steel plates to protect the locking mechanism. The locking mechanism uses a 3-point system with a key coded, double-bitted lock. This is a nice and secure system. The security cabinet can be bolted to the floor or to the wall. There are several pre-drilled holes you can use for anchoring. The barrel rests are a very nice feature. You can use them to store every weapon in an upright position, and you can even let the scopes mounted because the barrel rests will accommodate them.

This unit weighs about 130 lbs, so you should have somebody help you place it and anchor it. Keep in mind that you’ll need to do some assembly after you receive it. The assembly process is very easy and you shouldn’t have problems with it, but it will take some extra time. This model does not offer any kind of fire protection.

4. V-Line Quick Access Keyless Long Gun Safe

V-Line’s gun safe is small but sturdy. You will be able to store two long guns in it if they don’t have scopes or flashlights mounted. Even so, it might be difficult to fit two rifles in it if they’re wide. You will, however, be able to fit a single rifle and a handgun without any kind of trouble. The whole construction is made out of steel. The steel is protected by a powder-coated finish which should last a lifetime.

The best thing is, this model has a mechanical lock. The lock is programmable and you can change the push-button combination any time you want. Besides the main lock, the safe also has two additional locks situated on the top and bottom of the door. This increases overall security.

If you buy the safe for your home-defense weapon, keep the combination short for quicker access. If on the other hand, the safe is placed in spot children can access, you should make the combination difficult to guess. This safe is lightweight and should be anchored for increased security. If you don’t anchor it, the burglar might decide to take the whole safe with them, so your loss will be greater.

The bottom line is, this product is a great one. The main locking system is great and the extra locks increase the overall security. You might find it difficult to fit more than a rifle or a shotgun and a handgun in it, but it will protect those from harm.

5. Homegear 5 Rifle Electronic Gun Safe 

Homegear’s gun safe comes with an internal Jewelry/valuables lockbox. this safe is supposed to have a storing capacity of 5 rifles. Not only will you be able to fit five rifles or shotguns in it, but you will also have room to spare. You will be able to fit a handgun and ammunition in the remaining space.

The safe is made out of heavy-duty steel. The steel is 2mm thick in the walls and 4 mm in the doors. This model uses an electronic keypad to operate the locking mechanism. You just have to punch in the code, turn the handle on the door, and you’re in. There is a backup key you can use in case of an emergency, if the batteries run out, or if you don’t like electronic locks.

The keypad uses 4 AA batteries for power. Each set of batteries should last for about two years, depending on how often you use it. This safe weighs about 75 pounds, so you’ll have to anchor it to increase its security. If you want to bolt it down, you’ll have to buy new anchors. The supplied hardware is of poor quality and might damage your wall.

Another disadvantage is the low visibility the keypad has at night. If you have to access the safe quickly and punch in your code, you’ll have to turn on the lights or point a flashlight at the keys if you want to see something. The best thing about this model is the quick access. It will only take about 3-5 seconds to open the safe’s door.

6. Stack-On Tactical Security Cabinet

Stack-On’s security cabinet has the advertised capacity of 2 tactical weapons and up to 14 rifles or shotguns. While you can store two tactical weapons, you’ll only be able to fit only 6-8 other rifles or shotguns next to them.

The whole construction is made out of steel. The body is 16 gauge thick, while the door is 18 gauge. The cabinet has a 3-point locking system and uses a cylinder lock and double bitted keys for superior security.

The great thing about this model is that you can make many adjustments and adapt it to fit your needs. If you’re looking for increased storage capacity, you can take out all the shelves and stack as many rifles in it as you can.

If you want to store several rifles and handguns at the same time, just add a shelf or hang a holster on the side wall. You have one full-width shelf and 3 half-width shelves you can use to change the configuration.

Everything in this unit can be taken out so you’ll be able to accommodate rifles, handguns, ammunition, and accessories at the same time without too many difficulties. This gun cabinet weighs about 90 lbs and has the following measurements: Height – 55”, width – 21”, and depth – 18”. Because it is relatively small, you should anchor it to the wall or to the floor for extra security in case of a burglary.

Another big advantage of this model is that it comes with barrel holders. You’ll be able to use these holders to keep your guns upright. This way, you can store your rifles with the scopes mounted, without having to worry about the gun leaning on the scope.

Read Before You Purchase! 

Owning a firearm is our constitutional right, but taking care of it and storing it responsibly is our responsibility. Here’s a list of 6 things you should know about gun safes so you’ll make the right choice when buying one in this price range.

1. A gun safe will protect your family

Some of you might be thinking somewhere along the lines: “No, my gun will protect my family”, and of course, you will be right, but that does not mean our statement is wrong. Most of us own guns not because we enjoy hunting, but because we feel the need to protect our families. When you purchase a home-defense firearm, the first thing you should think about it where to store it. The place you choose should be easily accessible, so you can grab your gun quickly in an emergency, but it should also be protected.

Why protected, you might ask.

Well, most of the time children will search your house long before a burglar. They won’t necessarily be looking for your gun, but you can’t take the risk of them finding it out in the open, sitting on a shelf. That would be irresponsible and dangerous. The best way to keep the youngsters and other members of your family safe, as well as to protect your weapons is to buy a gun safe.

Searching for the best gun safes under $500 will also protect the guns from burglars, but it won’t stop them for an extremely long time. The most expensive components of the safe are the locking mechanism and the steel plates, so you will only be able to find a few safes with a lot of steel in them in this price range. If something like that happens, you most definitely don’t want your weapons in the hands of criminals. That could lead to serious legal issues, not to mention possible tragic outcomes.

2. A gun safe needs a good location

Choosing the right location for your gun safe might not be as easy as you think. You need to think about which weapons you’re going to store in it. If you’re going to keep your hunting rifles in the safe, then the best location for it might be in your garage, or somewhere near it.

If you’re buying a gun safe to keep your home-defense firearm, you should place it somewhere where you can access it quickly in the case of an emergency. This situation would require a gun safe with an easy to access lock, as well. You might want to avoid the gun safes which rely only on keys to open if this is the case.

Knowing why you’re buying the safe in the first place will make finding the ideal position easier. There’s also another reason why you should think about where to place the safe before it’s delivered. Most top gun safes under $500 are heavy and bulky, so carrying them by yourself might be impossible. You don’t want to carry the thing in one part of the house only to find out it does not fit, so you’ll have to carry it again. Check the safe’s measurements before you buy it and make sure you find a space large enough to accommodate it. That space should also allow the door, or doors, to open. If you don’t know exactly the door’s dimensions, just estimate it close to the total width of the unit. It can’t be larger, and some extra space is never a problem.

3. Safe Anchors! Do you really need them?

If you’re looking for a gun safe and you’ve been browsing through forums and reviews, you definitely heard about anchors or mounting systems. Most manufacturers include anchoring instructions and all the necessary components in the buying price.

But should you really use them? Our answer and advice are both: yes, and you should anchor your safe. Not only that, but you should make sure the mounting system is one of the best there is. Most manufacturers include all the anchoring components you need to bolt the safe to the floor or to the wall, but some of them use low-quality components when they’re equipping their models under 500$. If you notice the bolts are thin and made out of cheap metal, don’t even bother trying to use them. You could drill a hole in your wall or floor just to have the bolts break as soon as you screw them in. The best thing to do it to take the bolts to a local hardware supplier and buy similar ones made out of high-quality materials. Use these to mount your safe.

The easiest way for burglars to break into your safe is to take it somewhere else, where they can use power tools for a longer period of time without the risk of being caught. Mounting your gun safe to the wall or to the floor does not make this operation impossible, but it makes it harder to accomplish in a short period of time.

4. Gun safes have risks, Avoid them!

Even though a gun safe has many benefits, it also presents some risks. Read how to avoid them.

• Poor Balance – Some safe designs in this price range are unstable. Because steel is expensive, manufacturers sometimes design a narrow safe to be able to hold several rifles. This makes the whole unit move when you try to open the door. When the safe is constructed, the most amount of steel is placed in the door. The reason behind this is the fact that doors are the most likely spots burglars will attack. This is a good feature for the overall security of the safe, but it might make the safe more unstable. If you want to make sure your safe won’t tip forward every time you open the door, anchor it to a wall or to the floor. This will increase the safe’s security and make it more stable at the same time.
• Hazard Risk – Gun safes can present a hazard risk for small children. If you don’t close the safe door properly, a small child might open it and get trapped in the safe. The simplest way to avoid this problem is to make sure you always lock the door after using the safe, not just close it. This will ensure that children can’t get trapped in the safe and they won’t be able to reach the weapons. Some gun safes under $500 rely on keys alone to open the doors, so if this is the case, make sure you store them somewhere children can’t reach or keep them upon your person at all times. Another risk is to have a safe fall over the children, but this risk is easily avoided if you anchor your safe.

5. Use accessories to enhance your gun safe!

 Trying to find a gun safe that will meet all your expectations might be tricky. Manufacturers usually try to put many components and accessories in a safe, but they also try to keep the producing costs low.

If you’re shopping for a gun safe cheaper than $500, you can be sure it won’t have all the accessories you might want or need. Additional features mean a higher price, so it’s normal not to have them included in the buying price this time.

The great thing about today’s market is that you can find anything you want with just a few clicks. Most gun safe owners opt to use a dehumidifier. There are several types of dehumidifiers and you can choose between them, depending on your safe’s build and characteristics.

If your safe does not have a pre-drilled hole for a dehumidifier, it might be easier and safer to buy a battery-operated one instead of drilling new holes in it. Every time you drill a hole, you risk hitting one of the steel plates protecting your valuables. This might end damaging both your safety and your drill.

A dehumidifier will protect your guns and the safe itself from corrosion and rust. Another cheap and sometimes necessary accessory is a light. Some safes use an electronic dial for introducing the code, while others have a traditional, mechanical one. Both deals might be hard to spot in low light conditions or at night, so you might want to buy a light to make things easier. We recommend buying battery-operated LED lights. Some of the newer models advertise a 2-year battery life period. You can even choose an LED lamp with a motion detector, so the light will turn on every time you get close to the safe.

Most top-rated gun safes under $500 come with different shelves to make organizing your weapons and ammunition easier. But here’s a great accessory:

• A door holster. Usually, there’s nothing on the door, which is a mistake because the door is one of the safe’s largest components. Sure, some gun safe models won’t allow the space for a door holster or organizer, but others will. This will increase the safe’s storing capacity, sometimes by a surprising amount.
• Another great accessory is a handgun hanger. Some gun safes under 500 $ have enough space under the shelves to hang some handguns. You can use the back of the shelf to store other accessories or ammunition, while in the front you can hang up to 6 handguns, depending on the safe’s width.

6. Gun safes perform better with additional security systems

If you’re looking to protect your guns and other valuables from burglars, You should not only rely on a gun safe.

Even though technology progressed and brought significant improvements in the gun safe industry, as well, there is no impenetrable model. Every time a new safety feature is developed, a new way to break it is quickly invented.

The worst part is that getting information is simpler these days. If you want to learn how to bypass a certain feature of a safe, you will probably find some relevant information on Youtube or on various forums.

Even though most gun safes under $500 benefit from these new technologies, they won’t offer protection against a burglar for a long time.

This is why you should consider other security measures besides a gun safe. The best way to discourage burglars is to have a home alarm, as well. When you place a gun safe in your house, you automatically announce the location of something valuable. If discovered, your safe will be the most likely to be attacked object.

Having a home alarm might discourage inexperienced burglars to spend a lot of time trying to break open the safe. Some of them might try to take the whole safe somewhere they can open it without hurrying, and that’s why you should always anchor the safe as soon as you get it.

6 Simple Things!

• A gun safe under 500 $ will keep the guns safe from children and burglars and will prevent the youngsters from using a gun.
• You should always place the gun safe where you’re most likely to use it.
• Gun safes are more secure when they’re anchored.
• Gun safes have a few risks and you can easily avoid them.
• You can use various accessories to improve a gun safe.
• You should always use a gun safe with other security systems at the same time.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How will the gun safe be delivered?

You should check with the seller. Some companies will only offer curb delivery, while others offer driveway delivery or even garage delivery.

2. Am I supposed to assemble the gun safe?

Most gun safes under $500 do not require any assembling. Those which do, however, only require minor adjustments, such as fitting the shelves.

3. How am I supposed to anchor the gun safe?

Most gun safe manufacturers provide all the information needed in the user manual, and they also deliver the anchoring kit. You should be able to see the pre-drilled anchoring holes or the special markings which indicate the spots you should drill. If your safe does not present either of them, contact the manufacturer before drilling holes in it. You might cause serious damage to it.

4. I forgot the gun safe’s combination. How do I open it?

You should be able to use your emergency bypass key to open the safe if you forgot the combination. There are usually 2 bypass keys delivered inside the safe. If you lost the bypass keys, you should call the safe’s customer service. They should be able to recommend a way to open the safe to a certified locksmith.

5. Will a dehumidifier really improve a gun safe?

A dehumidifier will improve the conditions in which your guns are stored. Guns will be affected by the environment’s humidity. It can lead to corrosion and rust. A dehumidifier reduces the chance of that happening.

6. How long does it take to open a gun safe under $500?

It depends on the locking mechanism. You should be able to open most of the gun safes in under 10 seconds, but this is highly variable.

7. How long will a gun safe under $500 withstand an attack?

This depends on the gun safe’s construction and the attack method. If the attacker uses basic tools, such as screwdrivers, wrenches, small hammers, or pry bars a gun safe in this price range should be able to hold for up to 3 – 5 minutes. If the attacker is experienced and uses specialized tools, it will probably withstand the attack for up to 2 minutes. This also depends on the place of the attack. The door is the thickest part of the safe, so it should perform better than the rest of the construction.

8. Can I change the gun safe’s combination?

You can change the combination on most safe models in this price range. Usually, this process is described in the owner’s manual. If you can’t find this information, contact customer service.

9. Can I place a gun safe under $500 in my car?

Some models can be carried inside cars. You just have to make sure there is enough room for you to open the door, and you should also find a way to bolt the safe to the car’s floor. You shouldn’t mount a gun safe under $500 in the back of your trunk if there is no way to protect it from the bad weather. Most of them are not designed to be left out in the open.

Best Gun Safes Under 500 Comparison Chart

PRODUCT	PRICE	WEIGHT	SIZE	WARRANTY	FEATURES	CAPACITY	SECURITY
STACK-ON 16-GUN CONVERTIBLE DOUBLE-DOOR	$$$$	147 pounds	20 x 40 x 58.5	Limited 1 Year Warranty	Welded, steel box construction and superior all steel 3 point locking system with double butted, key coded lock	16 to 31	3 point locking system with key coded, double-bitted lock
BARSKA QUICK ACCESS BIOMETRIC SAFE	$$$	66 pounds	8.6 x 9.8 x 52.17	Limited 1 Year Warranty	Powder coated steel	3 Rifles	120 Fingerprint memory Manual three point solid dead bolt locking system
STACK-ON 10-GUN DOUBLE-DOOR STEEL SECURITY CABINET	$$$	116.1 pounds	13.5 x 32 x 55.1	Limited 1 Year Warranty	Welded, steel box construction Reinforced full-sized steel door	10 Rifles	3 point locking system with key coded, double-bitted lock
V-LINE QUICK ACCESS KEYLESS LONG GUN SAFE	$$	10.9 pounds	3.5 x 12 x 42	No Warranty	Steel construction, pry resistant clam shell design	1 Rifle	Keyless High Grade Lock 2 Additional Keyed locks
HOMEGEAR 5 RIFLE ELECTRONIC GUN SAFE	$$	75lbs	13.8 X 11.8 X 57.1	1 Year	CE and RoHS Product Certification Heavy duty steel construction	5 Rifles	Electronic Safe Internal Jewelry/Valuables Lockbox
STACK-ON TACTICAL SECURITY CABINET	$$	97.2 pounds	18 x 21 x 55	Limited 1 Year Warranty	Black hammertone paint finish with black door, riveted steel tread plate panels and silver/gray steel accents	2-tactical weapons and up to 14 standard rifles or shotguns	3-point locking system with key coded cylinder lock

Wrap Up

Once you decide to buy a gun safe, you’re on a straight path to respecting your responsibilities as a gun owner. Firearms should not be left unsupervised within the reach of different people, most of all children. The best way to store your weapons safely is to lock them in a gun safe, but you shouldn’t throw away all your hard-earned money to do so.

Why should you spend a lot of money on a unit, when you can read our reviews and find out which is the best gun safe under $500 available on the market today? You can use a gun safe to store all your rifles, handguns, and weapon accessories without having to worry whether someone besides you can access them. 

You can always visit tacticals.org for more reviews regarding all kinds of tactical gear.