Best Gun Safes for Apartments Review (2021)

Best Gun Safes for Apartments

As land gets scarce in the city and real estate prices continue to rise, more and more people are moving towards buying apartments and condos as a more economical alternative. Although they’re more affordable, they do come with their own challenges, especially when gun safes are concerned.

Today’s guide will talk about the major considerations that one will need to take into account when purchasing a gun safe for apartment living. We understand that scouring the internet for the best deals can be difficult and that’s why we have also included a review of our top picks for the best gun safes for apartments on the market.

Gun SafesNameEditor’s CommentRatingGet The Best Deal
GunVault SV500 – SpeedVault Handgun Safe

Most Recommended Option

1. Easy to conceal and portable handgun safe
2. Padded interior with LED lighting
3. Keypad-based lock

10/10SHOP NOW
MasterLock Gun Lock, Keyed Trigger Lock 1. Smart and affordable solution
2. Made from steel and zinc
3. Keeps weapon safe from kids and thieves
9.5/10SHOP NOW
SentrySafe Pistol Safe, Quick Access Biometric Gun Safe1. Biometric lock offers quick access
2. Made from 12-gauge steel construction
3. Padded interior to keep your weapons scratch-free
9.0/10Currently unavailable
Monster Vault Under-bed Safe1. Made from 11-gauge and 7-gauge steel body
2. Flat rectangular box shape that’s easy to conceal
3. Large capacity
9.0/10Currently unavailable
GunVault MV500 Microvault Pistol Gun Safe1. ‘No eyes’ keypad for quick access
2. Option of audible or silent access modes
3. Made from 12-gauge steel
8.5/10Currently unavailable

Types of Gun Storage Options for Apartments

One of the most common problems that people living in apartments face is limited space. In this section, we will outline the types of gun storage options that will address some of the common issues that an apartment dweller faces. Here are the three categories of gun safes:

Lightweight Gun Safes

Unless you’re living on the ground floor of your condo, your apartment unit is likely some height from ground level. Hence, it is important to get a lightweight gun safe for an apartment so that you can move it up to the third, seventh, or even twentieth floor without too much difficulty. Plus, it’ll make it easy for when you need to shift your apartment. In addition to being easy to move and store, even if you intend to store the safe under your bed, these lightweight gun safes are very sturdy. Some of them can even be disassembled for moving. 

Box Models

A box model type of safe is a small to mid-size portable box with two examples being the small handgun safes or under the bed gun safes. Most of these models are lightweight for easy portability while some even come with the option for you to bolt it down to the floor for better protection. Such gun safes can be concealed with ease and they can even be used to carry handguns, ammunition, jewelry, and other valuables securely. 

One factor that you’ll need to take into consideration when buying a box model gun safe is to estimate how many guns you’re planning on storing inside it so that you don’t buy the wrong size. 

Custom Gun Wall in a Lockable Area

If you need a customizable gun storage space, then you can consider getting a gun wall where they feature racks or wire mesh for you to mount your pistols and other accessories. These gun walls offer large storage space for keeping multiple firearms but you’ll need to ensure that the space is guarded with a lockable door or other secure locking mechanisms. 

Considerations when Shopping for the Best Gun Safes for Apartments

Apart from deciding which type of firearm storage options is suitable for you, here are a few other factors and aspects that you’ll need to consider before deciding on the product. 

Wall Thickness

A gun safe needs to be a durable product itself to protect your weapons and valuables under all situations. And a sturdy safe must be thick enough to prevent any intrusion. Most gun safes are made from steel and the thickness is measured in terms of gauge. The smaller the gauge, the thicker the steel wall is. For example, 14-gauge steel is 1.64 millimeters thick whereas 10-gauge steel is 2.59 millimeters thick. Generally, it is safe to stick to safes ranging from 14-gauge to 18-gauge. 

Locking Mechanism

Another important factor to look at as the locking mechanism of your gun safe. A quick-to-open lock can really make a difference during emergency situations. The gun safes on the market now feature either one or a combination of several different types of locking mechanisms which include biometric sensors, keypad locks, combination locks, or RFID. 

Fingerprint locks offer instant access to the safe, which is good when you’re in a desperate situation whereas combination locks are better suited for larger safes that hold more valuable items than guns. 

You may need to find out what keeps your safe powered – was it a 9V battery or a couple of AA batteries? These information are 

Fire Protection

The best way to evaluate the fire resistance of the gun safe is to check its UL fire rating. A UL 150-rated safe offers good protection for documents, disks, and magnetic tapes, whereas UL 350-rated safes are only suited to protect paper documents. On top of that, you need to also check the duration and up to what temperatures the safe is resistant to. 

Review of the Best Gun Safes for Apartments

Now that we’ve gone through some of the considerations and precautions of picking out the best gun safe, here is a list of shortlisted gun safes on the market that is best suited for an apartment. Not only are these safes tried and tested for function and durability, but they also fall within the affordable price range so that you don’t have to fork out too much money to get the right gun safe.

1. SentrySafe Pistol Safe, Quick Access Biometric Gun Safe

Best Overall

This SentrySafe pistol safe is compact and quick-access to let you store a full-sized handgun easily. The safe features a 12-gauge steel construction to ensure durability plus gas-operated struts to allow silent entry into the safe and prevent the lid from banging down onto the safe. 

As for the locking mechanism, you get a fingerprint-based lock that can be programmed to accept up to four different fingerprints. The company has also included a keypad lock that’s programmed to accept access codes. 

SentrySafe has even included a couple of backup keys for an additional entry in case your gun safe enters a full lockdown during an emergency. The interior of the safe is also padded to keep the gun from any scratches or damage. Another great thing to note is that the gun safe can be bolted down to any surface for added protection, meaning you won’t have to worry about a thief or burglar walking out of your apartment with it.

The bottom line is that the SentrySafe Quick Access Biometric Pistol Safe is a lightweight, sturdy option that comes with a combination lock. The portable safe is also quick and silent to operate and even lets you bolt it down to any surface. It even comes at a reasonable price point to offer the best value for money. 

You would like this if:

You want quick access. The biometric lock offers you instant access into the safe and can even be programmed to accept up to 4 different fingerprints. 

You want something durable. The apartment gun safe is made from durable 12-gauge steel construction and is even pry-resistant for enhanced security. 

You want to keep your weapon scratch-free. The safe features a padded interior to prevent any damages to your valuables inside. 

You might not like this if:

You want a fire-resistant safe. While this is definitely a great safe for an apartment, it is not fire rated to protect your valuables from high temperatures. 

2. Monster Vault Under-bed Safe

Best Under-the-Bed Safe

Monster Vault Under-bed Safe

The Monster Vault features a drawer-style design and is primarily used as an under-the-bed gun safe. But it’s flat rectangular shape also means that it can be stored in the trunk of your car or other viable locations in your apartment. The gun cabinet is made from 11-gauge steel at the top and bottom and 7-gauge steel on the sides, ensuring a hammer-proof and pry-resistant condition to keep your weapons, bullets, and valuables secure. 

You can gain entry to the slide-out drawer via a dial pad-based lock which can be programmed to accept a three to eight digits code. Inside you’ll find a spacious interior with approximately 3 cubic feet of storage space. This allows you to store rifles, handguns, as well as other important items. Plus the flat shape lets you easily conceal it near you under a bed. Other than that, the safe is made in the USA so you can be assured of its quality, but if that’s not enough for you, the manufacturer even offers a warranty for it! 

Overall, the Monster Vault Gun Safe offers a spacious interior and is suitable for use at home or in your car’s trunk. Although this heavy-duty safe may be a little overpriced to some people, it does offer great durability and storage space to make it a worthy investment. 

You would like this if:

You want an easy-to-conceal safe. This portable gun cabinet has a flat rectangular box shape that can be easily hidden under the bed or in your vehicle for concealment without attracting any unwanted attention. 

You want a durable safe. The apartment gun safe is made from a durable 11-gauge and 7-gauge steel body for enhanced security. 

You want a large capacity. The gun safe has approximately 3 cubic feet of large storage space for you to keep multiple firearms, pistols, extra magazine, ammo, and other products. 

You might not like this if: 

You’re shopping on a budget. While this is without a doubt one of the top gun safes available, it does come at a more expensive and may not suit budget shoppers. 

3. GunVault SV500 – SpeedVault Handgun Safe

Best Handgun Safe

​SHOP NOW

Next on our list is a compact, lightweight, and easy to conceal a gun safe that is made from 18-gauge steel. A great thing about this is that it lets you mount it onto any surface you want and in any position you desire! 

The gun safe comes with a keypad-based locking system that can be programmed for password entries and the safe door drops open for you to access the firearm single-handedly. The safe is powered by a single 9V battery that can run for months with a single charge. Nonetheless, the company does provide a backup override key so you won’t get locked out in the event where the battery runs out of juice.

The safe is also foam padded inside with an LED light for better visibility of the safe’s contents under low light conditions. Although the safe is not the biggest option on our list, it does have enough space for you to store a full-sized handgun plus a couple of mags with it. The handgun safe also comes with a biometric lock version that you can purchase if you prefer instant access. 

All in all, the GunVault SV500 is a great option for home as well as at the office. This gun safe can be easily mounted in your bedside nightstand, closet, shelf, desk drawer, floor, or anywhere and at any position, for you to operate single-handedly, making it a very convenient choice while being affordable. 

You would like this if:

You want an easy-to-conceal safe. This portable handgun safe can be mounted anywhere and is small enough for good concealability. 

You want to keep your firearm damage and scratch-free. The safe comes with a padded interior and LED light to prevent any damages to your valuables inside. 

You have limited space in your apartment. The handgun safe has a small build such that it consumes less space while still being able to hold a full-sized handgun with ease. 

You might not like this if:

You don’t want to get locked out. Although the electronic keypad provides quick access, the safe does not have a warning to notify you when the battery is low. You may need to use the override key to open the safe should it run out of juice. 

​SHOP NOW

4. MasterLock Gun Lock, Keyed Trigger Lock 

Best Trigger Lock

​SHOP NOW

The MasterLock trigger lock is an intelligently designed device that keeps other fingers away from your gun’s trigger. This lock is designed to club over the trigger guard of your weapon and works to prevent unauthorized people from pulling it. It is basically a simple mechanical lock, but with a different and unique design. 

On top of that, the trigger lock is made from steel and zinc so there’s absolutely no doubt about its strength and durability. It is also made to be compatible with most handguns, rifles, and shotguns. This is a great lock to prevent minors or your kids from firing the weapon accidentally. 

The Trigger Lock is an intelligent security measure that protects the weapon from kids or unauthorized use. However, it is still best for you to invest in a good quality cabinet or gun safe to secure your firearm. This can be added on for personal use and enhanced safety. 

You would like this if:

You want an intelligent and inexpensive solution. This affordable lock is a good choice to prevent your child or anyone else from firing off the weapon. 

You want a durable safe. The trigger lock is made from steel and zinc for enhanced strength and reliability.  

You might not like this if:

You don’t want your weapon to be carried away. Unfortunately, the trigger lock only prevents firing, it does not keep your gun securely in a place. Intruders can still bring the gun out of the house and try to crack it open somewhere else 

​SHOP NOW

5. GunVault MV500 Microvault Pistol Gun Safe

Best Microvault Safe

If you need to store a single compact pistol at the home, office, or while on the road during travel, then the GunVault MV500 may just be the best choice for you. This heavy-duty gun safe is made from 12-gauge steel and features a ‘no-eyes’ keypad lock, meaning you can access it without having to look at it. 

The safe even comes with override keys for backup. Plus the safe even lets you choose to operate it in an audible mode to validate your entry by a beep or in stealth mode so that you won’t give away your location. 

Additionally, the safe will automatically go under lockdown for a few minutes after the wrong password has been keyed in multiple times. The safe can also be coupled with a security cable for extra protection. Inside the safe is a fully padded interior and is also great for portable use. 

The bottom line is that the GunVault SV500 Micro vault is a smart and portable alternative for home defense. It is easy to program and can be taken along with you with the help of a security cable. However, the price tag might be a little steep for some and those shopping with a budget may need to choose wisely. 

You would like this if:

You want quick and secure access. The compact gun safe lets you access the ‘no-eyes’ keypad lock without having to look at it. You can even attach a security cable for extra protection

You want a quiet operation. The safe lets you choose either audible or silent access modes so that you won’t reveal your location while opening or closing it. 

You might not like this if:

You’re shopping on a budget. While this is without a doubt a high-quality gun safe, it does come at a more expensive price tag that may not suit budget shoppers. 

Conclusion

An apartment gun safe needs to be sturdy, lightweight, and easy to access without taking too much space. Getting a safe that’s made from steel and features a good locking system will significantly reduce the chances of theft or forced intrusion. However, the final decision on which gun safe to choose from is at your own discretion and budget as you decide upon which set of features to choose from. Hopefully, today’s article has given you enough information and recommendations on the best gun storage options available on the market for you to keep your collection safe. 

 

Leave a Comment