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Purchasing the best gun safe for your needs can be a confusing endeavor. Not only are there a lot of companies to choose from, but there is a mix of information, and misinformation, to sift through. With this comparison we are hoping to provide a resource full of objective, comparative information which you can use to rank and compare different buying options. No marketing hype - Just raw data and objective criteria to compare gun safes according to your needs.
We hope that with the help of safe owners, installers, locksmiths, and other qualified individuals this comparison will continue to grow and change over time. Our aim is to offer the most current and comprehensive criteria so you can make an informed decision. Please feel free to contact us with additional information at any time.
In order to compare one safe to another, we started by tracking down the published specifications for each safe. From this mass of largely superfluous data, we then extracted only the info that addresees the core considerations an educated safe buyer would care about. The final and most important step in process was to put our 30+ years of safe building expertise to use in analyzing each safes construction. We then compared those specifics to determine categories and rankings for each individual safe.
The overall objective was to first classify safes in to three broad categories and then further compare those safes to other similar safes within the same category. This way the user can see quickly how a safe ranks by category, and then more specifically against it's category competitors.
Security — To determine the security of a safe tested in this review we primarily looked at the quantity, thickness and placement of steel used in the safe. 
more...
Fire Protection — Fire protection is determined by the materials used, the placement of those materials, and the possibility of moisture penetration in the form of steam. more...
Price — Price is simply a straight forward ranking based on the current available pricing.
Capacity Value — Capacity Value is a measure of the Cost per Cu/Ft of storage space. more...
Warranty — The warranty comparison is determined by the full terms of the warranty. Including the length of warranty coverage, which components are covered or not covered, and any requirements to keep the warranty active. more...
Customization — Customization is the measure of the consumer's ability to make a truly one of a kind safe. more...
Special Features — These are unique features and extras that come standard with the safe at no additional cost. more...
The purpose of this category is to open the eyes of the consumer, and to plainly cut through the veil of marketing hype. These "Safes" have serious design and security flaws for anyone looking to protect thier assets from fire, theft, or children. A product might also make it into this category if the value to the customer just isn't there. For example the product isn't space efficient. This could mean the cost per Cu/Ft of storage space is just too high to provide value.
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Browning Prestige 28 |
Liberty Tactical 24 |
Secure It TGS1824LT |
Stack On TS-20-MB-E-S |
Winchester Silverado 26 |
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| Space Efficiency | Fire Resistance | Moisture Saturation | Lock Type | Warranty | Security | Value | |
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| Browning Prestige 28 |  |
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| Liberty Tactical 24 | |
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| Secure It TGS1824LT | |
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| Stack ON TS-20-MB-E-S | |
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| Winchester Silverado 26 | |
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For many safe buyers space limitations, transportability, and budget will have a significant impact on purchasing decisions. RSC rated safes are good alternatives for those times when buying a true safe isn't an option. For instance, some multi-story buildings cannot support the weight of a more robust safe. Or if a buyer expects to be moving regularly, has only young children who aren't yet a security concern, or for those storing replaceable items without sentimental value, then this category is worth consideration.
Click on the graph to show more information:
(RSC and True Safe rankings are completely independent)
This chart allows you to compare just the results that matter to you.
Simply click on the titles above to hide or show that comparison criteria.
The safes found in this section of the review should be safes which will not only protect your most valuable possessions from fire damage, and theft, but should give you trouble free use for years to come.
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Brown Safe HD 7224 |
Brown Safe Tactical 7224 |
Graffunder B7232 |
Fort Knox Defender 603 |
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Sturdy 3224-6 |
AMSEC RF6528 |
AMSEC RFX582820 |
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Click on the graph to show more information:
This chart allows you to compare just the results that matter to you.
Simply click on the titles above to hide or show that comparison criteria.
Specifications:
Composite Door, 14ga body
Outer Dimensions:
59.5x28.25x22
Interior Capacity:
13.8 Cu/Ft
Weight:
380Lbs
Warranty:
5 year Paint and Lock, Lifetime material and workmanship
Lock Type:
UL listed electronic lock
Price:
$1,099
Price per Cu/Ft of storage:
$80
Conclusion:
This safe didn't make the cut primarily due to having too little storage space, and steel too thin to be considered secure from break-ins.
Specifications:
10ga body, 1 5/16" door
Outer Dimensions:
60x31x26
Interior Capacity:
12.4 Cu/Ft
Weight:
910lbs
Warranty:
5 year materials and workmanship
Lock Type:
Non-UL listed S&G mechanical dial
Price
$3,219
Price per Cu/Ft of storage:
$260
Conclusion:
This safe didn't make the cut primarily due to having a Non-UL listed lock, a cost per Cu/Ft of storage price that is too high, and steel too thin to be considered secure from break-ins.
Specifications:
14ga steel body and door
Outer Dimensions:
72x18x24
Interior Capacity:
18 Cu/Ft
Weight:
188Lbs
Warranty:
N/A
Lock Type:
Filing cabinet style handle and lock
Price:
$710
Price per Cu/Ft of storage:
$39
Conclusion:
This product didn't make the cut because it has no security, and no fire protection.
Specifications:
N/A
Outer Dimensions:
59x35.2x26.8
Interior Capacity:
22.2 Cu/Ft
Weight:
545Lbs
Warranty:
Limited 5 Year
Lock Type:
N/A
Price:
$1,174
Price Per Cu/Ft of storage:
$53
Conclusion:
This safe didn't make the cut because it has thin steel walls, very minimal fire protection and is made in China.
Specifications:
Composite door, 10ga steel body
Outer Dimensions:
60x30x25
Interior Capacity:
12.4 Cu/Ft
Weight:
869Lbs
Warranty:
2 years on lock, $300 repair limit before replacement
Lock Type:
UL listed S&G mechanical dial
Price:
$2,199
Price per Cu/Ft of storage:
$177
Conclusion:
This safe didn't make the cut primarily due to having too little storage space, and steel too thin to be considered secure from break-ins.
Specifications:
1/2" door, 7ga steel walls
Outer Dimensions:
65.25x36x26
Interior Capacity:
21 Cu/Ft
Weight:
1,601Lbs
Warranty:
1 year on workmanship and materials, lifetime against Fire and theft (original owner).
Lock Type:
UL listed group 2 mechanical lock
Price:
$5,100
Price per Cu/Ft storage:
$243
Conclusion:
This is an overall very good RSC, and would be a front runner in this class, but the price point is in the True Safe range
Specifications:
1/2" Door, 11ga steel body
Outer Dimensions:
65.25x36x26
Interior Capacity:
22
Weight:
1,280Lbs
Warranty:
1 year on workmanship and materials, lifetime against Fire and theft (original owner).
Lock Type:
UL listed group 2 mechaical
Price:
$4,794
Price per Cu/Ft of storage:
$218
Conclusion:
Mostly a novelty safe which costs more than the security that it provides warrants. True Safes are available at this price point.
Specifications:
2x10ga Door, 10ga body
Outer Dimensions:
72x40x26
Interior Capacity:
23 Cu/Ft
Weight:
1,341Lbs
Warranty:
One year labor on locks, lifetime on parts, lifetime against Fire and theft (original owner).
Lock Type:
Non-UL listed mechanical
Price:
$2,949
Price per Cu/Ft of storage:
$128
Conclusion:
This RSC comes close to hitting all the marks for the category, but we'd prefer to see a UL-rated lock and a more complete warranty.
Specifications:
1/4" door, 7ga body
Outer Dimensions:
60.5x30x24.5
Interior Capacity:
11 Cu/Ft
Weight:
990Lbs
Warranty:
5 year paint and lock, Lifetime workmanship and materials (original owner)
Lock Type:
UL Listed S&G group 2
Price:
$4,279
Price per Cu/Ft of storage:
$389
Conclusion:
With the highest UL rating of the class, and spacious interior this safe just wasn't able to compete with it's lackluster warranty, lack of customization, and high price. The Brown Safe 7224 HD from this review can be upgraded to the same UL rating and still be less expensive.
Specifications:
11ga steel on both sides of door, 12ga steel outside of walls, 10ga steel on inside of walls
Outer Dimensions:
72x35x29.5
Interior Capacity:
21 Cu/Ft
Weight:
3,455Lbs
Warranty:
Lifetime against Fire and theft (original owner) 1 year workmanship and materials
Lock Type:
Listed Group 2M lock protected hard plate and two additional spring loaded re locking devices
Price:
$6,679
Price Cu/Ft of storage:
$318
Conclusion:
With the highest UL rating of the class, and spacious interior this safe just wasn't able to compete with it's lackluster warranty, lack of customization, and high price. The Brown Safe 7224 HD from this review can be upgraded to the same UL rating and still be less expensive.
Specifications:
11ga steel on both sides of door, 12ga steel outside of walls, 10ga steel on inside of walls
Outer Dimensions:
64x34x29.25
Interior Capacity:
19 Cu/Ft
Weight:
3,418Lbs
Warranty:
Lifetime against Fire and theft (original owner) 1 year workmanship and materials
Lock Type:
Listed Group 2M lock protected hard plate and two additional spring loaded re locking devices
Price:
$8,111
Price Cu/Ft of storage:
$427
Conclusion:
With the highest UL rating of the class, and spacious interior this safe just wasn't able to compete with it's lackluster warranty, lack of customization, and high price. The Brown Safe 7224 HD from this review can be upgraded to the same UL rating and still be less expensive.
Specifications:
1/2" steel door, 1/4" steel body
Outer Dimensions:
77.5x30.5x32
Interior Capacity:
22 Cu/Ft
Weight:
2,350Lbs
Warranty:
50 years whole safe bumper to bumper
Lock Type:
La Gard push button UL listed Group II
Price:
$4,771
($3,086 without Fire Protection)
Price Cu/Ft of storage:
$217
Conclusion:
With the lowest cost per Cu/Ft of storage in the class, single sheet steel construction, bumper to bumper warranty, full customization of size, shape color and interior, plus all of the security bells and whistles that one could ever need or want, the HD 7224 rates as the top pick in the class
Specifications:
1/2" steel door, 1/4" steel body
Outer Dimensions:
77.5x30x32
Interior Capacity:
22 Cu/Ft
Weight:
2,350 lbs.
Warranty:
50 years whole safe bumper to bumper
Lock Type:
La Gard push button UL listed Group II
Price:
$6,451
($4,766 without fire protection)
Price Cu/Ft of storage:
$293
Conclusion:
If you want the ultimate in tactical safes this is the one for you. With a price per Cu/Ft of storage that is lower than other safes in the category it is hard to overlook. The ability to upgrade the safe to have rapid rails, picatiny rail storage, Molle panels, bio-metric locks and so much more the gun enthusiast looking to find the best of the best should look no further.
Specifications:
5/8" steel door, 1/4" steel body after full upgrade kit
Outer Dimensions:
61x31.5x27.5
Interior Capacity:
17 Cu/Ft
Weight:
890Lbs
Warranty:
Lifetime warranty (original owner) owner pays shipping
Lock Type:
UL Listed S&G type 2 mechaical dial
Price:
$3,684
Price Cu/Ft of storage:
$217
Conclusion:
The Defender 603 is an overall good safe, but with the smallest interior storage space in the class, the thickness of the steel walls being made by welding multiple sheets together, no UL listing, and the thickest steel being on the outside of the safe where heat is attracted and drawn to the safe, and the use of fireboard instead of concrete as a fireproofing, makes others in the class more attractive.
Specifications:
1/2" steel door, 1/4"steel body
Outer Dimensions:
70.5x32x23.25
Interior Capacity:
19 Cu/Ft
Weight:
1,670Lbs
Warranty:
life of the original owner to be free from malfunctions and/or manufacturing defects. Exterior paint 2 years. locks 2 years. Warranty applies solely to materials and manufacture. Warranty requires service be performed after the end of the first year of ownership. Thereafter, residential owners once every five years. Proof of maintenance service must be provided
Lock Type:
UL listed Group 2 mechaical combination lock
Price:
$6,035
Price Cu/Ft of storage:
$318
Conclusion:
The B7232B is an exellent safe from and excellent US safe manufacturer, but this safe loses a few points for no UL listing, fireproofing on the inside instead of the outside of the safe, required maintenance to maintain warranty, and lack of customization options
Specifications:
3/8" steel door, 4 ga body
Outer Dimensions:
72x32x24
Interior Capacity:
17.3 Cu/Ft
Weight:
1,450Lbs
Warranty:
Lifetime warranty. Freight is charged for burglary damage. 2 years on electronic locks. Locksmith entries are not covered if hardplate upgrade is on safe. Letter of denial of payment from your home owner's insurace required
Lock Type:
UL listed Group 2 mechanical combination lock
Price:
$4,667
Price Cu/Ft of storage:
$269
Conclusion:
This is a complicated safe as it hits the marks for steel thickness, supported bolt carriage, and warranty, but when the thickness of the steel is made from multiple sheets welded together and those additional sheets don't run the full height of the safe, the interior storage is tied for smallest in class, and it's cost per Cu/Ft of space is higer than other safes in the class, it makes it difficult to recommend.
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Space efficiency takes into consideration how well a safe's interior is organized to maximize storage, and it is also a measure of usable interior storage versus the overall safe footprint. A well-constructed safe will have no wasted space between the steel or barrier material of the outer walls and the inner storage area – making it a very efficient use of space. Other safes, in an effort to appear more robust, have unnecessarily thick doors and walls which are often filled with nothing more than air. These safes look large and impressive but in fact simply take up a lot of wasted space with no benefit to interior storage space.
Many of the popular fire safes on the market are built using materials that contain high levels of moisture, like fireboard or drywall-like panels. The idea behind this construction method is that the moisture reduces heat transfer to the contents of the safe during fire. However, that moisture from the safe's fire material permeates the contents within the safe, causing excessive mildew and corrosion. Also, if these safes are exposed to fire the moisture in the panels is released as steam into the interior of the safe which can be extremely damaging to the contents, especially paper and metal based items.
It's important that the safe is equipped with a high-quality lock for both security and consistently reliable use. Having your valuables securely stored is of little value if they cannot be accessed because the lock has failed. Look for safes with UL listed locks only.
There are many factors to consider when deciding which safe to purchase. Common factors include security rating, size, interior space, and price, but comparing these differences among brands can be confusing. So, how do you determine if you're getting your money's worth? One of the best ways to compare safes is to examine how much space you're getting for the price paid. The above chart is designed to give an accurate view of a safe's value per cubic foot of storage so you can help make an informed decision. Download this chart here
The size and number of locking bolts are an indicator of the safe's ability to resist pry and leverage attacks…..that is, if they are true locking bolts.
The key to denying an attempt to wedge the door open lies in the depth that the locking bolts protrude into the door carriage and how those locking bolts are secured. Some safes appear to be high-security safes with impressively large locking bolts, but in truth those large looking bolts are merely for show. Many of these large locking bolts end just inside the door cover and are often held in place with no more than a small ¼" screw. Additionally, the locking bolts pass through the thin sheet metal carriage at only one point. This means the not only are the locking bolts only for show, they aren't properly supported.
Be aware that these safes are not secure against common leverage-style attacks. With one simple crowbar the locking bolts and carriage can buckle and give way.
Warranty is a particularly misleading point of comparison for many safe buyers. Terms like "lifetime warranty against burglary" are thrown around to make the consumer believe that the safe has a true lifetime warranty, but once you read the fine print you quickly realize that parts, the components most likely to fail, are only covered for one year. Manufacturers can easily make the claim against burglary because if your safe does get burglarized that is generally covered by your homeowner insurance policy. Many safe manufactures claim they will replace the safe, but what they fail to say is that cost is covered by the insurance company, so even if you were willing to accept the same inadequate safe that wasn't strong enough to protect your valuables the first time, then the manufacturer gets the benefit of selling a safe to the consumer twice. In this instance it actually benefits the safe builder to produce a safe that's easily defeated by burglars. In the rare instances when the insurance company is unwilling to pay the safe manufacturer for a replacement safe then you are required to document that the claim was rejected before they'll replace the safe. Be sure to read all of the warranty terms and fine print when examining a safe warranty.
The vast majority of fire safes are built using fireboard, a material very similar to common household drywall, to slow the transfer of heat to the contents of the safe. Fireboard is the top material choice because of its low cost and high moisture content. The problem is that in a fire as the fireboard heats it releases that moisture as steam directly to the interior of the safe…essentially steam cooking all your safe's contents.
Due to the thin, poorly constructed and oftentimes non-existent inner casing the excessive expelled steam permeates into the safe's interior, and after a house fire it often takes multiple days until the safe can be reached. During which time all of the valuables have been subjected to a heavy moisture environment and moisture damage to the safe's contents is common.
Additional Drawbacks of Fireboard-Based Safes:
I'm Fred Brown, owner of Brown Safe.
I've been building safes for the Military, government installations, and special projects for over 37 years. During my two terms in Vietnam, I became proficient in fortification. After the war, fortification became my obsession. I earned my engineering degree in 1976 and have been designing and building safes for civilian and military use ever since.
I gave the order to create this comparison page because frankly I'm tired of all the marketing fluff out there regarding gun safes. All well-built safes are constructed adhering to core construction standards, standards that have been all too often sidestepped to be replaced by slick sales schemes. The construction methods employed by many of today's safe builder's value efficient production over protection. This is wrong.
This comparison pits safe against safe based on the standards I trust and employ in every safe we build. We take a decidedly different approach to selling our safes. We give you the facts, and leave it to you decide.
At Brown Safe we build highly secure safes, we have nothing to hide. Given the facts, enough informed buyers will choose a Brown. Our safes are not for everyone, and that ok.
In the end I'd rather you buy a ranking competitors safe from this review than choose a safe that fails its duty to protect due to misinformation. That's not ok.
Frederick Brown - Owner, Brown Safe Manufacturing
Read Frederick's Bio… Here
Fire protection is often a confusing issue for a lot of buyers due to the differences in construction methodologies and misinformation. Many manufacturers state untested and unproven time and temperature ratings on their products; citing instead the fire protection rating of the drywall or fireboard panels used to build the safe. In this review we consider the actual construction of the safe and the materials used. We consider fireboard as a substandard material for fireproofing when compared to concrete. We also look at whether the fireproofing is placed on the inside or outside of a safe, and the possibility of moisture penetration due to steam from the fireproofing material. We've found that placing the heaviest steel on the inside of the safe not only makes a water and steam barrier, but also keeps the steel at the farthest distance from the heat, thus minimizing heat transfer into the safe's interior.
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All things being equal having more space for your items is preferred when selecting a safe. With this in mind we created a value rating based on the price of the safe divided by Cu/Ft of usable interior space to get a figure of the cost per Cu/Ft of storage space. A safe might look like a bargain based on its selling price, but if it doesn't provide enough storage space then that safe is less valuable than one of the same price with more interior storage.
When we talk about customization we not only mean after a safe is built, but also before it is built. Can the consumer choose the actual dimensions of the safe? How about the interior configuration? Do I only have a few options, or am I in total control of the entire process making this safe truly a custom built, one of a kind safe?
Special features are the extras that set a safe apart from the competitors and enhance its usefulness. This category only ranks those special features that are included in the standard safe price.
This is another confusing area of comparison for most buyers. Terms like lifetime warranty against burglary are thrown around to make the consumer believe that the safe has a lifetime warranty, but once you read the fine print you quickly realize that parts are only covered for one year, and if your safe does get burglarized that your homeowner insurance policy is required to reject your claim first. It is important to compare not only the length of the warranty, but also the terms.
To determine the safe's ability to protect against forced entry it is important to examine the overall construction and the quantity of steel used. The critical component in any burglary safe's construction is the thickness of the steel itself, not the overall thickness of the door or walls. Some manufacturers will use two thin pieces of sheet metal with a filler material or even air between to give the illusion of a thick door or safe body. Other safes to beware of are built using two thin layers of steel to achieve a combined thickness that appears notable, but the thin gauge sheet metal which has been layered will not exhibit the same ability to resist cutting tools as a solid single piece of steel. Other factors considered for the security score were: lock type and rating, weight, locking bolt design, and security counter-measures.
What we didn't include in the RSC comparison:
Locking bolt size and quantity: Large locking bolts may look impressive but are of no benefit on an RSC rated safe. These bolts tear right through the thin sheet metal door jamb and locking bolt carriage during leverage attacks. See the Big Bolt Scam to learn more.
Locks. The price point and limited security rating of RSCs makes high-security locks unnecessary in this category. Most RSCs feature an affordable residential-grade lock. While these locks are more susceptible to attack, the primary concern is generally their high failure rate which may require the owner to call a locksmith to gain entry.
Security counter measures: The thin steel construction and weak bolt carriage/jamb on these containers negates any additional forced entry security measures they may offer.
