When it comes to guns, the security of these dangerous weapons is essential. We find that gun safes are the smartest thing you can do to keep guns out of the hands of kids, burglars, or anyone not versed in gun safety. Additionally, your guns will be better protected from fire, water, or natural disasters. And keeping your guns safely locked away will help you sleep better at night.
In this gun safe buying guide, we have chosen our top picks from Amazon. We know that not everyone has stacks of cash to put into such an investment, so we picked out the best ones under $1000. And not to worry, there is no sacrifice in quality or safety capabilities despite the low price tag. Let’s get started:
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Here are the top 5 picks (keep scrolling for more details and picks 6-7).
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This solid long gun safe is 45-minute fire-rated at 1550 degrees F. This fire rating is better than most comparable safes.
This unit will give any burglar a hard time. Exterior dimensions are 59″ height, 22″ width, and 16″ depth. This safe consists of 12 gauge steel on the body and 4 ¾” thick composite door. There are 8 ballistic resistant hard plated that protect the lock, re-locker, and several other areas that might be vulnerable to attack.
The unit weighs in at 351 lbs, which is nothing to sneeze at. Since it is a heavy one and has a small width, we recommend that you bolt it down so it won’t fall on its face. We find that this is a good solid unit. It is not small but is still not so big that you can’t fit in anywhere. This model can easily fit anywhere, such as in a hallway or your garage.
The door has 9 1″ diameter locking bolts made of solid steel, which are controlled by your 3 to 8 digit reprogrammable user access code. You will be provided with an emergency double bitted bypass key.
The manufacturer claims you can fit 16 long guns max, but we estimate it to be more like 10 at the most. You can easily arrange the inside of the safe to your liking, with the options of 3 small shelves, 4 adjustable shelves, and one full shelf.
The Steelwater Heavy Duty comes at a great value for the money.
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[amazon box=”B005FDIUPE”]
Made of high-quality durable steel that will stand up to any break-in attempt. It will even stand up to abuse from torches or heavy machinery. The locking mechanism is comprised of a 3-point deadbolt locking system made of solid steel. Combined with a housing made of solid steel, you can rest assured that this durable safe will stand the test of time.
The manufacturer says you can fit as many as 4 long rifles, but we think that it might be more like 3. There are helpful brackets to ensure your guns will stay securely in place. There is also a layer of carpeting on the floor, providing your guns a little extra cushion and protection. Removable racks allow you to rearrange the space to most efficiently hold your gun collection.
This model lives up to its name. Quick access is provided by the modern biometric fingerprint scanner. This fingerprint scanner ensures an extra layer of security to keep even the most talented gun thief away from your guns. You can store up to 120 fingerprints, the 1st fingerprint being assigned to the administrator. This administrator will be able to add or remove anyone else from the security clearance.
You may need the assistance of another person when mounting this safe. Mounting it will ensure the highest level of security, which we highly recommend.
This Barska Quick Access Safe lives up to the CA DOJ requirements, so you can already assume it is a quality gun safe purchase.
We find this safe to be affordable, making it well worth the money you spend on it. There are a few different models to choose from. All of them have a lot of the same features but simply differ on storing capacity and price.
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This Mesa Safe can stand up to 1750 degrees F up to one hour, earning the label fire-resistant. This is higher than most safes in its price range. This unit features a black powder-coated finish with gold accents giving off a fun wild West feel. The powder coating is safe from corrosion and scratches. If a fire happens to break out, and the sprinklers go off, the finish will not be ruined.
Though the product description claims 14 guns can be stored, we find it will more realistically hold 6 to 8 guns, and 10 if there are no scopes or modified stocks. The removable shelving is fully adjustable, allowing you flexibility as your gun arsenal grows.
The body of this safe is made of 1 ¾” steel plates, as well as the fire-resistant lining. The door is an astonishing 5 ⅛” thick with a 3-way combination lock. The 12 bolts are 1 ½” thick steel, accompanied by solid steel hinges. And for an extra layer of protection, there is a hard plate protecting the lock, making it impenetrable from drill attacks.
The relocking system is punch activated. The electronic keypad allows you to create a secondary code in addition to the primary one. The three lights located next to the keypad signal the validity of the code punched in.
A bonus is an electrical outlet located inside the unit. You can use it to hook up a light, or even a dehumidifier.
The exterior dimensions of this unit are 59″ height, 22″ width, and 20″ depth. The unit comes with an anchor kit and 4 anchor holes are pre-drilled to make it easy for you to bolt this baby down. Since the door is very heavy and the unit being a bit narrow, we strongly recommend mounting it ASAP. And at a whopping 484 lbs, this safe won’t be going anywhere.
The Mesa Safe 14-Gun passes California’s DOJ regulations for Residential Security Containers.
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Next up we have the Stack-On E-040-SB-E Elite Junior Executive Fire-Safe. Featuring a 3-point locking system with 1 ½” live-action bolts, maintained by a key-coded cylinder lock. The three-spoke handle rotates to move the bolts. These security features will allow you to remain worry-free about the theft of your guns.
This unit comes with three adjustable shelves, allowing you to arrange the space to best fit your collection, providing you flexibility. You should have enough room to fit about 30 small handguns.
The electronic lock is of high quality and backed by a steel plate which will deter any kind of drilling someone might try to get into the safe. The keypad features lights for good visibility, as well as a warning light when you’ve entered the wrong code and to signal a low battery. There is a battery-changing option that can be used without having to open the safe. This unit comes with a trouble-key if you need to bypass the electronic system.
The Stack-On Junior Executive is resistant to fire, with the ability to withstand up to 1400 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 minutes. The door of this pure steel safe has a heat stripping that expands when high temperatures are reached.
At 225 pounds, this unit isn’t an easy steal for robbers. Check out this video for tips on how to transport this unit when moving. The bottom and door are quite weighty, while the walls are a little thinner. We recommend bolting this unit to the wall. Stable and solidly constructed, this is everything a safe should be. The dimensions are 19.8″ x 20.9″ x 40″. We like the sleek modern yet antique look, which makes it quite visually appealing. The body of the unit is black, with a silver vault and a white door.
This Stack-On safe complies with all safety regulations set forth by the CA Firearm Safety Device in section 23655. It has been tested by ETL and other labs and has passed their approval for its ability to safely store your valuables. It has also passed fireproof tests.
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Another fireproof option is the Steelwater 20 gun safe. It can withstand 45 minutes at a temperature of up to 1550 degrees F. This is one of the most impressive fireproof abilities of all the options in its price range. The safe boasts a fire-resistant door seal which expands in case of fire. Not only does it keep out the flame and smoke, but it will also keep out any water used when putting out the fire.
The inner dimensions are 55 ¾” x 25 ¼” x 14 ⅝”. Though the manufacturer advertises a maximum of 20 guns can fit in this safe, we estimate the capacity to be anywhere from 12 to 16 depending on what kind of rifles and add-ons they have. There is a two-section gun rack that can hold half your guns on each rack. There are 4 adjustable shelves and one full-length shelf.
The dimensions of this unit at 59″ in height, 28″ in width, and 18″ in depth. The hefty door is 4 ¾” thick and is made of 12 gauge steel and composite. The safe has 9 1″ diameter solid steel locking bolts. Additionally, there are 6 chrome-plated active bolts and 3 inactive bolts on the hinge side. The gear-driven bolt system defends against drilling, prying, or punching assaults. At 425 pounds, this safe is a study force against any attack.
There are 4 holes pre-drilled for anchoring reinforced by ¼” steel, as well as a pre-drilled hole meant for dehumidifying your unit. The electronic lock is EMP-proof. It also comes with a double-sided bypass key you can use for safe access. We have found this safe simple to use. Just pick a code and you can open the safe in two seconds.
One nice little surprise is the organizer in the door of the safe. It features different compartments great for organizing your ammunition or other gear. You also have the option to buy additional pistol pouches. Utilizing this area to the fullest will keep your safe organized and more spacious on the inside. The interior is fully upholstered, making a pleasant space for your guns.
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This impressive Blue Dot safe provides some of the most extreme fire protection. This gun safe can withstand up to 1700 degrees F for an hour. This greatly surpasses the Department of Justice specifications.
The door and the body of this unit are 12 gauge steel construction with a coat of black powder which makes it scratch resistant. Securely put together, this unit’s locking system consists of 9 live steel bolts and 5 fixed ones. The lock itself is reinforced by a 5/16″ drill-resistant hard plate, keeping your guns safe. And if the lock is attacked, there is a spring-loaded relocking device that will make extra sure that doesn’t happen.
The 2 pre-drilled anchoring holes will allow you to securely bolt your safe to the floor. The carpeted interior protects your guns from dents and scratches and has extra holsters and pouches for keeping things organized. The manufacturer claims the capacity is 30 rifles, 8 handguns, and 5 ammo pouches. Interior dimensions are 55.18″ height, 32.25″ width, and 25″ depth. At a weight of 650 pounds, we guarantee you thieves won’t make away with this safe. Great value for the money.
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[amazon box=”B006OGNLKA”]
If you’d like a simple, easy-access handgun safe, this is the one for you. The digital-keypad will have you in and out in seconds. The drop-down drawer makes it ready as soon as you draw. We liken it to a pistol holder that comes with a lock. This is the kind of safe you can mount anywhere, including in your car. You can make sure your Glock is within arm’s reach when you need it. There is a 5-year exclusive warranty on this unit, which includes burglary and fire.
There is a bright internal light feature that enables you to see inside when it is otherwise dark. If you are in some kind of trouble, there is a silent mode you can enable which keeps the keypad from making noise as you punch in your code. There is a tamper indicator to inform you when someone has been trying to get to your gun. Access will be blocked after repeated wrong entries, but comes with a backup override key for your convenience.
This unit will mount solidly compared to other flimsier models. Dimensions are 6.5″ height, 3.5″ width, and 13″ depth. This safe is California DOJ approved. Still not what you’re looking for? Check out our top nightstand gun safes.
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In our opinion, the best gun safe under 1000 is the Blue Dot Safes Second Amendment. We chose this unit because it has the highest fire rating of all these products, as well as the largest capacity. It comes up with pockets in the door to keep you better organized, and is overall a well-built, durable product. To top it all off, it is easy on the pocketbook.
Now that you’ve picked out the best gun safe suited for you and your arsenal, let’s discuss a common question in a gun community.
Yes, they can. If the drywall interior of your safe is made of Formaldehyde, Sulphur, Pyrite, or ferrooxidans, they can react caustically to each other in such an enclosed space. Be sure to research before your gun safe purchase for these chemicals. Check your guns for rust, or you can check by keeping tabs on the smell of the air inside the safe. If it has an increasing metallic smell, there is a good chance corrosion has set in.
Bonus tip: Utilize a dehumidifier to help prevent the corrosion of your guns. Also, check out this video for extra tips on protecting your firearms!
Riley Draper is a writer and entrepreneur from Chattanooga, Tennessee. As a world traveler, he has been to more than fifty countries and hiked some of the most elusive trails in the world. He is the co-founder of WeCounsel Solutions and has published work in both national and global outlets, including the Times Free Press, Patch, and Healthcare Global. When he’s not writing, he’s probably on a hiking trip or climbing in the mountains.
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