Types of Pistol Safes

Choosing a pistol safe isn’t just about picking a box with a lock. It’s about providing a secure environment for your firearm. There are four main types to choose from:

1. Mechanical lock
2. Electronic lock
3. Biometric lock
4. Keyed lock

Each of these have their advantages and disadvantages.

Mechanical lock safes are traditional, cost-effective and reliable, but require manual entry of the combination. This can slow you down. Electronic lock safes offer increased speed of entry, but they need regular battery replacement and can electronics can fail.

Biometric safes can offer a high level of security with fingerprint scanning, but they are prone to false positives and false negative scans. 

Keyed lock safes offer the least convenience, you have to locate the key before opening and are considered less secure in most cases. All but mechanical safe types will come with a key override.

Mechanical Lock Pistol Safes

“Old is gold,” my dad would to say. Mechanical safes are highly reliable and durable, and you never have to worry about the batteries being dead when you need to get in quickly.

Mechanical locks for small pistol safes are usually the pin-code type, but opening is by mechanical means. This means they support just one code. But mechanical means nearly fail safe. 

What to look for in a mechanical safe:

• Pistol Safes with the Simplex mechanical lock. It is particularly popular lock that has been used for many years. It is very reliable and offers over a thousand possible combinations. 

Electronic Lock Pistol Safes

Moving onto electronic lock pistol safes. The main benefit of these safes is quick access through a digital combination. They also support multiple user codes so everyone with access can have a code they remember.

However, there are potential downsides. Electronics can fail, meaning these safes usually come with a key override and that key override will need to be well built to limit the security risk of lock picking or breaking it out. Electronic code entry safes always emit noise when the pin number is entered, alerting anyone in the home that a safe is being open. This can be a good thing, if you want an intruder to know it's being open, but it will also alter them and potentially prepare them. 

What to look for in an electronic safe:

• Safes that have a key press silent feature. 
• Safes that have a well-built, heavy duty key override (barrel key or high security key).

Biometric Lock Pistol Safes

Biometric lock pistol safes use fingerprint recognition technology to provide quick and reliable access, offering a blend of security and convenience. 

Biometric lock pistol safes are becoming increasingly popular due to their speed of entry and they are more reliable now than ever. But they can still have some false positive (someone gets in whose finger is not entered) or false negative (someone who is registered can't get in) results.

What to look for biometric safe:

• Safes that offer multiple scans of the same fingerprint. This is so it can read your print when your finger is not placed perfectly over the scanner.
• Safes that support multiple users. This will allow you to register more than one of your fingers so you can still get in if one finger is damaged (has a cut or something like that).
• Safes that have a well-built, heavy duty key override (barrel key or high security key).

Key Lock Pistol Safes

The last type of pistol safe we’ll discuss is the key lock pistol safe. These safes offer straightforward access with a physical key. 

This is simple but it means if you want quick access, the key will need to be near by if it is the only way in. This compromises both the safety and security aspects of the safe.

Poorly made keyed locks on inexpensive gun safes can also be easily picked or punched out.

What to look for in a keyed safe:

• Safes that have a well-built, heavy duty key overrides. Like barrel key or high security key in a reinforced section of the safe.

Number of Pistols Stored

Choosing a pistol safe also depends on the number of firearms you own. Pistol safes come in various sizes and capacities. Imagine a shoe rack. If you own just a pair of shoes, a small rack will suffice. But if you’re a shoe aficionado with a vast collection, you’ll need a much larger rack. The same logic applies to pistol safes.

You have safes that snugly fit a single gun and larger safes, not specifically for pistols can comfortably store dozens of guns. For instance, the PB10 from Hollon will hold one sidearm but not much else. But you can get a small, higher security safe, like the Burg Wachter CL410E or Burg Wachter CL420E, that make excellent handgun safes and can store 2 or more handguns with some ammunition accessories.

Gun Safe Placement

When it comes to placing your gun safe, you want it to be safe, secure, and away from curious hands. Likewise, your gun safe should be placed on a stable surface like concrete or hardwood flooring for maximum security.

Secure the safe by bolting it to the service where it is placed. Imagine your safe as a fortress. It should be as immovable as possible to prevent theft. Bolt down all four corners of your safe and, if possible, place the safe’s opening side against a wall to prevent any leverage attempts.

Childproofing Your Gun Storage

Biometric safes or safes with combination locks are excellent for childproofing your gun storage. These gun safes provide a high level of security and are difficult for children to access.

Remember, when storing firearms:

• Store them unloaded
• Don't place the keys for keyed safes in the same room as the safe or where you store all of your keys
• Ensure the storage area is cool, clean, and dry to maintain the condition of your firearms.

Choosing the Right Pistol Safe

When assessing what you need, consider factors like:

• The size of your firearm collection
• The type of lock you prefer
• The fire rating of the safe (most pistol safes do not have one, if you want one, you are likely buying a small safe not specifically designed for pistols). 
• The construction, security of the safe. Our highest security pistol safes are the AMSEC HAS410 and AMSEC PS1210HD. They are fortresses designed specifically for pistols.

Assessing Your Needs

What size and shape of the safe do you require? 

How many firearms do you need to store? 

Do you prefer a specific type of lock? 

What fire rating and theft ratings do you want?

Comparing Brands and Models

As dedicated pistol safes, we carry two popular brands that satisfy budget and security needs. Hollon is a well-built budget sidearm brand and AMSEC is our high-end, high-security pistol safe brand.

If you're going for a smaller safe that's not necessarily designed specifically for pistols, AMSEC, Hollon and Burg Wachter  have many options. 

Our Top Picks

The AMSEC HAS410 and AMSEC PS1210HD are two of the best single handgun safes you'll find. See our detailed article "What are the Best Handgun Safes". These safes are praised for their well built security features and user-friendly design, making them excellent choices for any firearm owner.

Summary

To sum it up, owning a firearm is a significant responsibility. And one of the most important aspects of this responsibility is ensuring safe and secure storage. Whether you prefer the reliability of a mechanical lock, the quick access of an electronic lock, the modern convenience of a biometric lock, or the straightforward access of a key lock, there’s a pistol safe that’s perfect for your needs. Assess your needs, compare different brands and models, and make an informed decision. Because when it comes to firearm safety, there’s no room for compromise.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the different types of pistol safes?

Pistol safes come in four main varieties: mechanical lock, electronic lock, biometric lock and key lock. Each offers different advantages and disadvantages, so choose wisely!

How many pistols can a pistol safe hold?

Pistol safes can hold up to 15-16 guns, depending on their size and design.

How should I store my firearm in a safe?

Store your firearm unloaded and in a secure, cool, clean, and dry location away from ammunition to keep it in top condition.

What should I consider when choosing a pistol safe?

When choosing a pistol safe, make sure to consider the size of your firearm collection, the type of lock you prefer, the fire rating, and the construction of the safe - all of which play a part in making sure your guns are safely and securely stored.

Size is an important factor to consider when selecting a pistol safe. The size of your firearm collection will determine the size of the safe you need. If you have a large collection, you may need a larger safe.

The type of lock you choose is also important. There are several types of locks available, including combination locks, keys, and combination locks.