Best Fireproof Gun Safe in 2020 – Test Result & Reviewed

Ensuring the full protection for your weapons and other valuables is a must for any gun owner. But you also need to think about what you need protection from. If you thought burglary is the only issue you need to worry about, let us introduce you to the top enemy of a weapon, fire.

Regardless of how safe and secure your house is, accidents can happen. Whether it is from a leaky gas line or fault electric circuitry in the house, a fire break out in your house can be disastrous. And if you have your loaded weapons lying around when that happens, you will essentially be fanning the flames.

With the best fireproof gun safes, you can prevent the high temperature from the flame from messing with your weapons. You can safely evacuate the apartment without worrying about your valuables and weapons once you know they are safely locked behind your fireproof gun safe.

Why Do You Need A Fireproof Gun Safe?

Let us start off our article with the basics. Why do you even need a fireproof gun safe? Fireproof gun safes, when it comes to the locking mechanism, are not as effective or modern compared to a biometric gun safe, but they offer a level of protection that other gun safes cannot.

In case of accidental fire breaking out inside the apartment, a fireproof gun safe is your best chance at keeping your valuables safe and secure. Heat can wreck the contents of a gun safe, and the extreme temperatures can even cause stored ammunition to go off randomly.

With a fireproof gun safe, you can focus on evacuation instead of trying to save your important documents or cash if it is stored inside. By catering to your safety and getting the fire department on its way, you can get the fire under control before things get too hot to handle even for your gun safe.

Top 5 Best Fireproof Gun Safe Reviews

If you are an inexperienced user, and this is your first time buying a gun safe, then you need to know about the units that deserve your attention. After all, finding a gun safe can be quite a hectic experience. And most beginners tend to end up with regrets if they buy something without proper research.

1. SentrySafe SFW123DSB Fireproof Safe and Waterproof Safe

For our first product, we will be starting with one of the most reputed brands in the industry, SentrySafe. When you want unquestionable safety and security for your valuables, you can always bet that this brand has something in store for you. The SFW123DSB provides top-notch security against natural hazards like fire and water.

The security system in the unit is pretty straightforward. You get a combination dial locking system that you can access using your own set combination code. As a backup measure, you get a pair of master keys that can bypass the combination system. This simple and hassle-free approach to locks allows you to use it without any batteries.

Further enhancing the security is the solid construction quality that it comes with. The unit features high-quality steel along with a fortified pry-resistant bar in the hinges. It even has four large 1-inch locking bolt inside the door to ensure no one can get into it by force.

Looking at the interior of the unit, you get an ample storage space that lets you keep anything and everything you want inside it. You can store a couple of handguns along with all of your sensitive items, such as cash, jewelry, and documents, without having to worry about it being stolen.

2. Stack-On SS-22-MB-E SS22 Gun Safe

If you are someone who prefers a large full-sized gun safe, Stack-On is the perfect brand to go with. Although you might not find their products when shopping for small bedside units, for people who want to store a lot of long guns, this name is quite well-known. The SS22 by them is one of their best fireproof long gun safe.

In terms of security, you get a small electronic keypad located right above the door handle. Since it comes with the electronic feature, naturally, you need to use batteries. Thankfully though, the battery life in this unit is decent, and if you use high-quality alkaline batteries, you can expect an excellent uptime.

In addition to the twelve-digits on the keypad, you can find three LED indicators on the side to give you information on the status of the safe, including a low-battery warning. You also get backup keys that let you access the safe if you run out of battery. The unit also comes with black epoxy paint and a beautiful Stack-On logo.

One of the prime selling points of this device is its tough and rugged build quality. It comes with steel deadbolts and concealed hinges to ensure no amount of prying can break it open. In addition, the six locking points on the unit the 1-inch solid steel locking bolt further enhances its robustness.

3. First Alert 2096DF Waterproof Fire Safe with Digital Lock

Up next, we will be taking a look at a brand called First Alert. The best thing about this brand is how seriously they take the issue of fire and water resistance. Looking at their 2096DF, you can be sure that if you want to keep your valuables protected at all times, this is the right choice.

One of the first things that you notice about the unit is its extreme attention to security. Although it has a digital keypad, you also need to insert your keys to open the safe. With the keypad, you can set up an access code with a minimum of three digits and a maximum of eight.

Another excellent security measure in the unit comes in the form of an automatic lockdown. Thanks to this feature, if someone inputs the wrong code multiple times, the safe goes into lockdown mode until an authorized person deactivates the lockdown. Furthermore, the unit comes with wheels and an adjustable handle that allows you to move it around easily.

It has excellent fire-resistance and can survive for an hour at a temperature of up to 1700 degrees. In case of flood, the safe can survive fully submerged underwater. It has a composite construction and features pry-resistant door hinges that prevent any sort of tamper attempts.

4. Honeywell Safes & Door Locks - 6108 Fire Resistant Steel Security Safe Box

The next product on our list is by a brand called Honeywell Safes & Door Locks. While the other gun safes on our list feature a larger size with plenty of storage space, the 6108 comes at a small form factor that only holds your essential items. But the protection you get from the unit is not something you should underestimate.

Even at such a small size, you get a six-digit digital keypad as its primary security mechanism. For backup, you get two entry keys that allow you to gain access to the safe if you forget your access code. The battery lifetime in the unit is also quite good, which is a must-have if you want to use the electronic keypad.

To further enhance the robustness in terms of security, the unit features concealed hinges. This design ensures no one can find leverage to pry open the gun safe. In addition, the strong steel construction of the unit, along with the powder-coated finish, ensures that the device is fully protected against impact or corrosion damage.

The interior of the gun safe is nothing special. You get a single compartment that is large enough to hold one or two compact handguns along with some other small items. One good thing, though, is the interior is fully padded. This ensures that your items will remain scratch-free when you store it inside.

5. SentrySafe CHW20221 Fireproof Box and Waterproof Box

To wrap up our list of reviews, we will be looking at another product by the brand SentrySafe. This particular model comes in a portable size and is aimed towards people who have minimal needs from their gun safes. It features all the excellent qualities that we have come to expect from this brand.

The idea of the unit is quite simple and straightforward. You do not get any electronic features, which means you do not need any batteries. It comes with a set of tubular keys that you use to open and lock the safe. Thankfully the quality and design of the lock are quite good.

Despite its smaller size, the unit allows you some surprising organization options. For instance, the lid features organization straps that you can use to strap in your sensitive documents. Thanks to the padding on the interior, your items will remain protected. However, you will have a hard time fitting two or more handguns inside it.

The purpose of the unit is to provide safety on-the-go. If you are traveling with important documents or your handgun, this case is one of the best options for you. In addition, you can even use it as a portable car gun safe or a nightstand safe at home if you want.

Things to Look forWhen Buying the Best Fireproof Gun Safe

With the list of best fireproof gun safe out of the way, we can now look at some of the factors that are essential to a great gun safe. For any type of gun safes, there are a couple of key elements that you need to understand before you can choose it to ensure you get the most out of your investment.

This is where beginners or inexperienced users suffer the most. Since they do not understand the different parts of a gun safe, they do not know what to look for. But with our help, this should not be the case when you are buying a unit for yourself.

Factors such as the fire-rating or thickness of the wall play a vital role in ensuring proper security for the items that you store in the safe. However, these are not the only things that you need to consider before committing to a purchase.

To protect your interests and keep you away from regrets, here are our thoughts on the things that you should consider when you are on the market for a gun safe with fire and water resistance features.

• Fire Rating

If you are looking for a fireproof gun safe, one of the first elements you need to look at is the fire rating. Despite what the manufacturers may claim, no gun safe is fully fireproof. If the gun safe is sitting in a fire for a long time, the high temperature from the fire will eventually get through and burn your items.

However, fire-rating of a gun safe does give you an indication of how long your safe can survive the heat from the blaze. By fire-rating, we mean how long the unit can hold its own at a certain high temperature. For instance, some models might be able to sustain temperatures of up to 1500 degrees Fahrenheit for up to 1 hour.

The rating will be different for each product, and ideally, the longer it survives at higher temperatures, the better it is for you. Lightweight, compact models typically come with less fire-resistance compared to larger models. So if you want a portable gun safe, you might get less fire-resistance from it.

• The Thickness of the Material

The quality and thickness of the material used in the construction of the gun safe also play a critical role in dictating its overall design and security. It also contributes to the fire-rating in addition to the sturdiness of the gun safe. After all, fire is not the only issue you need to worry about when keeping your valuables inside the safe.

One good thing is that all gun safes are made of steel. But the thickness can vary from one unit to another. Ideally, you want to go for units that come with at least eight to ten gauges of thickness. But if you can find thicker walls, it will give you a better result in the long run.

However, units with less than 8-gauge steel can drastically hamper the security and resistance of the gun safe. It might not be able to deter high temperature that occurs when a fire breaks out. Underestimating the importance of thick walls in your gun safes is not a smart idea.

• Security and Locking Mechanism

Although the locking mechanism is not the most important thing in a fireproof gun safe, you should still give some thought to it. A robust security system can prevent burglary attempts and keep your items from falling into the wrong hands. And the better the locking mechanism in your unit, the better the level of security in your gun safe.

For fireproof units, you typically get options like an electronic keypad or mechanical combination locks. The one you choose between the two is strictly your personal preference. If you prefer a certain type of locking mechanism, then it is better to go with it since it would give you the most comfort.

However, make sure the quality and response of the mechanism are excellent. Even a simple keyed lock gun safe is a good investment as long as the lock is of high-quality. The performance of the mechanism is quite important if you want to get the most value out of your investment.

• Construction quality

The importance of having a well-made gun safe cannot be stressed enough. If the unit you buy does not come with a solid build quality, it might start acting out on you when you need it the most. The quality of components and hinges in the gun safe needs to be impeccable to ensure proper security for your goods.

To understand the construction quality, take a look at the locking joints and deadbolts. The hinges of the door also require some attention. Nowadays, most high-end gun safes come with pry-resistant hinges. This feature is a must-have for any gun safe at any price level.

• Testing Method and Brand Value

With a fireproof gun safe, one of the major issues is its validity. Sure, you can look at the product specifications and check the fire-rating, but you will never truly get to see it in action unless there is an actual fire in your apartment or office. So it can be quite difficult to verify whether the manufacturer’s claims are true.

But if you are buying a unit by a reputed and respected brand, you can be a bit more relaxed in your judgments. You can rely on the manufacturers to back you up in case you end up with a faulty unit. When it comes to fireproof gun safes, it is almost always a good idea to go with a well-known brand.

Another way to check the validity is by taking a look at the testing method. Units that are tested in a third-party laboratory under high-temperature environments tend to give you a better performance in real-life conditions too. But when you are going for knock-off products, there is a higher chance of getting ripped off.

• Size and Storage

When it comes to storage space, you can be somewhat lenient. It mostly depends on the user’s preference more than anything. Some people might opt to go for large gun safes that can hold a lot of long guns, whereas some might prefer a portable lockbox that they can carry around.

So before committing to a purchase, take a step back and think about what you want to store in the safe. Is it weapons or cash? What is the size of the firearm you want to store? How many shelves do you need? How many weapons do you want to keep inside it?

Each of these questions will help you understand what size of a gun safe you need. Businessmen who travel with sensitive documents, for instance, prefer to go for portable lock boxes. On the other hand, some want to buy a large gun safe that can hold every important thing inside it all at once.

• Water resistance

You might have already noticed from our list of reviews that we also talked about water resistance in most of the gun safes. This is one great benefit that you get by investing in a fireproof gun safe. Most models are also quite resistant to water.

To get the best value out of your investment, it is always worth checking if your unit can survive water submersion. Although it might not be an essential factor for you, you never know when it comes in handy.

• Price

When it comes to security for your valuables, price should be the last thing you worry about. A gun safe is not cheap, and there is a good reason for it. However, if you are smart in how much you are willing to spend on the unit, you can find some pretty good deals out there.

Shopping on a budget is not the same thing as shopping for a cheaper product. The best way to proceed is to set yourself on a realistic budget and stick to it. Even though gun safes are expensive, the price of some of the units available these days is simply absurd.

Frequently Asked Questions

In the following section, we addressed a few common questions that you might have about a fireproof gun safe.

How difficult is it to mount a fireproof gun safe?

The answer depends on what type of gun safe you are using. Gun safes come in different shapes and sizes, and the mounting process can vary widely among them. You also need to think about the mounting accessories that you have. A lot of the times, however, the required accessories are included with your purchase.

Even if you do not get accessories, you can easily buy aftermarket parts, but that involves spending more money. If you are using a large full-size gun vault, you need to install it on the floor. Some models even feature pre-drilled mounting holes to make it easier to install.

All you really have to do is drill adjacent points on the floor and drill it down to lock it in place. On the other hand, if you go with compact gun safes, you can simply keep it inside a closet or under your table. Some of these models also allow you to bolt it down for better safety.

Where should I put my fireproof gun safe?

It depends on personal preference, to be honest. However, there are a few basic practices that can enable a gun safe to do its job better. For one thing, you should try to keep it out of sight. This means you want to install your safe somewhere where others cannot access that often.

If you are keeping it in your home, consider putting it in a room where guests or little kids will not wander in. For smaller units, you can store them inside a cupboard, under the desk, or even under the bed in some cases. It is best to use your imagination and find creative places to install your gun safe.

Can a fireproof gun safe keep ammunitions safe if a fire breaks out?

In most cases, yes. Fireproof gun safes are designed to keep the heat out of your gun safe until the temperature or time reaches a certain threshold. Until that temperature, anything inside the gun safe should be well-protected, even your ammunition.

However, plastic shells or cases are quite vulnerable to heat and might get ruined inside the gun safe. Bullets that come with any type of metal cases such as lead or copper should be unaffected. But if the temperature exceeds the fire-rating of the gun safe, then any item inside the gun safe might get damaged, which includes your bullets and your firearms.