Most house burglaries are a crime of opportunity. They will come in, grab whatever they see and runoff. You don’t want to keep your guns exposed and keeping them locked in a safe is certainly better than leaving them wide open where they can be grabbed easily.
Now, not all of us are loaded with cash and don’t have the ability to spend thousands of dollars on a gun safe. But you get what you pay for right? In this Stack On Gun Safe Review, we will be looking at some affordable options from them, a brand known as the Walmart of gun safe industries.
Why Stack On?
I know what you are thinking, they aren't known for making the top of the line gun safes, but they are not all or nothing. I mean anything that locks are better than leaving your valuables out in the open.
However, there are some products in their lineup that are actually pretty good. It’s all about positioning. If bolted to a wall properly, their safes can be a formidable opponent to any robbery attempt.
Unless burglars come with heavy power cutting tools, which I highly doubt they will, they won’t be able to get into your safe. You can hide a Stack On gun safe with a fake wall or fit it in a corner and they will have a tough time finding the safe.
The purpose of owning a safe are many. It will slow thieves down long enough to ruin their burglary attempt, keep guns out of children’s reach and honest people, fire and flood protection and much more.
Any safe with a barrel lock and steel cabinet are better than not owning a gun safe. I mean, you cannot steal what you cannot see, right?
You do realize that you won’t be getting Fort Knox quality gun safes, but you can still keep your guns safe from typical burglars who are constantly getting into people’s home when no one’s around to pawn something, and 99% of the time, this is the type of break-ins you will have.
If you want to deter most thieves, try bolting these boxes down to the floor in a closet. If there is not much room to move around, these affordable safes will be tough and next to impossible to crack open with a pry bar. Unless they don’t plan on doing some Ocean 11 style heists, you will be good to go.
If you don’t plan on spending a fortune for a safe, why not check out what Stack-On gun safe company has to offer.
Top 5 Stack On Gun Safe
Top Stack On Gun Safe 2020 -Comparison Table
Image | Name | Dimension | Weight (pounds) | Batteries | Material | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Stack-On E-040-SB-E Elite Junior Executive Fire Safe | 19.8 x 20.9 x 40 inc | 225 | 9 volt | Steel | |
 | Stack-On PS-1520 Gun Safe | 21 x 15 x 15 inc | 43.7 | 4 AA | Steel | |
 | Stack-On A-40-MB-E-S Armorguard 40-Gun Safe | 25.5 x 29.2 x 55 inc. | 450 | 9 volt | Steel | |
 | Stack-On PFS-1608 Personal Steel Fireproof Gun Safe | 11.8 x 15 x 11.8 inc. | 48.5 | 4 AA | Steel | |
 | Viking VS-20BLX Mini Biometric Safe | 17"W x 13-1/2"D x 53" inc | 21 | No | Steel |
Top 5 Stack On Gun Safe Reviews
If you want great security features at an affordable price, Stack-On’s Elite Executive safes should be your number one priority. Let’s talk about some of the key features of this safe. It has an electronic lock that’s powered by a 9-volt battery. It is a foolproof safe and if you need to bypass the electronics, you can do so with a key. Just remember to store those keys in a safe place.
All Stack-On Elite Executive safes meet the CA Department of Justice firearm safety standard. The 1 & ½”-inch extra-large live action locking bolts are located on the opening side of the door as well as on the top and bottom of the door. There are three different sizes available and each one of them has the same quality and features.
On the hinge side of the door, there are stationary steel bolts for added security. Tested by ETL, an independent testing lab and verified to be fire resistant for up to 30 minutes. The reinforced steel door is created using flame retardant material to create a protective firewall on the safe. In the event of a fire, there are door stripping on the edges of the door that will expand and keep your contents safe.
This safe has carpeted interior and the shelves are adjustable. You should always mount these types of shelves to a solid surface like a wall or floor to ensure safety. It comes with pre-drilled holes and you will get all the necessary fastening hardware with it.
Highlighted Features |
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Tested and verified by ETL to be fire resistant for 30 minutes and up to 1400˚ F |
Live action locking bolts on the top, bottom and opening side of the door |
It can be bolted with the wall with the included wall mount kit |
The adjustable bed rests to accommodate space for large guns  |
Keep your guns safe and out of reach from thieves with the Stack-On PS-1520 gun safe. It is a well-made safe for securing your documents, pistols and other valuable items. This is a great value safe for budget-oriented people who know what they need. When you fully load the safe, it becomes very heavy to move.
You can bolt it down and the fastening hardware come with it. When empty, this safe weighs about 35 lbs. which isn’t heavy, in fact, I would say it is kind of lightweight and someone with a crowbar can crack it given enough time. So, definitely bolt this down when you buy this. It has two shelves but doesn’t come with a rack for handguns.
You can buy Stack-On rack separately for your pistol safe . You can easily fit several handguns and ammo boxes and still have room for plenty more. It all depends on how you organize and stack it. This safe has pry resistant doors and solid steel construction combined with its live action locking bolts and concealed hinges provide greater security.
It has two different locking system. One with electronic lock another with a biometric lock. You need AA Batteries for the electronic lock, and you will also get a bypass key in case you forget the code, or the lock fails. If you want to safeguard firearms from prying eyes and don’t want to spend over a thousand bucks on a safe, go with this one. It is strong enough to keep your documents and guns safe.
Highlighted Features |
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Generous interior space to secure your valuables |
Pre-drilled mounting holes |
Adjustable shelves to accommodate larger guns |
Easy on the pocket and good safe for the price |
The Armorguard series of fire safes are Stack-On’s top of the line gun safes. As far as dollar-to gun-ratio goes, this is a great budget safe. This one will offer great protection against fire and theft at an unbeatable value. Don’t go comparing this with a Fort Knox which this isn’t meant to compete with. But it has its own set of amazing features that make it worth the investment.
This strong performer is approved by California Firearm Safety Device Department. For locking security, it comes with an electric lock that is battery operated and you can program your own 3-8-digit code. If you forget the code, it comes with a bypass key. If the batteries run out, you can access them from the front of the safe.
The electronic lock isn’t the only security feature of this safe. Behind the lock, it has a hardened steel plate that is drill resistant for greater security. Tested and verified to be fire resistant for up to 30 minutes and from fires that reach up to 1400° F. It has a total of six locking points. Three 1.5" tapered extra-large 2-way live action locking bolts and three 1-inch deadbolts.
To keep your valuables neatly organized, you will get full-panel door storage as well as a customizable interior. The interior is fully carpeted and two compartments from the single partition safe can be configured in multiple ways to hold guns, documents, etc.
Highlighted Features |
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Six locking points for greater security |
Convertible interior to customize the vault to your liking |
It can hold 40 long guns with full panel door storage |
Easy to use the electronic lock |
The Stack-On PFS-1608 is a California DOJ approved handgun safe. For locking security, it has a keypad and a bypass lock. If your primary concern is to keep handguns away from a small child or honest people, this is probably the only safe you will need. The electronic lock is battery operated and requires 4 AA batteries. With regular use, you should get around 6 months of battery life.
This unit weighs around 50 pounds and with some effort, thieves can easily carry it unless you anchor it to the wall. It comes with bolt down hardware and for ultimate protection, hide it behind a fake wall. The electronic lock is emp resistant and with all the features that you are getting, this is one of the best small Nightstand safes on the market.
It is also fire resistant for up to 30 minutes. This one feels extremely sturdy and looks very well made. The best part is, no other small gun safes offer fire protection and electronic lock at this price point. Emergency key entries and silent operation are just icing on the cake. The interior is carpeted, and the shelves are foam padded and also removable.
The safe door opens beyond 180 degrees so that you can easily take items in and out. When it gets full, this tool gets extremely heavy and if bolted in, I highly doubt anyone would try to take it apart. It has ample interior space and if you are interested in a fire safe with a compact form factor, this is the right product for you.
Highlighted Features |
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Welded steel construction for durability |
Fireproof for up to 30 minutes |
Electronic lock and bypass key lock |
Very roomy inside with carpeted interior |
You want to keep your valuables and firearms secure and protected, don’t you? Well, this series of cabinets really does the trick. The GCWB-10-5-DS Sentinel is a 10-gun security cabinet from Stack-On that can hold up to 10 shotguns or rifles that are not more than 52-inches tall. It’s an affordable option for those of you that don’t have the luxury of spending a fortune on a gun safe.
Bolt this cabinet to the wall, install the shelf and you will be able to put 2 AR’s, 8 rifles and small guns and pistols on the bottom. There is also space on the top to keep your accessories and ammo. The top shelf is also removable if you want more space for your rifles. This shelf is also positioned at the back which leaves enough space on the front to store long guns.
There are self-adhesive foam gun rests that keep your guns in place and the bottom portion of the gun cabinet is padded to prevent scratches. The locking mechanis-m is key coded, and the double-bitted locking mechanism is impressive. The 3-point locking system will keep most people out and deter most thieves long enough for the cops to arrive.
Let’s talk about appearance. It has a slim profile, which will fit in most spaces. The black color epoxy paint finish gives it a nice appearance and looks good in any room. I also liked the Sentinel design on the front, gives it a more western look. Keep in mind that it doesn’t have any fire or flood rating. But you can bolt it down to the floor or the wall for additional security.
Highlighted Features |
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Predrilled holes for bolting the safe down to the wall or the floor or both |
Slim profile with a black paint finish |
A three-point locking system for greater security |
Fairly sturdy construction and a good value for the money |
Stack-On Gun Safe Features & Things to Look For
Stack On has a massive product line and their success is a result of their huge collection and attractive pricing.
When choosing a product from them, it’s very important that you should know about them a little so that you know what you are getting.
About Stack-On
A confusing company name that began their journey in 1972. It’s an Illinois based company that manufactures personal security products.
While they don’t make crap products, their high-end products don't stack up well with other popular guns safe manufacturers like Fort Knox or Liberty Magnum which are currently America’s best gun safe manufacturer.
It doesn’t actually make any sense to compare Stack-on safes with those giants because there is a 4000$ price gap. Speaking of price, Stack-On actually focuses more on budget consumers.
Consumers that can’t afford to spend a lot of money on those premium models end up going with Stack-On. And this is where their gun safes really shine. They price their products at a relatively affordable rate.
They are more of a master of none and jack of all trades type company. They will offer a little bit of everything but not excelling at anything. And sometimes, all we want is an affordable safe just to keep our guns safe from children or petty thieves.
With the market filled with premium steelwater gun safes, there was a huge gap in the low to mid-tier segment and they have filled that gap.
Fire Protection
Most of their safes have good fire protection. And the fact that they are verified by ETL, an independent testing lab, this verification makes them respectable to the consumer. Even their mini safes have a 30-minute 1400 degrees F rating.
Earning an ETL rating is a great feat on its own because they don’t have any public loyalty or direct affiliation with Stack-On, and they also don’t slouch on testing. 30 minutes might not seem that long when you consider the fact that other companies offer a fireproof rating of 90 minutes or more.
But 30 minutes will be more than enough because the NFPA has a 6-minute response time. Unless you live in some remote area, your valuables will be completely safe in the event of a fire hazard.
It’s up to you whether you want more fire protection or not. But don’t expect more than half an hour of fire protection from Stack-On.
Security Features
Even their top of the line security safes isn't that secured compared to other top Gun brands. It’s true that they put a lot of effort into making their vaults fireproof and waterproof, but they are still lacking some hardcore security features.
I guess it has to do with their pricing. I mean you can’t expect the 5000-dollars’ worth of security on a 1000-dollar budget safe.
They do provide necessary locking features like an electronic lock, extra-large live action locking bolts and reinforced steel chassis. They even put a hardened steel plate behind each lock to prevent drill attacks.
And their budget safes don’t meet UL’s standards. Certificates aren’t everything because not everyone can afford a safe that meets their standard. If basic security is all you need, then I don’t see any reason why shouldn’t consider buying a safe from Stack-On.
However, all of their safes are approved by the California DOJ, that is probably the only certification you will find. But don’t let this fool you because a lot of shifty salesmen will probably try to use this as a major selling point.
You might have seen a lot of videos out there that pry opens these safes in minutes. Well, pry attacks are pretty common and the most used method for cracking open a gun safe.
But even this attack can be prevented if you bolt down your safe into a secure location and minimize movement. If you don’t leave any space on the side and top, a regular thief won’t be able to leverage a pry bar.
Whoever tries to crack open your safe with a crowbar, they first need to tip it over for leverage and if you can securely anchor it, it will become extremely difficult for them to do so.
Pricing
As I’ve said before, they are one of those few brands that offer affordable safes. Some cost less than 200 dollars.
They are actually a blessing for the middle-income gun enthusiast. Their most expensive models are also considered affordable, but they can’t cope up with the competition.
If hard-core security isn’t your primary concern, you will find a lot of safes to your liking ranging from 100 to 1000 dollars.
Country of Origin
It is hard to pinpoint the exact location of where Stack-On makes their safes. They used to have a manufacturing plant in Illinois but highly doubt they make their products in that plant.
Last I heard, most of their products are manufactured in China and I’ve seen users talk about this in a lot of forums. And there is also the fact that they have to keep the price down, so it makes sense for them to send their manufacturing over there.
Final Words
You do know that no safe is completely safe. With enough time, experience, determination, and proper tools, someone can break into a $5000 worth safe. I mean if someone wants to get in, they can and will.
It’s not about complete protection, it’s about deterring a thief and making it hard to get into one.
Time and noise are a burglar’s worst enemy. And that’s why a Stack-On safe can be made very effective against them by simply positioning it to a solid foundation and placing it in a confined place where access to the back and sides are limited.
If you don’t give any space to leverage a pry tool like a crowbar by limiting the space on top, back and side, there is no way an average crack addict is capable of getting into it.
The only way it can be breached is by cutting, which I highly doubt ordinary thieves are equipped with such a tool. And that concludes our Stack On gun safe review. They are not the highest-grade gun safes, but they can be with some minor tweaking.
Last Updated on by Larry K. Brown
Larry is a professional Shooter and his hobby is shooting and Hunting! He has been shooting for the last 6 years and he loves using many types of guns while outing as well. Based experiences with a different type of Guns and Hunting related products. He is sharing his opinion about various Guns so that a beginner can get started right way. Find him on Facebook.
Happy reading!
