Small Gun Safe: What to Look For, Best Options, Size Considerations

Types of Small Gun Safes

Bedside Quick-Access

Designed for fast access from bed, these safes prioritize speed and convenience. They often feature biometric or keypad locks for quick opening, and are sized to fit on a nightstand or mount to bed frame. Security is balanced with accessibility.

Vehicle Lockbox

Compact safes designed for vehicle storage, typically secured with cables or mounting hardware. These prioritize portability and theft deterrence. Important: Vehicle storage laws vary by state and locality—best practice is using a lockbox that's secured to the vehicle and ensuring compliance with local transport requirements. Always check your state and local laws regarding firearm storage in vehicles.

Travel Safes

Lightweight, portable safes for temporary storage during travel. Often use cable locks for securing to fixed objects in hotel rooms or other temporary locations. Less robust than permanent safes but provide basic security on the go.

Drawer/Desk Safes

Low-profile safes designed to fit inside drawers or under desks. These prioritize concealment and space efficiency. Often feature slim profiles and may use mechanical or electronic locks depending on access speed needs.

Steel Thickness & Pry Resistance

Steel thickness affects both security and weight. Thicker steel provides better pry resistance, but also increases weight and cost. Look for safes with adequate steel construction—very thin steel can be defeated with basic tools. Consider how the safe will be used: a bedside quick-access safe may prioritize speed over maximum security, while a vehicle lockbox needs better pry resistance. Avoid fixating on specific gauge numbers unless you're comparing similar models—construction quality, door design, and locking mechanism integration matter as much as raw steel thickness.

Lock Types: Biometric vs Keypad vs Simplex/Mechanical

Biometric Locks

Fingerprint scanners offer fast access and no code to remember. Pros: Quick access, no code memory needed. Cons: Can have false rejections (especially with wet/dirty fingers), dead batteries lock you out, and some models have reliability issues. Always have backup access (key or backup code). For more details, see our are biometric safes reliable guide.

Electronic Keypad Locks

Digital keypads with PIN codes. Pros: Reliable when batteries are fresh, faster than mechanical for some users. Cons: Dead batteries lock you out, can be vulnerable to code observation, and some models have lockout features that can be triggered accidentally. Always keep spare batteries and backup keys accessible.

Simplex/Mechanical Locks

Push-button mechanical locks (like Simplex) or key locks. Pros: No batteries, reliable, no electronic failure modes. Cons: Slower access than biometric, code can be observed if not careful, and mechanical locks can wear over time. These are often preferred for reliability-critical applications.

Mounting & Tethering

Small safes should be mountable to prevent theft. Look for pre-drilled mounting holes and included hardware. Common mounting patterns include four-corner bolt holes for bolting to floor, wall, or furniture. Cable options are available for some models, allowing tethering to fixed objects—useful for vehicle or travel safes. Why it matters: A safe that can be easily carried away defeats the purpose. Even a small safe should be secured to something solid. For vehicle use, secure mounting is especially important to prevent theft and ensure the safe doesn't become a projectile in an accident. See our how to bolt down a safe guide for mounting tips.

Interior Sizing That Actually Works

Measuring for a small gun safe requires considering more than just the pistol. Measure your pistol with optic (if equipped), weapon light (if equipped), and account for door clearance. Many "compact" safes list capacity but don't account for accessories. Interior layout matters: foam padding vs racks affects usable space. Foam can be cut to fit but reduces capacity; racks provide more efficient use of space but may not accommodate odd shapes. Door clearance is critical—ensure the door opens fully and the pistol can be removed without scraping. For pistols with lights or optics, add 1-2 inches to your measurements. Test fit if possible, or choose a safe with generous interior dimensions.

Fire Ratings: What They Mean and What They Don't

Small gun safes often have fire ratings, but these should be understood in context. Fire ratings typically specify temperature and duration (e.g., "1200°F for 30 minutes"), but small safes have limited thermal mass and may not protect contents as well as larger safes with the same rating. Fire ratings don't guarantee protection—they indicate performance under specific test conditions. Real fires vary in intensity, duration, and heat distribution. Small safes may protect documents and electronics better than firearms, which can be damaged by lower temperatures. Don't overstate protection: a small safe with a fire rating provides some protection but isn't equivalent to a full-size fire-rated safe. For more information, see our fireproof vs fire-resistant safes guide.

Size Considerations

Capacity varies widely—many compact quick-access safes fit 1–2 handguns (especially with optics/lights), while larger "compact" models can fit more depending on layout. Consider not just current needs but potential future additions. A safe that's too small will need replacement, while one that's too large wastes space and money. Measure your actual pistols with accessories to ensure proper fit.

Best Options by Use Case

Best Bedside Quick-Access

Look for safes with fast-opening locks (biometric or keypad), interior lighting, and mounting options for nightstand or bed frame. Prioritize speed and reliability—you need access quickly in the dark. Backup access methods are essential in case of battery failure or lock malfunction.

Best Budget Simplex-Style

Mechanical push-button locks (Simplex-style) offer reliability without batteries. These are often more affordable than biometric models and provide consistent performance. Good for users who prioritize reliability over speed and don't want to worry about battery replacement.

Best Vehicle Lockbox

Look for compact safes with cable or mounting hardware, pry-resistant construction, and weather-resistant design. Vehicle lockboxes need to be secured to the vehicle and comply with local laws. Portability is important, but security shouldn't be compromised. Remember: vehicle storage laws vary by state and locality—ensure compliance with local transport requirements.

Best Drawer/Desk Storage

Low-profile safes that fit inside drawers or under desks. Look for slim dimensions, quiet operation, and reliable locks. These prioritize concealment and space efficiency over quick access speed.