Product Reviews 20

When you’re shopping for the best gun safe, you shouldn’t have to sacrifice versatility for security. A gun safe should be able to mount on a wall or floor in the best possible way for your home. It should open in such a way that your firearms are properly protected. It should be large enough to accommodate your guns, but still have enough room for you to expand your collection. The V-Line Quick Access Keyless Long Gun Safe gets the basics right so you don’t have to worry about the security of your guns any more.

Weighing in at just under 11 pounds, it might seem at first like this gun safe isn’t worth the investment. Here are the answers to some of the common questions we could see being asked about this particular safe.

How many guns can this safe hold? We’re going to say this can comfortably hold one rifle. An AR-15 with a scope by itself is a tight fit as it is. Longer barrel guns might not even fit. You might be able to squeeze two smaller long guns in there, but we wouldn’t recommend it. 

How easy is it to mount this gun safe? One of the marketing points of this safe is that it can be mounted in an upright manner or hanging since it has a front/top opening. The only problem is that you don’t receive any mounting hardware with the safe itself. If you don’t have the hardware at home already, you’ll need to get it to mount this safe. 

How good is the electronic lock? This gun safe is equipped with the same type of electronic locks that have been seen for about a generation on several brands of gun safes. If you know how to program a TV remote, then you can figure out this lock. The push-button design is not our favorite style, but it gets the job done and can stand up to some consistent use. 

How much security does this safe provide? Some might say that this is really more of a cabinet to store a rifle than a gun safe. It’s sturdy enough that you could sit on it while empty without damaging the product, but if someone with a drill and a purpose wanted to get into this V-Line model, they could do it. Think of it as a way to keep a long gun out of the hands of your kids or visitors more than a comprehensive security solution. 

Is there any padding included? Yes. There is a thin layer of padding included with this gun safe to help prevent damage to your long guns. The padding doesn’t stop the gun from moving about if you’re transporting this gun safe, however, so you may wish to add some extra foam or other insulation as an additional measure of protection. 

V-Line has a history of making quality products at budget-friendly prices and that description aptly applies here. If you’re looking for a simple solution to your gun storage needs, then we highly recommend this quick access keyless long gun safe today.

Click here to check pricing on Amazon and get an awesome deal on the V-Line Quick Access Keyless Long Gun Safe.

The problem with shoulder holsters is that they always tend to be a bit bulky. They’re comfortable for sure and they securely hold your firearm and some spare mags, but people know that you’re carrying and that defeats the purpose of a CCP. The UTG Universal Shoulder Holster is a tactical holster that provides a reasonable amount of quality for a fair investment. You’re not going to get 20 years of daily wear out of this thing, but it could be the answer you need for an immediate solution.

Is the Universal Design Really Universal?

The UTG Universal Shoulder Holster won’t work for all types of firearms. We found that the service firearms tended to have the best results and larger guns, like a Glock, tended to do well. Some firearms sit a little awkwardly in the holster, but are still secure and you can get used to carrying them. It isn’t going to provide a precise fit, but that’s to be expected with the universal design.

It is important to recognize that this is designed to be a tactical holster. You’ll need to get through a Velcro strap that has secured your holster in addition to a thumb break in order to draw your firearm. This might be a deal-breaker for some folks, but if that’s the case, you shouldn’t be shopping for that kind of design in the first place.

Some folks might be concerned that the size and shape of this holster can give away the fact that they’re carrying. We did not have that problem at any time while giving this holster a trial run. We found that it was easy to adjust for different body sizes, simple to put on, and it was rather comfortable throughout the day.

Some Things of Which You Should Be Aware 

The one issue we noticed with this holster was that heavier firearms tended to have a bit of a “bounce” when secured into this holster. You can get rid of most of that by fiddling with the adjustments until it gets strapped down enough, but even then it can still feel a little awkward on the first couple days of wear.

We found that this holster tends to work best for folks we’d describe as a medium to extra-large build. Even if you’re above 300 pounds, this holster is still going to be fairly comfortable for you. It’s the slimmer and shorter in stature that are going to have the most difficulty with this particular holster. It will still work, but you will likely feel that it won’t have the “perfect” fit and that might cause some with a smaller build to avoid wearing the holster.

It also takes a bit of a learning curve to deal with how this particular shoulder holster straps into your belt. The first couple of times putting this holster on was pretty awkward until we got the hang of it and then we were good to go. Take some extra time to just get the feel of how this holster slips on and you’ll avoid many of the wear issues noted in the public reviews.

The shoulders are padded, but not padded well. You’ll still feel the weight of your firearm.

The UTG Universal Shoulder Holster might be at an entry-level price, but it still has some good long-term value considerations. Give it a try today and we think you’ll be pleased with the results.

Click here to check pricing on Amazon and get an awesome deal on the UTG Universal Shoulder Holster.

A holster should be versatile. It should be comfortable. It should securely fasten your firearm, yet still give you an easy draw experience. The UTG Concealed Belt Holster is able to meet those needs and do so for a surprisingly budget-friendly price. Designed to be ambidextrous based on where you clip the holster to your belt, anyone with a concealed carry permit will find this holster can provide the all-day comfortable wear that you need.

The Plastic Clip: Good, Bad, or Ugly? 

Let’s address the one problem with this holster’s design right away: the plastic clip. The clip is built into the holster, so you can’t swap it out. It’s a smooth clip, so affixing it to your belt or your waistline is pretty easy and smooth. Unfortunately that also means you’re just as likely to draw your gun inside the holster as you are to have a successful draw because the clip slides off as you pull up. If you’re not careful, that might even cause the holster to slip off your belt on its own.

How do you minimize this issue? We found that wearing it as an IWB holster was the best solution while wearing a belt. We put the clip between the belt and the waistline of the pants and this helped to provide more stability during a draw. It wasn’t a perfect experience, but at this price point, it performed well.

The Velco Strap: Difficult or Easy? 

A good holster must secure your firearm in a drawing position at all times. Many holsters include a strap that runs along the back of the grip to make this happen. In theory, a quick flick of the thumb is enough to then prepare for a draw. The Velcro strap on the UTG Concealed Belt Holster doesn’t quite give that experience.

The strap itself isn’t always easy to grab. If you’re not used to its placement, then you could find yourself in trouble during an emergency situation. The Velcro also tends to pick up lint from your clothing over time, making the strap less effective unless you peel that lint out – and that’s not easy to do. We recommend practicing with this strap as part of the drawing process to get familiar with its design.

This Holster Is Bigger Than You Think 

We actually feel like this holster is built more for a 9mm compact than for the other firearms that are recommended for it. That doesn’t mean you can’t carry other defensive firearms with this holster, but it does mean that they might float around a bit if they’re not properly secured.

If you need a backup holster or you’re trying to get used to your first concealed carry experiences, then we can see the benefits of owning the UTG Concealed Carry Holster. It may not be the best full-time daily holster, but for training purposes or light carrying needs, it will get the job done.

Click here to check pricing on Amazon and get an awesome deal on the UTG Concealed Belt Holster.

Sometimes your backup needs some backup. For those times when wearing just one piece won’t do or for when your fashion choices won’t hide a shoulder, belly, or IWB holster, then this is a great choice to still keep yourself protected. The TufForce Padded Concealed Ankle Holster will wear on either leg, hold a small-to-medium firearm securely, and can be worn right against the skin comfortably. That way you can always have a defensive firearm within reach. 

The Benefits of the TufForce Ankle Holster 

The elastic nature of this holster is what really provides users with a benefit when they are exercising their rights to concealed carry. The materials have enough give to them that you can carry virtually any type of firearm that is medium-sized or below with comfort. Whether you’ve got an XD9 you like to carry or you’re old-school with a .38 Special, at this price point you won’t find a more flexible option for a holster.

Here are a few more observations from our trial run with the TufForce Ankle Holster that may be of use.

• It is quite tight around the ankle. If you’ve got a larger leg size, then this holster might cut into your legs a bit. Some folks might not be able to wear calf socks with this holster on because it’s more for people with a medium build.
• It requires the right pants. Jeans are a tough fit around this holster. We found khakis tend to hide the holster the best.
• All day daily wear is a grind on this holster. If you’re wearing this holster 8-12 hours every day, you will find that it may begin to degrade over the course of 6-8 weeks, as the stitching tends to work its way out.

We see this as a great training option so you can get used to carrying an ankle holster. Because the draw and weight is different when compared to other holsters, use the TufForce Ankle Holster as a way to see if this concealed carry option is right for you.

Safe and Secure, But With a Twist 

We really loved how secure this holster is along the leg. It doesn’t cause the firearm to bounce when it is strapped in, but that safety and security does have some limits. If you have an active job or you want to arm yourself while you take a jog through the local park, this holster might not be your best option. For administrators, office personnel, or that casual afternoon with the family at the mall, the TufForce holster performs quite well.

After some use, we discovered that the holster does stretch out a bit, helping to ease the cutting experience after a couple of weeks. This also makes the holster feel a bit loose and insecure for some users.

At this price point, finding an ankle holster that can work for all day wear without requiring consistent adjustments is difficult. The TufForce Concealed Ankle Holster might not be perfect, but it does provide you with some flexibility for your concealed carry rights. That’s why it earns our recommendation.

Click here to check pricing on Amazon and get an awesome deal on the TufForce Padded Concealed Ankle Holster.

When a gun safe describes itself as being heavy duty, one should immediately question what that means. For the Steelwater heavy duty 20 long gun safe, it means that you’ll be receiving a comprehensive safe that can store and protect an average of a dozen long guns. Not only is this gun safe fire rated at 45 minutes of constant 1,550F temperatures, but it even has a locking mechanism that is designed to operate even if an EMP has been discharged.

This gun safe does weigh 425 pounds, so you’ll want to pick out where you want it installed and then keep it there. We had the privilege of giving this great gun safe a trial run and here is a brief summary of what our experiences were.

1. You’re not going to pry this door open at all. Steelwater has equipped this gun safe with a total of 9 steel bolts that are 1 inch in diameter. There are 6 active bolts that are chrome plated, with 3 additional bolts for added security on the hinge side that remain inactive. The door itself is made from 12 gauge steel that is 4.75 inches thick. Don’t worry about someone with a crowbar prying this safe open any time soon.
2. You’ll need a dehumidifying agent. Steelwater has included a 0.5 diameter hole in this safe for the installation of a dehumidifier and you’ll want to take advantage of it. If you don’t install a rod, then you’ll want to include some sort of moisture absorbing agent or compound with your firearm storage to prevent internal corrosion.
3. Delivery of this gun safe can be problematic. Steelwater will deliver this gun safe on a full-sized tractor trailer. If you cannot accept this kind of delivery, then you’re responsible for picking up the gun safe in some other way. You cannot cancel an order once it has been made because there is an issue with delivering the safe, so double-check what you can accept before you get stuck with a headache.
4. We loved the keypad included with this design. Instead of a cheap plastic keypad on a solid gun safe like so many other manufacturers include, Steelwater has created a chrome keypad that isn’t going to break down on you after a few months of use.
5. The interior comes fully upholstered. Steelwater has given the interior of this gun safe gray upholstery that will let you safely store your firearms. The shelving included with the safe is also adjustable, so you can store up to 10 long guns in each section – or your other preferred firearms. There’s 1 full length self and 4 removable shelves so you can design your interior to best suit your needs.

If you need a comprehensive safe for your long guns, rifles, shotguns, or similar firearms, then we highly recommend this Steelwater heavy duty safe. It is solid, secure, and gives you the right amount of protection.

Click here to check pricing on Amazon and get an awesome deal on the Steelwater Heavy Duty 20 Long Gun Safe.

If the wheel isn’t broken, then why fix it? Far too often, we accept change simply because it happens. Sometimes it shouldn’t happen and the Stack-On Elite Executive Fire Safe is a great example of this fact. It’s black powder coat paint finish, silver gray door with black accents, and combination lock will provide you with the right level of security you need to keep your firearms and valuables safe. Fastening hardware is included so you can mount this safe as well for a more permanent solution.

We do recommend the purchase of a miniature dehumidifier with this safe if you don’t have one already. There is no access point for a dehumidifier rod and the moisture build-up on the interior is going to happen. Here are the other facts you’ll want to know about this well-built safe.

There Is the Right Amount of Storage Space 

Overall you’ll receive about 4 cubic feet of storage space inside this Stack-On safe. The floor of the safe has been carpeted to give your firearms some protection against scratching. You’ll receive just under 15 inches in length, about 17 inches in width, and about 21.5 inches in height for storage dimensions overall. The total weight of the safe is 155 pounds.

We also like the fact that the sides and back of this particular safe are just as sturdy as the door happens to be. Many gun safes tend to be more like a filing cabinet than an actual safe because all of the protection the manufacturer gives to it is for a frontal defense. Stack-On has created a very consistent product with this safe and with the interior, most users will find that it has the capacity to meet their needs.

Be Wary of the Combination Lock 

People either love or hate a combination lock. In an era where biometrics and keypads are more popular, you still can’t beat the quality of a combination lock for a safe like this. We found that the standard lock is very picky about number placement. If you are not precise – and we mean right there on the combination number exactly – then you’re not going to get the door open on this safe.

You can also inadvertently damage your combination lock if you’re not careful with this safe. When you have the latch up on the safe with the door open, then the dial is going to stay locked on the last part of your combination. Don’t force the dial when this happens or you’ll find yourself with a very large and effective paperweight instead of an effective gun safe.

This is a fire resistant safe, but rated at just 30 minutes, so it isn’t going to withstand something major. It does have up to 10 locking points, including 1.5 inch live action locking bolts that offer a 4-way locking experience for an enhanced level of security. It also meets all CA requirements for a gun safe and we found the usability of this safe to be better than most other safes.

Is this the best gun safe for you? It could be if you have the need to store a firearm and you have limited living space for a larger option. Give it a look and we think you’ll be pleased by what you see.

Click here to check pricing on Amazon and get an awesome deal on the Stack-On Elite Executive Fire Safe.

In this day and age, you need to have defensive security in a number of places around your home. Having an alarm system and a large gun safe in the basement just isn’t good enough for some households. You may need to store a firearm that is easy to access in your kitchen, your bedroom, or other locations in your home so that if an intruder comes around, you can quickly defend yourself. That’s what the Stack-On PDS-500 Drawer Safe allows you to do.

Many drawer gun safes don’t actually fit into a drawer unless it is a massively oversized drawer. Since this Stack-On gun safe easily slips into virtually any standard drawer, it already has an advantage over the rest of the competition. Here are a few additional reasons why we believe this is one of the best gun safes on the market today after giving it a trial run.

1. You have double the locking bolts. Many drawer gun safes don’t even have a locking bolt. For those that do, it’s just a single bolt design that is protecting your firearm. This Stack-On safe comes equipped with 2 live-action steel locking bolts that give you a solid level of protection. You’re not going to be able to pry open this safe.
2. You can mount this safe if you wish. Although we wouldn’t recommend mounting this safe to a wall, having it mounted to your drawer can help prevent a thief from just grabbing this drawer safe on you during a robbery. The installation process takes about 15 minutes and you receive all the hardware you need for a successful experience.
3. The interior of the safe is surprisingly roomy. You’re going to be able to fit 3-4 handguns into this drawer gun safe. With that being said, there is also a certain level of shallowness to the interior. You won’t be able to store an entire box of ammo, for example, unless it’s super small. A few rounds that you need to get out of sight from the kids, however, can be accommodated quite well with this gun safe.
4. We’re not a fan of the plastic keyboard. Although the safe itself is quite durable, the keypad could be problematic for some users. Made from plastic, you’ve got to be gentle with it if you don’t want it to crack on you. You don’t have to worry about someone busting up the plastic to override the lock, but it would be nice to have a little more quality here.
5. Ignore the paper clip complaints. Look – sure. You can override this gun safe with a simple paper clip. This isn’t supposed to be an all-in-one security solution for your firearms either. It’s supposed to help you keep your gun away from curious fingers who might want to play with it. If you’re really concerned about this issue, a small dab of epoxy over the access point will solve the issue or you can contact Stack-On for a replacement lock that isn’t as vulnerable.

Be aware that this drawer safe is a little heavy at 12 pounds, so it could be problematic for some locations where you might need access to a defensive firearm. We found that the positives of the Stack-On PDS-500 drawer safe far outweigh the negatives, so if you need a strong and portable safe for your handgun, we recommend giving this one a good look.

Click here to check pricing on Amazon and get an awesome deal on the Stack-On PDS-500 Drawer Safe.

Have you ever noticed how noticeable so many gun safes and cabinets are? You might as well draw a target on the safe to tell someone that you’ve got firearms stored there. The Stack-On 10 Gun Double Door Gun Safe offers you a different solution that blends in with your other cabinetry in the home. Mimicking the look of many garage storage cabinets or basement storage solutions, each cabinet comes with a separate key so that you have fully secure storage experience.

The Features of the Stack-On Double Door Cabinet 

This gun safe is designed to keep your valuables on one side of the safe and your guns on the other. You could also store handguns or your ammo on one side and your rifles or shotguns on the other side if you prefer. Inside the valuables cabinet are 4 large padded shelves that are removable. Both sides are protected by a full-sized steel door and protected by a key coded 3 point locking system with a double-bitted lock.

Here are some of the other features of note with this particular safe from Stack-On.

• Mounting holes are incorporated into the back of the unit so that it can be securely fastened to the wall of your choice. There isn’t a flange, however, so a flush mounting isn’t in the design. Since it weighs just 100 pounds, it could conceivably be stolen under the right circumstances.
• The coating on the outside of the cabinet is strong enough to resist most household scratching or chipping that could occur. The finish is nice and smooth.
• The shelves have to be installed after delivery. Double-check to make sure you don’t install them upside down.

We definitely recommend that you anchor this cabinet to the wall because without that added support, it will not be very sturdy, especially when it is empty. Keep in mind that this isn’t designed to be fire-resistant and you’ll need to do some assembly before storing your firearms and we believe you’ll have a very positive experience.

Here’s What We Might Change With the Stack-On Double Door Cabinet 

The plastic barrel standoffs for this security cabinet by Stack-On are really mounted a little too high for your average carbine-style rifle. You can fix it, of course, but after spending this much on a security cabinet, you kind of expect the manufacturer to know what they’re doing instead of relying on your handyman skills. We’d definitely change that positioning.

Based on the public reviews, we would also recommend that you thoroughly inspect this cabinet upon delivery before accepting it. Almost every negative review relates to shipping damages that were found after the delivery was accepted, which made returning the product difficult to do.

Otherwise the Stack-On 10 Gun Double Door Security Cabinet does an excellent job of protecting your valuables and firearms from curious hands. If that’s the kind of storage solution you’re looking for today, then we highly recommend this cabinet as a top option for your needs.

Click here to check pricing on Amazon and get an awesome deal on the Stack-On 10 Gun Double Door Gun Cabinet.

With the world as it is today, more people than ever before are looking at the potential value of owning a defensive firearm. Handguns and pistols are remarkably affordable and provide just the right amount of protection. Yet when there are children in the home, keeping a pistol in your nightstand, dresser, or under your pillow isn’t an option. This is where the Sentry Safe biometric quick access pistol safe can really help you out.

Why might this be the best gun safe for you? For starters, it is designed in such a way that you can place it in a drawer so it is out of site. Made from 12 gauge steel, it’s also sturdy enough to be kept out in the open if you wish. The biometric lock is super quiet when opening and so easy to use that you can open the safe with one hand and then grab your firearm with the other.

Here are some of other observations from our time with this gun safe by Sentry Safe.

You Can Mount This Gun Safe 

The mounting hardware is for either a shelf mount or a floor mount. You can’t anchor it vertically because there isn’t enough depth within the safe to prevent items from falling out. It’s small enough at 10×12 that someone could just pick it up if they were so inclined, but we tried to pry this safe open and had a devil of a time trying to do it. This gun safe won’t be the foundation of a home security setup, but it is a great little bedside safe for those unexpected moments when you may need to protect yourself.

Make Sure You Change the Default Code 

This gun safe comes with a programmed code which allows you to open the safe once it is in your possession. Even if you program the biometrics, make sure that you change this code. You’ll also want to plan for about 30 minutes to setup your biometrics since you need to scan two fingers into the lock and each finger requires about 10 scans in total. The code reset is also inside the safe and protected by a plastic cover so it is virtually impossible to access from the outside.

We’re Not a Fan of the Keypad 

The design of the keypad is what we’d consider to be a standard design for gun safes today. What we don’t like about it is that Sentry Safe has made the buttons of the keypad to be soft and spongy. In our experience, this type of button tends to break down over time with repetitive use. Once that happens, it becomes virtually impossible to use the keypad. We also don’t like the fact that you have to press a button before the safe will acknowledge the entry of a code.

This Safe Opens Super Fast 

Once this gun safe recognizes you as the authorized user of it, the opening sequence will surprise you with how fast it is. If you’re looking over the safe, it can easily pop you in the nose if you’re not careful. Combined with the exterior design that doesn’t give a pry bar leverage to force the lid open and you’ve got yourself a sturdy little gun safe that can slide into virtually drawer.

Will the Sentry Safe biometric quick access pistol safe give you a comprehensive safety solution for all of your firearms? No. What it can do is protect one pistol, maybe some ammo, and a single magazine with ease. If that’s what you’re looking to find so you can safely store a defensive firearm, then there might not be a better gun safe on the market today to meet that need. This safe receives our highest recommendation.

Click here to check pricing on Amazon and get an awesome deal on the Sentry Safe Biometric Quick Access Pistol Safe.

There are a number of reasons why this could be the best gun safe available right now. For starters, this Mesa Safe Company burglary and fire gun safe is rated to survive a fire for at least one hour at 1,750F when other safes can’t make it 45 minutes at temperatures that are 400 degrees color. Then there are the 12 solid steel locks and dead bolts, each 1.5 inches in diameter, combined with a 4 point locking system, to make sure this safe stays shut when you’ve locked it up. The lock is protected by a drill-resistant hard plate and the spring loaded re-locker can keep the safe locked even if the lock has been removed.

With the 440 pound weight of this safe, the recommendation from the manufacturer is to mount this safe to your floor. There are no mounting options for a wall included, probably because there’s an electric plug that comes from the back instead of the side, which makes it impossible to have a flush wall mount. As long as you can get past this one potential negative, we believe this gun safe will either meet or exceed all of your expectations and here’s why.

1. A door organizer is included with the interior design. Not only can you store up to 14 long guns, but there is plenty of interior space to store other items as well. MSC has even included a door organizer for some of your smaller items. To be fair, you’ll probably store 7-10 long guns instead of 14 with the average setup, but let’s face it – no marketed number is 100% accurate for the average user. 
2. Internal temperatures are rated to 350F. Because the temperatures are at this level on the interior during a fire, you can store documentation with your guns and still have them protected by this safe. We wouldn’t recommend storing ammunition inside of this gun safe, however, because the heat could cause it to ignite and negate the documents you’ve stored. Don’t have documents? Then go ahead and store the ammo. 
3. The electronic lock is battery operated. If there was one weak point to talk about with this particular gun safe, it would be with the electronic lock. Its battery operated, so if they aren’t working, you’re not necessarily getting into your safe. You can override the lock with a physical key, of course, but this experience we found to be a bit of a hassle.
4. We’d like to see some extra body thickness in a perfect world. The door is 5 1/8 inches thick, which helps to negate unauthorized entry, but we’d like to see an improvement to the 1.75 inch thickness of the safe walls. 
5. You can adjust the interior to meet your needs. Many of the shelves included with this MSC gun safe are fully adjustable. Each shelf is fully upholstered as well, so you won’t have to worry about scratching your firearms. We would recommend placing a dehumidifying agent within the safe as you store your firearms, however, to avoid any needless corrosion.

You’d easily pay double to receive a similar gun safe from a different manufacturer with the included features that this Mesa Safe Company 14 long gun safe provides. It looks great, does the job it was built to do, and we believe you’ll find the investment will continue to pay dividends for years to come.

Click here to check pricing on Amazon and get an awesome deal on the Mesa Safe Company 14 Gun Burglary and Fire Gun Safe.