7 Best Car Gun Safes

Last Updated: November 16th, 2020 | By Jack Halloway
Carrying a gun in your car can be dangerous for several reasons. Whether it be holstered to your belt or ankle, anything can happen. For these reasons, you should get yourself a car gun safe. They're typically budget-friendly and very inexpensive.

Keeping a safety vault in your vehicle is convenient for many reasons. For example, if you have your weapon with you, you need to remember that many laws prohibit you from carrying it into churches, schools, federal buildings, etc. A car gun safe would allow you to safely store it within your vehicle while you’re running errands or picking up your kid from school.

Below you’ll find some of the best models to help you keep your gun secure when driving.
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1. Hornady RAPiD Gun Safe With RFID Instant Access For Guns and Valuables

1. Hornady RAPiD Gun Safe With RFID Instant Access For Guns and Valuables
1. Hornady RAPiD Gun Safe With RFID Instant Access For Guns and Valuables
1. Hornady RAPiD Gun Safe With RFID Instant Access For Guns and Valuables
Our Score

If you have a child who’s often driving with you, this vault might be the best for you. It exceeds ASTM International safety standards for pry and child resistance. It has also been tested for lock strength during some drop/pick/saw tests.

The RAPiD safe is RFID activated by key fob, wristband or sticker opening the door instantly. However, you can also access it via a conventional key lock. The safe can be programmed with up to five RFID tags.

The box is made of thick 14-gauge steel meaning that the heavy-duty construction is virtually impossible to break in. It measures 12.7x8.7x2.9 inches with the interior measuring 9x7.7x2.2 inches allowing you to fit 4-inch revolvers and almost all 1911 pistols.

It comes with a cable that allows you to secure it into place. You can choose between AC and battery depending on your preference. Still, the safe is CA DOJ approved and met TSA requirements for safety in checked luggage.

The box comes with RFID wristband, two stickers, and a key fob. You also get two keys for emergency access.

2. SnapSafe Lock Box With Combination Lock

2. SnapSafe Lock Box With Combination Lock
2. SnapSafe Lock Box With Combination Lock
2. SnapSafe Lock Box With Combination Lock
Our Score

This multi-purpose box measures 10 x 7 x 2 inches in total and is ideal for storing your guns, cash, documents of value, jewelry, and much more. Though it’s designed to be used in cars, you can easily keep it at home in a drawer of your nightstand, for example.

It features a combination lock for ultimate security where you get to pick your 3-digit combination entry. The safe is built from 16-gauge steel that’s CA DOJ approved. It meets all TSA airline guidelines, too.

This lockbox comes with a 1500 lb. rated cable allowing you to secure it into place. It’s recommended you use it when carrying and transporting the weapon to make sure nobody can steal it. The interior is lined with four foam inserts that are thick and protective keeping your guns from scratching or damaging in any way.

Overall, it’s a handy vault but be careful with your PIN code because there aren’t any alternative ways of accessing it.

3. Bulldog Cases Car Safe with Key Lock, Mounting Bracket and Cable in Black

3. Bulldog Cases Car Safe with Key Lock, Mounting Bracket and Cable in Black
3. Bulldog Cases Car Safe with Key Lock, Mounting Bracket and Cable in Black
3. Bulldog Cases Car Safe with Key Lock, Mounting Bracket and Cable in Black
Our Score

The Bulldog Car Gun Safe is one of the most affordable options on the market. It’s durable, long-lasting and secure for keeping all kinds of guns and valuables.

It comes with a mounting bracket and a cable for extra security. It has hinges built on the inside making it almost impossible to pry open. You should install the bracket in any location you want but make sure you can easily slide the box in and out of it.

There’s only one way to open it, and it’s with the included key. This is convenient since you won’t have to remember any PIN codes though you’ll have to remember where you keep the key as you’ll need it to get the vault out of the bracket.

It’s compact and won’t take up much of the space in your car. However, you can easily store a 9mm pistol and possibly a spare mag. Larger guns probably won’t fit, and there’s not much space for any other valuable items.

4. SentrySafe PP1K Portable Gun Safe, Black, One Handgun Capacity

4. SentrySafe PP1K Portable Gun Safe, Black, One Handgun Capacity
4. SentrySafe PP1K Portable Gun Safe, Black, One Handgun Capacity
4. SentrySafe PP1K Portable Gun Safe, Black, One Handgun Capacity
Our Score

SentrySafe's PP1K is a one-gun box lined with foam on the inside for extra protection from damage and scratching. It’s made of solid steel and is pry-resistant.

Though it’s completely portable, the safe comes with a cable allowing you to secure it into place. This prevents the box from tumbling during the ride and helps against any unauthorized access.

It unlocks with the included key which is the only way to access it so make sure to remember where you keep it. The box looks like any other regular briefcase with a carrying handle.

It’s compact which means easy storage under the driver’s seat or pretty much anywhere else. Weighing only 8 pounds, the vault is ideal for car storage. This SentrySafe model is CA DOJ approved.

5. GunVault MicroVault Portable Compact Gun Safe with Illuminated No-Eyes Digital Keypad and Security Cable (1 Pistol Capacity)

5. GunVault MicroVault Portable Compact Gun Safe with Illuminated No-Eyes Digital Keypad and Security Cable (1 Pistol Capacity)
5. GunVault MicroVault Portable Compact Gun Safe with Illuminated No-Eyes Digital Keypad and Security Cable (1 Pistol Capacity)
5. GunVault MicroVault Portable Compact Gun Safe with Illuminated No-Eyes Digital Keypad and Security Cable (1 Pistol Capacity)
Our Score

The all-new redesigned MV550-19 built by GunVault is certainly one of the best car gun safes on the market. It includes the illuminated "no-eyes" keypad and added safety features where its previous model lacked. With a new and improved reinforced lip and anti-pry tabs on the inside, you can have peace of mind knowing your firearms are safely stored inside. 

For discreet access, the MV550-19 allows its owner to mute the sound notification. The casing is built from 18-gauge steel with an interior lined with 1/2" thick foam preventing your firearm from scratching and damage during transportation. Not to worry, this will fit most types of pistols and an extra magazine.

At a "whopping" 2.2 pounds (heavy we know) you should most certainly not have any issues transporting this portable gun safe. Lastly, this is a California DOJ approve firearm safety device.

6. GunVault NV300 Fits Full Size 1911 Style Pistols Black (Pack of 1)

6. GunVault NV300 Fits Full Size 1911 Style Pistols Black (Pack of 1)
6. GunVault NV300 Fits Full Size 1911 Style Pistols Black (Pack of 1)
6. GunVault NV300 Fits Full Size 1911 Style Pistols Black (Pack of 1)
Our Score

This is a very simple, easy-to-use vault that fits almost anywhere in your car. It’s easy to conceal it, and you can secure it into place with the included cable. Use it to anchor the vault down so nobody can steal it.

It’s not the most pry-resistant device, but it does a fair job when you need something to transfer a gun in.

It opens with a 3-digit combination you choose. Though this is among the easiest ways, make sure not to forget the PIN because there aren’t any other ways to access the vault.

The casing is built from 18-gauge steel with an interior lined with ½’’ thick foam. This prevents the weapon from scratching and damaging during transportation.

Because it weighs only slightly more than 3 pounds, the vault is easy to carry in a bag and suitcase with ease, too. It meets all TSA airline guidelines.

First Alert Portable Handgun Safe, 5200DF

First Alert Portable Handgun Safe, 5200DF
First Alert Portable Handgun Safe, 5200DF
First Alert Portable Handgun Safe, 5200DF
Our Score

Looking to find a portable gun safe you can carry in your vehicle? First Alert's 5200DF is one of our top recommended choices! Not only is it one of the safest options, it's also portable, easy to use, and versatile.

The construction is durable "enough", but still not as durable as we'd like it to be. Still it provides owners with a dose of security you can rarely find in vaults at this price range. A series of its other features make it an excellent choice for indoor use as well as for transporting needs.

Continue reading to find out about its specifications and features and how it performed when our team tested it for durability and ease of use.

Read our full review on the 5200DF here!

Buyer's Guide to Purchasing a Car Gun Safe

Pros of Owning a Car Gun Safe

As we mentioned above, you probably won’t be able to carry your gun everywhere with you. So, when you want to go into a post office, you’ll need to leave the gun in your car. This is where the car gun safe comes into play. Here are some of the most significant pros:

Ideal For Traveling – if you’re going on a vacation with your family, the last thing you want is an unprotected gun in the car. To make sure nobody can get their hands on your weapon, it’s best you keep it safely locked away in a safe especially built for transportation.

Suitable For Airplanes – most vaults are TSA approved for checked luggage so you can safely carry the guns in airplanes, too.

Cons of Owning a Car Gun Safe

Every product comes with advantages and disadvantages so you should always consider both. Here are some setbacks you should remember:

Compact size – in most cases, these vaults are small and compact. Though they are easy to conceal anywhere in your car, most can’t keep more than a single gun. Our recommendation? Try buying a under-bed safe you can fit in the trunk of your car!

Possible theft – unless you use a security cable, anyone can just walk away with the safe. All vaults are accessible with enough time and the right tools, so make sure to get only the one that can be secured into your car.

Safeist's Final Verdict and Thoughts

If you think about carrying your weapons anywhere, we recommend you have a gun safe to store it away. All states have different laws, but almost all forbid you from bringing guns into certain buildings.

Plus, you can’t just keep a firearm casually lying in the vehicle. It’s best that it’s secured and locked away from children or anyone else for that matter.

We chose our top picks based on overall pry-resistance and general ease of use. These are durable vaults virtually impossible to break in without the PIN code or a key.

Before you make the final decision, make sure you’ve considered all the pros and cons of having a gun safe in your car. Think about what kind would be the best for the firearm and vehicle you have so you can choose the most suitable one. Check out some of our portable biometric gun safes you could carry in your car as well!
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