Buying the best gun safe under $500 is a difficult task. This portion of the market is flooded by no-name manufacturers that import safes with I’m sure little to no quality control. This results safes that can’t be opened, and warranties that won’t be honored.
This article is going to detail safes that can handle a rifle, and not just pistols. There is a different article that better details pistol safes! As $500 will get you a high end pistol safe, but an entry level rifle safe.
Let’s not pretend that you are going to get a premium gun safe at this price point. If you feel like you are going to, or hear from someone else that you can… then this article probably isn’t for you. If you understand that you are just going to be buying yourself a little bit of time with this $500 you plan on spending, then this is for you!
Here are some features that you want to make sure you keep an eye on while shopping and looking through these safes to see which makes the most sense for you!
- Gun Safe Lock – In this price point, you will find mostly unbranded locks that are outsourced by the manufacturer. Because of this it is difficult to know how well it would work. My recommendation is to follow the quality of the product and brand over all for this.
- Steel Thickness – At under $500 you won’t find super thick steel, most will be in the 14 to 18 gauge steel. If you find thicker than that, awesome! However it is unlikely, and more than likely the quality will be sacrificed elsewhere.
- Fire rating – Honestly for this price range, I wouldn’t trust the fire rating. It is a nice thought, and if you can get it, then get it. Although plan on other ways of making sure it doesn’t burn.
- Security Features – You will find that many security features will be sacrificed at this price point.
- Warranty – This specifically is something you will want to make sure you pay attention to in this category. Because you are working with an inexpensive safe, you want a good warranty.
- Aesthetics – Don’t plan on having much aesthetics in this price range. You want to be paying for security, not paint.
- Additional Features – Again, don’t spend a ton of money on added features. You want security.
So with all of that out of the way, here are the top 5 full size gun safe for under $500.00.
1. SecureIt Tactical Agile Ultralight Model 40
Key Features
- Gun Safe Lock: SecureIt Branded Electronic Lock
- Steel Thickness: 18 gauge
- Fire Rating: N/A
- Security Features: Fits in small areas
- Warranty: Limited Lifetime Warranty
- Aesthetics: Black satin finish, standard looks. Very utilitarian.
- Additional Features: Modular interior with tons of accessories. Ships flat.
Product Specs
- Weight: 90 pounds
- External Dimensions: 40” High by 20” Wide by 15” Deep
Yes, I know this isn’t a true gun safe. However SecureIt’s Model 40 is a great option for a great safe under $500.00. It may have a lower than ideal gauge of steel, and be kinda small. However it makes up for it in quality, portability, and usability.
The interior of the safe uses a modular quick access style. This means all of the long guns can be removed very quickly, and without them bumping into each other.
This interior also allows for accessories to be added as well. You only have one rifle? Use the rest of the interior for different things like pistol pegs, shelves, and bins.
Pros:
- Modular design
- Modular interior design
- Portable
- Lightweight
- Great warranty
Cons:
- Thinner steel than most on this list
- Non-branded lock
2. SnapSafe Under Bed Safe – 75401
Key Features
- Gun Safe Lock: Non-branded electronic lock
- Steel Thickness: 14 gauge
- Fire Rating: None
- Security Features: Hidden safe, key backup, pry resistant door, security cable included
- Warranty: Limited lifetime warranty
- Aesthetics: Pretty standard flat black finish
- Additional Features: Sliding drawer design, not much extra, which is fine for this price point.
Product Specs
- Weight: 105 pounds
- External Dimensions: 40″ Wide by 6″ High by 22″ Deep
Much like the SecureIt Agile 40 above, this is not your standard gun safe. However it does fit long guns, and does it well.
For under $500.00 this safe offers 14 gauge steel, which is super impressive. This puts it in the same range as Cannon safes, and the Liberty Centurion.
Because it lays flat, instead of upright, you can put your long guns into it, and then fit other things like jewelry, and other items around it (remember, don’t keep ammo in the same container as your firearms).
One of the best things about this, is that you can put this right below your bed, meaning not only is it hidden, it also acts as a quick access point when you are in bed. Which you spend hopefully around 8 hours around.
You can also either tether this safe to your bed by the security cable that is included, or mount it to the floor by the mounting points on the bottom of the safe.
Pros:
- Hidden
- Quick Access
- Great warranty
Cons:
- No fire rating
- Not a real standard gun safe
3. Field & Stream Sportsman 10 Gun Fire Safe
Key Features
- Lock: Mechanical Combination Lock
- Steel Thickness: Not Advertised
- Fire Rating: 30 Minutes at 1400 Degrees
- Security Features: Double sided locking bolts, hard plate,
- Warranty: Limited Lifetime Warranty
- Aesthetics: Some pin-striping, otherwise standard black color
- Additional Features: At this price point, a fire rating is an additional feature.
Product Specs
- Weight: 247 pounds
- External Dimensions: 55″ High by 19″ Wide by 15.25″ Deep
This is the first standard style gun safe on this list, and I mainly put the standard gun safes lower down on the list because these tend to be expensive to make, and other options may be a bit more focused on security.
That said, this Field and Stream safe offers some great features for it’s price. It does give some fire rating, double sided locking bolts and the aesthetics of more expensive gun safes.
One of the best things about this safe, is that it has a mechanical lock. These locks are well known for lasting a long time, however they are not the quickest access.
This safe would work well for those on a budget, that want a standard gun safe. Although are highly aware that what they are buying is more of a deterrent to try and break in rather than actual real security.
Pros:
- Mechanical lock
- Is a standard full size safe
- Good Warranty
Cons:
- Not quick access
- No advertised steel gauge
4. Stack-On SS-Series 10 Gun Safe with Electronic Lock
Key Features
- Lock: Non-branded electronic lock
- Steel Thickness: Unknown
- Fire Rating: None
- Security Features: Locking bolts on both sides of door
- Warranty: Limited Lifetime Warranty
- Aesthetics: Very very basic
- Additional Features: Little to none
Product Specs
- Weight: 134 lbs
- External Dimensions: 55.25″ High by 16” Wide by 15.25 Deep
- Internal Dimensions: 54.75″ High by 15.5” Wide by 11.75 Deep
This is one of Stack-On’s most entry level gun safes on the market today. However it does offer some good features for the price of under $500.00.
The safe is really a no-nonsense safe and is about it. As it has locking bolts, a steel encasement, and a lock. That’s about it…
Like the safe, buy it! However don’t expect it to compete with full size safes with thicker steel, name brand lock, and better locking bolts.
Pros:
- Has all the features of a standard full size safe
Cons:
- Not much extra
5. Barska 4.33 Cubic Foot Keypad Rifle Safe – AX13100
Key Features
- Lock: Non-branded electronic lock w/ key bypass
- Steel Thickness: 16 Gauge
- Fire Rating: None
- Security Features:
- Warranty: 1 Year Limited Warranty
- Aesthetics: Standard safe design
- Additional Features: Pistol storage on door
Product Specs
- Weight: 82 lbs
- External Dimensions: 52.25” High by 13” Wide by 13” Deep
- Internal Dimensions: 52” High by 12.5” Wide by 11.5” Deep
This one may be at the bottom of my list on the best gun safes under $500, however it is worth looking into as an option. It is more of a cabinet than a safe.
With 16 gauge steel, it is a bit better than others on this list.
Pros:
- Super basic
- Actually looks pretty cool
Cons:
- Super basic (Yes, a pro and a con)
Conclusion
I would love to say I could recommend “22 best gun safes under $500”, however honestly there just aren’t that many safes under this price.
In the end, I would personally go with either the Agile 42, or the Snapsafe under bed safe. Otherwise, you may want to look at upgrading just a tiny bit to $600 (read this article about that price point), as those safes are considerably better and more usable. It’s worth saving up for.
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