Portable Handgun Safes Ranking Factors: Security, Portability, Lock Type, Storage Capacity
Overview
When looking for a quality portable handgun safe, I would stay far, far away from any product that has a single key lock or a 3 digit mechanical lock with a turn knob. You can open these safes with pretty much anything including a wood coffee stirrer, a piece of tape, a screwdriver or by simply just dropping it at the right angle. The safes I recommend are definitely more than these cheap P.O.S but considering you are locking up a loaded firearm, I think it’s very wise to spend a few extra bucks for your security and your children’s. Read below for my top 3 picks in the portable handgun safe category.
#1 Best Portable Handgun Safe – Stealth Portable Handgun Safe PS1210EZ
Review:
Just as the name implies, the Stealth portable handgun safe was built for portability. By brilliantly placing a chrome carry handle on the front of the safe, it’s ideal for travel, be it in the car, airplane, range or gun shop. Weighing 10 pounds lighter than it’s big brother the PS1210HD, this safe is the perfect amount of weight to carry around. (Click here to read the ‘Top 3 Best Mechanical Handgun Safes of 2017’ review.)
With a lighter weight, you naturally will have less steel, yet the PS1210EZ still doesn’t compromise security. The body and door are constructed of 14 gauge steel and the safe has a 1” door overlap for additional pry resistance. Add in a 1-1/2” chrome locking bolt, 2 steel hooks and a steel dead bar along the hinge side and you have a tough motherf*****!
Always my favorite is the Simplex Mechanical Lock. With over 1,081 different combinations and no electronics or biometric features to worry about, you’ll be able to get into this safe every damn time.
Finally, the Stealth PS1210EZ also has the largest storage capacity with the ability to store two full size handguns. Stealth also includes a convenient pluck-foam interior that lets you customize it to the exact fit of your handgun or pistols.
#2 Best Portable Handgun Safe – Vaultek VE10
Review:
While I’m traditionally not a big fan of this type of safe or lock, Vaultek has impressed me with some quality products. They burst onto the scene in the beginning of 2017 as a Kickstarter campaign and have been cranking out safe after safe after safe. This model the VE10 is their most basic safe with only a 5 digit electronic lock and no RFID, biometric or Bluetooth features (Thank God). So far the consensus on their biometric is it’s unreliable, the RFID is unsafe and the Bluetooth just takes too long. What’s great about the VE10 is that It’s small enough to fit into a backpack and light enough to where you don’t feel it. At only 7 pounds and constructed of 18 gauge steel this safe is the definition of portable.
Quick Note: Vaultek lists the VE10 as extremely strong at 18 gauge steel which is a complete fucking joke. It’s by far the weakest on this list but for portability serves a great purpose.
As mentioned previously, Vaultek VE10 uses a 5 digit electronic lock that has over 40,000 different possible combinations. How they figured this, I’m not too sure but I imagine it’s a combination of pressing buttons multiple times, extending the length of the code beyond 5 and having the ability to press multiple buttons at the same time.
At best, you’ll be able to fit one full size handgun in this safe and I’m assuming there is no way to get a revolver or any non-traditional pistol in here. Another nice feature on this safe is the rechargeable lithium ion battery that can last up to 4 months and charges in only 2.5 hours. There are also back-up keys in the event of an electronic failure.
#3 Best Portable Handgun Safe – Liberty HDX-150
Review:
As reluctant as I am to put a Biometric handgun safe on here, there aren’t many options in terms of portability that I can recommend. Despite it’s small size, the Liberty HDX-150 is actually a pretty tough safe with 14 gauge steel and a reinforced latch system that is specifically built to resist pry attacks and other attempts to gain entry. It’s California DOJ Approved which means it went through a decent amount of testing and Liberty even includes a free security cable to secure the safe.
At 10 pounds, this safe is essentially the same size as the Vaultek but beefed up in the steel gauge. 18 gauge is pathetic and Vaultek should frankly be embarrassed for making a product that thin. The Liberty is every bit as portable as the Vaultek but does not come with a carry handle like the Stealth. It’s great for backpacks and airline travel.
The part I hate about this safe is the Biometric lock. Liberty claims this is there 5th Generation biometric finger swipe technology, the most reliable biometric entry system available, with supreme accuracy and the lowest fail-rate on the market. Sounds like a bunch of bullshit to me and the reviews prove me right. Many customers experience problems with the scanner but it’s kind of like the best of the worst.
This safe can hold the exact same capacity as the Vaultek if not a little bit less. It’s ideal for storing only one full size or smaller handgun, preferably a compact or sub-compact.
Comparison Chart
| Security | Portability | Lock Type | Storage Capacity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stealth PS1210EZ | #1 | #1 | #1 | #1 |
| Vaultek VE10 | #3 | #2 | #2 | #2 |
| Liberty HDX-150 | #2 | #3 | #3 | #3 |
