Updated: Apr 5, 2024
Authored by Sara Hall
Owning a gun or guns requires keeping firearm safety top of mind. Whether you’re a gun enthusiast or just looking to keep your firearms secure, you need a safe to protect guns from theft, fire and water damage. But with so many gun safe models on the market, it can be difficult to know which one is right for you.
At Tractor Supply, we believe that purchasing a gun safe should be a straightforward process. It’s natural to have various questions when browsing your options, and there are important considerations that should not be overlooked. What gun safe material is most ideal? Which type of gun safe locking mechanism is the most secure? Why should I trust one gun safe brand over another? These are just a few of the common concerns we can help you find answers to at Tractor Supply.
With over 85 years of experience as America’s largest rural lifestyle retailer, Tractor Supply can assist you in finding the best gun safe for your needs. Whether you seek a biometric gun safe, waterproof gun safe, fire-resistant gun safe or another option, our selection features secure gun storage products from leading manufacturers.
In this guide, we’ve simplified all the essentials you need to know when choosing a gun safe. You'll learn about the different types of gun safes for sale, the importance of certain gun safe materials and security features, top gun safe brands and much more.
Scroll to read Tractor Supply’s “Buying a Gun Safe: The Ultimate Guide” in its entirety. Or, click on the following sections to quickly find the information you need:
First of all, what is a gun safe? In its simplest form, a gun safe is a dedicated place designed for the safe and secure storage of firearms. Gun safes differ from regular safes in many ways, such as:
It's important to consider the size and type of safe. Each gun safe caters to a specific need, and what works for one gun owner may not work for the other. Explore the different safe options below to determine which is right for your gun collection:
When it comes to finding the right gun safe size, you need to consider multiple factors to ensure you find a style that works best for you. Consider the following when purchasing your gun safe:
The type of safe you choose also depends on what you plan to store in it. For example, if you plan to store documents as well as firearms, you may want to choose a fireproof gun safe. If you live in an area that is prone to burglaries, you may want to invest in a high-security gun safe with combination locks or biometric locks.
At Tractor Supply, we treat our customers like family. Our commitment is offering products from brands we know and trust. Selecting a gun safe is not a decision that should be made lightly – it matters which brand builds and designs your investment.
So, who makes the best gun safes? As you're searching for a safe, you'll want to stick with reputable, well-established brands known for their reliability and durability. You'll feel confident that your gun safe will keep your firearms secure and stand the test of time.
Tractor Supply proudly carries gun safes from top brands that we fully recommend, including:
With various levels of security, user-friendly features and different sizes available, Cannon Safe gun safes are synonymous with research, development and innovation. Geared toward those who love hunting and the outdoors, Cannon Safe's gun safe product lines include the Armory Series, Force Series, Commander Series and Honor Series. The manufacturer is owned by Cannon Security Products and based in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Cannon Safe is one of the undisputed leaders in home safe security, keeping guns safe since 1965. Cannon Safe has continued to improve every year for more than 50 years. Our favorite Cannon Safe gun safe features include:
For over 30 years, Liberty Safe has been known for gun safes and handgun vaults with premier security features. From fire protection to military-style locking bars, these features can be experienced across several product lines, including Liberty Safes, National Security by Liberty, Liberty Fatboy Safes and Specialty Safes.
Liberty Safe's commitment to American workers, innovation, technology and American-made durability is what differentiates the brand from other gun safe companies. Our favorite Liberty Safe gun safe features include:
A property of SA Consumer Products in Rolling Meadows, Illinois, Remington offers premium home security storage solutions, including high-quality gun safe products. Remington's fire-rated gun safe lines include the Gun Club Series, Express Series, Big Green Series, Nitro Series and STS Series.
There is a gun safe for virtually every gun owner in Remington's lineup of firearm security products. Our favorite Remington gun safe features include:
Also owned by SA Consumer Products, Sports Afield offers gun safes and other home security storage products. Sports Afield's fire-rated gun safes include the Haven Series, Preserve Series and Domain Series, while its special-purpose gun safes include the Home Defense Series, Home Defense Quick Access Vault Series and Home Defense Portable Vault Series.
Sports Afield is a trusted name in the gun safe industry, especially thanks to its relationship with sister company, Remington. Some of our favorite Sports Afield gun safe features include:
A property of Cannon Security Products in Albany, New York, Stack-On has over 40 years of experience producing long gun safes and other home security storage products. In addition to gun safes, Stack-On also manufactures security cabinets, personal safes and portable cases.
Stack-On's team of security product experts designs each gun safe to be tamper-proof and extremely difficult to move. Some of our favorite Stack-On gun safe features include:
Located in Mansfield, Texas, Winchester Safes has over 100 years of experience in home security storage products, including gun safes. Winchester Safes utilizes environmentally conscious manufacturing processes, including recycled materials and VOC-free powder paint finishes, preventing harmful chemicals from escaping into the air and local waterways.
Winchester Safes is a company that knows how to protect guns. It has been a leading manufacturer of firearms for many years and knows exactly what it takes to keep weapons in the home secure from children, pets, burglars, fires and other hazards. Our favorite Winchester Safe gun safe features include:
At Tractor Supply, we believe you deserve complete transparency about all of the products we sell – especially when it comes to something as crucial as secure gun storage. When you shop our gun safe selection in-store or online, you'll find information on specifications, including gun safe capacity, gun safe fire ratings, gun safe firearm compatibility, gun safe lock type, gun safe material, gun safe size and weight, gun safe shell strength and gun safe wall thickness.
What is gun safe capacity? Simply, the term refers to how many gun slots a safe has – not how many physical firearms the safe will hold. Due to the unique sizes and shapes of different gun styles, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. It's generally recommended that gun owners purchase a slightly larger safe than what they currently need. This way, they will have space to accommodate a growing gun collection, as well as store other valuable items.
A gun safe fire rating indicates how long a gun safe will protect weapons and valuables if engulfed in flames. The fire rating will vary depending on the material of the gun safe, as well as the temperature of the fire itself. In addition to not-fire-rated gun safes, Tractor Supply offers fireproof gun safes that come in various fire ratings.
Will the gun safe provide adequate storage for long guns, smaller firearms and gun accessories, in addition to valuables like jewelry, coins, collectibles or sensitive personal documents? The right gun safe should be able to securely store a mix of pistols, handguns, shotguns, rifles, other long guns and accessories like ammunition. Depending on the owner, there might also be other weapons to store, like knives, bows and arrows. Tractor Supply's team can help you find the best safe for your specific firearms and possessions, from pistol safes to long gun safes.
There are several types of gun safe lock types available, enabling you to choose the kind you're most comfortable with. Tractor Supply carries user-friendly and highly secure gun safes with locking mechanisms such as:
Tractor Supply's selection of impact-resistant gun safes, water-resistant gun safes and fire-resistant gun safes are made from the strongest, most rugged materials. These include metal, steel and hardened steel. Numerous gun safe finishes are also available to complement your style.
We recommend at least 58" interior vertical clearance and at least 750 lbs. of loaded weight.
A bolt-action rifle with a 30" barrel is about 52" inches long. Therefore, if you want to get a long-barreled gun in your firearm safe, with a bit of room for a top shelf, you'll need an interior 58" or so high. As far as width, 36" and 40" are common sizes that will give you ample space for a couple dozen rifles. A 36"-40" wide interior will allow you to have a 16-gun rotary rack on one side, plus a normal shelving unit on the other. A nice, wide interior also lets you place shorter rifles (or AR-15 uppers) horizontally on an upper shelf. That is a very handy and efficient gun storage option.
In terms of gun safe weight, the heavier it is, the more secure it will be. For example, a 2000-lb. safe is more secure than a 500-lb. safe. We asked a number of gun safe dealers, and most felt that a safe in the 750-lb. range offered a good combination of size and security. At this weight, the gun safe can't be moved with a typical appliance dolly. It will be big enough and with a large enough footprint that it will resist being tipped over. It will be too heavy for anyone to easily remove from your home. Conversely, a 500-lb. safe is much easier for someone to move – two strong people can get one into the bed of a pick-up truck using a ramp.
When you are evaluating which gun safe will be best for you, consider the shell strength of the safe. This is a function of components, design, and construction quality. You want a safe with great exterior strength. For example, during a fire, the house roof or other structural elements may fall on the safe. If a gun safe splits a weld or the door springs loosen, your valuables are subject to irreversible damage. It's also important to note that well-constructed safes are built with continuous welds – not "stitch welds" linked with body filler.
Steel is very expensive. That's why low-end safes have very thin steel wall panels (12-gauge or even 14-gauge). Thin steel does not offer much of an obstacle to penetration. A concrete saw will zip right through 10-gauge panels, and 12-gauge, single-panel steel can be penetrated by a fire ax. Commercial-grade safes, used in banks and jewelry stores, use much thicker-grade steel.
However, the average attack on a residential gun safe is more of the "snatch and grab" variety, by criminals who don't have heavy-duty cutting tools or torches, and who want to get in and out fast. So, it's reasonable to compromise a bit on the exterior shielding of the safe to have a manageable weight and fair price. Still, we recommend 10-gauge steel as a minimum, and 8-gauge, or 3/16", is the preferred choice. You should compare that to the wall thickness on gun safes from other brands. Thicker steel is harder to cut, and more resistant to break-ins.
When it comes to safe construction and wall thickness, we recommend:
What is a gun safe?
A gun safe is a home security storage solution designed to specifically safeguard firearms. Gun safes deter unauthorized access and theft, keep children and pets away from danger and protect valuables from storm damage, water damage and fire damage.
Why do I need a gun safe?
The most important job of a gun safe is keeping people out and firearms secure. It is highly recommended that responsible gun owners invest in secure gun storage options, as this can prevent firearms, weapons and other valuables from falling into the wrong hands.
Are gun safes a good investment?
Yes, gun safes are a wise investment in safeguarding your firearms and valuables. They offer secure storage and protection against theft, and they can enhance overall safety within your home.
Who are gun safes ideal for?
It's a common misconception that gun safes are just for outdoorsmen and women, military members, police officers or security personnel. Gun safes are intended for all gun owners, whether they have a small handgun for personal protection or a collection of hunting rifles.
What are the main types of gun safes?
There are numerous popular types of gun safes available at Tractor Supply, such as:
What is the best material for a gun safe?
Steel is often considered the best gun safe material, as it provides maximum strength and durability. Steel is also fire-resistant and can withstand extreme temperatures.
What type of lock should be used on a gun safe?
The best type of gun safe lock is an electronic combination gun safe lock or biometric gun safe lock. These locks provide the highest level of gun safe security and are very difficult to bypass.
How big of a gun safe should I buy?
This depends on the size and number of firearms you need to store. Consider your current gun collection and future acquisitions to make sure the safe provides enough space for storage.
Is it easy to tamper with a gun safe?
No. Gun safes are designed to be impact-resistant, difficult to move and virtually impossible to access without a passcode or key. The best gun storage security locks use biometrics, such as the owner's fingerprint, eyeball or facial features, to verify that the right person is requesting access.
What are the main gun safe features?
Other than their superior security and high-quality materials, gun safes from top brands boast a variety of user-friendly features. These may include:
What should not be stored in a gun safe?
Do not store powder or large quantities of primers in your gun safe. Powder stored in a tightly sealed metal box is an explosion hazard. Always store your powder in a separate, lightly constructed cabinet or wood box. The most important thing for powder is to keep it dry and away from light. Primers can detonate others if one goes off, causing a chain reaction. If you have several primers, don't store them in one corner of your reloading area.
Is there an alternative to a gun safe?
Tractor Supply is home to a variety of gun cabinets, which combine the aesthetic look of home furniture with the ability to store firearms and more. Gun cabinets use a lock and key to unlock, and the steel they are made from is generally less thick. They also do not have fire ratings. Here are some quick facts about our selection of gun cabinets, a great alternative firearm storage option:
What is the difference between a gun safe and gun cabinet?
The main differences between gun safes and gun cabinets are the thickness of the steel and the locking mechanisms. Gun cabinets are designed to protect against theft by keeping the guns out of sight, but they do not provide much protection against fire or moisture. While less secure than gun safes, gun cabinets offer more space than other types of safes and are great for displaying firearms. Gun safes, meanwhile, use a true lock and stronger steel. Think of a gun safe as the firearms storage equivalent of a large safe in a bank (with the hefty door and lock).
Why should I trust Tractor Supply's inventory of gun safes?
Tractor Supply understands the needs and wants of the communities we serve, who love living Life Out Here. We carefully vet every product we offer, and we wouldn't offer products from gun safe manufacturers that we don't fully believe in. We're proud to bring our customers only the highest-quality gun safes from trustworthy gun safe brands.
What are some tips and advice for buying a gun safe?
A good gun safe is more than just a gun locker — it becomes a secure storage device for your family's other valuables, as well. Make sure to follow these tips when you are shopping:
What do I need to know about gun safe maintenance and care?
Once you've decided on and purchased a gun safe, you'll need to perform regular maintenance to make sure it stays in top condition. As part of this gun safe maintenance and care, regularly inspect your safe for any signs of rust or corrosion. If you find any, treat them with a rust-preventative product. Make sure to keep the door properly lubricated with a product specifically designed for gun safes, as other types of lubricants may damage the finish. Don't forget to check the bolts and hinges periodically to make sure they are functioning properly. Finally, keep the interior of the safe clean and dry to prevent rusting or other damage.
Can I leave my gun safe on the wooden pallet it arrived with?
Never leave your new gun safe on the wooden pallet. A person with a rented pallet jack can move a 1000-lb. safe with ease if this is still present. Make sure to remove the pallet and secure your gun safe by bolting it down.
Where is the best gun safe location in my house?
Gun safes are best kept somewhere discreet from view. Don't put your safe in the front of your garage or corner of your living room. Be cautious and discreet when you load and unload firearms, as well. This reduces the advertisement that you have a large gun collection and/or valuables that need extra security.
As the biggest rural lifestyle retailer in the U.S.A., Tractor Supply is here to meet the unique demands of farmers, ranchers, gardeners, pet enthusiasts, outdoors people and homeowners living Life Out Here. We take gun storage safety very seriously, which is why we carry premium-security gun safes, biometric gun safes, fire-rated gun safes, waterproof gun safes and other firearm storage solutions. Learn more about gun safes by visiting your local Tractor Supply store or browsing our selection online.