Choosing a good car pistol safe while traveling to and fro can be a daunting task with a flood of options to choose from…but which ones are the best options? Let’s find out!
In this article, we’ll be taking a look at the best safe brands in the industry from the likes of Hornady, V-Line, Vaultek, ShotLock, and more.
To learn all of the criteria we use to rank gun safes, see: How We Test Gun Safes
What Are The Best Car Pistol Safe Options?
To lend you a helping hand, our team of security experts narrow down their top recommendations into a shortlist after hours of research and personal experiences with these products.
Some of the factors we use to come up with our top recommendations include:
- Size: Size is vitally important when it comes to pistol safes that can fit inside a car or glove compartment. We chose pistol safes that can store 1 pistol (full-size or compact) and can fit inside most medium to large storage compartments in a vehicle.
- Features & Tech: Many of the safes we picked for this list feature electronic access either via biometric, RFID, or keypad access. Most have backup key access and a couple are keyless designs that are still quick to access. Quick-Access was our top priority for this list.
- Cost/Value: We chose only the options we feel represent the best value for the feature set included. All of these pistol safes passed our bang-for-your-buck metric.
- User Experience: All of the recommendations on this list have overwhelmingly positive reviews and user experiences. Several pistol safes on this list were owned and tested by us and passed with flying colors under heavy scrutiny and rigorous testing.
- Use Case: The last metric we considered was how these safes could be used. Many of them can serve more than just car duty and make great general home-use safes and all are great portable options. Some can be permanently mounted while others come with tether cords.
Without further ado, here are our top 10 Editor’s Picks for your vehicle:
#1 Hornady Rapid Pistol Safe
This awesome Hornady car safe was specifically designed for mounting in your vehicle. It comes with an inflatable bladder that expands to lock it into place.
Purpose-Built Vehicle Safe
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“Purchased this after hubby’s car was broken in to. His .45 fits perfectly. This is so easy to install, it it functions exactly as shown. He loves it. Worth every penny..”
Helpful Review
It features Hornady’s steller RAPiD RFID chip technology that allows for lightning-fast access to your firearm in a pinch.
It can also be opened with a programmable key code or you can use the backup barrel key should the battery die.
#2 Headrest Car Pistol Safe
By far, the most unique solution hidden in plain sight is made by the Headrest Safe Company.
Hides in Plain Sight
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“I had been shopping for a safe for my car for a while until I came across this product.
Alex D.
I used to be a police officer and typically when a car was broken into, the first places criminals would check are the center console and the glove box. Most of the vehicle safes I have looked at were ones you install in your center console so that didn’t seem like a great idea. I feel extremely confident and secure storing my pistol and other valuables in this headrest safe as I don’t think anyone would think of checking the headrest for valuables.”
This clever pistol safe fits most standard vehicle headrests and comes in multiple colors and materials to perfectly match your car’s interior.
You can purchase the companion headrest separately if you want to have matching headrests. One of the coolest features is that you can slide out and remove the safe when not in use.
This makes a great portable option that you can use at home or on the move.
#3 RPNB Mountable Pistol Safe
This mounted single pistol safe made by RPNB can be permanently mounted inside a car, SUV, Truck, or at home and offers lightning-fast biometric access with a spring-loaded door that deploys quickly when you need it.
Top Value Pick
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“This is my “SECOND” RPNB BIOMETRIC GUN SAFE….This safe’s biometric feature is HIGHLY responsive, opens in mere seconds once registered finger is placed on sensor and SECONDS COUNT!! Set up and mounting directions are simple. Fits my RUGER 45 (with laser/light combo) like a glove!! HIGHLY SATISFIED with this gun safe, will probably be purchasing a third in the very near future.”
BCH
It can also be opened with a keypad code or using the included backup keys.
#4 V-Line Keyless Pistol Safe
This super compact pistol safe is perfect for travel and will fit in most glove compartments or other hidden compartments in larger vehicles.
Great Travel Safe
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“The Vline Compact Keyless Gun Storage Security Locker is a sturdy metal safe equipped with many great features. While the safe is considerably smaller than many handgun safes on the market, the safe offers enough interior space (for both compact and standard sized firearms) that give enough room for additional magazines, etc.”
Johnny
The V-Line utilizes one of the best mechanical Simplex locks on the market that doesn’t rely on batteries or keys.
Check out our review of this V-Line safe
It can be reprogrammed with relative ease and we’ve made a video showing you how to do just that here.
#5 Hornady Vault Car Pistol Safe
For those on a tight budget, we’ve got just the safe for your ride! The Hornady handgun vault is just big enough to fit a full-size gun or something more compact.
Perfect For Consoles
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“Fast delivery, safe well made, easy setup. Put code in, top pops open, fast access, plenty of room to store hand gun and extra ammo. Comes with two keys. Perfect for car or home. Thanks.”
Allan
Just program a 4-6 digit code and you’re good to go. Fits in smaller glove compartments than most and comes with a backup barrel key should you forget the code (or forget to replace the batteries!).
#6 Vaultek Barikade Pistol Safe
This sweet pistol safe is right at home inside a car or your home and even includes a lid organizer that allows you to store IDs, passports, or other important documents along with your defensive pistol.
Biometric & Keypad Entry
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“Seems like a super heavy and tough case. You can clearly tell they went out their way to design the case to overcome the issues they had with previous models and their lifepod cases. Whilst I’m no professional lock picker, the case inspires confidence that it’d be tough to get access too. Mind you, it’s a small portable safe so if you don’t strap it down, it may go walking. It’s still small enough that it can fit in a car but the weight makes it a little uncomfortable to do so. It’d probably stick with a dedicated car safe or an updated lifepod if you want to transit your gun around.”
Easy
Utilizing Vaultek’s excellent biometric scanner ensures quick access to your pistol at all times. Also features keycode and backup key entry for 3-way access to your pistol.
There are also 2 non-biometric versions of the Barikade Series 1 and 2 available if the biometric option is out of stock.
#7 RPNB DOJ-Certified Car Pistol Safe
Another great budget pick is this DOJ-Certified pistol safe that makes a great travel companion for your car. Its diminutive size allows it to fit into smaller glove boxes than most.
2-Point Quick Entry
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“Have had this safe for over 2.5 years and it has worked reliably. Great battery life, easy to program biometrics, and just works every time. Great portability also. Highly recommended.”
ST
Can be permanently mounted inside a car or truck if you want a permanent solution or can remain portable.
Utilizes an excellent biometric fingerprint reader that allows quick action under duress without having to fumble with codes or keys. Comes with a backup key should the battery die.
#8 Hornady Rapid Pistol Safe
Made for smaller, more compact guns and revolvers, this Hornady is one of the most compact pistol safes on this list and perfect for car travel. Comes with a strong steel tether to temporarily mount it inside a vehicle.
Covert RFID Pistol Safe
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“I am a CCW holder. I was looking for a safe for my car (2009 Acura RDX) for times when I am unable to carry. I was looking for a safe that will fit underneath the passenger seat. After doing some research, I decided to purchase this Hornady Rapid Gun Safe (L). It fits perfectly underneath the passenger seat, as you can see from the picture. I anchor it to the seat.”
Akwannie
We tested the shotgun version of this safe that shares the same RFID keypad interface on our YouTube channel.
The super responsive RFID chip technology has you covered with lightning-fast reflexes, thanks to its spring-loaded lid. Comes with several RFID decals, a key fob, and a wristband to give you multiple ways to access the safe.
This Hornady Rapid pistol safe features keycode entry and a backup barrel key should the batteries die. We loved the shotgun version of this safe and dedicated a full article to it!
#9 Vaultek LifePod 2.0 Pistol Safe
Vaultek does it again with this excellent offering that adds a nifty storage organizer tray (included) to make this the perfect bugout safe on the go.
Travel Master
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“I bought the non biometric Lifepod a couple weeks ago for my SUV and wanted one for my bedside and chose the biometric model. These are secure and easy to set up. Most importantly though is that the firearms are away from curious adults and children yet quickly accessible. My Springfield Hellcat fits nicely in the top tray with some pluck foam.”
Thomas
Large enough to fit a full-size pistol but still compact enough to fit into most large gloveboxes, this 2-entry pistol safe is great for travel in any vehicle. Opens with a keycode or keyed entry only.
The Vaultek Lifepod 2.0 also comes with a usable LED interior light for low-light use.
#10 Shotlock Solo-Vault Pistol Safe
No doubt the most ruggedly-built pistol safe on this list belongs to the Shotlock Solo-Vault! This tiny tank comes with an excellent mechanical push-button lock and is made of a heavy-duty steel gauge.
Keyless Entry
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“I bought this for transporting and for night stand access my Springfield XD Mod 2 4″ Service Model. For overall room, I could probably fit 2 if not 3 of these pistols in here without any foam. I have mine set up so when it opens the pistol is in a ready to grab position. The box itself is well built, has a nice durable crinkle like finish on it, and a nice velour like fabric on the inside. Everything about this safe is pretty well built and its a solid option for those of you who dont want to spend $200 on the Fort knox options or other simplex style mechanical safes.”
Nick
We reviewed and tested the shotgun version of the safe below that shares the same Simplex lock on our YouTube channel.
Can also be accessed with the backup key should you ever forget the code.
Small enough to fit in most glove boxes, this pistol safe is the perfect companion for vehicle travel. We liked the Shotlock so much that we devoted an entire article to it!
Check our video if you want to learn how to reprogram it.
Guide To Car Safes For Your Pistol
In an age where personal safety is paramount, the need for responsible firearm ownership and storage cannot be overstated.
Enter the age of portable pistol safes for your car – a safe and effective repository for your firearms while on the go.
Let’s dive into the benefits of installing a pistol safe in your vehicle, diving into their versatility, security features, and the peace of mind they provide during travel.
Convenience With Versatility
A small safe for your pistol doesn’t have to be confined to your vehicle- it can also be a great multi-purpose tool that can serve double duty. From home defense to travel, these safes offer a versatile solution for firearm storage.
Their portability ensures that you can seamlessly transition between different scenarios without compromising on safety.
Enhanced Travel Safety
When embarking on a journey, whether it’s a cross-country road trip or a simple commute, having a pistol safe inside your car ensures quick and secure access to your firearm if the situation demands it.
In unfamiliar environments or during rest stops, a pistol safe keeps your weapon out of sight and inaccessible to unauthorized individuals, providing you with an added layer of protection.
Serving Double Duty
One of the remarkable features of modern pistol safe options is their dual utility. Many models can be seamlessly transferred from your vehicle to your home. Having a portable pistol safe means you can maintain the same level of protection during travel as you do at home.
Modern Security Technologies
Vehicle safes employ a range of cutting-edge security technologies to safeguard your firearm.
Biometric fingerprint scanners, keypad combinations, and RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) locks are just a few of the advanced mechanisms that ensure only authorized users can access the contents.
Cost and Features
The cost of a console safe can vary based on the features it offers. While basic models may focus on secure locking mechanisms, more advanced options might include tamper alerts, GPS tracking, and even remote access.
Capacity
Most vehicle safes are designed to fit snugly into various compartments within a car, truck, or SUV. While some can fit inside larger glove compartments, others are engineered to be discreetly mounted in different parts of your car, making them considerably harder to steal.
The compact size of these safes ensures that they don’t take up valuable space while still providing ample room for your firearm.
Final Thoughts
In a world where personal safety is paramount, responsible firearm ownership and storage should follow you wherever you go. These compact yet robust solutions offer versatile storage options, advanced security technologies, and the peace of mind you need while on the road.
