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It is essential to keep an eye on your budget, and for many people, that means a budget of around $300! Thankfully, you can get some fantastic smaller safes with this healthy budget. However, do not count on quality full-size safes, as you will want to spend more. That said, some great alternatives can hold rifles, so stay tuned.
Stay tuned until the end of the article, and we’ll detail everything you need to know to buy the right safe under $300! Let’s get right into our favorite gun safes for under $300.
1. SecureIt Fast Box Model 40
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- Great value for the price
- Modular CradleGrid interior
- Easy to use lock
- Smaller capacity
- Lock: Electronic Lock w/ Key Bypass
- Dimensions: 6.75" High by 40.25" Wide by 13" Deep
- Steel: 16-gauge
- Fire Rating: N/A
- Weight: 33 pounds
The Fast Box Model 40 is one of the best options for those who want to store a larger firearm on a budget! While it may not fit the largest guns, it can fit smaller units. With a high-quality build manufactured by one of my favorite companies, this one quickly makes the top of my list. This makes a perfect under-bed safe or safe that you can mount in your closet. This safe relies on being hidden more than its steel gauge, as it only has 16-gauge steel.
2. Vaultek VS10i Smart Safe
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- Many ways to access the safe
- High-quality
- Compact sizing
- Costly
- Thinner steel
- Lock: Biometric, Keypad, Key, Nano Key, Phone
- Dimensions: 2.12" High by 10.5" Wide by 8.5" Deep
- Steel: 18-gauge
- Fire Rating: N/A
- Weight: 5.2 pounds
I have had the older version of this safe (VT10i) for years, which is excellent. While it may not have RFID access like the Konig above, it makes up for it with the ability to access it via your phone. It has a more traditional gun safe styling and is a highly reliable and high-end unit (the price reflects this). Vaultek has been making some of the best safes on the market, and the VS10i reflects this.
3. Fort Knox Original Pistol Box (PB1)
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- High quality build
- Very thick steel
- Fantastic non-electronic push button lock
- Very reliable
- Extremely heavy
- Lock: Simplex Mechanical Lock
- Dimensions: 4.5" High 12.5" Wide by 10.37" Deep
- Steel: 9-gauge
- Fire Rating: N/A
- Weight: 22 pounds
If you are sick and tired of technology creeping into your life, this Fort Knox Original will be for you. With old-school thick, 9-gauge steel and my favorite mechanical lock (Simplex Lock), you can’t go wrong with this safe. While you may give up all the different ways to access a safe for this one, it makes up for its reliability and security.
4. SnapSafe Wall Safe
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- Out of the way storage
- Can be hidden behind pictures or mirrors
- Drywall needs to be cut out for installation
- Can be cut out of the wall if they have enough time
- Lock: Electronic
- Dimensions: 22" High by 16.25" Wide by 4" Deep
- Fire Rating: None
- Steel: 16 gauge
- Weight: 32 pounds
While I am not a huge fan of wall safes generally for long-term storage, I see their benefits for short-term storage! This Wall Safe from Snapsafe is by far my favorite. It does a fantastic job of weighing value with features. The interior is well thought out and includes a false floor, which should buy you a little more time, even if it is broken into. Keep in mind, though; wall safes can be cut out of the wall, so hide this safe well.
5. GunVault SV500
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- Dimensions: 13" High by 3.5" Wide by 6.5” Deep
- Steel: 18 gauge
- Fire Rating: N/A
- Weight: 6.6 pounds
- Easy access to firearm
- Can be mounted in places other safes can't be
- Unable to store any other items other than firearm
- Thinner steel gauge
While this safe is meant to hold only a single pistol (not other gear), it makes up for it by being incredibly easy to access and is uniquely built to attach to the interior of a desk or on the side of your nightstand. This keeps it hidden, yet easy to get to, unlike any other type of safe. However, at only 18 gauge steel, only count on it taking a short time for someone to access it if found, so hide it well.
6. Amsec PS1208EZ Easy Carry Handgun Safe
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- Includes a carry handle
- Utilizes Simplex lock
- Custom foam insert
- No electronics
- Thinner steel gauge
- Can't anchor with a cable
- Lock: Simplex Mechanical Lock
- Dimensions: 4" High by 12.25" Wide by 8.13” Deep
- Steel: 14-gauge
- Fire Rating: N/A
- Weight: 11 pounds
If you liked the features of the Fort Knox above, such as the Simplex Lock and old-school design, but wish it was easier to transport (11 pounds instead of 22 pounds), this Amsec is a perfect choice! While it may have 14 gauge, this lighter-weight safe includes a carry handle, making it easy to take from one place to another but still relatively secure compared to many other options on the market.
7. Hornady Rapid Safe Night Guard
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- Looks like an alarm clock
- Thicker steel gauge
- Can access via RFID and keypad
- Smaller capacity
- Dimensions: 12" High by 10.5" Wide by 3” Deep
- Steel: 14 gauge
- Fire Rating: N/A
- Weight: 18 pounds
Hornady has leaned heavily into RFID technology with its lineup of safes, and this unit is no different! This nightstand safe resembles a clock, making it a great diversion safe, but you can access this 14-gauge steel safe via RFID or keypad for quick access to the interior. This is an excellent option if you want a great, unique safe.
What to think about when buying a safe under $300
Buying a gun safe under $300 takes a different approach than safes with a much higher price point. You have to compromise somewhere, and most of the time, that will be a compromise on space (by opting for a pistol safe instead of a full-size safe) or quality of the materials and locking mechanism. Here are the categories and the things you likely will be keeping an eye on when shopping at this price point.
1. Locking mechanism
Getting a suitable locking mechanism for you is so important! As you saw from the options above, plenty of different types are out there. You need to decide if the reliability of something like a Simplex Lock is essential or if you are willing to opt for an electronic lock like the ones found on most other options. Some safes also have RFID, phone access, key access, and more.
You should also pay attention to the quality of the lock! While locks on full-size safes can quickly determine their quality (by checking the lock’s brand name), safes in this budget range generally do not have this. Instead, you will want to take a close look at the brand’s quality and weigh whether you feel they are reputable.
2. Steel gauge
At under $300, you can’t expect the thickest of steel! While brands like the Fort Knox safe in this list can offer thick 9-gauge steel, it doesn’t have much capacity or any other stand-out features. You will need to weigh how crucial thick steel is and if you are willing to give up other vital components like biometric locks, capacity, and more.
3. Fire rating
Having a fire rating on a safe is an expensive component! This drives up the weight of the safe (costs more in shipping), and the materials are costly to build. Because of this, at under $300 you will be hard-pressed to find a safe with any form of fire rating.
4. Warranty
Thankfully, as many of the safes on this list are high-quality pistol safes, you can expect an impressive lifetime warranty. That said, no matter what safe you purchase, you want to look at how long the warranty is good for and what the warranty covers.
5. Aesthetics
While you may think it necessary to have a safe that looks awesome, remember the security; if you can choose between a safe that looks good and a safe that will keep the items inside safe, you probably shouldn’t count on getting a great looking safe.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much should I spend on a gun safe?
You should spend between $100 and $3000 to purchase a safe gun. What you spend on your safe will be determined by whether you need a full-size safe or if you can make do with a pistol safe. Other options such as locking mechanisms, steel gauge, quality, and more will impact how much you spend on your safe.
Should you store ammo in a gun safe?
Never store ammo in an airtight or semi-air-tight space like a gun safe. Ammo tends to start leaking gasses; this will fill the area it is in. If it leaks in a gun safe, it can become explosive. I would keep ammo in an ammo cabinet or something that is by no means airtight. Ammo should never be stored in the same container as firearms for security purposes.
Where should I keep my gun at night?
A firearm should always be locked away in a safe at any time during the day. This safe should permanently be bolted down, and measures should always be taken to ensure children cannot open the safe.
Conclusion
There are so many things to think about when buying a gun safe! It isn’t a product you can purchase and be done without much thought. Because of this, I hope I have pointed you in the right direction for safes that fit your budget but also hold up to a standard of quality instead of companies just trying to take your money.
