There are two schools of thought when it comes to securing firearms.
The first is to lock them up, and the second is to find a means to hide them. Both have their strengths and weaknesses, and unfortunately, binary thinking has limited us in options for both hiding and securing firearms.
Well, until now.
It’s really kind of surprising that up till recently, no one really tried to combine the idea of hiding a gun and locking it up.
So, today we’re going to explore hidden gun safes. We’ll discuss the advantages of hidden gun safes, the types, and the reason for having just one is a good idea.
THE QUICK LIST
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Editor's Pick: Hidden Gun Safe
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Best for Home Defense
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Best Office Option
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Largest Option
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Best In-Floor Option
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Most Affordable
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DIY Option
Table of Contents
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Keep It Secret, Keep It Safe
Part of the appeal, at least to me, is the secretive nature of hidden and disguised gun safes.
Hidden gun safes range from built-in wall units to plain-looking furniture, and more traditional safes designed to be stored in hard-to-see areas.
Being able to store a gun behind a mirror in my living room makes me feel like an American James Bond.
Discretion
The thing about criminals is that safes draw them in. More than anything, a nice safe is sure to contain treasures criminals would love to get their hands on.
With enough time and the right tools, no safe is uncrackable. This is where a hidden or a camouflaged gun safe comes in.
Thieves may be able to crack a safe, but only if they can find it.
Being discreet means being smart.
Not to mention, in some situations, a large and capable safe may not be possible. For example, if you live in an apartment several stories above the ground floor, a large safe may not be an option due to weight restrictions.
Hidden safes tend to be small and lightweight.
Easy to Reach
If your coffee table is housing a Mossberg 590A1 loaded with eight shots of Federal Flitecontrol buckshot, you have an immediate bad guy cure.
If your door is getting kicked in, you want to be able to respond with extreme prejudice, right?
A wide variety of hidden gun safes are designed to look like ordinary pieces of household furniture so that they can be stored in plain sight without a second look from guests or criminals.
This also gives you the ability to surreptitiously place firearm storage throughout your home.
If you have the funds and the will, you could be in arm’s reach of a firearm, ready for home invaders or zombies.
Best Hidden Gun Safes
1. Vaultek DS2i Smart Station
The best hidden gun safe is one that can be hidden in plain sight.
Enter the Vaultek DS2i Smart Station that doubles as a quite useful desk clock, temperature/humidity sensor, and wireless phone charger.
The best part?
It holds a full-size handgun and extra mag with ease.
And also has a fast/accurate biometric sensor along with capacitive buttons. See it in action:
Plus a nice app that allows for Bluetooth access and tamper warnings.
So if you want something next to you when you’re sleeping or working…the Smart Station does that and more.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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2. SecureIt Fast Box
It’s very likely you’re already tucked away in bed when you hear a thump in the night. Secure It Under Bed Safe has got you covered.
The four buttons are easy to find and use even in the dark.
Decently weighted at 47 pounds, it nestles under your bed and can store a long gun ready for action should something go bump in the night.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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What’s your take on the Fast Box?
3. GunVault SpeedVault
I really miss my Gunvault SpeedVault, but it, unfortunately, got left behind with the massive desk in my last home.
The SpeedVault isn’t like the camouflage gun safes on this list. Rather, it’s a simple safe designed to be hidden under a desk, table, etc.
It holds a single handgun and is quite compact.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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4. Tactical Walls 1450M
The 1450M by Tactical Walls, a full-length concealment mirror, is my all-time favorite hidden gun safe. It makes me feel like a secret agent.
This whole system is recessed into your wall, so installation isn’t the easiest thing.
But it’s like the Predator of hiding guns…blends in seamlessly and is large enough to fit a long gun, handguns, extra ammo, and even a soft armor vest.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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It’s got lots of room, with the main compartment being 14’’W x 40”H x 3.5” D, the smaller being 14″W x 10″H x 3.5″D.
You have two options for locks — a traditional lock and key or an RFID device.
You can add magnets on the inside with the Tactical Walls magnet pack to make sure everything stays secure. These also allow you to store more goods by making the space more efficient.
5. Hollon B1500 In Floor Safe
Looking for an in-floor safe option? Check out the Hollon B1500.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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It features a combo dial lock so you don’t have to rely on electronics…especially for a safe where you yourself might even forget!
Plus, it’s UL listed Group 2 to protect against burglary attempts. It’s also 79 pounds, so when it’s properly installed in your floor, it isn’t going anywhere without some serious tools and time.
6. The Gun Clock
I’ve had one of these for a few years now, originally given as a gift.
Gun clocks are the most affordable option on this list and also the smallest. There are even several different types of gun clocks made in different shapes, but they all do basically the same thing.
They look like a clock, and they hide a gun. Pretty simple, right?
These are small and don’t look fancy enough to be expensive. The doors on them are seamless and blend well.
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Most can hold a full-sized handgun like a 1911, Glock 17, or 4-inch barreled revolver. Mine sits in the living room, out of the way, and in the shadows of some shelves.
A gun clock is an easy and affordable means for a shooter to stash a gun on a budget.
7. Peacemaker Concealment Clock
We’re also testing this one made by Liberty Home Concealment.
Made of solid wood and it’s much better looking than the Gun Clock above (in my opinion), this clock safe comes with many different finishes.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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You can also get it unfinished and paint it yourself!
8. Tactical Traps Wall Shelf
This wall shelf is likely the most concealed option on the list. Even the most thoughtful crook or paranoid thief is not going to think a shelf conceals a gun.
This wall shelf is a simple and small shelf that has a compartment that opens at the bottom of the shelf.
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It blends in perfectly and is really difficult to spot if you’ve never seen one before.
Not to mention, it measures 46″ x 13.5″ x 5″ which means you can store a long gun, handgun, and some accessories.
So, What Are the Downsides?
Hidden gun safes are great, they are a clever way to secure your firearms and have them ready at a moment’s notice.
That doesn’t mean there aren’t also a few disadvantages to be aware of.
Beware of Fire
Most of these hidden gun safes are not fireproof.
A coffee table that hides guns is still just a coffee table. This is something to keep in mind, and probably means you should have some form of insurance on your guns.
If It’s Discovered, It’s Gone
A good safe (read big, heavy, and expensive) that’s hard to crack is going to keep a lot of criminals out. They understand they may not have the time to fully crack the safe and move on, smashing and grabbing as they go.
If the thief is smashing and grabbing and happens to break your desk, a clock, or a coffee table holding a gun…that gun is gone.
Rules to Using Hidden Gun Safes
Keep Your Mouth Shut
OPSEC, a.k.a. Operational Security, is critical for a hidden gun or disguised safe.
If you start showing and telling friends, then they are bound to talk about it — a Mossberg in a coffee table is kinda cool.
The more people who know, the more likely it’ll reach the ears of less honest people.
Is it Really Hidden?
Does the supposedly hidden safe stand out? Is there something that makes your concealed gun safe look just a bit too bulky?
Are the times for the hidden compartment just a little obvious? Is your clock handgun safe actually set and on display? Consider these things.
Also, stay away from things with logos. Nothing says, “There’s a gun here” like “Bob’s Concealment Safes” stamped on the side.
The same goes for any logos featuring guns, knives, or the word tactical.
With that out of the way…let’s get to the good stuff — safes!
Final Thoughts
Hidden gun safes are pretty cool and offer a unique perspective on gun storage.
As with anything, they do have their downsides, but if you need a convenient way to store your guns in a discreet manner…they work!
What’s your fave hidden storage option? Let us know in the comments below. For more storage options, check out 10 Great Gun Safes for At-Home and On the Go.
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Are you handy? Have mechanical/carpentry skills? Go find a breaker box, the entire box, with all the breakers, etc. intact. Electricians will probably give you the entire setup from a panel upgrade. Gut out the interior of the box, remove all the wires, tabs, screws, etc. Take the plate that supports all the breakers and glue a flat piece of metal or wood over the holes where the breakers go from the back. Now disassemble, cut, etc each breaker so that you only have the visible part that you would see from the front side. Glue all the breakers to the front plate in their respective holes. Instead of screws, use multiple magnetic cabinet catches to secure the front plate. Basically what I'm trying to explain is creating a faux breaker box, with a magnetically mounted front plate. Breaker boxes are designed to be recessed in walls. Nobody gives them a second glance. Even if you open the door, the breakers will all appear to be real. Well, they are, or were. Hide whatever you want in the inside. Nobody messes with electricity, a faux breaker panel is a safe storage space. Try it.
Looking for pistol safe that is a alarm clock phone charger and opens with finger print. Want it to look like ordinary alarm clock not safe setting on night stand
Look up the Vaultek DS2i - it is literally that.
I discovered that the RFID lock fails when a battery dies. The new battery I put into this shelf died long before its predicted shelf life. It was a real chore to get the shelf open without damaging the shelf itself.
I changed out all of the electronic locks to a simple magnetic cabinet lock like you'd use to keep kids out of a kitchen cabinet. The magnetic lock works every time. The kids are safe. Then gun is always available.
Win-win.
The shelf option is almost perfect for me, but a 20LB load probably won't handle the force of a 15 pound cat (or two) jumping onto it... unless I'm able to reinforce it somehow.
It certainly can be reinforced so that a 250 lb person could jump on it.
It might deform a bit but it'll hold.
All it would take is a "U" piece of 2" x 2" x â…›" angle iron with the closed end bolted to 2 studs in the wall.
If you REALLY want to over do it use ¼" thick steel, open the wall up, put 1½" x 6-8" x ⅛ piece of steel backer plate behind the stud and through bolt it.
It would take a rather determined person with tools and knowledge to get that off the wall.
Good article Travis. Great job going over the pros and cons of all of them.
Yes, keeping your mouth shut is critical.
I wouldn't use and firearms lock box/safe that wasn't somehow secured to the structure of the home.
If I have a 20lb or so clock with a glock in it and someone walks out the door with it tucked under their arm to force it open at their leisure then I haven't done my due diligence in securing my firearms.
Thanks for the great article. I especially like the James Bond photo, holding a .177 cal pellet pistol. I've got one identical to that. It wouldn't be my first choice for home defense, but does look cool.
Wise old man told me once, the ONLY gun that will do you any good, is the one that nobody knows you have
:-)
Thanks Travis for the great article! I get overwhelmed looking at options for safes and this article makes me think outside of the box for options.