Did you know that not every gun safe marketed as being fireproof is actually fireproof? Moreover, technically speaking there isn’t a gun safe in the world that is 100% fireproof. As it all depends on the amount of heat, a safe can withstand without getting damaged.
Does this, therefore, mean that investing in a fireproof safe is a waste of money? Of course not, the best fireproof gun safe can keep your guns from getting damaged by fire. And not only that, but you can also store important documents inside your fireproof gun safe.
With this in mind let us look at some of the gun safes that deserve to be called fireproof. After researching extensively on the topic, we have come up with 8 best fire resistant gun safe for the money. Out of the 8, there are three that we liked more than the others. But before we jump into the reviews here is a comparison chart of how the 8 faired against each other.
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Last update on 2024-04-27 / Please note that Prices and Availability Are Subject To Change /Paid links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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How To Buy Fireproof Gun Safe: Buying Guide
Not all safes out there are fireproof such as some of the gun safes under 500 we reviewed earlier are not fully fireproof. Thus, shopping for a fireproof safe will require you to invest time and money. The time is to be spent researching the characteristics of the fireproof gun safe for the money. So what are some of the characteristics of a fireproof safe? Lets debunk!
What kind of steel?
The most common metal used in the making of gun safes is steel. However, steel comes in a variety of gauges. The most expensive and virtually impenetrable is the 8 gauge steel. Anything below this might struggle against fires. Therefore, I recommend going for a gun safe with an 8 gauge steel construction.
Check the fire rating
Different companies have different methods of fire testing their safes. This means that the fire rating given by a manufacturer might not be accurate. The best way to be sure is to compare different ratings. Also, it is important to know what a safe will be up against in case of fire.
On average it would take a 1,300-degrees Fahrenheit fire 60 minutes to reduce an average sized house to ash. But given that first responders are usually on scene within 10 to 15 minutes it is unlikely for this to happen. Also, most fires are quelled within 1 hour after first responders have been alerted.
When you take into account all this a safe with a fire rating of 350 degrees Fahrenheit for one hour is a great choice. Additionally, stick to reputable manufacturers and retailers whose margin of error in regards to fire rating is small.
Is a thick door best?
The thicker the door, the harder it is to penetrate through. Ideally your gun safe should have a door that is 5/16 inches in thickness. Also, it should be made of steel pieces. The bend in the metal give it strength and increase fire protection.
The capacity
Guns are not the only thing you can store inside a safe. Therefore, it is also important to consider the capacity of a safe vis-à-vis your budget. A safe with more space can hold more guns and other accessories as well as important papers.
So if you have a number of accessories and important papers in addition to firearms a larger safe might be ideal. However, if your gun collection is not that big, a small compact one will do just fine.
The Best Fireproof Gun Safes Review
Improved Steelwater Standard Duty 16 Long Gun Fire Protection
- Fire rating: 1 hour
- Weight: 330 pounds
- Usable interior dimensions: 55 ¾ inches x 19 ½ inches x 10 ½ inches
One of our top three favorites is the Improved Steelwater standard Duty 16 Long Gun safe. Fashioned out of 14 gauge steel it can withstand temperatures of up to 1875 degrees for 1 hour. While it is not easy to ascertain this claim we found it to be very solidly built, and here are some of the things we loved.
The combination lock
Sure this is a list of the best fireproof gun safe, but being able to offer protection from intrusion of any kind is always a priority. The combination lock on this Standard duty safe can be set from 3 to 8 digits. We found this to be more than enough to cover most people’s pin codes, also as we all know the more the digits, the harder it is to crack.
The locking bolts
This gun safe is a hard nut to crack thanks to its 10 1.5 inch chrome plated bolts. These bolts keep your guns, and other valuables secure inside.
Capacity
Weighing 330 pounds this gun safe offers a decent amount of interior storage space. It can hold up to 10 long guns within its interior. Also, you can use it to store other valuables as well as gun accessories.
Door seal
A heat-activated door seal prevents smoke and fire from entering the safe. The door seal is automatically activated when there is a fire. It will expand preventing the fire from destroying your valuables.
Pros
- Can withstand high temperatures for up to 1 hour
- It is drill and pry resistant
- Has a thick door that is hard to penetrate
- It is fully carpeted
- Features an internal re-locking mechanism for when the safe is punched out
- The digital keypad is EMP protected
Cons
- It is a heavy gun safe
- It is quite expensive
Verdict
Granted the safe is not the heaviest one out there but at 330 pounds it is not portable. This is both a pro and a con. On the one hand, its heaviness means it stays in place. On the other hand, its bulkiness means you cannot move it around. Also, it is worth every penny spent on it; thus its price tag is justified.
New and Improved E.M.P Proof Steelwater Heavy Duty 45 Long Gun Fire
- Fire rating: 1 hour
- Weight: 892 pounds
- Usable interior dimensions: 67 3/8 x 381/8 x 21
Another one of our favorite gun safes is the heavy duty AMLD724228-blk also from Steelwater. There are several reasons why this gun safe appealed to us so much. But one of the main reasons was the fact that it has a fire rating of 1 hour.
High fire rating
According to the manufacturer, this safe can withstand extreme temperatures for up to 1 hour. This is quite impressive given most safes can only withstand extreme temperatures for about 45 minutes.
20 locking bolts
Instead of the standard 10 bolts found in other Steelwater safe this one has 20 1 ½ inch locking steel bolts. These bolts are said to be 25% longer offering added protection against unwanted intrusion.
E.M.P proof keypad
To further protect it from unwanted intrusion it comes with an E.M.P proof keypad. This keypad also has LED backlighting for easy access even in low light.
AC outlets
There are 3 AC outlets and 2 charging ports included in the safe. This makes it easy to add a dehumidifier when you need to.
Pros
- Comes with upgraded steel locking bolts from improved strength
- Can withstand extreme temperatures for up to 1 hour
- Offers a roomy interior that can hold up to 45 guns
- The keypad is E.M.P proof
- Automatic interior LED light allows ease of access in low light
Cons
- It is quite an expensive model
- Is considerably bulkier than most other gun safes
Verdict
This Steelwater gun safe makes it to our list due to its reliability and strength. Few guns safe’s can offer the kind of protection this one offers. It is probably the top quality fireproof gun safe for the money as far as reliability is concerned. And while it will cost you a considerable amount of money, its features make it worth it.
Stack-On SS-22-MB-E SS22 Gun Safe, 22, Black
- Fire rating: none
- Weight: 247 pounds
- Internal dimensions: 26 x 14 x 54.75″
The 22-MB-E ss22 gun safe from Stack-on is an inexpensive alternative to the likes of the Steelwater safes. With the capacity to hold up to 22 guns it comes with 4 shelves where you can store different accessories. But what makes it stand out is its fully convertible interior.
Versatile interior
You can use the safe to store up to 22 long guns. However, with the addition of four shelves, you can also store other accessories. Also, additional shelves can be added to give the safe more storage room.
Electronic Keypad
An electronic keypad is installed on the safe’s door. This keypad is a 10 digit keypad that is battery operated. You can create codes with digits between 4 and 8. Thus, you can be as creative with the digits as you wish.
Backup keys
Since the electronic keypad is battery powered, there is always the potential of it dying out. When this happens you can use the two included backup keys. Also, the keypad has a warning light that indicates when the battery is about to go off.
1/8 inch steel exterior
This might not look like the toughest gun safe out there, but its steel exterior is still above average. The steel construction and 1 inch active locking bolts makes it hard to penetrate through.
Pros
- It has a pocket-friendly price tag
- It is solid and very well built
- Comes with removable shelves from increasing storage
- The electronic keypad has warning lights for wrong combination and low battery power
Cons
- The gun safe is not really fireproof
- The unlocking mechanism can be noisy
Verdict
This is not advertised as being a fireproof safe. However, it can hold its own when exposed to small fires. Its convertible interior is probably the best thing about it. Thanks to this interior you can convert it to suit your needs.
Improved E.M.P Proof Steelwater Extreme Duty 39 Long Gun Fire Protection 120 Minutes
- Fire rating: 2 hours
- Weight: 925 pounds
- Usable interior dimensions: 54 3/8″ x 34 1/2″ x 17 ½
The Extreme Duty 39 long gun protection safe is a heavy duty safe from Steelwater. What makes it stand out from the rest is its impressive fire rating. Based on its manufacturer ratings it can withstand fire for up to 120 minutes.
20 locking bolts
To ensure it is pry-resistant Steelwater equipped this safe with 20 locking bolts. These locking bolts are made of solid steel. The bolts secure all four sides eliminating any vulnerability in the gun safe.
Solid construction
This gunsafes is one of the heaviest in Steelwater’s collection and for good reasons. It is constructed from 9 gauge steel with an added ¼ solid steel plate. This gives it an extra layer of thickness.
E.M.P proof keypad
The keypad is designed to be E.M.P proof and has LED backlighting. The backlighting provides you with sufficient visibility in low light.
Fire protection
One of the safe’s bestselling features is its fire protection. The safe can withstand external temperatures of up to 1875 degrees for up to 2 hours or 120 minutes. This makes it one of the best safes in regards to fire safety.
Pros
- Can withstand extreme temperatures for up to 2 hours
- Has an 8x hard plate to protect it against drilling
- A steel reinforced top prevents breakage and warping
- The safe is very well built
- Has 20 steel locking bolts to protect it against intrusion
Cons
- Weight 925 pounds it is one of the heaviest
- It is a costly gun safe
Verdict
Steelwater invested a lot in the manufacturer of this gun safe, and it is clear from its solid construction and fire rating. While it is not portable, portability is the price you have to pay for all the features you get from this gun safe. In a nutshell, there aren’t many gun safes out there that can match the quality of this Steelwater safe.
Steelwater AMSWFB-845 2-Hour Fireproof and Burglary Safe
- Fire rating: 2 hour
- Weight: 410 pounds
- Interior Capacity: 3.55 cubic ft
Steelwater has a number of burglary gun safe in its collection, and one of our favorites is the AMSWFB-854 fireproof and burglary safe. An incredibly lightweight safe given steelwater’s standards, it offers the same quality as other steelwater safes.
Solid construction
One of the things that make both burglar and fireproof is its solid construction. Crafted out of 12 gauge steel, it is near impossible to crack. To further bolster its near-impenetrable construction it also comes with bolt locks.
Fire-protection
True to steelwater’s reputation this safe is fireproof. It can withstand high temperatures for a period of up to 2 hours. According to the manufacturer, it can withstand temperatures of up to 1875 degrees Fahrenheit.
Adjustable shelves
Adding to its set of features are two adjustable and removable shelves. These shelves can be used to store a variety of accessories and documents. It offers ample space for storage of guns as well as other accessories.
AC outlets
For installing a dehumidifier, there are three AC outlets. Also included are two USB charging ports.
Pros
- Has a fully upholstered interior
- Comes with a re-locking mechanism for locking it when it is punched
- Has a door seal that prevents fire and water damage
- The thickness of the seal can increase 8 times in the event of a fire
- It is considerably lighter than other steelwater gun safes
Cons
- It is not ideal for long guns
- The combination of its lock has to be installed by a professional
Verdict
Weighing 410 pounds, this gun safe is considerably lighter than the other gun safe from Steelwater. Nonetheless, this is not to say it’s of low quality. With a 12 gauge steel construction, it is a tough safe that serves two purposes. It keeps your guns protected from burglars as well as from fire.
Kodiak KB19ECX Gun Safe, 30 Long Guns & 4 Handguns, 350 lbs, 30 Minute Fire Protection
- Fire rating: 30 minutes
- Weight: 350 pounds
- Dimensions: 59″H x 28″W x 20″
One of the best fireproof gun safe for the money is the Kodiak KB19ECX gun safe. Capable of storing up to 30 long guns, it offers great value for money. Moreover, it is relatively cheaper than other similar gun safes.
Adjustable interior
There are a lot of good things about this safe and one of the best things is its versatile interior. It comes complete with a rack for improved storage capacity. There are also adjustable shelves that allow you to customize the storage space.
Fire protection
It can withstand temperatures of up to 1400 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 minutes. And uses the same door seal technology as other fireproof safes. This means in case of fire the seal starts to expand preventing the fire from damaging the interior. The seal can expand up to 7 times.
Spring loaded re-locker
In case it is tampered with or moved a spring loaded re-locker automatically kicks in place. This prevents any kind of intrusion and adds to the safe’s safety features. Unwanted intruders will have a hard time breaking it open.
3/8 inch inlet
For purposes of installing a dehumidifier, there is a pre-drilled 3/8 inch hole. This pre-0drilled opening allows for easy installing of a dehumidifier or a swing out gun rack.
8 door bolts
There are a total of 8 door bolts with a diameter of 1 inch. These bolts ensure that it is hard to break the door.
Pros
- Can hold up to 30 long guns and 4 handguns
- The interior can be customized to your needs
- Weighing 350 pounds, it is more on the lighter and portable side
- Comes with a pre-drilled opening for the installation of a dehumidifier
Cons
- Can only withstand fire for 30 minutes
- Is not ideal for extremely hot fires
Verdict
For its price, this gun safe does a good job of protecting your valuables from fire. Its anti-tamper clutch meets the Penal Code section 23655. It is, therefore, a solidly built safe that meets all the requirements set out in law.
NEW and IMPROVED Steelwater Heavy Duty 16 Long Gun Fire
- Fire rating: 1 hour
- Weight: 380 pounds
- Interior dimensions: 55 3/4″ x 19 1/2″ x 10 1/2″
The California DOJ requirements for fire safety are the most detailed. So the fact that the Steelwater 16 long gun safe meets exceed them should excite you. Nonetheless, it is always good to look deeper at what a gun safe has to offer.
Capacity
Measuring 59 inches in height, it can accommodate almost any type of long gun. However, since it measures 22 inches wide, it’s not the most spacious. In total, I believe it can hold about 8 to 10 long guns, which is not bad.
Fire protection
Two layers of fireboard line the door while all other sides of the safe have one lining of the material. The board expands and releases moisture in the event of fire. Therefore, it can protect your valuables for up to 1 hour in a fire.
10 locking bolts
One area where steelwater gun safes excel is in safety features. Unlike most gun safes this one has ten locking bolts each 1 inch thick. These locking bolts help keep unwanted intruders from accessing the contents of the gun safe.
Thick door
To bolster its security the safe is equipped with a 4 ¾ inch thick door. This door is resistant to being pryed or being drilled. Of more importance it is virtually impossible to apply force under the door to force it open.
Pros
- Has a re-locker that kicks in when the electronic lock is tampered with
- Can withstand extreme fires for 1 hour
- Meets and exceeds all the California DOJ requirements on gun safety
- Built from 12 gauge solid steel
- Can hold up to 1o long guns
Cons
- Its narrow design limits its storage capacity
- It is quite expensive
Verdict
Compared to other gun safes it is quite narrow. And while this can be a drawback for some, it is not a deal breaker. Unless you are looking to expand your gun collection, this one will be enough. Furthermore, the fact that it can withstand fire for up to 1 hour makes up for its rather narrow design.
Browning Droptine E-lock 23 gun safe
- Fire rating: 30 minutes
- Weight: 460 pounds
- Dimensions: 58″H x 30″W x 20″D
Browning is a company known for making guns and gun accessories. Thus it comes as no surprise that the Browning Droptine E-lock safe is in our list. With its 12 gauge steel construction it is tough and fire resistant for up to 30 minutes.
Electronic lock
An electronic lock acts as the main access point for the safe. This electronic lock is programmable. Meaning you can put in your own code for security.
Fire seal
As with other fireproof gun safes, it has a fire seal that expands in the event of fire. The seal starts to expand whenever there is a fire. In total, the safe can keep your guns protected from fire for up to 30 minutes. And can withstand temperatures of up to 1400 degrees Fahrenheit.
Adjustable shelving
Adjustable shelves allow you to customize how you want to store your guns in the safe. On top of this, there is a door rack for storing long guns. This gives you versatility when it comes to the storage of your firearms.
Force deflector locking system
A re-locker system prevents any unwanted intruder from accessing the safe even when the lock is tampered with. This locking mechanic will lock itself automatically in the event of forced entry.
Pros
- Has an easy to program electronic lock
- Adjustable shelves offer more storage space
- The floor is raised to protect against humidity
- Comes with a thick reinforced1 inch door and 1-inch locking bolts
- Has a sleek textured black finish
Cons
- Can only protect against fire for 30 minutes
- In total can hold up to 15 guns and not 23
Verdict
For its price, it is a pretty standard gun safe. It offers all the features you would expect from a fireproof gun safe. Thus, while it is not without cons, it can be a great acquisition. Especially given that it is more affordable than other entries on our list.
Conclusion
So which is the best? This is not an easy question to answer as it all depends on your needs and budget. Each of the gun safes in our list has something to offer. As such, different gun safes will appear to different people.
Nonetheless, as you have noticed many of the gun safes we have reviewed are from Steelwater. The latter company is one of the most reputed guns, safe manufacturers. As such, it would be the best place to start your search for a fireproof gun safe.
About The Author:
Lake Streeter, A Gun enthusiast, and loves to hunt in the middle of the wood. Always check the latest hunting gears out in the market and try to share his honest opinion with the audience in Hunting Nook.