Best Affordable Gun Safes for Sale Under $1,000

Originally Published 2.5.2021 | Last Update 10.28.2024

While it seems like the world is constantly going to hell and a handbasket, more folks than ever are making sure they’re armed and ready to defend the home front. But when it comes to firearms, one of the essential safety precautions every gun owner needs to take is securing them safely.

No one wants their guns to get in the hands of unauthorized family members or burglars. Not only does that put your valuable investment at risk, it leaves you legally liable. If your guns are not properly stored and end up in the hands of a minor or felon, you could be found at fault for anything they use that gun to do.

A gun safe is a safe that securely holds one or more firearms. It is the best way to secure guns from unwanted parties. But, there are A LOT of choices out there that range in price, size, and quality. Whether you’re a first-time gun owner or you’ve been handling a shotgun since you were a wee tot hunting with your dad, choosing which gun safe to buy can be difficult.

We understand that price is always a consideration. But you also want to think about your needs. As you shop for an affordable gun safe, we recommend you also consider the following questions:

• How many guns do you need to store? We aren’t accustomed to unhappy customers, but the most common regret we hear is, “I bought too small of a safe.” Generally, the bigger the safe, the bigger the cost. But this isn’t always the case. As you’ll see below, there are some larger gun safes for roughly $1,000 that offer a substantial amount of storage.

• How likely is it your safe will be exposed to fire? According to statistics from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), more than 350,000 home fires occur each year in the U.S. Cooking fires are the most common type of home fire, contributing 48% of all residential fires. And these fires are burning HOT — reaching temps of 1,100 degrees Fahrenheit in as little as 3.5 minutes and climbing from there. If you are worried about fire exposure, we recommend a gun safe with at least a 60-minute fire rating. This gives your valuables a fighting chance that the fire department will be able to arrive and put out the fire before the contents are completely destroyed.

• Do you need to be able to rearrange your safe? Some safes come with adjustable shelving units, allowing you to change your storage setup as needed. This can be an attractive option for folks who expect their collection to change over time.

First, it’s important to note that no gun safe is fireproof. Any retailer or gun safe manufacturer who is touting their safes as fireproof is talking out their you-know-what. Why? Because there isn’t a gun safe out there that can withstand untold temperatures indefinitely.

That being said, some gun safes are built to withstand fires for longer periods of time. One of the essential things to consider when looking at the fire rating is how the fire rating was tested.

Because gun safe fire ratings are not regulated, a manufacturer can assign any rating they want. You want to make sure that the manufacturer is transparent about their testing process and that they offer a warranty to back up their rating. If fire is a priority, we’ve compiled our top picks based on the level of protection you may need.

Gun safes for sale in Washington are currently a tax-free purchase, which means the price you see is the price you pay. So there’s no giving more of your hard-earned dollars to Uncle Sam with this purchase.

Liberty Centurion 12

One of the best entry-level closet safes on the market, Liberty’s Centurion 12 is just 18.25-inches wide, allowing it to be easily installed in a concealable location. Additionally, it has a 30-minute fire rating and a heat-activated door seal to provide extra protection.

Liberty Centurion 18 Flex

Weighing 340 pounds, the Centurion Flex is a sturdy option for a small to medium long-gun collection. With a complimentary adjustable interior, this gun safe can easily be utilized to hold both firearms and valuables.

Liberty Centurion 24 SMU — Currently On Sale for $999.99

Built with Liberty’s sturdy roll-form construction, the Centurion 24 SMU offers a sturdy, medium-sized gun safe at an affordable price point. It comes equipped with a factory-installed economy door storage panel and a TopLit SecuRam backlit electronic lock.  

Stealth Essential Gun Safe — Currently On Sale for $999.99

Holding up to 14 long guns, this safe offers 30 minutes of fire protection and weighs pounds.

Holding up to 14 long guns, this safe offers 30 minutes of fire protection and weighs pounds. 

Across the board, the cost of manufacturing and delivering gun safes have spiked. Since February 2020, the price of steel has increased by more than 60%. The cost of fire insulation has risen by more than 25%. The cost of fright has spiked by 8-15%. And, manufacturers have struggled to source key components, like door handles and locks.

At the retail level, we saw steep increases to our costs in recent years — even for orders that we’d already placed with manufacturers at a predetermined price point.

Liberty Centurion 32 — Currently On Sale for $$1,099

Storing up to 31 long guns, Liberty’s Centurion 32 is one of the budget gun safes for storing multiple long guns. It offers 40 minutes of fire protection and is constructed with 14 gauge steel. It’s available with an electronic or dial lock and an optional light kit upgrade.

Champion Challenger 15 — Currently On Sale for $1,099

Offering 60 minutes of fire protection and storing up to 15 long guns, the Champion - Challenger 15 is built with 12 gauge steel. It weighs 450 pounds and can be installed in most closets.