Liberty USA Gun Safes vs Champion Gun Safe Challenger Series

When you’re shopping for a gun safe, it’s easy to get lost in specs, steel thickness, and fire ratings. When it comes to entry-level safes, two names that come up a lot are Liberty’s USA Series and the Champion Challenger Series. On paper, these safes seem relatively equal. Both are made with American steel, both are popular with gun owners, and both aim to protect your firearms and fires.

But with nearly 40 years of experience selling gun safes, we can tell you firsthand, these safes are not equal. Construction methods and materials make a significant difference in performance. So does where a safe is manufactured. And while on paper, these safes look similar — each has its own advantages and disadvantages.

To make this comparison as apples-to-apples as possible, we’re going to compare the Liberty Safe USA 36 against the Champion Safe Challenger 30.

Liberty USA 36: Better Fire Resistance + Made in the USA

The Liberty USA 36 is part of Liberty’s USA Series, which is their “better” entry-level line (a step above the Centurion series). It features a 12-gauge steel body and Liberty’s Solid State-style locking bars instead of traditional round bolts. Each USA series safe is also made in the USA.

The critical advantage of the USA 36 is the fire insulation. All six sides of the USA 36 are insulated, with insulation spanning the entirety of the door frame and door. On the flip side, the Challenger’s reinforced door doesn’t allow for the fire insulation to span the door frame completely, leaving the door vulnerable to hotspots weakening it during a fire.

Champion Challenger 30: Impressive Pry Resistance + Made with American Steel

The Champion Challenger 30 is part of Champion’s Challenger Series. This is the heavy-duty entry-level line of Champion gun safes. It also features 12-gauge steel on the body, but the door has two layers of steel: a 12-gauge outer plate and a full 14-gauge inner plate, making a 4¼" double-plate steel door. This additional steel gives it impressive pry resistance for its price point.

While the Challenger series is made with US steel, it is manufactured in Mexico.

Size and Capacity: How Much Can You Actually Fit?

• Liberty USA 36: Rated for up to 36 long guns

• Champion Challenger 30: Rated for up to 42 long guns

In real life? These safes will both hold roughly 15 long guns, under the assumption that you’re using both sides of the safe to hold long guns. Why? These numbers are based on the most basic shotguns and rifles. If you have optics, ARs, or anything with big stocks, you’ll never hit those max numbers.

But the Challenger 30 does give you:

• A wider interior (safe is 1.5" wider inside)

• A little more depth, which helps with scoped rifles

The USA 36, on the other hand, is narrower and shallower, which can be a big deal if you’re trying to squeeze it into a closet, corner, or tight hallway.

If space in your home is tight: USA 36 has the advantage.

If you want a bit more room to grow: Challenger 30 gives you a smidge more breathing room.

Fire Protection: Liberty USA 36 is the Clear Winner

Not to mine an empty cave, but what’s on paper doesn’t truly depict the difference in fire ratings.

Per the manufacturer’s ratings, both safes are rated for:

• 60 minutes at 1200°F

• Heat-expanding door seals that puff up in a fire to help block smoke and heat

This does not adequately show that the USA 36 uses multiple layers of fireboard in the door, ceiling, and walls, plus a Palusol seal.

The Challenger 30 uses 5/8" Type X fireboard and a full fire seal around the door frame. As we stated above, the USA’s fire insulation also cover the full interior of the door frame, where as the Challenger’s doesn’t — making it more vulnerable to fires.

In the real world, both are “good, mid-range” fire safes. Neither is a 2-hour tank, but both are strong choices for typical home fire protection.

Verdict: Even the 60-minute fire rating on the USA 36 would be the bare minimum we would recommend if you’re worried about protecting valuables from fire. In reality, if fire protection is a concern, we’d recommend 90 minutes of fire protection or more.

Steel and Door Design: Where Security Starts

This is where things get interesting.

Liberty USA 36

• 12-gauge body

• Composite door, ~4" total thickness

• Military-style locking bars on two sides

• External relocker and hard plates over the lock

Champion Challenger 30

• 12-gauge body

• 4¼" double-plate steel door (12-ga outer + 14-ga inner)

• Four-way active boltworks with up to 12 round 1" bolts

• Diamond-Embedded Armor Plate™ and Auto-Relock™

Both use 12-gauge bodies, so the walls are similar. But the door design gives the Challenger 30 a serious edge.

Locks and Relockers

Both companies take lock protection seriously, but they do it in different ways.

Liberty USA 36:

• Uses a UL-listed Dormakaba 702D lock (Some dealers, like us, offer mechanical dial lock options.)

• Three hardened steel plates to protect the lock

• External relocker that fires if someone attacks the lock

Champion Challenger 30: 

• Comes with a UL-listed dial or electronic lock (The lock options can vary by dealer. We strongly recommend that any lock you consider is UL-listed.)

• Diamond-Embedded Armor Plate™ over the lock

• Auto-Relock™ system that re-locks the safe if the lock is attacked

In plain language: both protect the lock from drilling, and both lock themselves down if someone really goes after the mechanism. For most home users, lock style (dial vs electronic) is going to matter more than the tiny differences in armor plate branding.

Interior and Everyday Use

Both safes come with flexible interiors and door organizers, but the feel is a little different.

Liberty USA 36 Interior:

• 3-in-1 Flex™ adjustable interior

• Door panel organizer with handgun pockets and small storage

• Nicely finished, with a clean look

Challenger 30 Interior: 

• Adjustable gun racks and shelves

• Interior designed for up to 42 long guns

• Some dealers offer it with upgraded door organizers and nicer finishes (like us)

Because the Challenger is a little larger, it simply feels roomier, especially if you’ve got a mix of rifles, shotguns, and valuables. The USA 36, being more compact, feels more “efficient” in smaller spaces.

Which Safe Is Right for You?

Both the Liberty USA 36 and Champion Challenger 30 are solid, American-made safes that will be a huge upgrade over a big-box “cabinet.” They share the same 60-minute fire rating and 12-gauge bodies, but they’re not identical twins.

Choose the Liberty USA 36 If:

• You’re tight on space and need a more compact footprint.

• You like Liberty’s brand reputation, UL rating, and lifetime support.

• You prioritize buying products made in the USA.

• You want a clean, organized interior and don’t see yourself going over ~15–20 long guns anytime soon.

Choose the Champion Challenger 30 If:

• You want a bit more interior room.

• You like the idea of a double-plate door and four-way active boltworks.

• You have the space for a wider, deeper safe and want a beefier feel at an entry-level price.

Step inside a showroom and put your hands on both. Open the doors, play with the shelves, and picture your actual rifles, optics, and valuables in there. The one that feels right in person — and fits your home layout — is usually the one you’ll be happiest with for the long haul.

Looking for a showroom with both safes on display? We have both in stock! Stop by.