You can purchase a really inexpensive Stack-On gun cabinet, which is really constructed like a high school locker.  It will definitely keep your guns protected and away from children.  You can purchase these for less than $100 for the smaller 8 gun version.  Most are keyed locks and have zero fire protection.

On the other end of the spectrum, you can pick up a decent Cannon gun safe for around $500 that will hold 12 long guns.  This safe is going to have multiple 1″ bolts, a combination (or maybe electronic) lock.  Possibly it would be fireproof.  Much more difficult for even a professional thief to get into.

But, what if you don’t want the 400 pound gun safe, but also don’t want to put your trust in a thin metal box.  There are several gun safe manufacturers that make less expensive smaller boxes.  While they don’t have all the security of a full gun safe, they are thicker and tougher than a simple metal gun gun cabinet.  Here are some examples:

Paragon safes makes a 5 gun safe with a 10 year warranty.  This unit features an electronic lock which can be programmed with any combination of 3 to 8 numbers in your personal code.  This safe also comes with 2 back-up keys in case the electronics fail.  It has an internal locking cabinet with separate keys for more security (although I have never completely understood the function of this internal box).  The hinges are concealed and the box is made from a 18 gauge steel.  It weighs in at 110 pounds versus most metal gun cabinets that weigh less than 50 pounds.  Paragon pre-drills the holes in the bottom for mounting to the floor.  This safe does not come with fire protection, but at $260 from Amazon, it is minimal cost upgrade to get a substantially better place to store you guns.

Barska sells a little smaller, but very impressive 4 gun safe.  This safe is just $275 from Amazon, but it contains a biometric reader, allowing you to open the safe quickly in an emergency. The reader will store up to 120 fingerprint (while you don’t probably have 120 people using the safe, I do scan each finger in multiple positions to insure I don’t have any access problems).  This unit is also pre-drilled for mounting to the floor (some reviewers actually say that it will tip over if you don’t  secure it).  It weighs 66 pounds and comes with a 1 year warranty.  While it is not made of the thicker gauge steel like the Paragon, the Barska does have several large bolts in the door.  Because of the size, most reviewers say that really you can only fit 1, maybe 2, long guns in this safe with scopes and magazines installed.  Keep this in mind when thinking about this unit.

You can see that for maybe another $100, there are some much more secure places to store your guns instead of simple metal gun cabinet.  Take a look at these and others before you make your choice.

Often times when younger families have firearms, parents will choose to go with a gun safe over the gun cabinet because of the lack of accessibility. There are a variety of options in this direction that can completely obscure the safe and biometric entry interfaces can keep only those with authority to gain access to it easily. However, many people may not realize that there are gun cabinet options available that also are secure and able to both keep your weapons from young loved ones and also strong enough to withstand some intrusion.

Ultimately the decision will likely come down to your need to either actually have your weapons out of sight, or displayed for all to see. For most gun enthusiasts your firearms are something that you are proud of and want to have out to show. There is something representative of having it on display, much like a knight and his armor. But, for some it is more important to keep your guns safe from unwanted hands.

When looking at the security of either of these options there are some important things to consider. To start with, you need to look for the Underwritters Laboratories (UL) rating. This is the industry standard for security rating and is put on containers to show essentially how long it will take for an intruder to break into it. For the most basic rating, the Residential Security Container, it will withstand the attack of a professional for approximately five minutes.  The rating system goes up from there to the TL-15 Burglary Classification. This is a rating that indicates when using standard home tools an expert is unable to crack the security of the container for at least 15 minutes. In addition to this the rating system also gives a TL-30 Burglary Classification to a safe or gun cabinet that can withstand the expert attempts for at least 30 minutes.

There is a vast array of options and features available out there and it doesn’t matter if you want a gun safe, gun cabinet, or a mixture of both. The main thing that you should ask your self is what do I want and need it to do? From there find the safe that is best fitted for you and your life style. Just remember to follow the UL ratings and know that the longer you can keep an intruder from getting to your belongings the more chance you have at keeping them.

This is 12 gun cabinet that has a small removable shelf on top.  I looks very much like a high school locker in the configuration except the lock is on frame, not the door.  It has a carpeted interior throughout to protect your guns.  The hinges are internal so the door will most likely only open 90 degrees.  The handle is recessed into the door and the lock is a tubular key, adding to some security above an exposed handle and standard key lock.

You can (and should) secure this unit to the wall and/or floor for greater security.  Unfortunately, this is really just a fancy metal locker.  It should be understood that it is really just for keeping your guns out of the hands of children and/or honest adults.  One reviewer on another site said that the 3 locking bars do not always engage properly, leaving one corner of the door available for prying open with your hands (never mind a crowbar).  Additionally, this metal gun cabinet is made of 20 gauge steel.  A fire ax or even a large hammer should be able to compromise this in a minute or two.

This is not a terrible cabinet and I not trying to compare a gun cabinet vs. gun safe, but I want you to understand what you are getting for $149.  If money is really tight, I would prefer to keep your guns in this than nothing at all.

You can purchase single rifle (and handgun) wall display cases.  These are really gun racks that are in a wall mounted wood cabinet with a locking glass front.  They make excellent conversation pieces and allow you to proudly display your old gun.  Just like most gun cabinets, you can order these typically in several different stains and sizes.  Just like any gun case, you should be sure that the lock is substantial.  While a burglar could always break the glass, you don’t want a child simply using a paperclip to open the lock.  If the gun is expensive or very old, be sure to add desicant to the case and consider upgrading the glass to UV protection rated.

I am thinking about giving one of these as a gift to my father in-law who has some old .22s from when he was a boy.  What a great thing to have on the wall that you can talk about.

They were a pretty good product coming in either an 8 or 10 gun configuration, but were mostly built like a heavy metal locker more than a safe.  They can be secured to the floor, but could be opened pretty easily with a brute force attack of a fire ax or sledge hammer.  Ultimately, at the low cost, they were good at securing your guns against children and less determined thieves.  Stack-on makes newer models now that start at 8 guns and go up from there.

As for keys for these older units.  You should be able to order them from Stack-On.  They have an order form here.  While I have not done this, I assume they can reproduce your key with out any issue since they produced these Sentinel gun cabinets.  They say the cost is about $10.

Alternatively, most locksmiths should not have any trouble getting this unit open and making a new key for it.  They can use a pick to open it and then remove the lock inside to decode the key cut.  Might cost you $20 plus the keys.  If you have 8 long guns in this plus ammo, I suspect it may be pretty heavy.  Some old-school locksmiths will still make housecalls.  Might be worth the $50 trip charge not to have to figure out how to transport this gun cabinet fully loaded!

Last option is to get a crowbar and open it manually.  Obviously you will be damaging the unit.  Maybe you could bend everything back into place enough so it works, but it will be compromised for the next attempt (which may be a bad guy).  Heck, maybe this is a reason to buy a new Stack-On GC-14P 14-Gun Steel Security Cabinet!

A core issue with most gun cabinets and gun safes is that you want to store both long guns, handguns, valuables and documents in the safe.  Unfortunately, most of the time there isn’t enough room or shelves for all of these and you end up having your handgun sitting on top of some document and your valuables just lying in the back of the safe trying not to get damaged or lost!  This Stack-On GCD-9216-5 16-Gun Convertible Doube-Door Steel Security Cabinet is one of the only cabinets that I have seen that comes with 2 doors and essentially 2 compartments.  Plus it has two separate locks and keys so it is essentially two metal gun cabinets in 1 shell!

The right cabinet holds up to 16 rifles and shotguns up to 54″ tall.  It comes with padded sides and bottom.  They also include barrel rests and stand-offs for rifles with scopes.  The stand offs allow the rifles to stand perfectly upright to maximize room in the cabinet and allow you to get to 16 long guns.  Keep your long guns under a separate key that only you have.

The left side has four shelves with foam padding that can be removed and repositioned as you needs change.  This a great place to store valuables, important documents, and your handguns all on separate shelves.  You can even put your ammo in the bottom of the cabinet for safe keeping.  If you are into maximum long gun storage, you can remove the shelves and use the included additional gun barrel rests to add places for 15 more guns (not sure why right is 16 guns and left is 15).

This unit weights a whopping 150 pounds and is about 38″ wide x 18″ deep x 55″ tall.  It comes predrilled in the back, top, and bottom for mounting to the floor or wall and adding the Stack-On top cabinets.  It is the traditional Stack-On hunter green and has a reinforced full-sized steel door with a a locking plate that passes behind the steel cabinet frame at the top and bottom of the unit for maximum security.  Each door has a three point locking system and a full length welded piano hinge.

If you are looking at gun cabinets for sale, this is the one!  Spend the extra money, you will appreciate the space!

For sake of this site, we are going to talk about the Homak line of gun cabinets.  These cabinets are heavier duty and more substantial than products made by other brands like Sentinel and Stack-On.  For example, the Homak HS30003630 and the other products in that line have a 7/8″ thick, high-grade steel exterior.  Most other metal gun cabinets have half of that steel.

The door on this cabinet is also much thicker that is has a four point tubular locking system.  This allows a much more substantial platform and protection against a brute force attack to try and open the door using a crowbar or fire ax.  Additionally, it has two individually coded tubular keys (like the type they use on vending machines) for additional security.

You can purchase these in black or silver and they come in 6, 8, or 12 gun versions.  While they are more expensive than a lesser quality or less secure metal cabinet, they are worth it.  I also like the fact that these gun cabinets have interiors that can be changed and modified for your needs.

If you have larger storage needs, you can add a smaller little brother on top or under the larger gun cabinet.  The HOMAK HS10003025 Upper Add On Security Cabinet costs less than $100, but can be a great place to store your handguns or ammo.  This saves you considerable space in the main cabinet.  And because they are made by the same company, they fit together like legos.

If you are in the market for a new gun cabinet, check out the Homak line.  You will be happy that you did.

This company essentially took a typical gun safe and turned it door side up.  They lengthened it out to fit a traditional twin, queen or king sized bed frame.  They also added a door assist to get the large door open as you are working against gravity.

The company makes several sizes with the largest holding 32 long guns AND 70 handguns.  They use heavy duty keyed locks because they assume no one will ever think to look under your bed for a safe, but you can also order a electronic lock.  Each safe can withstand a fire of up to 1500 degrees for 2 hours.  Plus they are guaranteed for life.

In my opinion, I think this is an interesting idea, but really best for long term storage of guns or for a cache of something (cash, jewelry, guns).  I go in my safe several times per week for things.  I hate dealing with moving my mattress for anything.  I can’t imagine pushing, pulling and moving it to go into my safe for something.  Since you are replacing your box spring with the safe, I wonder if the sleep you get will change or maybe you will be wearing out your mattress faster since the box spring is there to take some movement, but that 600 pounds of steel you are sleeping one won’t flex a millimeter!

At $2000 or more, I think I will stick with a nice large gun safe that has a fire rating.

Below are some ideas I came up with of how you could further toughen or secure your gun cabinet.  Depending upon your current cabinet, budget, skills or even desire these may not all be possible.  If security is still a concern, maybe you should think about buying a metal gun cabinet or a true gun safe.  Otherwise, here are some tips:

• Replace the wimpy glass doors with a some stronger glass.  Most of these doors have the least expensive flat glass which will break easily into shards of glass.  One option is to replace the stock glass with laminated safety glass.  This is the same type (albeit not as thick) that is in your car windshield.  It is a sandwich of flat glass and plastic and even when struck with an object, the plastic holds the broken glass in place.  It takes much more work to open this type of door.
• Add extra wood or even metal plates around the lock and replace the lock with a heavier unit.  You can replace it with a traditional deadbolt.  Alternatively, you can purchase electronic cabinet locks that have up to 320 pounds of holding force for less than $100.  You could have a secret switch to open the cabinet or even wire it into a combination control.  Go on-line to look for options.
• Secure the cabinet to the wall and/or floor.  If you make some of the above upgrades a burglar may simply tip a cabinet over and try to destroy the wood sides or back to gain entrance.  Having the unit properly secured will prevent this.
• If you have a home security system, add a contact switch to the door of this unit.  Then if it is ever opened, you will know.
• Many gun cabinet manufacturers save costs by having a thin piece of plywood or press board for the back.  They then secure it using 1/2″ long staples.  With a crowbar, this back material could be off in seconds.  Remove the existing back or add another piece of 1/2″ to 3/4″ plywood to the back with at least 1″ long screws (and possibly some construction glue) to truly secure the back.  This tip will also help if you intend to bolt the cabinet to the wall, as you will now have an excellent mounting surface.

Many of these enhancement will add weight to your cabinet, but if done correctly, you should never be able to notice the changes.  While none of these gun cabinet security upgrades will prevent a determined burglar, it may slow him down enough to either have him think twice about wasting his time or maybe, he takes too much time and get’s caught in your house!

These cabinets are very unique.  While many wood gun cabinets are very beautiful with perfect wood and finishes, this company makes all kinds of furniture out of real imperfect logs in both cedar, hickory and even old barn wood.  It gives them a rustic feel that is definitely very masculine.

The company cuts their cedar logs in the middle of winter in Northern Minnesota (think almost in Canada).  They delimb the log, but leave it otherwise intact with the bark on it.  While many other companies would almost immediately cut the logs into usable lumber and kiln dry the wood, Fireside Lodge actually lets the logs air dry for at least two summers.  This time allows the bark to naturally fall off the logs, allowing the company to “hand peel” each log as needed.

Drying it slowly and naturally retains all the character of this beautiful wood including knots, worm holes, woodpecker holes and even holes from beetles.  You are left with a much more natural and rustic piece of wood that has much more character than a simple piece of oak.  Using the Northern White cedar results in now 2 pieces of furniture looking the same.  With different knots and even color, you have a truly unique cabinet.  Additionally, cedar has a much lower moisture content than other traditional woods like pine and oak.  This results in a much more stable finished product.

The hickory wood is kiln dried, but still retains much of it natural defects.  It is purchased by the company from a tree farm in the Midwest.  The hickory has a  darker color than the cedar, almost like walnut.  After choosing the material, you can keep the cabinet natural or have it stained 1 of 2 colors for additional options.

Each gun cabinet is also clear-coated with a lacquer to increase the durability and stabilize the wood.  Most models have a locking upper and lower doors/drawers.  Some of the models come with lighting in the upper cabinet to showcase your gun collection.  They feature hidden European cabinet hinges for a simpler look.  Best of all, each gun cabinet is hand made.  They are available in 8 or 12 gun versions.  While they are much more expensive than your traditional wooden gun cabinet, they will appeal to someone that is looking for a truly unique piece or maybe someone that needs a cabinet that will fit with the decor of their Northern Minnesota lake cabin.

These cabinets are available at www.GunSafes.com.  Gunsafes.com will ship for free on all order over $50 (huge savings).  They come fully assembled and weigh a hefty 175-200 pounds.  Also be prepared to spend about $1800-$2700 depending upon the size and wood material that you decide to go with (hickory is more expensive than cedar).