Top 3 Best Mechanical Handgun Safes

Overview

Quality Mechanical handgun safes are not hard to come by. Most models you find online use the exact same Simplex Lock, similar steel thicknesses and consistent warranties. So how can you tell which ones are better than the others? That’s exactly why I’ve compiled this list of the Top 3 Best Mechanical Handgun Safes that you can trust. All of these models have a high level of security, authentic Simplex locks, solid steel steel construction and are sold by companies who actually honor their warranty.

Lock – Top 3 Best Mechanical Handgun Safes

First and always most important for any handgun safe is the lock. All three of these handgun safes from V-Line, Fort Knox and Viking feature the original Simplex Lock made by DormaKaba.

DormaKaba Authentic Simplex Lock

First and always most important is the lock. V-Line uses the genuine Simplex mechanical push button lock with 1,081 different possible combinations. When installed and used correctly, this is a very reliable lock designed to last forever.

Punch Attack Solution

A few years ago, it was exposed that anyone could easily break into this style of handgun safe with a screwdriver and a hammer. V-Line, Fort Knox and Viking responded and added a Steel bracket underneath the lock that renders this attack useless. I highly recommend this safe and the upgraded lock mechanism on all three models.

Security – Top 3 Best Mechanical Handgun Safes

Since Handgun Safes are not tested by UL like full size gun safes and home safes, California Department of Justice has by de-facto become the trusted source to determine if a handgun is secure or not. This test is far too easy to pass and while all three of these models are CA DOJ approved as firearm safety devices, all three models are so much more than just that and far exceed the requirements.

Steel Thickness

These handgun safes don’t just have a good lock, they are also built very strong. The doors are built with 3/16″ steel and the body is built with 10 gauge steel which is much thicker than the usual 16 gauge on competing safes. V-Line uses a 10 gauge uniform body construction with full wrap-around lid that offers additional pry resistance over the other two models, even though the steel is slightly thinner. Finally, the V-Line uses a small round pin for the locking bolt while the Fort Knox and Viking use a thick chrome plated steel locking bolt. All in all, all three models are very secure and much stronger than your average pistol safe.

Style and Function – Top 3 Best Mechanical Handgun Safes

Paint

The V-Line Brute XD and Viking VS-12SX are finished in a matte black while the Fort Knox is finished in a speckled gray. All of these paints are highly durable and look fantastic.

Accessories

All three interiors on these safes are nearly identical. They all have two layers of foam in the bottom and a protective foam layer on the top. They all include a gas strut piston to assist in lifting the heavy doors open. The one differentiator is the Viking safe includes an LED Light in the interior. In addition, a spandex pocket on the back of the door for storing additional small items is also included.

Warranty – Top 3 Best Mechanical Handgun Safes

Both V-Line and Fort Knox include a parts and labor warranty where they will pay for a locksmith or safe technician to come out to your home and repair the home safe on site and at no cost to you or send you a replacement free of charge. It is unclear with Viking if you have to send it to the factory for repair. All three companies provide only a 1 year parts and labor warranty. Fort Knox claims to have a lifetime warranty but only provides a 1 year warranty on the lock. So, in reality its just a 1 year warranty and very misleading.

The Bottom Line

All three of these models are easily the Top 3 Best Mechanical Handgun Safes. While all three are near identical in steel thickness, I recommend the V-Line Brute XD as the best overall for a few reasons. It has the full covering in the door, the strongest bracket underneath the lock, a fully transparent warranty and is Made in the USA. All in all, I recommend the V-Line Brute XD as the #1 best mechanical handgun safe.