Barska Quick and Easy Access Digital Keypad Rifle Firearm and Long Gun Safe AX13646 Review

The title of the Barska Quick and Easy Access Digital Keypad Rifle Firearm and Long Gun Safe AX13646 starts with quick and easy access but unfortunately that quick and easy access is just a little bit too quick and easy. This so called “gun safe” is certainly not a gun safe at all but a cheap gun cabinet with a poor quality lock. In this review of the Barska AX13646 biometric gun safe, I’m going to explain why this is a product you should definitely avoid.

Lock – Barska Quick and Easy Access Digital Keypad Rifle Firearm and Long Gun Safe AX13646

First and always most important for any gun safe is the lock. The biometric scanner is a massive upgrade from previous models, more reliable and higher security. In addition, there is an electronic back-up as well as a key override providing three methods of entry. I’m still not a big fan of biometric locks on gun safes for long term reliability and always recommend a UL rated high security lock. However, this is a significant upgrade from their previous models. Finally, the lock can be programmed to require both code and biometrics.

One of the bad features of the Barska Quick and Easy Access Digital Keypad Rifle Firearm and Long Gun Safe AX13646 is that the batteries are located on the inside of the safe. If you do not replace the batteries in time, you will need to purchase an external battery pack or search for your override key. Batteries should always be located on the outside of the safe in the keypad. This is the case for all UL rated type 1 high security electronic locks made by NL, Securam and S&G.

Key Override

Next, the back-up method on the Barska Quick and Easy Access Digital Keypad Rifle Firearm and Long Gun Safe AX13646 is a double-bitted high security key. Finally, they upgraded from the tubular override key found on all their other products. This key is much higher security, more difficult to pick and overall is just a much better back-up option than previous models.

Security – Barska Quick and Easy Access Digital Keypad Rifle Firearm and Long Gun Safe AX13646

The Barska Rifle Safe features a two-way locking system. However, the width of these bolts is only 5/8″ and the length is only 3/4″. Considering the safe itself is only built with 14 gauge steel, it would take seconds to pop this open. This is not adequate security for what is advertised as a gun safe. The safe did pass the California DOJ testing standards for the Firearm Safety Device. This is not a difficult test to pass and is typically reserved for pistol safes.

Style and Function

The Barska Gun Safe is finished in a textured black powder coat paint. Hardware includes a chrome drop down handle and black keypad. In addition, the interior is fully carpeted with an adjustable or removable gun rack and top shelf. Finally, the back panel is fully carpeted allowing velcro accessories to adhere to the door.

Warranty

Barska products come with a 1 year parts and labor warranty. To claim this warranty, you have to pay for shipping to the factory. Then you have to include a check to have them ship it back to you. The cost to ship a rifle safe like this would be around $150 each way. In addition, these products have an extremely high damage rate. This renders the warranty effectively useless. Every honorable safe company pays for a safe technician to come out to your home to fix the product. Barska is not an honorable company and I would not recommend you deal with this nightmare warranty. Always read the fine print

The Bottom Line

Would I buy the Barska AX13646 Gun Safe to store my firearms and valuables? No, I absolutely would not. While this model is a significant upgrade from the previous Barska rifle safes, it still does not even come close to a quality gun safe made by Stealth, Hollon, Kodiak, Liberty or American Security. This cabinet won’t stop any thief, curious eyes or your kids, you won’t be able to fit any rifles in it and you’ll want to destroy it after it inevitably fails.

With all that said, there are some low cost gun safes I do recommend. While they are not as cheap as the Barska gun safe, they do offer UL rated high security locks, fire ratings and thick steel construction. Take a look at my list of the Top 3 Best Gun Safes Under $1,200.