Hollon HGS-11E Hunter Gun Safe Review

Hollon has been one of the fastest growing safe companies in the United States over the last decade. They have a full product lineup ranging from residential to commercial. While they don’t actually manufacture anything themselves, they do bring in a lot of different high quality products. In this Hollon HGS-11E Hunter Gun Safe Review, I will explain why it’s one of the absolute best entry level gun safes available.

Lock – Hollon HGS-11E Hunter Gun Safe

S&G 6120 UL Rated High Security Electronic Lock

First and always most important for any gun safe is its lock. Included in the price is the S&G 6120 UL approved high security electronic lock. This is an excellent quality lock made by the oldest lock company in the United States. They have a premier reputation and make the highest quality locks. UL Approved type 1 is the highest security rating available and I highly recommend this lock.

This lock features a 6 digit electronic code that is easy to program to your own custom combination. In addition, the lock opens 10,000+ times on just one battery. Finally, there are over 1 million possible combinations on this lock.

Hard Plate and Re-Locker

This lock is protected by both a hard plate and internal spring-loaded re-locker. The Hard plate is a piece of hardened steel that absolutely destroys drill bits. In addition, the internal re-locker fires if the lock is punched through securing the bolts in place. Both of these are essential security features and included on this safe.

Security – Hollon HGS-11E Hunter Gun Safe

The Hollon HGS-11E Hunter Gun Safe exceeds the CA DOJ Gun Safe standards. Nearly all entry level safes in this price range are built with 14 gauge steel, only approved as a CA DOJ Firearm Safety Device and have to be submitted to a testing agency for approval. However, Hollon used 12 gauge steel on the door and body along with the UL rated lock which exceeds the CA DOJ gun safe requirements.

In addition to the thick steel construction, Hollon adds a 4-way locking system that features 1.25″ locking bolts. Finally, this is definitely one of the most secure and strongest gun safes in this price range.

Fire Rating – Hollon HGS-11E Hunter Gun Safe

The Hollon HGS-11E Hunter Gun Safe is fire rated for 45 minutes at 1200 degrees. Keep in mind this is a factory test and not verified by an independent agency like UL or ETL. With that said, there are no safes in this category that are tested by an independent agency and with a 45 minute rating, it is only designed to last more than double the length of the standard house fire which burns for 20 minutes.

Hollon also includes a fire seal that expands up to 7 times its size during a fire to keep smoke and heat from entering the safe.

Style and Function

The Hollon HGS-11E Hunter Gun Safe is finished in a standard textured black powder coat. Hardware includes a chrome L-shaped drop down handle. Inside you’ll find one adjustable gun rack and top shelf. This interior is fully carpeted to prevent scratches to your valuables. A premium door panel organizer is included on the back of the door with pistol holsters and storage pockets. Finally, four bolt down holes are located on the bottom of the safe for mounting the safe.

Warranty

Hollon Gun Safes come with a lifetime warranty on fire, break-in and attempted break-in. They cover the cost of all freight to and from the factory as well. They also provide a 1 year parts and labor warranty on all components of the safe where they will pay for the locksmith or safe technician to come to the safes location and repair on site. All in all, this is an excellent warranty and Hollon is a reliable and trustworthy company to work with.

The Bottom Line

Would I buy the Hollon HGS-11E Hunter Gun Safe to store my valuables? If I was in the market for a small gun safe with this budget limitation, yes, I would. With the 12 gauge steel door and body and UL rated S&G lock, this is one of the most secure entry level gun safes available.

With that said, the minimum I would want to purchase as a gun owner is a UL RSC burglary rated gun safe and 1 hour fire rating for the insurance purposes. For just a little bit more, the Stealth UL14 Gun Safe features the same dimensions as the Gardall but increases the fire rating to 1 hour, adds 4-way boltwork at 1.25″ thick and has a clear warranty from reliable company. All things considered, I would go with the Stealth UL14 over the Hollon HGS-11E.