Liberty Safe is the #1 seller of gun safes in the safe industry. They make all of them in Utah, USA and have a great reputation for quality, reliability and service. Unfortunately, the handgun safes they make are not made in USA and are imported from China with lackluster quality, especially for the price they charge. In these Liberty handgun safe reviews, I will go over why these are not a great option.
Lock – Liberty Handgun Safe Reviews
First and always most important for any safe is its lock. The Liberty Handgun Safe uses an electronic lock with 4 button keypad that features a 5 digit code. The HDV model also comes with a biometric fingerprint scanner.
Unfortunately, they included a tubular key override which is far too easy to pick open. Check for videos on Youtube and you’ll see how easily they are opened with Bic Pens, Tubular lock picks and a variety of other household items. What is the point of using a good quality electronic and biometric lock if the override key is so easily opened? Liberty should know better than this.
Security – Liberty Handgun Safe Reviews
The Liberty Handgun Safes are built with 16 gauge solid steel construction and a latch closure. For reference, 16 gauge steel is the same thickness as a penny and not adequate for handgun security. This thickness can be easily pried with just a screwdriver and a hammer.
These handguns safe are listed on the CA DOJ roster as a firearm safety device meaning they are adequate for keeping handguns out of the hands of children. Despite the CA DOJ Approval, I would not recommend these safes as secure with the tubular override key.
Style and Function – Liberty Handgun Safe Reviews
The Liberty handgun safes come in a textured powder coat gray paint with convenient no-look keypad similar to the GunVault style on the HD models. The interior does include an LED light that brightens it up and the interior is lined with foam to protect your handgun from scratches. The lid pops open with a piston-assist for quick access. They also include a security cable for attaching the safe to a fixed object on the HD series.
Warranty
Liberty Safe offers a 2 year replacement warranty on defect for the entire HD product line. This is 3 years less than what they offer on their full size gun safes but double what most manufacturers offer at 1 year.
The Bottom Line
Would I buy a Liberty handgun safe to store my handgun? No, I would not. With the tubular override key, these safes are just too easily broken into for me to recommend. There are far better options that have higher security features and I would go with a reliable long term lock.
My top recommendation for a handgun safe is the Stealth ShadowVault SV1. What makes it better is that it takes all the security features found in a high quality gun safe and shrinks them down to a pistol box. Finally, it comes with a UL Rated high security S&G lock, two hard plates, thick 3/16″ steel door, thick 10 gauge steel body, steel hooks on the hinge side and is overall a significantly more secure safe.
