Liberty HDV-150X Handgun Safe
Pros
- 14 Gauge Steel Construction
- Biometric Fingerprint Scanner & 4 Push Button Electronic Lock with 5 Digit Code
- Fully Foam Lined Interior
- LED Light Illuminated the Interior
- Reliable and Helpful Company for Service & Warranty
Cons
- Tubular Key Override Can Be Opened Easily
- Plastic Front Trim can be Snapped Off
- Bendable Sides Offer Access to Reset Button
- Security Cable & Mounting Hardware Not Included
- Made in China
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, these handgun safes they sell are not made in USA and are imported from China with lackluster quality, especially for the price they charge. In this review, I will go over why the Liberty HDV-150X Handgun Safe is not a great option.
Lock – Liberty HDV-150X Handgun Safe
First and always most important for any safe is its lock. The Liberty HDV-150X Handgun Safe uses an electronic lock with 4 button keypad that features a 5 digit code. In addition, there is a biometric fingerprint scanner with fingerprint memory.
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 HDV-150X Handgun Safe
The Liberty HDV-150X Handgun Safe is built with 14 gauge solid steel construction and a dual latch closure. Unfortunately, the entire front panel is plastic and can just be popped off. The sides appear easily bendable where you can stick a coat wire in to access the reset button.
This handgun safe is listed on the CA DOJ roster as a firearm safety device meaning it is adequate for keeping handguns out of the hands of children. Despite the CA DOJ Approval, I would not recommend this safe as secure with the tubular override key.
Style and Function – Liberty HDV-150X Handgun Safe
The Liberty HDV-150X comes in a textured powder coat gray paint with black plastic trim on the front. The interior does include an LED light that brightens it up after opening. The interior is lined with foam to protect your handgun from scratches. I think the logo looks pretty good and the styling is decent. They do not include a security cable or mounting hardware which most handgun safes do nowadays.
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 the Liberty HDV-150X handgun safe to store my handgun? No, I would not. With the tubular override key, this safe is just too easily broken into for me to recommend. There are far better options that have higher security features and I would skip the biometrics and 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.
