How to Choose a Gun Safe: 7 Criteria for Rifles and Handguns

Short answer: When choosing a gun safe, start with the size of the firearm (long gun or handgun), then look at the opening method (fingerprint, code, key), the lock and door construction, the anchoring options and whether ammunition can be stored separately. Rifles call for upright safes whose interior height accommodates the length of the gun; handguns are well served by compact safes that are portable and can be secured in place.

1. Measure the Firearm First: Rifle or Handgun?

The interior height of the safe must accommodate the overall length of the longest firearm you will store, including any scope or accessories fitted to it.

• Long guns (rifles): These require upright gun safes. The Mühlen Gun Safe 1320F, with an external height of 132 cm, holds 3 rifles and 2 handguns; the Gun Safe 1450F, with an external height of 145 cm, holds 5 rifles and 3 handguns.
• Short guns (handguns): A compact safe is sufficient. The Gun Safe 15D and Gun Safe 17F have an interior of 27 × 15 × 5.5 cm, enough for two handguns plus valuables such as a passport or cash.

Choose capacity with the next few years in mind rather than today's needs alone; a gun safe is an investment that cannot be enlarged later.

2. Opening Method: Balancing Speed and Control

• Fingerprint: Opens within seconds, with no key or code to remember. The Gun Safe 1320F and 1450F can store 24 fingerprints; the Gun Safe 17F recognises a registered fingerprint in under a second.
• Digital code: The electronic keypad temporarily locks itself after incorrect attempts; the Gun Safe 15D uses a 3–6 digit code that the user can change.
• Key: Provides backup access when the batteries run out or the electronics fail. Keep the key in a secure place away from the safe.

If there are children in the home, a biometric or code-operated system that only authorised people can open is the most practical way to prevent unauthorised access.

3. Door, Lock and Body Construction

Resistance to forced entry is determined by how many points the door locks at and where the hinges are located. The Gun Safe 1320F has 3 steel bolts and the Gun Safe 1450F has 5; on both models the hinges are internal, so they cannot be tampered with from the outside. The body of the portable Gun Safe 17F is made of 18-gauge high-carbon alloy steel. Interior lighting that comes on when the door opens (LED on the 1320F and 1450F) makes night-time use easier.

4. Anchoring: The Safe Must Not Be Removable

An unanchored gun safe can simply be carried away with its contents. Upright models should be bolted to the wall and floor; the Gun Safe 1320F and 1450F come with the screw and wall plug set needed for installation. On portable models, a 105 cm steel security cable lets you tether the safe inside a vehicle or to a piece of furniture. For wall-mounted or floor-mounted solutions, also see the installed steel safes category.

5. Ammunition and Accessory Storage

Keeping ammunition in a compartment separate from the firearm is a common safety practice. The Gun Safe 1320F has 2 ammunition pockets in the door and a removable ammo shelf; the Gun Safe 1450F additionally has an internal lockbox opened with a separate key. Foam rifle supports stop the guns from rubbing against each other and the walls of the safe.

6. Alarm and Alert Systems

The upright models feature a vibration and impact alarm as well as a wrong-code alarm, with a silent mode available if preferred. The alarm alerts the household when someone tampers with the safe and acts as a deterrent.

7. Maintenance and Storage Environment

For the firearm and ammunition to last, the inside of the safe must be kept dry. Install the safe away from damp basement walls and direct heat sources; using a dehumidifier to prevent moisture build-up inside is common practice. Replacing the batteries that power the electronic keypad at regular intervals helps avoid access problems.

Mühlen Gun Safes Compared

All models come with a 24-month warranty. You can browse the full range in the gun safes category.

A Note on Legal Obligations

Obligations for storing licensed firearms depend on the laws of your country or region and on the requirements of the licensing authority; always follow the regulations in force and the guidance of the authority that issued your licence. This article is about product selection and is not legal advice.

Frequently Asked Questions

How tall should a rifle safe be?
The interior height should exceed the overall length of the longest rifle you will store, including scope and accessories. Mühlen's upright gun safes have external heights of 132 cm and 145 cm.

Is a fingerprint gun safe secure?
A fingerprint lock ensures that only enrolled people can open the safe and eliminates the risk of a lost key. The models include a backup key in case of electronic failure or flat batteries.

Should a gun safe be anchored to the wall?
Yes. An unanchored safe can be carried away with its contents. Upright models are fixed to the wall and floor with the screw and wall plug set; portable models can be tethered with a steel security cable.

Can ammunition be stored in the same safe as the firearm?
Keeping ammunition in a separate compartment is a common safety practice. The Gun Safe 1320F has ammunition pockets in the door, and the Gun Safe 1450F has an internal compartment with its own key.

Which safe is suitable for carrying a handgun in a vehicle?
Portable models such as the Gun Safe 15D and 17F can be tethered to a fixed point inside the vehicle with a steel security cable.

Related Content

• Gun Safes · Installed Steel Safes · Electronic Steel Safes
• Steel Safe Guide: Types, Security Indicators and Selection Criteria
• How Long Does a Fire-Resistant Safe Last: 843, 927 and 1010 °C Explained

To find the right model for your firearms, use the form on the product pages or get in touch with us.