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If storing rifles inside your home then you need a reliable and fast opening safe, a Barska Biometric Rifle Safe will fit your needs and come in 4, 12 or 16 gun sizes. All feature strong steel bodies and quick access biometric scanners which are 99% first time reliable.
Features
Quick access
Using state-of-the-art biometric scanners this safe is designed for almost immediate access to your long rifles for home defense. Once your fingerprint is scanned you can expect to have your rifle ready and prepared to defend your home within 5-10 seconds.
Stores 120 fingerprint scans
This rifle safe has a huge capacity for full pad scans. As this is a multi storage rifle safe you can enroll the fingerprints of multiple users in and store a large number of scans of your own to ensure a high acceptance rate. Most customers get about a 99% success rate on first time scans after properly setting up their safes.
Steel thickness
The body thickness uses 2mm thick steel which is slightly thicker than 14 gauge steel. It offers security against pry attempts and will keep a burglar with an axe out. It does not take up much room and is built to be compact for use in bedrooms or walk-in wardrobes.
Mounting tips and hardware
Make sure to attach the safe to both the wall and floor. If not mounted it will topple over when the door is open so mounting is essential. Hardware is provided in the box, you get at least two bolts designed for securing to concrete or sheetrock. Many customers buy and use different hardware depending on what they want to secure it to.
Measure up the holes for drilling by lining your rifle safe up to where you want it and make marks with either a pencil or pen. That way you know your drilling will be in the correct places.
Hidden key unlock
Hidden underneath the Barska nameplate is the key hole for the backup key. To access this you have to unscrew at least one of screws holding the nameplate and is only intended to be used if the biometrics completely fail including not working when the backup battery adapter is used.
Silent Mode
A very important feature for the security conscious, it comes in the factory set mode which gives out audio feedback by beeping but you can set it up in a muted mode to give out no noise. It means a burglar will not be able to hear you accessing it and have it give away your position.
Shelf storage
There is removable shelf storage where you can stash documents, valuables and a handgun as well as your ammunition in an easy to reach place if you don’t store your rifles loaded. If you have really long guns then you can take the shelf out and store them, then use a smaller handgun safe for your pistols or revolvers and small valuables.
Gun capacity
You can store 4 full sized rifles in the main body provided no scopes or loaded and a handgun in the separate shelved space along with ammunition. If scoped and loaded you will be able to fit just 3.
Lightweight
Weighing in at only 66 pounds it is possible to move and install single handedly which is a big bonus as you don’t have to pay installation fees. Two people will have an even easier time of setting this up between them. Due to being lightweight it is imperative to secure it so thieves can’t just steal the whole unit easily.
Door Fitting
The door fits very tight in its frame to give a negligible door gap. To be DOJ approved it also has hidden hinges on the inside and a 3 deadbolt locking system with deadbolts on three sides to hold the door fast against pry attempts.
Power
It uses 4 AA batteries which can last for up to 2 years. A low battery warning does occur when they are near depletion and this is a very distinctive 3 beeps and flashing red indicator lights when the door is closed.
Back Up Battery Pack
One of the best features is a battery pack that can be used externally and plugged in to the safe to power the biometric lock if the installed batteries run out or fail.
Specifications
- Product Number: AX11652
- Weight: 66 lbs
- Warranty Type: 1 year limited
- DOJ Approved: Yes
- Fireproof: No
- Exterior: 8.6” x 9.8” x 52.17”
- Interior: 6.3”x 9.7” x 52”
Positives
Biometrics work great
A lot of the comments from customers highlight that after setting up and enrolling their fingerprints correctly from multiple angles they get a high 99% first time acceptance rate. Most of those that have commented about how badly it works usually have either a defective model for which they get a replacement or have not followed the set up guide properly. You can always view our tips on improving fingerprint recognition here on the site, link in the sidebar.
Can be installed by one person
Due to its relative light weight one person can move it around and measure up the drilling holes themselves. The light weight is easy to handle and for those living in flats and want to install up multiple flights of stairs will find that doable.
Close fitting door
When trying to jiggle the handle the safe door does not rattle on the hinges indicating a really tight secure fit. Customers responded to this by feeling safer and confident their guns were secure.
Negatives
Can’t store customized rifles
It you have rifles with custom grips or extra large scopes mounted on top then you may have trouble storing 3 firearms inside without some creative aligning of the weapons which may involve turning them slightly. One customer said that they couldn’t store their AR-15 with a 30 round magazine loaded and had to settle for storing it with a 20 round magazine in the end. Although satisfied they just wanted that little bit more depth to the safe to make it great. There are larger sizes available which you can view down below.
Extended long guns will not fit.
If you have rifles that are extremely long, longer than the interior dimensions of the safe listed above they will not fit. This can become a problem if you have a large suppressor and extra custom grips installed so make sure to measure up your guns before buying.
Barska Biometric Rifle Safes – Available Sizes
There are 3 sizes available, quick access, large and extra large, all have the same quality of biometric lock and the larger ones have more deadbolts to secure the door better. See specifications and a quick list of features below.
Standard AX11652
This is the smallest model in the range and holds 4 rifles at a push. It is secured by 3 deadbolts and weighs in at 66 lbs. The internal dimensions are as follows 52″ x 9.7″ x 6.3″.
Large AX11898
This is the mid-size model and is said to be capable of housing 12 guns. This safe has a more generous 5 deadbolts securing the door and weighs in at a reasonable 114 lbs. The interior size is quoted as being 56.5″ x 13.5″ x 12.5″.
Extra Large AX11780
This is the largest rifle safe in the range. With a capacity listed at 16 guns and once again having 5 deadbolts securing the door. The interior dimensions come in at 56.5″ x 19.3″ x 14.9″. The safe weighs a sturdy 139 lbs.
Conclusion
For a reliable and quick operating rifle safe you can’t go wrong with any of the above models. They offer good security for your guns so you can be prepared for defending your home or keeping them out of a child’s reach.