Safe firearms storage gets a lot of press these days. Proper storage was always a given at my house. My Dad insisted. So, my brother and I learned it from the beginning. But times change, and many gun owners don’t have 24/7 training like we did. But Hornady is making things easy with their line of safes, vaults, and lock boxes. The Hornady RAPiD Safe Keypad Vault is among the best of those options.
Many of us try to balance safety and readiness. What works for me may not work for you. I live alone, so actually placing my nightstand gun on my nightstand isn’t a problem. But if I have company, especially if my granddaughter comes over, I need to be able to lock that gun up. I could put it in my big safe, but this little Hornady vault means I can safely keep it in my bedroom. I just move it to the top of my closet and I’m good. Let’s take a look at this thing and I’ll tell you why I like it, along with something I think could be improved.
Hornady RAPiD Safe Key Vault Specifications
- Exterior Dimensions: 13.1” x 11.0” x 3.9”
- Interior Dimensions: 10.6” x 7.8” x 3.3”
- Weight: 13 lbs.
- 16-gauge steel housing
- Pry-resistant steel locking mechanism
- 3 entry methods: Barrel key, electronic keypad, and RFID reader
- Powered by 4 AA batteries (not included)
- Pre-drilled mounting holes (screws provided)
Security
The Hornady RAPiD Safe is solid. You can feel it. I saw different weight figures for it, so I put it on my bathroom scale. Mine comes in at just under 13 pounds. The lid locks tight and is recessed just below the level of the housing. Prying it open would be a chore, indeed. I suppose it could be done, but I wouldn’t want to try it.
A small unit like this, of course, could be picked up and carried away. But Hornady included 2 pre-drilled holes for mounting screws, which are included. The screws are only accessible from inside the vault. Where you mount it, if you mount it at all, is up to you. I’ve chosen not to because of how I use it. It also conceals easily in a dresser or counter drawer if you don’t want it sitting in the open.
The electronic keypad can be set to a 4 or 6-digit code. The keypad and RFID reader mean you don’t always have to have the keys on hand. I keep my keys in my big safe. I’m confident that anything I put in this vault will stay there until I take it out.
Accessibility
Hornady did a good job providing multiple access options. They provide two, barrel keys and you can get replacements if you lose them. The keypad works very well. It lights up when you hit the first key, but you can disable that feature if you want. The keys also “beep” when you activate them, and you can also turn that off. I can absolutely envision a scenario when you wouldn’t want to tip off a bad guy that something’s going on. The four keys also have raised dots telling you which key is which in the dark. Key 1 has one dot, key 2 has two, and so forth.
The RFID reader is located to the keypad’s left and is easily identified in the dark. Hornady includes an RFID decal that you can attach to your phone or whatever. You also get a watchband attachment so that your wrist is an RFID chip. The RFID reader is the system’s weak point, in my opinion. Don’t get me wrong, it works. But I sometimes have to move the RFID decal or watch attachment around to get just the right angle. I’ve gotten better with practice, but that’s not something I want to fool with in a stressful situation. Plus, the owner’s manual says the metal in a phone can throw off the RFID signal. So, why would I rely on that? I keep the RFID chips in my big safe and rely on the keys and the keypad.
Functionality
I’m very pleased with the lid’s positivity when it opens. It springs up quickly and fully, providing the fast access I want. The lid also covers almost the entire top, providing plenty of room to grip and pull your handgun. The interior is clean, with nothing to impede your action. The bottom and sides are lined with firm padding and won’t let your gun slide around.
The safe also has plenty of room inside. I can fit two large handguns inside without crowding them. For instance, my Beretta 92FS and IWI Masada fit with room to easily grasp either gun. I don’t normally do that, but I could if wanted to. It’s usually my light-equipped Masada, which is my nightstand gun, and a spare mag.
The safe features a high-durability powder finish to guard against rust and corrosion. The four rubber feet provide a surprisingly good grip on every surface I’ve tried it on. Punching the keys hard in a stressful situation won’t knock your safe sideways.
This Hornady safe is also California-compliant, though that wasn’t a factor in my choice. But it might be for you, so that’s one more positive feature.
Final Thoughts on the Hornady RAPiD Safe
Overall, I really like this little vault. I like the solid construction, multiple access methods, and the positive operation. I like the small design features like the interior padding, recessed lid, and the raised dots on the keys. Further, I appreciate that it runs on common batteries that are simple to change out. The mounting holes are also well thought out and the safe could conceivably be mounted to a car’s floorboard. I don’t need that, but maybe it appeals to you. It’s a very versatile piece of equipment if you use just a little imagination.
Despite the RFID reader’s minor inconsistency, I highly recommend this little handgun vault. It’s solid, secure, accessible, and reasonably priced. If that sounds good to you, GunMag Warehouse has them in stock. Maybe bounce on over and pick one up. Bet you’ll like it.
