Gun case locks are intended to keep unauthorized people out of your case. The locks are also very useful when a firearm owner needs to keep their gun secure while traveling.
The market on the other hand is flooded with various lock options, making it difficult to decide which one to select.
This article, however, lists the options available to you that will not only ensure the safety of your gun but will also be able to serve you for a reasonable period of time.
Best Gun Case Locks-Top Picks
| Product | Image | Best Price |
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SnapSafe Treklite Gun Safe Lock Box |
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Master Lock 3KALF Outdoor Padlock |
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| TSA Approved Tactical Gun Case Lock |  |
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Master Lock 178D |
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Nanuk TSA Approved Cases Lock |
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American Lock A5300D Steel Padlock, 1-3/4″ |
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Master Lock M176XDLH Magnum Combination Lock |
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Abus Plus 88 Series Brass Padlock |
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The detailed reviews….
1.SnapSafe Treklite Gun Safe Lock Box
This is an excellent choice because it functions as both a gun case and a lock. It is designed specifically for use with a handgun and provides heavy duty protection to keep it safe from damage and unauthorized access.
To begin, the lock box is made of a solid metal that is one-third the weight of steel. The material is 33% steel and 67% polycarbonate.
The lock box comes with a 1,500-pound security cable designed to secure the box to a stationary object and prevent it from being moved.
It then requires a 4-digit combination to open, which can be programmed to any combination. The final benefit is that this box is small enough to be hidden in small compartments away from prying eyes.
Key features
- Impact-resistant polycarbonate
- 4-digit combination
- Keyed option available
- Weighs 1.6 lbs.
2. Master Lock 3KALF Outdoor Padlock
If your gun case has several locking latches, this is a good budget alternative lock. This means that if you get a cheap lock, you’ll save money on the overall cost of locking your case.
This option is well-made and can withstand a significant amount of drilling. The body is made of laminated steel, and the shackle is made of hardened steel.
Remember that once you’ve broken the first lock, which takes some time, you’ll need to go through the other because it’s usually used in pairs.
Key features
- 4-Pin cylinder
- 1-1/2″ wide laminated steel body
- Hardened steel shackle
- Hardened bottom plate
- Dual locking levers
3. TSA Approved Tactical Gun Case Lock
The lock is specifically designed to secure cases containing your most valuable assets. It’s made of tough stainless steel and comes encased in a heavy-duty rubber sleeve.
This allows it to withstand the harshest impact during travel while also improving its rustproof properties.
To top it all off, the lock is TSA approved, which means it meets all safety and quality standards and can be accessed for inspection using a TSA Key.
Overall, if you value durability, this is a great option. Its rustproof property, in particular, makes it a strong contender where most other locks fall short.
Key Features
- 3 dial combination lock
- Fits almost any gun case, gun safe, luggage holes.
- Strong Alloy Steel
- strong cut resistance and impact proof
- Weighs 0.2 lbs.
- TSA approved
4. Master Lock 178D
This Master masterpiece is a four-digit combination lock. It has a wide body for long-lasting resistance, as well as a hardened steel shackle.
It is simple in appearance and functionality, but it is extremely reliable and long-lasting.
This lock allows you to easily set the unlock combination to one of your choosing. This is great because it is difficult to forget once you have done it.
Key Features
- Body dimensions 2.91 x 1 x 2 Inches (L x W x H)
- 5/16 inch (8 millimeter) diameter shackle
- Hardened steel shackle
- Weighs 0.3 lbs.
- Cut and weather resistant.
5. Nanuk TSA Approved Cases Lock
This is intended solely for storage cases. It is very simple and easy to use, and it has been extensively tested to ensure that it meets the standards required for longevity and the protection of your valuables.
The lock is TSA approved, and its slim design allows it to fit on most cases. When not in use, a silicone tether connects the shackle to the lock to avoid misplacing it
Key Features
- TSA key access
- Hardened steel shackle
- Silicone tether keeps the lock and shackle together
- Weighs 0.28-lbs
6. American Lock A5300D Steel Padlock, 1-3/4″
Additionally, a 5-pin APTC12 rekey-able cylinder with serrated pins, demands huge talent from a person willing to pick it.
If this padlock manages to fit on your gun case it will offer the maximum protection, more than any other.
Key Features
- 1 3/4 inch body width
- Boron-alloy shackle
- Solis steel body
- Shackle diameter 8mm
- Keyed Alike – multiple locks open with the same key
- Weighs 0.5 lbs.
7. Master Lock M176XDLH Magnum Combination Lock
The padlock features a zinc body and a four-digit combination. It has a; reinforced body bumper for strength and reliability, and covered dials for superior weather protection.
The shackle is made of boron-carbide, a material 50% harder than hardened steel. With the Master Lock M176XDLH, you can also use a key as a backup when you forget the combination.
Key Features
- Body Width: 2in (51mm)
- Shackle Diameter: 3/8in (10mm)
- 2in (51mm) Shackle clearance for more uses
- superior weather protection
- Boron carbide shackle.
- Weighs 0.79 lbs.
8. Abus Plus 88 Series Brass Padlock
When it comes to securing your valuables, this padlock made in Germany provides solid reliability. It has a brass body and a hardened steel shackle.
Its worth is enhanced by the fact that it can be re-keyed to match an existing key. Furthermore, when unlocked, it retains the key, which is a great feature that keeps you from misplacing it.
When you consider these features, the price isn’t exaggerated, which means the user gets a lot of bang for his buck.
Key Features
- Chrome plated brass body for better corrosion resistance
- Hardened alloy steel shackle
- Double bolted
- Key retaining: lock retains key until locked
- 5/16″ (8mm) shackle and slightly over 1-1/2″ wide lock body
- Weights 0.55-lbs
Buying the best gun case locks
These are some of the characteristics that one should consider on a lock before buying it.
Shackle
The shackle is the u-shaped solid metal part of the lock, meant to get into the lockable hasp on the case.
A good shackle should be of the right size; small enough to fit into the hasp but chunky enough. To offer substantive resistance during attempted breaks.
Most hasps on gun cases vary from 8 to 10 mm in diameter, and a good shackle should maximize the available space.
Padlock Body
This is the solid part of the lock and it’s made from different materials depending on the lock. Different materials include; plastic, aluminum, brass, hardened steel, and titanium.
For a body with the right strength to ensure the safety of your gun, we recommend the following materials;
Brass- It can be used as a cheaper alternative to steel. It offers satisfactory toughness and is also resistant to corrosion. But despite its toughness, any grade of steel is more robust than brass.
Hardened steel- this steel has a lower carbon content than stainless steel and is used for medium to high-security requirements. It offers adequate durability and is resistant to substantive impact force. Their downside is that they do not offer resistance to corrosion.
Stainless Steel– a stainless steel lock has that smooth and shiny appearance resulting from an addition of chromium. It’s easy to clean and provides strong resistance against; weather elements, fire, impact, and mostly corrosion.
Titanium– this is the gold standard when it comes to effective material strength, and durability. They are extremely strong and resistant to most elements.
Lock styles
The gun cases lock style defines the ways used to secure and open the lock. Existing ways are;
Key Locks– old is gold is the saying, and modern complications have often been known to compromise the quality of things. This locking style has really stood the test of time. It’s also my personal preference because it’s simple and reliable.
Combination-although it hasn’t endured as the key system. This style comes second in reliability. The advantage over the key style is lacking a risk to misplace the key. Given that you have a good memory, to always remember the combination.
Biometrics– they offer faster authentication, but only when functioning properly. These expensive locks have been known to commit serious offenses, like; failing abruptly and getting fooled easily. Unless you really love to embrace new fancy technology, stick to the golden oldies.
Ease of use
A good gun case lock should be simple to operate, especially if you frequently access your firearm. A complicated lock can cause problems and damage to your case.
Closing Remarks
The cost of gun case locks cannot be weighed against the harm that unauthorized access to a firearm can cause. Therefore, getting the best lock for your firearm and valuables isn’t a bad idea.
It is important to note, however, that the quality of the case complements the effectiveness of the lock. Consider purchasing a high-quality gun case with adequate durability. A weak case will tempt someone to bypass the lock and literally break the case.
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