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Between my husband and I, we own our share of firearms. While we have a downstairs safe for our long guns, we've desperately been needing a smaller option for our handguns. More specifically, we needed one for our bedroom, where we could keep a pistol for quick and easy access. For awhile, we'd been using a cheap lock box off Amazon. But with a now very curious toddler and an overall skepticism about the security of said lock box, we decided to find something a little more trustworthy. And for that, I chose the Hornady Rapid Safe Night Guard.
The Night Guard is one of the most popular handgun safes out there. It's best known for its RFID technology, which allows for faster access and better security. It also has a digital passcode, manual key, and charging ports for other devices. Plus, as the name suggests, it's designed to fit next to your bed thanks to its streamlined size. Basically, it has everything I would want in a gun safe. But does it live up to the hype? I tried it to find out—and spoiler, it absolutely does.
Quick Overview
Specs
Dimensions: 12" x 10.5" x 3"
Weight: 18 lbs
Power: 12V 2.0A or 4 AAA batteries
Pros
Compact and easy to conceal
Easy to set up and use
Very heavy duty and well-built
RFID technology for fast access
Comes with a variety of fobs (including one for your watch band)
Additional features like a clock and charging ports
Cons
Can only fit one full-size handgun
Testing Results and Analysis
Setup
To start, the Rapid Safe was very easy to set up—which my husband, tasked with said job, was very grateful for. The only hiccup was when our 2-year-old accidentally locked the keys inside and started pressing all the buttons. But fortunately, that was easily resolved! After that, it was smooth sailing, and we had it ready to go in less than 10 minutes.
It also comes with a 1,500-pound-rated security cable for securing the safe along with pre-drilled holes for mounting it. While we didn't use either of these, it's nice that they're there, should you want to increase security even further.
Access and RFID Technology
What really sets the Hornady Rapid Safe Night Guard apart from other safes are the three entry methods. Like most safes, you can use the included mechanical key or you can program your own four-digit passcode (I like that you can choose which numbers you want!). But unlike most safes, this one also has an RFID reader. Hornady claims that this makes it faster to open than even biometric safes. I have to say that the RFID technology really blew me away. It comes with four RFID tags: one for a keychain, two with sticker backings, and one for a watch band. I put the latter on my Apple watch band, so all I have to do to open the safe is hold my wrist up to it. It's pretty amazing, really. It's fast and, more importantly, it actually works and it works consistently. I haven't had any issues with it yet.
Size and Quality
Right out of the box, I could tell this safe was well built. It feels incredibly heavy duty—which makes sense given that it's constructed of high quality alloy steel. The tempered glass display looks sleek and performs well, while the spring-assist drawer opens smoothly and is very quiet. I like the soft, padded interior for preventing scratches on my handgun.
Size-wise, it's just right for bedside use. We slid ours under the nightstand, where it fits perfectly. It could also work sitting on top of the nightstand or on a closet shelf. It's pretty slim and versatile. And as for the interior size, it can fit one full-size handgun along with some valuables should you want to protect those, too. I understand that it would be too clunky and make the overall size less streamlined if it could hold two pistols, but there are times I wish we could fit both of our Glocks inside. But the easy solution for that is to just buy another, of course. No big deal.
Additional Features
This Hornady safe has a few extra features that I appreciated. For starters, it has a digital alarm clock on the front that makes it look more like, well, a digital alarm clock than a safe. That makes it blend into our room a little better. It doesn't look out of place on a nightstand or dresser. And secondly, this safe has two integrated USB-A charging ports. I like that I can use it to charge my phone or watch, too, which are also by my bed.
Final Thoughts
In the world of gun safes, Hornady is a well-trusted and well-respected name—and I can now vouch for that. With a ~$340 price tag, it's not cheap. But it's an investment worth making. After all, you really can't put a price tag on security and peace of mind. The RFID technology is a game-changer, it's so easy to access (for those who you want to access it, that is), and it feels as secure as secure can be. This is a handgun safe that does exactly what you need it to, and has some pretty cool added features to boot. I can't really recommend it enough for anyone looking for a bedside pistol safe. It's a winner.
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