The marketplace for biometric gun safes is seemingly ever-expanding. There are so many products available that it can be tough to figure out exactly which one is the best buy. As an experienced shooter, I’m going to provide a full review of the SentrySafe biometric pistol safe, model #GAP1BE.

But first I’d like to take a moment to emphasize a couple important questions to ask when searching for the best gun safe for you:

What you’ll find here is one of the most reliable safes on the market, no matter which option you choose. I have the two pistol version, but have used the Biometric option much also.

I’ll break down these versions and the situations each is better for here in this article.

First, quick check 5 option of this Sentry Pistol Safe

SentrySafe Pistol Safe, Quick Access Biometric Gun Safe QAP1BE

Biometric Version

This is the contemporary masterpiece of the SentrySafe pistol safe line.

I’ve never heard of a standard pistol that wasn’t easily accessible in two shakes of a rabbit’s tail with this version.

I’ve tested this safe in a variety of different situations. Staged emergencies, calm openings, finger pressed at odd angles. The safe performed well in all of these situations, and I’ll break them down here:

The override key provides great backup access in the instance that your finger is too sweaty to successfully open the lock.

Scan family member’s fingerprints when you’ll be gone.

What you should do is keep a handkerchief either on or right by the safe and grab it with your scanning finger before trying to open the safe.

If you’re worried about sweat altering the reading, this is a great solution to the problem.

This product is the best biometric gun safe on the market now!

SentrySafe Pistol Safe, Quick Access Gun Safe, Digital Lock, Single Gun Capacity, QAP1E

Electronic Lock Version

This version is basically the same as the Biometric option except it’s got a coded entry instead.

Set your code and be sure to remember it, because even with the override you’ll lose several seconds getting the thing open if you have to use the backup option.

I suggest keeping the code similar to a bank card or online passcode that you’ve memorized and will never forget.

The only benefit of this safe over the previous option is that there is no chance of the finger being misread, or of someone else opening it with their fingerprint.

You can give the code to your family members so that they can access in an emergency, which my neighbor did successfully while he was out of town recently.

His son got into the safe and retrieved the gun, using it in self-defense as a scare tactic but not firing.

SentrySafe Pistol Safe, Portable Gun Safe with Key Lock & Tether Cable, Single Gun Capacity, PP1K

Keyed Lock Version

Some people just don’t trust technology when it comes to their guns. If that is you, but you still want the convenience of this SentrySafe product, get the keyed lock version.

The opening is quiet, and although it’s less quick than the Biometric version because you’ve got to put the key in the hole, it’s still rather fast.

One thing to note here is that in an emergency situation, grabbing your key and identifying the keyhole can be a challenge in a pinch.

This is especially true if your hands are sweaty.

Therefore, I highly recommend the Biometric version (or at the very least, the Electronic Lock version).

Your argument is probably that the technology might fail right when you need it most. But the odds of that happening are far less than the chances of human error – you mess up a lot more than a computer does.

I also always ask, if you’re worried about security, why do you have the key to your safe sitting on a chain attached to the safe? Doesn’t seem to smart, does it? Other than that, the keyed lock safe is just as good as SentrySafe’s other options. Here’s a great video review of the safes.

 SentrySafe Pistol Safe, Quick Access Gun Safe with LED Interior Lights, Two Pistol Capacity, QAP2EL

Two Pistol Capacity Versions + Led light:

The TWO pistol capacity option is ideal for if you and your partner both need to store a gun with quick access.

It provides the same single-hand access as the other versions, which doesn’t really do much for the second person but is still convenient.

I call attention to the Sleep Mode – it takes only one quick touch to wake and be ready to open, but it’s important to remember that touch because otherwise you’ll go through the opening sequence at the wrong time.

If you’re an ammo freak like me and prefer to always have extra ammo available at a moment’s notice, than this safe is ideal for you because of the space it offers.

I own this version and only keep one gun in it most of the time, using the rest of the space for storage of ammo.

I have a large shelf in the bedroom where I’ve mounted this safe so that any intruder to my home will never make it into the bedroom. It’s quiet, but if you find a squeak begins to happen on opening, just take some WD-40 to the gears and you’ll be fine. 

It's also the best handgun safe for the money in this time.

Conclusion

SentrySafe’s Quick Access Pistol safe is the best pistol safe available on the market, particularly in its class.

The variety of options proves that SentrySafe really cares about its customers and their concerns.

There is literally something for everybody here. I always encourage the modern tech variety, and push you to consider the Biometric option for most situations.

If you’ve enjoyed this article, please share on your social channels so that others can learn of the different options SentrySafe has provided here. Leave a comment and tell me which one is your favorite!