(Photo courtesy of Alfredo Rico)
July 16, 2024
By Richard Nance
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When you think of Hornady , firearm storage solutions might not come to mind, but they should. In addition to providing quality ammunition that law enforcement and private citizens have come to rely on for duty, self-defense, hunting, competition, and recreational shooting, Hornady and SnapSafe provide an array of innovative products to secure your firearms and other valuables.
Hornady Security was established in 2013 after Hornady purchased a patent for radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology from the owners of SnapSafe. Two years later, Hornady Security acquired SnapSafe, which continues to operate as a subsidiary company. While venturing into the realm of firearm and valuable storage may seem like a stretch for an ammunition company, Hornady felt they could provide innovative and effective storage solutions for responsible gun owners, according to Hornady Security Project Manager, Matt Mack.
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Top-quality ammunition isn’t the only thing Hornady is known for. Proper firearm storage is just as important. (Photo courtesy of Alfredo Rico) I remember reviewing Hornady Security’s first pistol safe while filming an episode of Guns & Ammo TV about a decade ago. The safe was the first to implement RFID technology. Various RFID chips could be held to a sensor to spring the lid open. The prototype was so new that there was even a piece of duct tape holding an internal component in place. Fast forward 10 years and Hornady Security offers dozens of products including keypad vaults, lock boxes, and RFID-enabled RAPiD safes — all without the need for even a strip of duct tape. They also carry security products featuring their innovative Square-Lok system, a unique paneling that enables you to customize the arrangement of shelves within the unit.
One of Hornady Security’s most popular product lines is the RAPiD Safe. These innovative safes rely not on keypads or biometrics to open but rather on RFID tags incorporated into a watchband, a key fob, or a decal, which can be affixed to your cell phone, for instance. A RAPiD Safe’s lid springs open when the RFID tag is held to the safe’s sensor. A four- to six-digit code or one of the supplied barrel keys can also be used to open the safe.
(Photo courtesy of Alfredo Rico) RAPiD Safes exceed the most stringent ASTM International safety standards. They are also listed by the California Department of Justice as an approved firearm safety device. Hornady is a supporter of Project ChildSafe, which partnered with more than 15,000 law-enforcement agencies and has distributed more than 26 million firearms safety kits nationwide.
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Technology The Night Guard exemplifies the fast, reliable, touchless entry that has become a hallmark of the RAPiD Safe line . This discreet-looking bedside safe grants you quick access to your handgun while safeguarding it from unauthorized users. Constructed of heavy-gauge steel, the Night Guard weighs 18 pounds and measures 12 inches long, 10.5 inches deep, and 3 inches high. Interior dimensions are 9.2 inches long, 6.9 inches deep, and 2.2 inches high. It’s big enough to accommodate most full-sized handguns. A digital clock display is protected by a tempered glass panel. The clock helps the Night Guard look right at home on the bedside table. Pre-drilled holes enable the Night Guard to be secured to a hard surface, so it can’t easily be stolen. To further deter the theft of your safe, the supplied 1,500-pound rated security cable enables you to secure the Night Guard to a stationary object.
RFID chips come in several forms and are the key to opening safes equipped with the technology. When the chips are held close, the safe will unlock. (Photo courtesy of Alfredo Rico) The Night Guard’s access keypad can be used to open the safe if an RFID tag isn’t on hand. USB charging ports enable you to charge your phone or other electronics with the Night Guard, making it as practical as it is tactical. Like the clock, the charging ports help disguise the fact that the Night Guard is first and foremost a gun safe. The RAPiD Safe Night Guard costs $334 .
Reinforced Robustness In addition to premium-grade, technologically advanced products, Hornady Security hasn’t neglected entry-level users looking for a more affordable solution for firearms and valuable storage or those with a specific storage need, which is where SnapSafe fits into the equation. Combining innovative design with affordability, SnapSafe’s product line consists of modular safes as well as specialty safes for under the bed, in the vehicle, or even in the wall. On one end of SnapSafe’s product spectrum, there’s the modular Super Titan Double Door safe with a recommended capacity of 36 or 56 long guns , depending on whether you opt for the XL or XXL model. The Super Titan’s Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) resistant lock can be opened electronically or mechanically.
Constructed of 9-gauge, two-ply exterior walls, the Super Titan’s steel doors are sledgehammer and pry-bar resistant. The interior is lined as are the adjustable shelves, which include a full shelf, two half shelves, a divided shelf, and a full gun rack. The Super Titan is assembled using 14 separate 1-inch chrome-steel live locking bolts, which are tightened using the supplied wrench. No other tools are required. Pre-drilled holes facilitate floor mounting for additional security. A 2,300-degree Fahrenheit, one-hour Fire Shield protection rating and heat-activated door fire seals help protect the safe’s contents in case of fire. Magnesium oxide interior panels are impervious to fire, moisture, mold, and insects. The Super Titan comes with a lifetime warranty. It retails for $3,269 .
Portable Options SnapSafe also offers portable storage solutions such as the TrekLite Lock Box , which is available in either a Key Lock (with two barrel keys) or a TSA Combination Lock version with over 10,000 possible codes. With external dimensions of 10 inches long, 7 inches wide, and 2 inches tall, the TrekLite is designed to ride inside a checked suitcase.
The TrekLite Lock Box is available in a Key Lock or TSA Combination Lock version. (Photo courtesy of Alfredo Rico) Constructed of impact-resistant polycarbonate, the TrekLite weighs just 1.6 pounds. (A comparable steel lock box would weigh about three times as much). The foam interior lined TrekLite is a great way to safeguard a handgun, but it could also store medication or valuables while traveling. A patented security cable gives you the option of affixing the TrekLite to a fixed object like a seat fixture in your vehicle.
The TrekLite is available in grey or flat dark earth (FDE) with a black, non-slip rubber overmold. The Key Lock version has an MSRP of $41 . The TSA Combination Lock model is $9 more. Either way, the TrekLite offers the traveler affordable peace of mind.
Four AAA batteries power the Night Guard’s clock function, which helps it blend into the bedroom. (Photo courtesy of Alfredo Rico) No matter what your storage needs, Hornady Security and SnapSafe have a solution. Whether it’s a dedicated, modular safe to protect your collection of long guns, an RFID-enabled bedside safe to keep your handgun accessible, display the time, and charge your phone, or a lockbox for when you’re on the go, you’re sure to find the storage solution and accessories you’re looking for.
