DT TESTED: RAPiD Vehicle Safe

This article originally appeared in the Winter 2022 issue.

I’ll admit, I probably didn’t ask enough questions before ordering the RAPiD Vehicle Safe since a couple of concerns came up when I was first un packaging it. Online it appeared to be exactly what I’ve been searching for, so I went ahead and placed my order. After it arrived, my dumb questions were quickly answered.

I guess you could use the vehicle safe to lock up other items, but in reality this is designed to be a gun safe for your truck. Securing a weapon inside a vehicle is something a lot of people want to be able to do, but realistically a vehicle by itself is not secure, as a breakable window is all that stands between thieves and your valuable contents. The RAPiD Vehicle Safe is a great option to not only keep your firearm safe, but also out of the hands of children.  

The patent-pending mounting system is actually really well thought out, but I couldn’t appreciate just how well until I went to install it myself. There is an inflatable bladder that conforms to a vehicle interior’s shape, which holds the safe in place without any drilling or other modifications needed.

My first dumb question was, “If it’s not bolted down, couldn’t someone just break into my truck and take the entire safe?” Shortly after that thought came to my mind I noticed the included security cable that attaches to the seat frame.

It’s powered by a 12-volt car adaptor or four AAA batteries so my next dumb question was, “What happens if the batteries die and I don’t have power?” This is where reading the instructions actually came in handy.   

The Vehicle Safe’s RFID-activated spring-assist lid opens instantly using an RFID watchband, key fob or sticker, providing quick access to a firearm. The safe recognizes up to five programmed RFID tags, giving you shared access to others or as backup entry options. At the same time, its keypad further boosts the safe’s secondary access options with a four- to six-digit security code. A barrel key provides a failsafe means of entry in the event of a power loss. 

Simply put, there are a lot of different way to open it and when I went to program them all, it was actually quite easy. My first thought was to put the key fob on the key chain with my truck key, but I decided to keep it separate so I’d never have to choose between turning off my truck and opening the safe.

Third and final dumb question, “Should I be worried about someone being able to pry it open?”  

Preventing unauthorized access to any safe is a top priority. The Hornady Security Vehicle Safe exceeds ASTM International safety standards for child and pry resistance, lock strength, drop/pick/saw tests and high-attack resistance. The Vehicle Safe uses a 14-gauge steel exterior housing and two internal hardened locking lugs. The heavy-duty engineering effectively makes it tamper-proof.

With a retail price of $306.99 the Hornady Security Vehicle Safe includes a RAPiD Vehicle Safe, 12V car adaptor, RFID watchband, two RFID stickers, RFID key fob, two circular barrel keys and a security cable. I love that it can be secured to either the driver’s side or passenger’s side and you gain a vehicle gun safe without sacrificing your center console or any other storage room in your truck. Plus it’s readily accessible at a moment’s notice while ensuring the firearm stays out of the reach of my children.

I’ve had it in my truck for a few months now and have found the fast and dependable touch-free entry to be extremely convenient and it will fit many 4-inch barrel pistols and 2-inch revolvers. I might not have asked enough questions before deciding to order it, but now that I have it, I’m extremely glad I decided to do it because its efficiency and security are very impressive.

Aftermarket 95

Installation 20/20

Function 48/50

Durability 10/10

Design 9/10

Price 8/10

www.hornadysecurity.com