Updated from April 2020
When civil unrest broke out in some areas of the country in spring of 2020, firearms sales soared to unprecedented highs. These sales were attributed in large measure to first-time gun owners, panic buying, and those who feared slow or no response by over-burdened law enforcement if crime spread to their neighborhoods.
Many veteran gun owners, on the other hand, turned their attention to accessibility of their existing firearms. With large safes located in basements or other out-of-the-way areas of their homes, it gave them pause to consider: Should there be a breach to their home, how quickly could they access more than a handgun in the nightstand or the shotgun or rifle under the bed?
For many NRA Women who are single or the primary parent in charge of their family’s safety, lining a closet wall with unsecured long guns or spending thousands of dollars on second-story heavy, large safes are not practical, wise—or in some cases, legal—options. So what alternatives are available for those who want secure and accessible backups to their primary home-defense guns?
One option that solves this dilemma comes from our friends at Hornady, who seem to have thought this problem out. The RAPiD Safe Compact Ready Vault is a viable solution for those who want quick access to reliable firearms but don’t want—or can't—get to their main safes. While not intended for heirlooms or safe queens, it does offer some piece of mind that in the event of an emergency and you are forced to retreat, you’ll have 24/7 availability to one or two long guns and pistols that can remain behind a locked door safe from those for whom they are not intended.
With exterior measurements of 52.2” x 10” x 10”, the width and depth of this vault is a downsize from Hornady’s RAPiD Safe Ready Vault. This model will easily fit into most closets, or can even be situated in a corner or nook without being an affront to a room’s aesthetics. And at only 80 lbs., you won’t need to enlist an army of neighborhood teenagers to help move it to your desired location.
What’s more, if you already own any of Hornady’s RAPiD Safes, four included RFID tags can be selectively programmed to open this safe and any other RAPiD Safe. For worry-free operation, a digital keypad and backup mechanical key offer additional entry methods. New for 2022 is a WiFi enabled edition. This allowd you to keep tabs on your safe through your smartphone. Once the Hornady Security app is downloaded, you'll receive an alert when the safe is unlocked.
Metal interior peg walls allow the included gun racks to be mounted in numerous configurations. (Additional Square-Lok accessories can be purchased to further organize the safe.) And if you really want to pimp out this unit, Hornady Security LED lights, magnetic hooks, hygrometer and dehumidifiers (sold separately) are all compatible.
If you’re concerned about security of the vault itself, heavy-duty steel housing and five hardened locking lugs provide a bit of added confidence. To be clear, the RAPiD Safe Compact Ready Vault is a storage locker, so if you do not plan to be moving it around your house or apartment, it is recommended that you secure it to a wall, as provided by the pre-drilled mounting holes. On the interior, a neoprene floor mat prevents gun stocks from slipping, allowing long guns to be stored safely upright.
For NRA Women who want the added security of having a few more firearms within reach should the unexpected happen, or for anyone living in a situation where space is a prime consideration, this compact vault offers a practical and functional solution. MSRP $411. Hornady.com.
