Kodiak Gun Safe Reviews
Rhino Metals is one of the most well-known names when it comes to Gun Safes. However, being one of the industry leaders means that their safes are priced to be a premium product, and thus cannot be bought by a lot of firearm enthusiasts.
This is where the Kodiak brand comes in. It is essentially a budget version of Rhino metals. With a lot of quality safes reminiscent of Rhino’s original lineup, choosing between the bunch can be hard.
The safes are mainly named based on their size. However, the features also vary somewhat in between all of these models. While you won’t find a lot of advanced security features such as biometric locks on these safes, what you will find is sturdy protection at a reasonable price.
Here, we will take a look at 6 best Kodiak gun safes and compare them with one another to see which one is right for you. All of the main features of the safes are covered along with their pros and cons.
Best Kodiak Gun Safes: Head-to-Head
Best Overall: Kodiak KB19ECX 30
- Ample size for most shooters
- Fairly cheap when compared to the competition
- Offers decent protection
- Factory-made customizations
- Customizing the shelves is almost pointless
- 2mm steel can’t protect against professional burglars.
The Kodiak 30 strikes a perfect balance between price, features, and size. Most shooters, like me, believe this to be the best Kodiak safe you can buy.
Huge Size
With enough room to satisfy even some of the more hardcore shooters, the Kodiak 30 backs this up with a door organizer that can be used to store handguns, documents, and the like. You should have no trouble fitting your guns as well as your other valuables in there.
Customizable
The safe comes predrilled for a dehumidifier. Not only that, it is possible for you to add LED lighting or a swing out rack if you pay a little extra. I would recommend getting the LED lighting no matter what for your guns being easily accessible during the night in case of a robbery. The swing out rack, while making the safe more accessible, will also offer less space to the user.
Secure
While the 2mm steel can be drilled through by a professional, the safe is generally secure. It is built to withstand 30-minutes of flames at 1400°F and is certified by the California Firearm System under penal code section 23655.
Head-Activated Door Seal
The door seal expands when it comes into contact with intense heat, sealing itself in place. The seal can expand up to 7 times its size in order to make sure your guns and valuables are always protected.
Bottom Line
If you are someone who either has a lot of guns or wants a safe that can also store other valuables, then the Kodiak 30 is for you. With ample room, a door organizer, and decent protection, this is my personal favorite from the entire Kodiak lineup (because it is priced incredibly well).
Runner Up: Kodiak K5940EX 52
- Size is perfect for collectors
- Thicker 2.75mm steel
- 60-minute fire protection
- Lots of security features
- Very difficult to move
For our runner up spot, we have a safe that would be perfect for any collector, here’s why:
Great Security
While many other Kodiak safes use steel only 2mm thick, the Kodiak 52 uses one that is 2.75mm thick, making it incredibly secure. While it is still possible, it is very difficult, even for a professional burglar, to break into it.
With a UL-Certified RSC Burglary rating, chances of you losing your valuables to theft are incredibly low with this safe.
Even More Fire Protection
Compared to the Kodiak 30, the 52 is able to protect itself from a fire at a similar temperature for twice as long (60-minutes). Considering the probability that this safe will hold a lot more in value than the 30, this is a welcome addition.
Adjustable Shelves and Customization
There is ample room within the Kodiak 52 for you to adjust the shelves according to your liking. If you do not have a lot of guns but do possess other valuables, this safe will protect them all the same, and you will have a lot of room to fit almost everything you want in there.
On top of that, you can order a dehumidifier with the safe. Other customization options include the swing out rack and LED lighting. Both of these features are incredibly useful with the Kodiak 52. However, they cost a fair bit and you can get a higher-quality safe from a premium brand for the same amount.
Enhanced Security
The Kodiak 52 not only has an F-15 locking system but also has a spring-loaded re-locker and an anti-tamper clutch. This means that it can be difficult to access the safe even after the lock has been broken through.
Bottom Line
When it comes to security, the Kodiak 52 stands out from the rest of its peers. Sadly, it is fairly expensive, and due to its size (and increase in weight), it is almost impossible to move once it has been set up.
Kodiak KSB3020E Personal Safe
- Small and lightweight
- Ample protection with 2.75mm steel
- Looks amazing and will fit well in a ‘vintage-style’ room
- Little space (no door organizer)
- Fairly expensive relative to the size
The 3020E is a personal safe that can also be used as a bed-side table. While it has its shortcomings, it is perfect for someone looking to store a few handguns along with other valuables.
Premium Security
The personal safe offers similar security features as the Kodiak 52. With 2.75mm steel and protection from fires for up to 60 minutes, it is virtually a guarantee that your valuables will be protected.
Fancy Looks
The Kodiak 3020E goes for a vintage look. Kodiak themselves advertise this safe as ‘Something out of the 1800s. Part art, part furniture…’ This means that as long as the décor matches its exterior, the safe will look right at home in your bedroom/living room/office.
Manual Lock Option
It is also possible to purchase the 3020E with a manual lock option. While the SecuRAM electronic lock is an industry-standard and works incredibly well, some may prefer to open their safe themselves (a manual lock is also guaranteed to work 100% of the time).
Lack of Room
This has to be mentioned. Do not expect to keep anything other than your handguns (or a small SMG) in this safe. The good thing is that there is still enough room for jewelry and other valuables even after storing 2 handguns in it.
Bottom Line
Non-gun enthusiasts who keep a sidearm for personal protection will find the Kodiak KSB3020E adequate and reliable. Sadly, it does cost a little bit more than you would expect a budget-friendly safe of this size to do so. However, Kodiak makes up for it by providing a much higher level of security.
Kodiak K5933EX 28
- Decent storage room
- 11 door bolts
- Sturdy build and great fire protection
- Better options available for less (e.g. Kodiak 30)
The Kodiak 28 is roughly the same size as the Kodiak 30. While the Kodiak 30 is a better choice in almost every way, here are a couple of reasons why you may want to go with the 28 instead:
Extended Fire Proofing
Unlike the Kodiak 30, this safe is able to withstand a fire for up to 60-minutes, making sure that you are able to retrieve your valuables and your guns in case of a fire.
Additional Door Protection
There are a total of 11 bolts on the door that can make it incredibly difficult for someone to break into your safe. With the number of specialized tools required to break through its security, chances are that a burglar won’t even attempt to open the safe.
Versatile Door and Shelves
The hinge opens the door a full 180-degrees. On top of that, you have a door organizer as well as movable shelves that make it incredibly easy for you to store your guns as well as other valuable items.
Bottom Line
If you want a higher degree of fire protection than the Kodiak 30 offers, then go with the Kodiak 28. However, do remember that this is the only main reason to prefer this safe over the 30. Not only is this much more expensive, but it is also heavier which will make moving it an absolute chore.
Kodiak KSB5928EX-SO Strong Box
- Extremely secure
- Additional fireproofing
- Factory-installed swing out rack
- Looks beautiful
- Door organizer only has 4 pouches
- Expensive (priced almost like a premium product)
Remember the personal safe we discussed earlier? This is like a full-sized version of that. While this is a great safe, it is up to you to decide whether paying its high price is worth it.
Top-Notch Protection
When it comes to Kodiak safes, this is probably as much protection as you are going to get. With a door 2.75mm thick and 11 bolts, drilling into this safe is only possible for the most experienced burglar.
Amazing Fire Protection
Fire does almost nothing to the Kodiak Strong Box. This is because there are 3 layers of fireboard 12mm thick in the ceiling and 2 everywhere else. Like the other models, the door seal expands when heated to make sure nothing can get inside and damage your valuables.
Factory Installed Swing Out Rack
The Strong Box is only able to hold about 20 long guns. This is because it comes with a swing out rack already installed. The swing out rack is able to hold 6 guns and makes organizing very easy. Even with 20 guns, you still have room for 4 handguns as well as a plethora of other valuables.
Sturdy Build
The safe not only looks beautiful but is incredibly well-built. The first time I saw it, I would never have been able to guess that it was built in China and not the US. Sadly, it does weigh a ton and you will have trouble moving it around.
Bottom Line
There is no doubt that the Kodiak Strong Box is an amazing safe. However, it is also priced like a premium product. As such, you must make sure you are willing to shell out such a huge amount for a safe when you could get one from a much more reputable brand for roughly the same price (or just a little bit more).
Kodiak’s History
Kodiak was started by Rhino Metals. Rhino Metals itself is known as one of the best safe companies out there and was started in 1995 by a fighter pilot known as Don Suggs.
The entire idea behind Rhino Metals is to prioritize quality above everything else. Rather than pursue mass production and maximum profit, Rhino Metals is instead focused on its craftsmanship and a premium feel. Sadly, this means that their safes are quite expensive and many shooters simply cannot afford them.
As such, the Kodiak brand was built to target the aforementioned market. Kodiak safes are functional, secure, and cheap. These safes are perfect for everyone from novice shooters to experienced professionals who cannot or are not willing to spend a huge amount of money on a safe.
Unfortunately, Kodiak is not as well-known in the gun safe industry as some of its competition. This causes many people to overlook it as a cheap and reliable option for their protection needs.
Where Are Kodiak Safes Built?
As I stated above, Rhino metals pride itself on its in-house construction and attention to craftsmanship. As such, all of Rhino’s safes are built in the USA. However, Kodiak safes are imported, most likely from China.
While this may raise a red flag for many readers, remember that a top-notch brand such as Rhino will make sure that the safes are of exceptional quality before shipping them out. Unlike many other brands that are willing to go along with shoddy construction, Rhino has a track record that demands your trust.
As far as I am aware, the company does everything it can to make sure their safes do not compromise on quality, and each safe is tested before being sent out to make sure it effectively does its job.
Why Buy a Kodiak Gun Safe?
Here are a few reasons why you might consider purchasing a Kodiak Gun Safe:
SecuRAM Basic Lock: All Kodiak safes make use of the SecuRAM Basic Lock. This digital lock may not be as accessible as a biometric one, but it is more than secure enough to protect your arsenal.
Consistency: All the safes are quite similar in their mechanisms (such as the lock) which means that switching between them will not be a problem.
Durable: Don’t let the foreign construction fool you, Kodiak safes are extremely durable and should last for years to come.
Style: Kodiak safes are all designed in a unique way that still pays homage to its parent brand Rhino Metals. Kodiak safes can instantly be recognized because of their look. Their KSB lineup looks especially beautiful with an 1800s theme.
Warranty: Kodiak offers a comprehensive warranty program for all of their safes, protecting you from unforeseen damage. In most cases, they offer a replacement/repair in case the safe is damaged due to attempted burglary or a fire.
Budget-Friendly: Kodiak may not have the best safes in the industry, but it makes up for it in value. Most of their safes are priced competitively and will be perfect for someone who doesn’t want to spend a lot of money.
Final Verdict
While Kodiak advertises themselves as a budget-friendly brand, it is obvious in hindsight that they have a decent mix of both budget-friendly as well as pricier safes. The safes themselves do not differ much from one another. The biggest difference in the variants seems to be the size.
All of the aforementioned safes have their uses. However, I think the best one is the Kodiak KB19ECX 30. If you are purchasing a safe from Kodiak, you are probably looking to save some money. As such, the Kodiak 30 offers you decent protection and a lot of room for a reasonable price.
As for the other safes on this list. They are all great but I recommend comparing them with similar safes from other brands before making a decision on what to buy.
