Quick Answer: Barska currently sells more than 16 distinct gun-safe models direct from its own store, but only three of them — the FireVault FV-1000, FV-2000, and FV-3000 — carry a fire rating (40 minutes to 1 hour at 1,200°F). Every other Barska safe, including the widely-sold AX11224 handgun safe, is listed on Barska’s own spec sheet as “Fireproof: No.” The FV-2000 (30 rifles, about $2,137.99) is the best overall pick if fire protection matters; the AX11224 (about $355.99) is the best budget, non-fireproof option for a single handgun.
Barska is one of the most-searched gun-safe brands on Amazon, but its catalog is bigger and more split than most buyers realize. We pulled specs directly from Barska’s own current storefront to sort the genuinely fire-rated FireVault line from the much larger biometric/keypad lineup that isn’t fire-rated at all — a distinction most listings don’t make clear.
Barska’s gun-safe lineup compared
| Model | Capacity | Fire rating | Lock | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FireVault FV-2000 (AX12218) | 30 rifles | 1 hr / 1,200°F | Keypad + backup key | Best overall / fire-rated | ~$2,137.99 |
| FireVault FV-1000 (AX12216) | 14 rifles | 40 min / 1,200°F | Keypad + backup key | Best budget fire-rated | ~$1,540.99 |
| 9.34 cu ft Biometric Rifle Safe (AX11780) | 16 rifles, no scopes | None | Biometric (120 fingerprints) | Best capacity, non-fireproof | ~$1,098.99 |
| AX11224 Biometric Handgun Safe | 0.79 cu ft (1 handgun + valuables) | None | Biometric (120 fingerprints) | Best budget / quick-access | ~$355.99 |
Barska FireVault FV-2000 (AX12218)
- The mid-size model in Barska's only fire-rated line, verified directly from Barska's current spec sheet at 1 hour of protection at 1,200°F — a real, tested rating, not a construction-standard claim.
- Electronic keypad lock with a mechanical backup key, so a dead battery doesn't lock you out.
- Sits between the smaller FV-1000 (14 rifles) and the largest FV-3000 (45 rifles) if neither capacity is the right fit.
Barska FireVault FV-1000 (AX12216)
- The smallest FireVault model, but still carries a genuine 40-minute/1,200°F fire rating — a full tier above every non-FireVault Barska safe, at roughly $600 less than the FV-2000.
- Same keypad-plus-backup-key lock as the rest of the FireVault line.
- A reasonable entry point if fire protection is the priority but 30 rifles of capacity isn't needed.
Barska 9.34 cu ft Biometric Rifle Safe (AX11780)
- No fire rating at all, per Barska's own spec sheet — this is a security cabinet, not a fire safe, despite the "rifle safe" name.
- Biometric lock stores up to 120 fingerprints, but independent reviews report scan failures on the order of 1-in-3 attempts on some Barska biometric models — a backup key or PIN option is worth confirming before relying on fingerprint access alone.
- Marketed 16-rifle capacity assumes bare long guns with no scope mounted; a scoped rifle will likely reduce real usable capacity.
Barska AX11224 Biometric Handgun Safe
- Confirmed in-stock with an active add-to-cart button directly on Barska's own store as of this writing, despite showing as discontinued on some third-party retailer listings.
- No fire rating — this is a quick-access biometric box, sized for one handgun plus small valuables, not fire protection.
- Also covered in our best handgun safe roundup as the pick for buyers who need more interior room than a bare-minimum lock box.
Why “Barska gun safe” mostly means “not fireproof”
Barska’s storefront lists more than 16 active gun-safe and biometric-safe models, but the fire-rated FireVault line makes up only three of them. The other 13-plus — the AX11224, AX11650, HQ800, HQ900, and similar biometric/keypad boxes — are exactly what dominates Amazon and retailer bestseller lists for “barska gun safe” searches, and every one of them is listed on Barska’s own site as “Fireproof: No.” That’s not a defect; a quick-access biometric box was never designed to survive a house fire. The problem is that shoppers searching a generic “gun safe” term often assume fire protection is included by default, and with most of Barska’s catalog, it isn’t.
Which Barska safe actually fits you
Buy a FireVault model (FV-1000, FV-2000, or FV-3000) if surviving a house fire is part of why you’re buying a safe at all — it’s the only line in Barska’s catalog built for it. Buy the 9.34 cu ft biometric rifle safe if you just need lockable, quick-access storage for several long guns and fire protection isn’t the point. Buy the AX11224 if you’re storing a single handgun and want biometric speed over a basic keypad lock box.
Want to see how Barska’s fire-rated line stacks up against other brands’ fire ratings? Our gun safe fire rating guide breaks down UL vs. ETL vs. in-house testing. Comparing against a floor-safe option instead? Our best floor safe for guns roundup covers the budget Barska AX13200 floor safe alongside Stealth and AMSEC alternatives.
Last verified October 2026: checked CPSC.gov for any Barska biometric-safe recall given the industry-wide wave covering other brands’ fingerprint locks since 2023 — Barska’s biometric AX11224 and AX11780 lines are clean, no recall on record.
The bottom line
If fire protection matters, the Barska FireVault FV-2000 is the only real choice in Barska’s lineup — a genuine 1-hour/1,200°F rating for 30 rifles. Need less capacity at a lower price but still want the fire rating? The FV-1000 delivers it. If fire protection isn’t the priority, the 9.34 cu ft biometric rifle safe and the AX11224 both cover quick-access storage at a fraction of the price.