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.
A 30-rifle safe rated at 1,200°F typically ships freight, not parcel, so it’s worth starting a free 30-day Amazon Prime trial now — smaller add-ons like a dehumidifier rod or bolt-down anchor kit will arrive two-day while the safe itself is still in transit.
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.
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.