Quick Answer: The best gun lock for most firearms is a keyed cable lock threaded through the open action, not a trigger lock. Our top pick is the Master Lock 107DSPT (14 x 0.22-inch braided steel cable, $17.08 list on Master Lock’s site), which appears on the California DOJ’s firearm safety device roster. Master Lock’s best-selling 90DSPT trigger lock does not. The cheapest roster-listed lock we found is the Lockdown 110149 at $6.49, and you may not need to buy one at all: Project ChildSafe says it has given away more than 42 million free gun locks, and the VA gives one to any veteran who asks. A gun lock stops a child from firing a gun. It does not stop a thief.
“Gun lock” and “gun locks” each draw about 5,400 searches a month in the US, with another 3,600 for “cable lock for gun” and 2,400 for “trigger lock,” yet this site had never covered locks that go on the firearm itself. We checked 14 locks against their makers’ own stores and against California’s Report of Descriptions and Devices, the most detailed public list of tested safety devices in the country. We also read every gun lock recall in the CPSC database. Everything below was checked on October 31, 2026.
The gun locks we checked
| Lock (model) | Type | Keying | Maker price, Oct 31 | On CA DOJ roster? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Master Lock 107DSPT | Cable, 14 in x 0.22 in braided steel | Keyed different | $17.08 list | Yes |
| Master Lock 107KADSPT | Cable, same as 107DSPT | Keyed alike | $18.85 list | Not under this model number |
| Master Lock 99DSPT | Cable, 14 in, vinyl-covered | Keyed different | $12.54 list | No |
| Master Lock 90DSPT | Trigger lock, steel and zinc | Keyed | $21.46 list | No |
| Master Lock 94DSPT | Trigger lock | 3-dial combination | $24.99 | No |
| Lockdown 15" Cable Gun Lock (110149) | Cable, 15 in, 30 mm padlock | Keyed, 2 keys | $6.49 | Yes |
| Lockdown Keyed Trigger Lock (1118824) | Trigger lock | Keyed, 2 keys | $13.99 | Store says certified; SKU not found on roster |
| Lockdown Combination Trigger Lock (1118826) | Trigger lock | Combination | $24.99 | Store says certified; SKU not found on roster |
| Bulldog BD8011 | Cable, 15 in, vinyl-wrapped | Keyed | $12.99 | Yes |
| Bulldog BD8013 (3-pack) | Cable, 15 in | Keyed alike | $19.25 (sold out) | Yes |
| Bulldog BD8001 | Trigger lock | Keyed | $13.99 | Yes |
| Bulldog BD8000 | Trigger lock | Resettable combination | $19.99 | Yes |
| Bulldog BD8003 (3-pack) | Trigger lock | Keyed alike | $36.99 | Yes |
| StopBox Chamber Lock Pro (SB211 AR-15, SB231 shotgun) | Chamber lock, 6061-T6 aluminum | 81-combination mechanical, no batteries | $169 | No (StopBox not listed) |
Prices are from masterlock.com, lockdown.com, bulldogcases.com and stopboxusa.com. Roster status means we found that exact model number in the California DOJ’s Report of Descriptions and Devices on October 31, 2026. On the same day the report held 224 cable locks, 62 trigger locks, 357 lock boxes and 449 safes.
1. Master Lock 107DSPT: Best Overall
Master Lock 107DSPT Cable Gun Lock
- Master Lock lists it as "California Approved" and says it was tested by an independent laboratory to the AB106 requirements. We found the 107DSPT on the DOJ roster under its own model number.
- The roster entry covers semi-auto and bolt-action rifles, pump and semi-auto shotguns, revolvers and semi-auto pistols with openings large enough to accept a 0.215-inch (5.5 mm) cable. That is a thinner cable than most kit locks, so it fits more actions.
- Deadbolt mechanism: per Master Lock, it can only be opened or closed with the key inserted and turned. Limited lifetime warranty.
- Buying for several guns? The keyed-alike 107KADSPT is $18.85, but that model number is not on the roster, so California buyers should stick with 107DSPT.
2. Lockdown 15” Cable Gun Lock (110149): Best Budget
Lockdown 15" Cable Gun Lock (110149)
- At $6.49 on Lockdown's store, it is the cheapest California-listed lock we found by a wide margin.
- The DOJ roster lists it under Battenfeld Technologies, Lockdown's parent, in green and red versions. It needs openings that accept a 0.24-inch cable, slightly thicker than the Master Lock 107DSPT.
- Lockdown says it fits most pistols, rifles, shotguns and modern sporting rifles.
- Lockdown does not publish the cable material or diameter on the product page. The roster's 0.24-inch figure is the best spec available.
3. Bulldog BD8011: Best Vinyl-Wrapped Cable Lock
Bulldog BD8011 Keyed Cable Lock
- Bulldog says both the cable and the lock body are vinyl-wrapped to protect the gun's finish, and that the lock prevents rounds from being chambered, actions from engaging, cylinders from moving or magazines from loading.
- On the roster as a cable lock for pistols, revolvers, shotguns, rifles and tactical rifles.
- The BD8013 3-pack is keyed alike and also on the roster, at $19.25 ($6.42 per lock). It was sold out on Bulldog's store when we checked.
4. Bulldog BD8000: Best Trigger Lock
Bulldog BD8000 Combination Trigger Lock
- Of the locks we checked, it is the only keyless trigger lock that is both sold on its maker's store and listed on California's roster under the same model number.
- Adjustable ratchet mechanism, with cushion pads and pins to protect the finish. Bulldog says it fits most handguns, rifles, shotguns and MSRs.
- Prefer a key? The BD8001 keyed version is $13.99, and the keyed-alike BD8003 3-pack is $36.99. Both are on the roster.
- For comparison, Master Lock's combination 94DSPT is $24.99 and its keyed 90DSPT, which Master Lock labels a best seller, is $21.46. Neither is on California's roster.
5. StopBox Chamber Lock Pro: Best Chamber Lock (With a Caveat)
StopBox Chamber Lock Pro (SB211 AR-15 / SB231 shotgun)
- A chamber lock sits in the chamber itself, so a round can't be chambered while it is in place. StopBox sells AR-15 (SB211) and shotgun (SB231) versions, each $169 in black or red. StopBox says the shotgun version fits common pump 12-gauges such as the Mossberg 590 and Remington 870.
- It uses the same battery-free finger-position lock as StopBox's boxes, with 81 combinations. StopBox pitches it as a way to block the chamber while the firearm stays "at the ready," which is a different job from a cable lock on an unloaded gun. Follow StopBox's own instructions.
- It costs about 26 times as much as the Lockdown cable lock. You're paying for a lock that comes off faster, not for more protection.
- On September 4, 2025, the CPSC announced recall 25-458 covering about 300 AR-15 Chamber Lock Pro units shipped between June 2 and July 15, 2025, because the lock could be forcibly removed. Check your unit's ship date.
- StopBox is not on California's roster. The roster lists exactly one chamber lock, the GunVault AR-01 MagVault for AR-15-style rifles.
For more on StopBox’s lock boxes, see our StopBox review.
Cable lock vs. trigger lock vs. chamber lock vs. lock box
| Device | What it blocks | Typical maker price | Main limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cable lock | Loading and closing the action, cylinder rotation | $6.49-$18.85 | Gun can still be carried off. Slow to remove |
| Trigger lock | Access to the trigger | $13.99-$24.99 | Doesn't block the action. Fits fewer guns (62 on CA roster vs 224 cable locks) |
| Chamber lock | Chambering a round | $169 (StopBox) | Model-specific. Costs as much as a lock box |
| Lock box or safe | Any access to the gun | From $149 (StopBox Compact) | Must be bolted down to resist theft |
Project ChildSafe’s installation sheet describes what a properly installed cable lock does: “the firearm is unloaded and the lock prevents the firearm’s action from closing.” A trigger lock leaves the action free. That is why we rank cable locks first for any gun whose action can take one.
How to get a gun lock free
- Project ChildSafe. The NSSF program’s homepage says it has given away more than 42 million free gun locks since 1998 and works with about 15,000 law enforcement agencies. Its “Get a Free Safety Kit” page lets you pick your state and city to find a participating police or sheriff’s office. The kit includes a cable-style lock with a key and installation instructions. Call the agency first to confirm it has kits in stock.
- The VA, for veterans. The VA’s Keep It Secure page says: “Every Veteran is eligible to receive a free cable-style gun lock from their local VA facility.” There’s no paperwork, and VA medical centers and clinics keep locks ready to hand out.
- The box your gun came in. Project ChildSafe also says manufacturers have shipped more than 70 million free gun locks with their products over the past 25 years. Ruger says every newly manufactured Ruger firearm has shipped with an external key-operated lock since 2005.
The kit locks are real roster-tested devices. Project ChildSafe has 8 cable lock models listed under its own name on California’s roster, including the CLA15, which needs openings that accept a 0.300-inch cable. That is thicker than the Master Lock 107DSPT’s 0.215 inches, so a free kit lock may not fit a gun with a tight ejection port. If it doesn’t fit, a thinner paid cable may.
What the law requires
Federal law covers handgun sales, not ownership. Under 18 U.S.C. 922(z), a licensed dealer, importer or manufacturer may not sell or transfer a handgun to a non-licensee unless the buyer is provided with a “secure gun storage or safety device.” Section 921(a)(34) defines that broadly. It covers a device installed on the gun, a lock built into the gun, or a safe, gun case or lock box that opens only by key or combination. The rule does not cover rifles or shotguns, and it does not require you to use the device.
California goes further at the point of sale. The DOJ says that since January 1, 2002, no firearm may be sold, transferred or manufactured in California unless it is accompanied by a DOJ-approved firearm safety device (Penal Code section 23620 and following). Buyers can skip it by showing a receipt for a roster device bought in the previous 30 days, or a receipt and affidavit for a qualifying gun safe. For the state’s current home-storage rules, see our California gun safe law guide.
Several states name gun locks in their storage laws. Oregon’s SB 554 accepts an engaged trigger or cable lock (see our Oregon guide). Michigan’s child-access law accepts an unloaded firearm with a locking device engaged (Michigan guide). Massachusetts requires a locked container or a tamper-resistant mechanical lock on every stored firearm (Massachusetts guide).
Does locking actually help?
Yes, according to the best-known study on storage and youth shootings. Grossman and colleagues, writing in JAMA in 2005, compared 106 firearms involved in suicide attempts and unintentional shootings by people under 20 with 480 comparison guns from households with children in Washington, Oregon and Missouri. After adjustment, the guns involved in shootings were much less likely to have been stored locked (odds ratio 0.27) or unloaded (odds ratio 0.30). They were also less likely to have locked ammunition (0.39) or ammunition stored separately (0.45). The authors concluded that each of the four practices is associated with a protective effect.
The same sources are just as clear about what a lock won’t do. Project ChildSafe’s sheet says its lock “may be defeated by a determined individual using tools or other aggressive means and may not prevent intentional misuse of a firearm.” A gun lock buys time against a curious child. It does not keep a burglar from taking the gun. For that, use a bolted-down handgun safe or a full gun safe.
Gun lock recalls: what the CPSC database shows
| Date | Recall | Units | Problem |
|---|---|---|---|
| July 24, 2000 | Master Lock keyed trigger locks (models incl. 90, 90DSPT, 90KADSPT), also sold with some Smith & Wesson and Walther handguns | About 752,000 | Lock halves could be separated without a key |
| Feb. 7, 2001 | NSSF Project HomeSafe (now Project ChildSafe) red cable locks, given out free Sept. 1999-Oct. 2000 | About 400,000 | Could open without a key under certain conditions |
| May 9, 2001 | Ruger padlocks (shipped 1987-1995) and red cable locks (shipped 1998-March 2001) | 1.2 million padlocks and 800,000 cable locks | Padlocks opened with other keys; cable locks opened if struck with force |
| Sept. 4, 2025 | StopBox AR-15 Chamber Lock Pro (CPSC 25-458) | About 300 | Could be forcibly removed |
The 2000 Master Lock recall covered locks sold between June 1999 and July 2000 for $8 to $12, not today’s production, even though today’s 90DSPT uses the same model number. If you inherited a red “Project HomeSafe” lock or an old red Ruger cable lock, it is part of these recalls. The replacement programs are 25 years old, so contact the maker directly rather than assuming they still run. The CPSC database showed no newer recall for cable or trigger locks.
How to choose a gun lock
- Match the lock to the action. Cable locks cover the most firearms. Check the roster entry or the maker’s fit list for the minimum opening size: 0.215 inches for the Master Lock 107DSPT, 0.24 for the Lockdown 110149, 0.300 for the Project ChildSafe CLA15 kit lock. If your firearm isn’t listed, the VA and Project ChildSafe both say to check the owner’s manual or ask the manufacturer.
- Buy by model number, not by brand. Master Lock has 10 entries on California’s roster, all cable locks and padlocks, and none of its trigger locks. Roster status belongs to one model number.
- Get keyed-alike sets for several guns. The Bulldog BD8013 (cable) and BD8003 (trigger) 3-packs share one key and are both roster-listed.
- Store the key away from the gun. Project ChildSafe’s sheet says to keep the key separately and out of children’s reach. A combination trigger lock such as the BD8000 removes the key problem.
- Never install a lock on a loaded gun. Unload first, every time. Project ChildSafe also says to keep its cable outside the trigger guard and never to work the action with the lock in place.
- Need fast access for home defense? A gun lock is slow to remove. A quick-access bedside gun safe is the better tool for a loaded defensive handgun.
- Flying? A lock on the gun does not meet TSA’s rules, which require a locked hard-sided container in checked baggage. See our TSA approved gun safe guide.
The bottom line
Buy a cable lock, not a trigger lock, unless your firearm can’t take one. The Master Lock 107DSPT ($17.08 list) is the best all-round pick: a thin 0.22-inch braided steel cable that fits more actions, and a listing on California’s DOJ roster under its own model number. The Lockdown 110149 does the same job for $6.49. If a trigger lock suits your gun better, the Bulldog BD8000 combination lock ($19.99) is on the roster, while Master Lock’s popular 90DSPT and 94DSPT are not. Before you buy anything, check the box your gun came in, your local police department through Project ChildSafe, or, for veterans, the nearest VA. A free lock that you actually install does more than a better one left in a drawer. And remember the limit: a gun lock keeps a child from firing a gun, but only a bolted-down safe keeps a thief from taking it.