GunVault MicroVault MV500 Review: Slim Keypad Pistol Safe
The GunVault MicroVault MV500 is a slim, notebook-style pistol safe that is meant to ride in a briefcase, day pack, or the pocket of a car seat as easily as it sits in a drawer. It is a fit for someone who wants a lightweight keypad box with a key fallback for one compact handgun. It is a weaker fit for a full-size pistol with accessories, for anyone who dislikes buying a battery separately, or for anyone who needs a documented fire rating.
Bottom line:
- Pick it for a light, thin keypad box that tucks into a bag or drawer and has a key fallback.
- Skip it if you own a tall or full-size handgun, or want a bigger interior than about 2 inches deep.
- Remember the battery is not included; plan to buy a 9V and test the key.
Everything below is drawn from the listing’s bullets and seller description rather than from personal use of the product. The listing bullets describe the keypad version, while the seller’s text mentions that a biometric style also exists in the MicroVault family, so confirm which option you are selecting on the page. For context on where this sits among other small boxes, see our best small gun safes guide.
GunVault MicroVault MV500 specs
| Item | Per the listing |
|---|---|
| Exterior size | 11 in x 8.5 in x 2.25 in |
| Interior size | 10.75 in x 6.5 in x 2 in |
| Weight | 4 lbs |
| Exterior | 20 gauge steel |
| Lock | Programmable keypad with learn buttons; the listing says more than 12 million user-selectable codes are possible |
| Interior lining | Foam |
| Battery | 9V, not included; the listing says you must unlock with the key first |
| Country of origin | China, per the listing |
| Price band at writing | $100 to $200 range |
Access and lock
The MV500 uses a keypad you program yourself. According to the bullets, “learn buttons” make it easy to set your own code from a very large pool of combinations. In practical terms the large number is less important than the habit behind it: choose a code that is not a birthday or an address, avoid a pattern that wears the same few buttons, and read the printed instructions for the exact programming sequence, because the listing does not spell it out.
The detail that deserves attention is the battery note. The listing states that it does not include the 9V battery and that the user must unlock via key first. That reads as a two-step first use: open the box with the key, install a battery, then set up the code. It also tells you the key is the real fallback, so decide where the key lives. A key left in a nightstand drawer defeats the purpose of the keypad; a key stored on a separate ring in another room does not help at 2 a.m. Think about a spot that is reachable for you and not for a child or a visitor.
The seller description refers to a “no-eyes” keypad, meaning the buttons are intended to be found by feel in the dark. That is a reasonable design goal, but the listing does not mention a backlight, a beep setting or a lockout feature, so do not assume any of them. If you prefer an RFID approach instead of a keypad, our Hornady RAPiD Safe RFID review shows how a touch-free box differs.
Build and security features
The listing gives the exterior as 20 gauge steel and the weight as 4 lbs. Twenty gauge is on the thinner side for steel boxes, and the weight confirms this is a lightweight product. That is a feature for portability and a limitation for resistance to leverage. The seller description claims tight, precise fittings and a high-strength locking mechanism, but those are marketing statements, not independent test results, and we are not able to verify them. Think of this as a deterrent against casual access, kids and quick grab-and-go theft rather than a safe built to resist a determined effort with tools.
No fire rating, water rating or third-party certification appears in the listing data, so do not store irreplaceable documents in it and expect heat protection. Treat it as storage for a firearm or a few small valuables, and keep documents in a properly rated container instead.
Interior and fit
This is where the MV500 asks for careful measuring. The interior is 10.75 inches long, 6.5 inches wide and 2 inches deep. Two inches of height is tight. Many compact pistols fit in that envelope, but a larger frame, a pistol with a weapon light or an optic, or a magazine inserted at an angle may not. The foam lining helps cradle a gun that fits and also takes up a little space, so the usable depth can be less than the nominal number once foam is considered.
Before buying, lay your handgun on a table, stack it with any accessory you plan to store with it, and measure the longest, widest and tallest points. Compare against the numbers above, and leave a margin. If your handgun is a full-size model, a box with a slightly taller interior, such as the Vaultek LifePod 20, which the listing says stores a handgun up to 9.25 inches long, may be easier to live with.
Mounting and placement
The listing data does not mention mounting holes or a security cable for this model, so as far as we can tell from the information provided, it is a freestanding box. That makes the placement question a personal one. In a drawer it is hard to see and awkward to carry off in a hurry; in a briefcase it travels with you; on an open shelf it is easy for someone else to pick up. Because the product is small and light, think about where it will realistically live and whether it can be tucked out of sight. If you want something you can anchor to a surface, look at models that explicitly list a cable or bolt-down holes.
When the box travels, remember that transport rules and storage requirements differ by state and by situation. Child-access-prevention and storage laws vary by state, so check the laws where you live and where you are going before relying on any lock box.
Power and batteries
This is an electronic keypad, so it needs a 9V battery that the seller does not include. Buy a fresh name-brand one at the same time as the safe, and write the install date on the cap or in a calendar. Replace it on a schedule rather than waiting for a failure, and always confirm that the key opens the lock right after you set it up. A keypad safe with a dead battery and a lost key is a locked box with nothing helpful to do.
The listing does not describe a low-battery warning, so a routine test is the only dependable check. Try the code and the key every month or two, and again after the box has been in a hot car or a cold garage. If a no-battery design appeals to you, our StopBox USA review covers a purely mechanical alternative.
What owners say
An owner-feedback summary was not available for this model when we wrote this review, so we are not going to claim common praise or complaints. To build your own picture, scan recent customer reviews for a few specific topics: whether the keypad is easy to program and use blind, how people describe the fit of their specific handgun in the 2-inch-tall interior, whether the key backup worked when they needed it, and how long a 9V battery lasted in practice. Also look for any comments on the hinge and the lid action, and for photos that show the foam. Details that appear in several independent comments are more useful than a single dramatic one.
Video: a look at the MV500
Watch: the Gun Safe Reviews channel posted a walkthrough of the standard MicroVault MV500, which is useful for seeing the keypad and the size next to a handgun.
Use it to confirm dimensions against your own gun rather than as proof of long-term durability.
Pros and cons
- Pro: Thin, notebook-style body at about 4 lbs that suits a bag, drawer or car seat.
- Pro: Programmable keypad with a key fallback.
- Pro: Foam lining protects the contents.
- Pro: Sits in the $100 to $200 range at the time of writing, so check the current price.
- Con: 2-inch interior height limits what will fit.
- Con: 9V battery is not included, and you must unlock with the key first.
- Con: 20 gauge steel and low weight mean less resistance to leverage.
- Con: No fire rating or mounting hardware is listed.
How it compares
Vaultek LifePod 20. A weatherproof polymer case with a touch keypad, backup manual keys and a steel security cable. The listing says it holds a full-size handgun up to 9.25 inches long and adds a removable tray and interior light. Read the LifePod 20 review if you want more room and a travel-minded design.
Vaultek LifePod 20 Biometric. The same platform with a water-resistant fingerprint scanner added to the keypad and keys. It sat in the $200 to $300 range at the time of writing. See the biometric LifePod review if you want fingerprint entry.
Hornady RAPiD Safe RFID. A nightstand-style box opened by an RFID wristband, key fob or sticker, with up to five tags programmable and a key lock as backup. It uses 14 gauge steel per the listing and includes a wall power supply. Our RFID review has the details.
StopBox USA. A mechanical, battery-free polycarbonate-ABS box that offers 81 user-set combinations and weighs 1.8 pounds. The listing says accessories are not included. Check the StopBox USA review if you want to avoid batteries altogether.
For a wider survey, our best gun safes under $200 and best handgun safes pages group the options by budget and type, and best gun safe brands summarizes the makers.
Price and deals
At the time of writing this listing sat in the $100 to $200 range. Prices change, so check the current price on the Amazon page before you buy. We track coupons and sale seasons on a separate page, GunVault MicroVault MV500 promo code and ways to pay less, and we only mention a clip coupon when one is actually shown on the listing. You can also browse every gun safe review in one place, or return to the main gun safe guide for the full set of picks.
Final verdict
The MV500 is a practical choice for one compact handgun when you want a slim keypad box that can move between a drawer, a bag and a vehicle. Its limits are straightforward: a 2-inch-tall interior, thinner steel, no stated fire rating and a battery you have to supply. If you measure your handgun, install a fresh 9V, test the key and keep it somewhere sensible, it can do the job. If your firearm is larger, or you want fingerprint or touch-free entry, one of the alternatives is the better match. Review the listing here for current options and details.
GunVault MicroVault MV500 FAQ
What size handgun fits in the GunVault MicroVault MV500?
The listing gives the interior as 10.75 by 6.5 by 2 inches. Many compact pistols fit, but a tall frame, light or optic may not. Measure your handgun with accessories attached, leave a margin for the foam lining, and compare before you order.
Does the MV500 include a battery?
No. The listing says the 9V battery is not included and that the user must unlock via key first. Buy a fresh 9V with the safe, install it after the first key opening, and test both the keypad and the key afterward.
Can the MV500 be mounted or cabled down?
The listing data we reviewed does not mention mounting holes or a security cable for this model. It appears to be freestanding, so decide where it will live, and look at models that list a cable or bolt-down holes if anchoring matters to you.
What if the battery dies or I forget the code?
The listing indicates a key can unlock the box, which is the backup if the battery dies. Keep the key separate from the safe and away from children. If the code is lost, follow the manufacturer’s instructions or contact support.
Does the MicroVault come in a biometric version?
The seller description says micro vaults come in standard keypad or biometric styles. The bullets for this listing describe the keypad version, so check the option selector and title on the Amazon page to confirm exactly which style you are ordering.
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