Best Gun Locks 2026: Cable & Trigger Picks

You own firearms for protection, sport or tradition, and secure storage is part of that. The hard part is picking gun locks that actually fit the guns you own.

Our top pick is the Lockforall 15″ Cable Gun Lock (5-Pack), because one 15-inch keyed-alike cable routes through most pistols, rifles and shotguns. If you need more locks in one go, the TaShow Gun Locks 12-Pack (15″) covers a whole house.

We chose these by checking each listing against manufacturer and retailer specs, confirming fit and cable length, and screening every model for open safety recalls.

Gun Locks Compared

Gun Locks: Our Top Picks

1. Lockforall 15″ Cable Gun Lock (5-Pack)

Bottom line: A 15-inch keyed-alike cable that fits almost anything you own, in a pack size that suits a normal household rather than a dealer counter.

• Lock type: keyed cable lock, routes through the action or magazine well
• Cable length: 15 inches, long enough to loop a stock or lever
• Pack size: 5 locks, covers a small household collection
• Keying: keyed alike, so one key opens every lock in the set
• Build: steel cable with a coated body, helps avoid finish scratches

The extra cable length is what makes this the default choice. With 15 inches to work with you can thread the cable through an ejection port, down a magazine well, or twice around a lever or stock, so the same lock moves between a pistol, a shotgun and a bolt gun without a second thought.

Keyed-alike sets solve the other everyday annoyance. Five locks on one key means you are not hunting through a drawer at 6am before a range trip, and it keeps key storage simple: one secure spot, one spare somewhere separate.

The listing states CA DOJ approval and cut-resistant quenched steel components with a rated locking-beam torque. Those are manufacturer claims rather than independent test results, so confirm the current listing details if you need the lock to satisfy a specific state requirement.

2. TaShow Gun Locks 12-Pack (15″)

Bottom line: The same 15-inch cable format in a twelve-count set, for when you want a lock in the safe, a lock in the range bag and spares in the drawer.

• Lock type: keyed cable lock with a covered body
• Cable length: 15 inches, the same routing reach as our top pick
• Pack size: 12 locks, enough to cover a safe, a car and a range bag
• Keying: keys supplied per lock, with spares included
• Build: heavy-duty steel cable, listed at 0.22 inches thick

Buying locks in twelves changes how you use them. Instead of moving one lock between guns, you leave a lock fitted on each firearm permanently, which is exactly how a storage routine stops depending on memory.

The covered cable body matters more on a bulk pack than on a pair, because these are the locks that get threaded, unthreaded and tossed back in a bag repeatedly. A sheathed cable is what keeps that handling from marking a bluing or Cerakote finish.

The trade-off is key management. These ship with keys per lock rather than one key across the set, so decide up front where the keys live before you spread twelve locks around the house.

3. Lockforall 8.5″ Cable Gun Lock (2-Pack)

Bottom line: The short-cable version of our top pick, sized for handguns and for anyone who finds a 15-inch cable awkward to pack.

• Lock type: keyed cable lock with a pin-tumbler mechanism
• Cable length: 8.5 inches, easier to coil inside a pistol case
• Pack size: 2 locks, right for one or two handguns
• Keying: keyed alike, so you carry a single key
• Build: quenched steel ball and sleeve, built to resist sawing

Cable length is the only real decision here. On a semi-auto pistol you are routing through the magazine well and out of the ejection port, and 8.5 inches covers that with less slack flapping around when the gun goes back in its case.

That short cable is also its limit. Wrapping around a shotgun stock or a lever action needs reach this pack does not have, so if there is a long gun in the house, buy the 15-inch version instead of assuming this one will stretch.

The listing describes CA DOJ approval and a locking beam rated to 2,000 N or more. As with the rest of this category, those figures come from the manufacturer, so verify them against the current product page if compliance is the reason you are buying.

4. Lockforall 15″ Cable Gun Lock (10-Pack)

Bottom line: Our top pick in a ten-count set, for collections large enough that a five-pack runs out but where one shared key still matters.

• Lock type: keyed cable lock, the same design as our top pick
• Cable length: 15 inches, flexible routing for long guns
• Pack size: 10 locks, sized for larger collections
• Keying: keyed alike, one key across the whole set
• Build: quenched steel ball and sleeve, listed at 3,600 N locking-beam torque

This is the pack to buy when you want the convenience of the TaShow twelve-count without giving up a single key. Ten keyed-alike locks let you fit one to every firearm, keep spares in the truck and still open all of them with what is on your keyring.

Because it is the same cable as the five-pack, everything that makes that one work carries over: 15 inches of routing, a coated body, and enough reach to loop a stock or a lever twice. The only question is quantity.

The listed 3,600 N locking-beam figure is higher than the 8.5-inch model’s rating, which reflects the larger lock body rather than a different security class. Treat it as a manufacturer specification and confirm current details on the product page.

5. Lockforall Gun Trigger Lock (2-Pack)

Bottom line: A compact clamp-style alternative to a cable lock, worth buying only once you have measured the trigger guard it has to fit.

• Lock type: keyed trigger lock with a ratcheting clamp
• Pack size: 2 locks, enough for a pair of handguns
• Keying: keyed alike, so one key opens both
• Build: zinc body with iron keys and rubber pads to protect the finish

Trigger locks earn their place on storage grounds. Nothing threads through the action, so the gun goes back in its case at its normal size, and the two halves separate once unlocked, which makes them easy to keep out of reach.

The adjustable ratchet is what makes fit workable across different guns, but it is also the constraint. The body has to close around the guard without contacting the trigger, so a thick or unusually shaped trigger guard simply will not take it.

Install a trigger lock only on a firearm you have confirmed is unloaded, and follow the manufacturer’s instructions. If you want quick access, or you are not certain about clearance, a cable lock is the safer default.

Lockforall 5-Pack vs TaShow 12-Pack: Which Should You Get?

Both use the same 15-inch cable format, so the real question is how many locks you need and whether you want one key or many. Pack size decides this, not security.

• Key management: the Lockforall set is keyed alike, so one key opens all five; the TaShow pack ships keys per lock
• Coverage: five locks suit a typical household collection, twelve let you leave a lock fitted on every gun plus spares
• Stated approvals: the Lockforall listing claims CA DOJ approval, the TaShow listing does not
• Who each suits: pick Lockforall for simplicity, TaShow for coverage across a safe, a vehicle and a range bag

Which Gun Lock Should You Buy?

• Mixed collection, one key: get the Lockforall 15″ Cable Gun Lock (5-Pack).
• Handguns only: get the Lockforall 8.5″ Cable Gun Lock (2-Pack).
• A lock on every gun, plus spares: get the TaShow Gun Locks 12-Pack (15″).
• Large collection, single key: get the Lockforall 15″ Cable Gun Lock (10-Pack).
• No cable, slim trigger guard: get the Lockforall Gun Trigger Lock (2-Pack).

How We Chose

• Fit across common firearms: we prioritised locks that route through the action, magazine well or ejection port of typical pistols, rifles and shotguns.
• Cable length and pack size: we treated these as the two decisions that actually change which product is right for you.
• Finish protection: coated cables and rubber pads matter on locks that get fitted and removed often.
• Key convenience: keyed-alike sets reduce friction, which is what keeps a storage routine in use.
• Sources and safety screening: manufacturer and retailer listings for specifications, plus a check of CPSC recall records for every model here. No open recalls were found.

Safe Storage Basics

• Confirm the firearm is unloaded first: install and test any lock only after unloading and visually checking the chamber.
• Match the lock type to the firearm: cable locks route through the action, magazine well or ejection port; trigger locks need clearance around the guard.
• Store ammunition separately: separate storage adds a second barrier where your situation calls for one.
• Treat a lock as one layer: pair it with a safe, lockbox or locked cabinet whenever you can.
• Follow your local laws: storage requirements differ by state and country, and a lock alone may not satisfy them.

How to Choose Gun Locks

Cable Lock or Trigger Lock?

Cable locks are the more universal of the two. Because the cable passes through the action, it blocks normal loading and cycling on most pistols, rifles and shotguns, and one lock can move between very different guns.

Trigger locks clamp around the trigger guard instead. They are compact and quick to store, but fit is not universal, and they should only ever go on an unloaded firearm. If you are buying your first lock and are unsure, start with a cable lock such as the Lockforall 15″ Cable Gun Lock (5-Pack).

Cable Length: 8.5 Inches or 15 Inches?

An 8.5-inch cable is aimed at handguns. It threads through a magazine well and ejection port with little slack left over, which is why it packs well in a pistol case.

A 15-inch cable covers everything the shorter one does and adds reach for long guns, including looping around a stock or a lever handle. If there is any chance you will secure a rifle or shotgun with the same lock, choose 15 inches.

Pack Size and Keying

Work out how many firearms need a lock fitted at once, then add a spare or two. A five-pack suits most households; ten and twelve-count sets make sense when you want a lock permanently attached to each gun.

Keyed-alike sets give you one key for every lock, which is genuinely easier to live with. The trade-off is that the key becomes a single point of failure, so store it securely and keep a spare somewhere separate.

Build and Finish Protection

Look for a coated or sheathed cable and, on trigger locks, rubber pads. These are the details that decide whether repeated fitting and removal leaves marks on a finish.

Cut resistance claims like quenched steel components and rated locking-beam torque are worth reading, but treat them as manufacturer specifications rather than independent test results.

Approvals and Local Storage Rules

Several of these listings state CA DOJ approval. If you are buying to meet a specific legal requirement, verify the current status of the exact model on the product page and against your state’s own list, because rosters change and listing copy is not always current.

Mistakes to Avoid When Buying Gun Locks

• Buying on price per lock alone: work out how many you will actually fit, then choose the pack size that matches.
• Assuming a short cable will stretch: check the routing path on your own firearm before ordering an 8.5-inch lock.
• Skipping the trigger-guard measurement: a trigger lock that does not close clear of the trigger is the wrong lock.
• Treating a lock as a safe: external locks deter casual access; they are not theft protection.
• Storing the key beside the gun: it defeats the point of locking it in the first place.

FAQs

How Do I Choose The Right Gun Lock For My Firearm?

Start with compatibility. For a cable lock, look at the ejection port, magazine well, cylinder and action path so you know the cable can route through. For a trigger lock, measure the trigger guard and confirm the lock body closes without touching the trigger. Then choose by use: 15 inches for flexibility, 8.5 inches for handguns.

Are Cable Locks Secure Enough To Prevent Unauthorized Use?

Installed correctly, a cable lock blocks normal loading and cycling and reduces casual or accidental access. It is not theft-proof, and someone determined with tools can defeat most external locks. Treat it as one layer alongside a locked safe, cabinet or lockbox rather than as your only storage measure.

Are Trigger Locks Better Than Cable Locks?

Not usually. Cable locks are more versatile because they pass through the action of most pistols, rifles and shotguns. Trigger locks are compact and simple, but they must fit the guard properly and must never go on a loaded firearm. If you are unsure, a cable lock is the safer first purchase for broad compatibility.

What Cable Length Should I Choose?

Choose 8.5 inches for handguns and short routing paths, where a compact lock is easier to store and carry. Choose 15 inches if you want flexibility for long guns, different action types, or looping through a storage point. Test the lock on an unloaded firearm before you rely on it.

Can I Put A Gun Lock On A Loaded Firearm?

No. Every lock here should be fitted only after the firearm is unloaded and the chamber visually checked. Installing a lock on a loaded gun, particularly a trigger lock that sits against the trigger, creates exactly the hazard you are trying to avoid. Unload first, check twice, then fit the lock.

Do Cable Locks Fit Every Firearm?

Most, but not all. Routing depends on the action, and some designs leave little room for a cable to pass cleanly. Revolvers, lever actions and break actions each need a slightly different approach. Check your owner’s manual for the manufacturer’s guidance, and test the fit on an unloaded firearm before you buy in bulk.

How Should I Use And Maintain A Gun Lock?

Practise installing and removing the lock while the firearm is unloaded so the process is familiar. Keep keys somewhere secure but reachable, with a spare stored separately. Inspect the cable coating, lock body and keys periodically, and replace the lock if you see corrosion, fraying, cracking or a sticky mechanism.

Do Gun Locks Meet Legal Storage Requirements?

That depends on where you live. Some jurisdictions require a specific safe, lockbox or approved safety device, and some require ammunition stored separately. If a listing mentions CA DOJ approval or another certification, verify the current status of that exact model before relying on it for compliance.

What Customers Prefer

Pack size, cable length and versatility drive most of these decisions. Securing several firearms points you toward a five, ten or twelve-count set; a handgun-only setup points toward the 8.5-inch pair; and a non-cable option only makes sense once trigger-guard fit is confirmed.

Final Verdict

The right gun locks reduce accidental access and add a real layer to your storage routine. For most buyers the decision comes down to cable length first and pack size second, and one product covers both well.

If you need more coverage, the TaShow Gun Locks 12-Pack (15″) puts a lock on every firearm, while the Lockforall 8.5″ Cable Gun Lock (2-Pack) is the easier carry for a handgun-only setup.

Product	Image	Best For	Material	Lock Type	Size
Cable Gun Locks with Keys 15″ CA DOJ Approved		Best overall for most households	Alloy Steel	Key Lock	15 inches long
TaShow Gun Locks, 12 Pcs Heavy Duty Steel Gun Lock Cable		Best high-count starter set	Steel	Cable Lock	15 inches long, 0.22 inches diameter
8.5″ Cable Gun Locks with Keys		Best compact cable lock	Alloy Steel	Pin Tumbler	8.5 inches long
Cable Gun Locks with Keys 10 Pack CA DOJ Approved		Best bulk pack	Steel	Key Lock	15 inches long
Gun Trigger Lock with Keys, Keyed Alike Universal		Best trigger lock for compatible guards	N/A	Trigger Lock	Check trigger-guard fit