[Review] Vara Safety RACT: Best Quick Acccess Storage for Long Guns?

Some of the responsibilities that come with gun ownership are not explicitly spelled out in the 2nd Amendment of the Constitution. I’m no Framer, but if I were to offer any notes, I’d point out the importance of competence through training—and firearms retention.

It seems like a no-brainer, but someone else gaining control of your firearms is a frightening thought. It is crucial that we keep our weapons safe, whether it’s from a curious child or a potential thief.

The Vara Safety RACT was created to do just that, while still allowing you to rapidly access the firearm. Is this combination of convenience and security up to the task? We got one in and tested it out.

We’ll share our findings with you below, so read on!

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Vara Safety RACT Biometric Specs & Features

Specs

• Size: 30″ x 6″ x 5.25″
• Weight: 14 lbs
• Material: 12-gauge steel, aluminum alloy, nylon composite, silicone padding
• Mounting Hardware: 3 GRK Structural Lag screws
• Unlocking Mechanism: Biometric fingerprint reader, mechanical key override (2 backup keys included)
• Battery Life: 10+ months, USB-C rechargeable
• Comes With: Mounting rail, biometric barrel lock, trigger cover, stock support, assembly hardware, charging cable, override keys

Features

• Biometric finger reader that stores up to 10 fingerprints
• Unlocks in .2 seconds
• Adjustable for left or right-hand retrieval

A Little Backstory

While I don’t have any specific history on the development of this product, I can tell you I’ve had a lot of experience with similar weapon racks. As a patrol deputy, I was issued an AR-15 and a 12-gauge shotgun, which stayed locked in my patrol car until needed.

I used a product similar to the RACT because it was fairly expedient, but it definitely leaned more toward convenience than security. There were no protections for the firearms themselves, other than locking them in place.

If someone had the time or inclination, they could have potentially manipulated either firearm and caused it to fire. The products I used in those days were also fairly slow to access. I had to use a key in a lock to remove them.

Vara Safety took that concept and greatly improved security while ramping up convenience.

Testing the Vara Safety RACT Biometric

After opening the box, I found the main unit and a number of accessories for installation and customization. The RACT is made from steel that appears to be powder-coated.

The main unit is a track that holds three components: the barrel lock, trigger guard, and stock support. Because the main track is slotted, each of these components can slide up and down to better fit your firearm.

I began by charging the battery for the barrel lock using the provided USB-C cable and a power bank. It is possible to charge the unit occasionally if you find yourself mounting away from power sources, but that isn’t optimal in my mind.

Intermittent powering might be good in austere mounting locations, but only if you’re very disciplined. I would likely forget, and the battery could be dead when I most needed it.

My preferred setup here is mounting close enough to a power source where I can run a dedicated line and leave the unit always plugged in. With a power outage, the RACT would simply rely on stored battery power.

During the testing period of a full month, I later learned that the RACT will beep every few seconds as the battery gets low. This gave me a little more peace of mind for mounting options away from a power source.

For the next step, I scanned my fingerprint into the device. This simple process consisted of pressing a button, which caused three red LEDs to light up.

I held my finger on the digital scanner, and it beeped. One of the red lights turned green, an intuitive indication that I was doing the right thing and simply needed to do two more.

I repeated the process two more times using slightly different angles. Each time, another LED turned green, acknowledging my fingerprint had been submitted.

With this completed, I was able to open the lock simply by touching my finger to the sensor and holding it there. The lock quickly popped open each time, within .2 seconds according to Vara Safety.

Configuration

Next, I picked out a rifle that I wanted to mount and tried to configure the RACT. The first one I selected would not fit because of a suppressor and a large weapon light.

This first rifle was a BCM Recce 16 and I suspect it would have fit fine normally, but I had a Gemtech suppressor and Cloud Defensive Owl installed and it was too much for the lock to close on.

The next rifle I tried was an Icon Defense, but I had a hard time getting that one to clear the trigger guard. There is an angled draw required in removing a firearm from the RACT.

In my case, I pulled the muzzle to the right and lifted it free. The second rifle I used had a more vertical Magpul MOE K2 XL and did not clear the RACT’s trigger guard easily.

My third rifle was an LWRCI DI-16 (with a less vertical grip angle) fit well, meaning I could close the lock, the trigger was covered, and the takedown pin was protected. After moving the three sections around, I tightened each into place with two nuts on the rear using a 10mm socket wrench that was not included.

It’s important to “dry fit” the RACT before you mount it, as the nuts that secure each section are located on the back. When you mount it to the wall (or elsewhere), you won’t be able to access them.

The RACT is pretty easy to configure so most folks should be able to tackle it. Simply loosen the two nuts on the back of each piece, wiggle them into the best fit, and tighten them back down.

Installation

Once I had the RACT configured for my rifle, I began the process of mounting it to a wall. Using a stud finder, I located a stud and marked it with a pencil.

One of the things I assessed for setup was gauging if the average person could install the RACT. I believe the average person absolutely can, though some tools like a pencil, cordless drill, stud finder, and maybe even a level would be a good idea.

Vara Safety provides three 3-inch screws as well as an extended Torx (T-10) bit driver. You need the extension because the screw mounts through raised, triangular-shaped cones that provide some tamper resistance for the screw heads.

I placed one cone and a screw through the middle of the RACT, into the stud. Next, I lined up the unit along the stud and sank the other two screws in through their cones.

Finally, I placed my rifle into the RACT and closed the lock. It clicked solidly into place. With a few tests, I opened the lock and removed the rifle.

You’ll want to make sure your mounting solution has clearance. I mounted vertically with the left side of the rifle facing out, requiring me to tilt the rifle to the right once the lock was open.

Keep in mind that much of the security provided by the RACT relies on how well you set it up. If you don’t configure it properly or don’t sink each screw into a stud, you could affect performance.

Tested

Over the course of the next several days, I accessed the RACT and removed my rifle. It was convenient, quick, and hassle-free.

The overall security was pretty well thought out. Vara Safety covers the trigger guard, making it difficult to access the trigger.

The kit also included padded adhesive strips to mount inside the barrel lock. This protects your barrel or forend and tightens up the grip of the barrel lock, preventing excessive wiggling.

In addition, the backside of the trigger guard includes a piece that extends to cover the takedown pin. If your setup has your rifle with the takedown pin out, this prevents the receiver from being opened.

At the bottom, the stock support is configurable as well. While the first two rifles I tried had larger butt stocks, the final one was smaller, so I was able to adjust to better fit.

Improvements We’d Like To See

If your rifle has an adjustable buttstock, you need to fully collapse it before storing it in the RACT. This keeps it more tamper-resistant, but potentially adds another thing you need to do before your rifle is ready to deploy.

Granted, if things are bad enough, I’m not going to worry about the perfect length of pull. I’ll just be glad I had a rifle ready to go.

Also, the clearance between the rifle’s magazine and grip doesn’t lend itself to grips with a straighter angle. Pulling the rifle out to the right causes straighter grips to hang up on the RACT’s trigger guard.

Who Is the Vara Safety RACT Biometric For?

Although Vara Safety lists the RACT as a safe, I’m a little pickier about definitions. To me, this is a rifle rack with a lock.

As such, it is best suited for secure environments where the speed of access is critical to you. While the RACT is pretty secure when properly mounted, every weapon security device can ultimately be defeated given time, tools, and skill.

The RACT does a great job of keeping a rifle relatively secure and super handy, but I would not leave a rifle in it while traveling on vacation.

By the Numbers

Reliability: 5/5

During the testing period, I accessed the RACT hundreds of times without fail. It popped open each time I pressed my finger to the sensor.

Access: 5/5

I appreciated just how quickly I was able to remove my rifle from the RACT. The biometric lock works quickly and pops open, clearing it out of the way.

Security: 2/5

Security and convenience are two sides of a coin. The RACT favors convenience, but does provide some security.

Customization:3/5

The RACT worked well for one rifle I had, but didn’t fit others, despite its ability to be configured to fit.

Value: 4/5

At a price around $400, the RACT provides some security but shines in convenience and speed of access.

 Overall: 4/5

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How We Tested the Vara Safety RACT Biometric

While I’ve had experience with other storage devices like the Hornady Rapid Safe, SecureIt’s Agile 52, and Model 84, these are fully enclosed and not in the same category.

In fact, a few years ago, I attended a training hosted by SecureIt, which focused on the challenges of accessing firearms from storage devices under pressure. Several of us were subjected to force-on-force scenarios and learned a great deal about what happens when you have to get your firearm and deploy it defensively — knowledge I applied when evaluating the RACT.

I received the RACT from Vara Safety and installed it according to the provided mounting directions.

From there, I configured it using online resources from Vara Safety’s site and the provided manual. After setting it up, I tried 3 rifles before landing on the LWRCI, which had the best fit.

Most of the observations I made were during the initial fitment, setup, and installation. Additional observations were made during the ensuing day-to-day use.

Meet the Experts

During my 22+ year career in law enforcement, I used a number of different firearms on duty and, on many occasions, had to secure those firearms. I’ve used a variety of safes, storage lockers, gun racks, and cable locks. This wide variety gives me a broader perspective with which to gauge the security and convenience of each of these devices.

In the course of my law enforcement career, I handled many stolen firearm reports. I saw, firsthand, the trouble that stolen guns caused for their owners. On the other side, I also witnessed the mayhem that stolen firearms cause by the bad guys who took them.

In addition, I’ve helped test safes here at Pew Pew Tactical, like the SecureIt Fastbox Model 20 and Model 84, which appear in the Best Gun Safes article.

I have also taken a course at The Site in Illinois that focused on training with your gun safe — and I wrote an article about that experience: Are You Training with Your Gun Safe?

Final Verdict on the Vara Safety RACT Biometric

The RACT represents a good option for gun owners who want a fairly secure storage option that is very convenient. It is configurable, but it has limitations as to what will fit within it based on its design.

To be clear, it is not Fort Knox, and much of the system’s security depends on the person who actually installed it. However, it shines in permissive environments where speed of access is the main objective.

If you’re looking for a solution that deters most people from theft while providing access to your rifle within .2 seconds, the RACT is a great choice. Just make sure your installation is solid!

Will you be picking up a Vara Safety RACT? Let us know in the comments below. We have a ton of articles on safe storage methods below to help you find the right method for you: Best Gun Safes, Best Bedside Gun Safes, Best Hidden Gun Safes, and Best Biometric Gun Safes.