[Partisan Ranger]

I have a 7 year-old in the house, and while I don't believe he would ever mess with my pistols (I let him handle them whenever, when I'm around), I have been nervous about them being easily accessible. Other kids do come and go sometimes, and if someone ever breaks in when I'm not there, I don't want to arm a criminal.

So I got 2 GunVault pistol safes, a double for upstairs and a single for down. After hearing about that horror story of the two cretins in Kansas that broke into a townhouse, kidnapped the inhabitants, raped and killed most of them, I decided I want a gun on both floors.

Anyway, these safes are pretty nifty. I particularly like the no-sight keypad. Here's the link.

http://www.safetysafeguards.com/site/402168/product/GV12102

[larryw]

Good choice there.

We've had one upstairs for a couple years for the same reasons you mentioned: I know our kids won't play with the guns, but our house is the gathering place for all the neighbor kids and I can't trust they've been properly trained.

I like the tamper alarm, found it blinking once and had a long talk with the boy who was visiting that day. He won't be doing that again.

We get in ours several times a week for dry-firing practice: batteries once a year and you're fine.

[Dave Markowitz]

Good choice.

I've had a Minivault for several years now and it offers easy access, yet it's secure.

[Partisan Ranger]

BTW, I got the double safe for upstairs because it gives me a good excuse to buy another gun! C'mon dear, we can't let that safe sit there half empty (or half full, depending on your world view). :evil:

And, I really wanted the safe so that I can keep my pistols locked and loaded. There's no way, obviously, you can keep a cocked/locked handgun in a drawer if kids are around, no matter how well you train them. I was keeping my K-9 with a mag in, chamber empty. Now it's ready to rock and roll all the time.

[TonyB]

Yeah I got a cheap pistol safe for the bedroom and I recently realized that all I did was put my handguns in a handy carrying case for the robber.....I need to upgrade to a real pistol safe.....I'll be checking out the website you posted......thanks.......:cool:

[Ringer]

I have a similar handgun safe in my bedroom for the same reason. One thing the gunvault has that mine doesn't is the option to turn off the audio feedback. The beeping bugs me when i'm opening the safe.

I unlock and open the door on mine at night and lock it when I get up in the morning.

[Penforhire]

Good choice. My double has enough room for a revo, a semi, speed loaders & mags, an extra box of pistol ammo PLUS a box of 12 ga (so I can keep my 870 in the closet unloaded and unlocked).

[DigMe]

I'm definitely planning on getting one of those after we have kids. That no-look keypad is such a great invention.

brad cook

[Hoop]

Too bad the Carr brothers didn't try and commit their crime on someone with a gun. Then again, a swift bullet to the head would have been too good for those scumbags.

(Crimes happened here in Wichita a few years ago. Tried and convicted last fall.)

[roscoe]

I've got the two-pistol size GunVault, although right now it holds four. I highly recommend bolting it to something - mine has four lags in the closet wall studs.

[anapex]

I've been looking at safes like the gunvault for sometime now. My big question is where/how do you mount them? Personally I'd like them near where I sleep so I was thinking maybe bolted in to some thick plywood that's suspend by the frame of my bed but I wanted to find out what others do.

[larryw]

They're bolted to the wall or bed/drawer/etc using lag screws and they come with a drilling template to help with the installation. Once its properly screwed down, its not going anywhere. I also believe they offer a model with a cable lock to secure it to something like a bed, again, to keep it from walking away.

[bubbygator]

My HiPower sits in one on the floor against my bed (it's blocked from sight by a tableclothed night-table). I've been thinking similar thoughts about tying it down to the bed frame - it has to be something that doesn't bother the wife, or I'll get stuck making the bed all the time.

I searched hard before I choose GunVault - it's a good design.

[shooter.45]

I have one and its by the side of the bed. When I leave for a extended period of Time the gun gets put in the Big Safe. I would not really trust that safe to a burglar it does not look like it would be that hard to get into.. But I do like mine for quick access.

[curt]

I'm not real thrilled with mine, its too easy to get ahead of its clock. I have a combination programmed in that i can key very quickly. The weird thing is that if i key it slow it goes, if i key it fast it doesn't, if i key it fast i can then key it fast again within a fairly short window and it goes just fine. Been that way since i got it and when i called the company they gave me all of these lame tips like the battery type, watching how the foam was packed around it etc. I can't recommend it.

[Unisaw]

I have a standard MultiVault and am very happy with it. To date, no malfunctions of any kind. I do have the security cable and found it to be easy to install and use.

[hammer4nc]

Mine sits on the lower shelf of the nightstand. I attached a Kryptonite cable (loops at both ends). One end attached to the back of the box, using a u-shaped cable clamp (two small holes in the box, nuts inside.)
Other end bolted to floor joist, under the bed.

I like the product.:)

[RLadd21]

Thanks for posting the site. I've been looking for this in stores but ordered from the website. My wife just hates me keeping them in the closet next to the bed like I have been. She doesn't want them to just be out with kids around. (Um, honey, we don't have any kids yet.)

Rob

[Erik Jensen]

I mounted mine upside down under my desk. keeps it out of sight, but quick to aquire. only steps from bed or nearly at hand while on the computer.

[aquapong]

I just recently got a Mini and a Multi myself. The Multi is actually coming tomorrow. The Mini is mounted to the desk just to my right. It contains the keys to my safe to my left with the longguns, as well as a Glock 19 and a spare mag. The Multi will soon be mounted in the bedroom and housing my other Glock 19 w/spare and my fiance's Taurus 605 w/some speed strips. Each Glock has an M3 on it.

[chaim]

I plan to get one myself. No kids around, but it isn't a bad idea to keep a gun locked up yet still accessable. First, the way things are these days it might come in handy against civil liability (the gun can be stolen and in some areas that can land you in civil court, you shoot dangerous intruder his family's lawyers try to say you accidentally shot him, visiting kids are poorly behaved enough to go through your stuff and get your gun, etc). Of course, for reasons other than civil liability I don't want a chance that visiting kids get a hold of my guns or that they get stolen. Last (and most important), is personal safety- it is always possible that a BG could break in without you noticing, plenty of stories around of people first noticing an intruder when he is in their bedrooms, and I'd hate to provide them with the gun to use to shoot me.

. After hearing about that horror story of the two cretins in Kansas that broke into a townhouse, kidnapped the inhabitants, raped and killed most of them, I decided I want a gun on both floors.
Um, good to have an extra gun ready to go in your safe downstairs, but in this kind of situation that won't do you much good. Much better to drop a J-frame or similar sized auto in your pocket (with a pocket holster of course) while you are at home so you have quicker access to a gun (home invasions will probably be too quick for you to get to your safe). Like you I am in a non-carry state and it isn't too much trouble to drop it in your pocket at home and take it out before you go. If you were in a CCW state I'd say to just continue CCWing your gun until you went to bed.

[Partisan Ranger]

chaim, I see your point. I am picking up a Glock 27 today and it's a pretty tiny gun, so I think I'll probably tend to carry it more than my K-9. I love the K-9; it's a great shooter and built like a tank, but I can't get used to carrying 30 ounces of steel in my waist band.

[americanbulldog]

I got two as well. Both are the two level safes. On my side of the bed is my Sig 220 and a Kimber Tactical Custom. On my wife's side of the bed is a Sig 226 and a Sig 2340.

[CasualShooter]

I've had two mini gun vaults for perhaps 10 years? They are great! Follow manufacturers recommendations on brand of batteries and change interval and have had no problems. :) Batteries DO need to be changed at least once a year though. If you try to go longer, you will likely find that you need to open it with the included key.

I intend to get a couple more for my vehicles when I find them at the right price. It's a great product. :D

[UnSafe]

Someone had recently posted a link to this storage vault- http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.gsp?cat=4155&dept=4125&product_id=2221464&path=0%3A4125%3A4155%3A5220 . I checked out their website, seems similar to my Multivault, but a bit less expensive. I need to mount one in my truck for when CC isn't an option. Anyone have experience with these?
PS- Mark your calendar for the one year replacement interval of Gunvault batteries along with the smoke alarms. Use Duracell or Duracell Ultra batteries. The others crap out too soon.

[Penforhire]

I got mine from Midsouthshooter's supply at what I think was a great price. Anyone find a cheaper source?

[sm]

http://www.handgunsafe.com/safes.htm

My experience is with Simplex. One I have had goes back a lot of years. In various settings: home, business, vehicles ... same idea, tad different design.

For instance FL( and others) states a "lockable container"...meets reqs. if one has to leave a firearm in vehicle. But have used to secure valuable items. Say one needs to hide cash in an alternate location. One young lady has one bolted in her vehicle, college campus, only I and family knows she has one...its hidden, but credit cards, jewelry, "insurance" - ahem -when she drives back home.

Not just for guns.

The smartest thing is to NOT TELL/SHOW anyone!
Same deal with Fort Knox "security books"...if one is smart they will not advertise they sell, or have one. The BG's know this stuff better than the GG...and they GGs wonder why the BG was able to find a hidden safe/book/closet/false floor....

I knew an elderly lady whom hid valuables in a box(s) of cereal...she returned from vacation to find her cereal all upon floor and kitchen table and valuables taken. She probably kept telling friends about her "idea" until the idea fell on criminal ears. Yep a grandson and his friend heard about this from granny...granny didn't "mean" to...

Don't want to where or what ...and no offense...but I ain't sharing either.;)
General idea, no specifics ...in case we have some "not so honest lurkers".

[Sven]

Love mine.

"Beep-beep-beep-CERCHUNK"

I like how you can program 'chords' with the keypad - gives more combinations... despite this, in my opinion, multi-finger patterns make it hard to open quickly, and 1% of the time I screw up, even during the day.

Can I turn off the beep? Seems it might give away location in a night encounter.

[larryw]

To disable the Keypad Sound (beeps), press and hold the Learn Button (the button inside the safe near the latch) seven times, and then press and hold buttons 2 and 3 for 5 seconds. The Keypad Sound is now disabled.

[Stevie-Ray]

Love mine also. Just got it a few months ago. It stays open at night as my gun sits within easy reach. It gets closed in the morning.

[pytron]

While I enjoy my multivault deluxe safe, (which I purchased from Midsouth shooters supply, by far the best price on the internet), I have a few bones to pick.

I find that I am too fast for the keypad. I guess that's a hazard from typing on a computer all day. I have to deliberately slow myself down.

Programming the thing, in general, is a terrible experience. God help you if you lose your manual. I'm not sure they could make a simplier mechanism without adding to the cost, but it might be worthwhile.

I like the light function as I am often removing or placing guns with the lights out, and it's nice to have a light for a few seconds.

My 2 cents,
-Pytron

[Shawn Dodson]

God help you if you lose your manual. If you do, it's available on their web site, http://www.gunvault.com/owner_manual.asp

[Blackmoon]

I am just wondering if anyone has a manual for the older style multivaults. The ones that have regular cut keys not the cylinder type keys. I really need one cause I forgot how to program it. Or maybe somebody could just email me on how to program it. Any way thanks.:banghead:

[PCLazarus]

+1 on losing the manual! My minivault has been in storage for many years. Yesterday I purchased a new P229 and need to use the safe again.
My dilemma is that my model is no longer being produced and I can't get the instructions to change the code from the default "1, 2, 3, 4"???
Can anyone help? Mine is similar to the guy who posted just before me (normal key, no "learn" button/beeps, etc.)
Thanks.

[treymenger]

Good choice. Ive got one of em mounted underneath the frame of my bed. With the covers made up, you cant even see it without getting on the floor. And with practice, you can open this safe in a heartbeat.

[PCLazarus]

Yes...I recommend this safe to everyone.

Any chance you could share with me how you change the code? I've replaced the batteries and have the original key, but am stumped as to how to change the default number....

[PCLazarus]

For those who may find themselves in similar need, I did some more digging and found THIS (http://web.archive.org/web/20030312061541/gunvault.com/data/QUIKST3.pdf) link.

[bamf2]

i also have to slow down my punches. I really should have gotten the safe with the fingerprint read. That's probably the quickest access i could think of if it works. Anyone played with those ones? There is a discount site on the web if you look for it hard enough with google that offers them at half the factory price. dont remember the name now.

[Sven]

Hey all. Great safes IMO. A few updated observations.... I've had two failures to date with my gun vault:

1) Dead batteries after 15 months of light usage - so now I change every year like UnSafe.

2) A battery dislodged when moving the safe - so I had to find the key. :) Note: upon inspection I found that I had a slightly loose screw on the battery pack. Only 1mm of room was needed to have a battery come out - those with this safe mounted upside down might want to check that out.

These won't defeat a dedicated thief with time and tools but should keep the kiddies and kitties away.

[yongxingfreesty]

i think many people on here have a gun in each room, lol. but if u have kids running around, not a good idea. hoep everything works out

[SSN Vet]

I've had it for 4 years now......and I'm still on the origonal batteries.....opens every time!! (O.K. I really should change them out)

Open it every morning and again at night.

Keep the combo. really simple.

keep the audible tone turned off.

I want one for the down stairs two....but will have to wait for funds.....I've taken to carrying in the house in the mean time.

Greatest thing since sliced bread.

[K96771]

With the door open, look around the back of the lock mechanism for a button to push. Mine is on the hinge side. It clears the code and allows you to reprogram.

[shadowalker]

They are a great idea, I have one on my side of the bed and it takes me about 2 seconds to open it. Mine has an external DC jack so it can be powered by a wall plug as primary and only use the batteries for a secondary power source.

I will be putting one on the other side of the bed for Christmas :). I wouldn't mind having one upstairs but I carry all the time anyway.

[MAKster]

Is the shelf in the multivault strong enough to hold a pistol or is it just for light objects?