Gun safe options for nightstand drawer?

[dschwartz69]

Anyone out there have suggestions for a small handgun safe that fits in the nightstand drawer? Only needs to hold full size semiauto and several magazines.

I currently have a Brink's 5074 Keypad safe (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/images/B000068LA7/ref=dp_otherviews_2/002-0797411-1520037?ie=UTF8&s=hi&img=2) in my nightstand drawer for my Beretta 92FS but am looking for something a little quicker/simpler to open for my wife's nightstand.

Can you provide feedback on what you have or have used in the past and what you did or did not like about them?

Thanks,

David.

 

[bumm]

I have a small pistol safe under my bed with a push button combination. Five buttons, and you have to push three in the right order. It not only keeps snooping kids out, (mine are all grown, but...) it also makes sure that I'm lucid before I can get to my gun.
I bought it many years ago and that particular maker is no longer in business, but there are very similar safes available.
Marty

 

[Car Knocker]

What is the purpose of the safe? To deter your kids and their friends?

 

[Q-Lock]

Personally, I would think a safe for the use of storing your handgun in the nightstand defeats the purpose of keeping the firearm in your nightstand to begin with.

Do you have your firearm near you for personal protection, in case of burglary/break-in? Why would you want to hinder your ability to quickly access your firearm? Perhaps I am missing something...and if so, I apologize.

This is of course just my personal opinion.

Regards,

 

[Mandirigma]

When I was living in a home with children I went out and bought one of these: http://www.gunvault.com/

It took a while to get used to but, within a couple of weeks it was second nature.

 

[TX1911fan]

I use this, and it's great. Ready access, but keeps it out of the hands of the kids. Plus, I used it for air travel.

http://www.botac.com/frariipica.html

 

[Thefabulousfink]

Personally, I would think a safe for the use of storing your handgun in the nightstand defeats the purpose of keeping the firearm in your nightstand to begin with.

+1

If you want fast access, but to keep it out of sight/mind of the casual observer/thief you could put in a false bottom. Get a nightsand with a deep drawer. find a thin but strong board (3 to 4 mm should do) that matches the material of the drawer. Put a rail around 3 of the 4 sides about 2" up from the bottom. The rails should stop a few inches from the side w/o a rail. Cut the board to fit in the drawer, it should move freely but not appear loose.

The board will rest ontop of the rails and look like the bottom of the drawer. To access the secret compartment, simply push down on the edge w/o the rail to support it.

This is a simple setup that just about anyone could put together. A skilled carpenter could probably build somthing that included hinges and a lock. The one down side is if you put lots of junk in the drawer it will slow down your accesss time.

Edit: Keep in mind, this will not protect against nosey kids. The best protection is eduaction.

 

[leadcounsel]

http://www.sentrysafe.com/Series.asp?r=1

I have one of these, I think it cost about $20-30. I can fit a full sized handgun, spare mag, and surefire size light inside.

The drawback is that it won't fit in a standard drawer, but I don't think you'll find a gunsafe that will.

The benefits are that it offers some theft protection, nosy children protection and fireresistance (albeit probably minor). You can also bolt the safe to the bedframe or the floor. This particular safe will really only work well on a level flat surface and not on its end.

It doesn't have a key code, but I don't find that problematic. I have the small key attached to my keyring (with house keys, car key etc.) and every night I just unlock the safe (on the floor next to my bed) and open it up so it's ready. In the morning I lock it up and take my keys.

Another idea. It could also make a great decoy for theft. Hide your handgun elsewhere and just fill it with a brick instead of your handgun. A thief may take this (and weight him down 20 lbs) and make off with what he thinks is a gun but instead is just a brick.

 

[ArmedBear]

I have a GunVault, I think, of one sort or another. It takes less time to hit the buttons than it does to fiddle with some silly homebuilt contraption in a nightstand drawer, and it pops open. In it, I can keep extra magazines, keys to other things, etc., in addition to the pistol.

Works fine for me.

I don't really care to come home and find someone ELSE with my gun in his hand. And we have a dog who will alert us to anyone trying to get in, or even coming to the door. The only faster access I would have would be to wear a holster.

 

[dschwartz69]

Biggest concern is the children in the house (2 and 4 year olds). Also, frequently have several kids/moms over for afternoon play sessions, etc. So other kids who I do not know/trust are in the house (hopefully not in our bedroom, but you never know).

I personally would prefer to have a holster mounted on the side of the mattress between bed and nightstand and have even though of putting one together and putting gun in holster before bed - then returning to safe when wake up. But the thought of either forgetting to put in safe before leaving for work or one of the kids coming in to the room at night is too risky; remember they are only 2 and 4.

Thanks,

David.

 

[cassandrasdaddy]

biometric

there is a safe designed to mount between wall studs and open to a print

http://www.smarthome.com/74663B.HTML
not cheap but you can allow up to 5 folks access and your fingerprint is easy to remember