Which Bedside Pistol "Safe?"

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Bobson

Bobson

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Kendall County, TX
I'm looking for a bedside lockbox/safe for my pistol. Just wondering what some of the members here use, which models/types you might have tried but didn't like, which ones you really like, etc.

Basically just looking for a means of locking up my pistol and a spare mag, for quick access should something go bump in the night. I don't need this bedside box to protect my pistol from theft; just to keep it out of the hands of my kids (age 6 and 3). All other guns will be locked up elsewhere.

I don't really have any specific criteria other than the ability to lock while offering quick access (basically open to anything except access via a key and a dial-style combo lock), opens reliably (and stays closed reliably), and of course the ability to hold a "duty" sized pistol and spare magazine. Not really sure how I want to mount it quite yet, so I'm open to various styles, so long as it does attach/secure in some way. Don't want the kids walking off with it...

Thanks.
 
I have a Gun Box version 1.0 scratch and dent model that works great that I bought about 3 years ago. With my newborn son was starting to get around, I knew I needed something more secure than my defunct Winchester eVault. I only have 2 issues with the GunBox, that you might not even agree with. 1) My version does not have a keypad backup, however the 2.0 does. 2) The interior is small for me. Although it does hold a full size 1911 with enough room for a spare magazine or flashlight, I would have liked room for 2 firearms.

https://www.thegunbox.com/products/2-0-rf-keypad
 
I've been considering a Fort Knox---the thickest steel and hinge I've seen so far and I like the simplex lock feature---I just can't decide if I want top openeng or end opening---the top opening opening model would sure facilitate lag bolting it to the floor though!
 
Hanzo581 said:
I use this one. Plugs in but has a battery back up, is lighted inside and has a backup key just in case. Opens very quickly. (you can certainly find them cheaper)

http://www.gunvault.com/gv1000c-dlx.html
Click to expand...

I have the non-plug in version, and have used it for about 5 years. On 3rd set of batteries or so with regular use. It is quick to use and works every time.

-however-

I went "upscale" when I got one for the wife and got the biometric version. Complete waste of money. It forgets the fingerprints every 6 months or so. I called tech support the first time, and they had me reset it. That lasted until the warranty was over. It now has to be used with a key every time. By the way, it cost $100 more than the four-finger combo box.

Even with this experience, I will probably get her a new one with the 4 finger lock.
 
maxxhavoc said:
I have the non-plug in version, and have used it for about 5 years. On 3rd set of batteries or so with regular use. It is quick to use and works every time.

-however-

I went "upscale" when I got one for the wife and got the biometric version. Complete waste of money. It forgets the fingerprints every 6 months or so. I called tech support the first time, and they had me reset it. That lasted until the warranty was over. It now has to be used with a key every time. By the way, it cost $100 more than the four-finger combo box.

Even with this experience, I will probably get her a new one with the 4 finger lock.
Click to expand...

Yeah, biometrics is one of those things that can easily be implemented poorly. I'd never trust it in an emergency. I've only had mine three years or so but I like not having to worry about changing batteries. Though it is nice that it notifies you when its low on power if you go with just the battery version.
 
John Joseph said:
I've been considering a Fort Knox---the thickest steel and hinge I've seen so far and I like the simplex lock feature---I just can't decide if I want top openeng or end opening---the top opening opening model would sure facilitate lag bolting it to the floor though!
Click to expand...

I have one of each. I prefer the top opening. The front opening model has much less room in it. And the buttons are easier to reach on the top. But I have one front opening model because that lock box is in a bathroom cabinet & the sink's plumbing pipe is in the way of the top opening.
 
I received one of these as a rebate:

http://www.libertysafe.com/handgun-vault-hd-100-quick-vault-ps-36-pg-124.html

Key to using them... PRACTICE! When something goes bump in the night, you want to use muscle memory to open them, not fart around trying to remember a combination. I don't try to open them with four fingers like a fingerprint scanner - just use your index finger to push the sequence.

It's not a theft deterrent - it's a kid deterrent. It did come with a cable but I haven't used that yet. I should.
 
Any of these from Fort Knox:

http://www.deansafe.com/fort-knox-handgun-safes.html

I have 2 top loaders, and will probably get a front loader soon. What really sold me is the Simplex lock, I can program it to whatever I want the combo to be, and I never have to worry about a dead battery or the electronics going wonky on me. Its a safe that will probably be passed on to my kids.

Another nice thing is a lot of those electronic safes emit "beeps" when unlocking them, while the Fort Knox safes are pretty much silent.
 
bassjam

Thanks for the link. I especially like the Fort Knox PB1 model as I would prefer a mechanical lock to that of an electronic one.
 
John Joseph said:
I've been considering a Fort Knox---the thickest steel and hinge I've seen so far and I like the simplex lock feature---I just can't decide if I want top openeng or end opening---the top opening opening model would sure facilitate lag bolting it to the floor though!
Click to expand...

It's a good choice, but not the thickest steel or heaviest hinge available in a "Simplex" lock handgun safe or any handgun safe for that matter. The door is 7GA and the body is 10GA. Do you know what is the hinge made of? I think the PB1 has a piano hinge? Not sure about the hinge on the other models.

You might look at these features if you want one with versatile mounting and some unique features that no one else offers in a mechanical push-button locking handgun safe. It is 7GA steel on all sides and the door. The hinge is a 3/8" solid pin welded in place and covered by the door.

http://www.fas1safe.com/about.html

18301117_10154355869171875_8307758012539951867_n.jpg
 
Hanzo581 said:
I use this one. Plugs in but has a battery back up, is lighted inside and has a backup key just in case. Opens very quickly. (you can certainly find them cheaper)

http://www.gunvault.com/gv1000c-dlx.html
Click to expand...

I would avoid all the incarnations of the evault/gunvault like the plague. They have a fundamental flaw with the opening mechanism. The door is connected to a very small metal rod that, when pulled, the door opens. The rod is connected by a braided plastic cable. When the correct combination or bio metric is imputed, a gear spins, pulling the braided cord, pulling the metal rod, thus opening the door. I know this because the rod and cable snapped in my two year old Winchester evault. Thankfully my firearm was not in it at the time.
 
herrwalther said:
I would avoid all the incarnations of the evault/gunvault like the plague. They have a fundamental flaw with the opening mechanism. The door is connected to a very small metal rod that, when pulled, the door opens. The rod is connected by a braided plastic cable. When the correct combination or bio metric is imputed, a gear spins, pulling the braided cord, pulling the metal rod, thus opening the door. I know this because the rod and cable snapped in my two year old Winchester evault. Thankfully my firearm was not in it at the time.
Click to expand...

Is that a common problem? Did I miss a recall?
 
John Joseph said:
Being in California wish the Fas1 was CA DOJ approved
Click to expand...

I do too, but the cost burden on such a small manufacturer just isn't justified for one State right now. Here's where FAS1 safes are currently sold the most. Go figure. Seems like plenty of people realize how useless the DOJ rating is. I would like to see the list of failed tests because it seems like everything submitted has passed their standards.

FAS1 Sales By State 2017.jpg
 
herrwalther said:
Gunvault had a recall several years ago (2012-2013) for their small sized combo lock. Mine was the eV1200 model. From what I can tell this weak opening system is used on a bunch of other gun safes by several different makers. Which is why I went for something out of the box.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Winchester-eVault-eV-1200-Personal-Electronic-Safe/5402816
Click to expand...

Gotcha. I thought you meant it was like a rampant problem. I only open mine weekly so I doubt I'll run into an issue of wearing the lock mech out.
 
herrwalther said:
I would avoid all the incarnations of the evault/gunvault like the plague. They have a fundamental flaw with the opening mechanism. The door is connected to a very small metal rod that, when pulled, the door opens. The rod is connected by a braided plastic cable. When the correct combination or bio metric is imputed, a gear spins, pulling the braided cord, pulling the metal rod, thus opening the door. I know this because the rod and cable snapped in my two year old Winchester evault. Thankfully my firearm was not in it at the time.
Click to expand...

Like this? Not sure that is still the current design or if it has been changed in recent years. I haven't heard of that in a while.

GunVaultBrokenCable.jpg
 
Hanzo581 said:
Gotcha. I thought you meant it was like a rampant problem. I only open mine weekly so I doubt I'll run into an issue of wearing the lock mech out.
Click to expand...

It was a big enough problem for me to avoid the design entirely. I spent $200 on ev1200 model when I bought it. And I expected more than 2 years of use out of it. By comparison, I opened the evault twice a day on average for the length I had it. Open in the morning to get my gun out, open again for gun in at night time. I have already gotten 5 years this December out of the Gun Box I paid $150 for.

FAS1 said:
Like this? Not sure that is still the current design or if it has been changed in recent years. I haven't heard of that in a while.
Click to expand...

A little blurry but yes, that is what the mechanism looked like when I opened mine. I tried looking around hardware stores and places like that to find the supplies I needed to fix that little cable, since the warranty was long gone on the evault. I expected the mechanics to be much more robust than the small metal and plastic that I saw inside.
 
I recently bought 2 safes.

I bought a stack-on pds-1500 drawer safe for 30usd from amazon warehouse, the box was destroyed but the safe was spotless. I put that in the bottom of my nightstand. Not exactly efficient and I need to practice with it to make sure I can get it open. I keep my CC pistol in here with a spare mag. I keep another mag (for the speedvault pistol) and a flashlight in the same drawer.

More recently I bought a speedvault for 60usd (with rebate) from costco last month. I hung that in our walk in closet as I didn't want to mangle our nice real wood ethan allen nightstand.

I have kids and an almost 7 year old boy who might be too curious for his own good even though I've been taking him out shooting (ruger 22/45 and a 22 bolt action rifle).

Update: the pds500 is the one that can be picked with a paper clip, not the pds1500.
 
Last edited:
IMG_2597.JPG I use a VelocityVault by Cannon. It works well so far. I keep the batteries fresh every three months or so. I have used it with my full size 1911, and this is it with my G43. I also have young kids and wanted quick access. Every time I think of it I open it up to practice the muscle memory.
 
This velocityvault is the same as speedvault. Currently I have a fullsize gen2 glock 20 sitting in mine.
Costco by us still has these for 99usd. Keeping track of the batteries is pretty important on them.
 
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