Biometric Gun Safe

Status
Not open for further replies.
G

GlockFu

Member
Joined
Apr 6, 2009
Messages
53
Hello,

I'm looking for a tall but skinny biometric gun safe. This one is going to be purpose driven and hold only my CCW gun and a few others that I would use as my go to guns. I would prefer it to have some sort of fire rating although that's not my main concern. I need it to be slim to fit in a closet and don't need it to be big because this would just be for my go to guns. I'm looking at the Barska and Vaultek (Links below) but am thinking that there has to be a better option as neither of these are fire rated and the Vaultek is super expensive considering they only use 14ga steel. Price range is hopefully $1500 or less but could swing more if necessary. Any Ideas?

BARSKA Biometric Rifle Safe with Fingerprint Lock 9.75 x 8.63 x 52.13" AX11652 - Barska.com
RS200i | Vaultek Safe
 
Call me a Neanderthal or a Luddite, but I prefer non-electronics in my safes. Give me a S&G lock over an electronic of any type. I put a V-Line 5 button in my bedroom closet. Easy to break into by thieves? Yes. By the grandkids? No. Will it work every time? Yep. Do I worry about the battery? Nope.

That said I do have 3 of the 5 button electronic handgun safes and I've become religious about updating the batteries as I've had them fail when I didn't expect it.
 
I went looking for similar. First, I do not like biometrics. Batteries fail at the wrong time. Does it work when the “finger” is sweaty or greasy or bloody? I like mechanical locks (I went S&G on the bigger lock boxes). Though weak, a Simplex lock is about pattern. I have a couple different versions of the V Line product - wall mount or between the studs. Not much more than school house lockers, but it keeps “prying eyes” out of what they should not be messing with….

https://www.vlineind.com/shop/closet-vault-ii-in-wall-firearms-and-valuables-quick-access-safe/

https://www.vlineind.com/shop/shotgun-case-home-defense-shotgun-safe/
 
Biometrics are still a very immature technology.
The failures are legion.
Fingerprints on adhesive tape, the iPhone face exploit; just going around the biometrics and attacking the latch.

The trick of it is in finding the best fit for your needs. And, those needs will change. As will your perception of those needs.

Those VLine & similar units can be handy, as burying things in stud cavities is a slick way to use unused space (and can be very discrete). Note, though, you can't really get those into exterior walls, and Murphy is like to run an electrical wire or pipe right through the best location (and you are some at the mercy of how well the framers hit the stud spacing).

Firearm security is still a very young industry and is still feeling its way around. Which can feel odd given the age & experience the cash and valuables security industry has going for it. The two intersect, but it's a narrow sliver in the Venn Diagram.
 
Okay, thanks for the replies. Is the limiting factor the biometric portion. I guess I could settle for an electronic lock that is narrow like the two that are linked. If not then I guess I might try out the Vaultek.
 
I am not a fan of electronics for securing my defensive guns, however IMO there are much better options regarding security. The Vaultek just sells people on whistles and bells that mean nothing to me. It is a locker with some pretty neat organizing features and less security than many others at that price.

Take a look at something like this Sturdy Safe Slim Jim model. You can get a UL rated electronic lock since speed is a concern to access and it will be far more reliable over the years. If you do have an issue with the lock over time a replacement is readily available. No parts available on the two brands you are considering that I am aware of. Fire protection is better with thicker steel and drywall is probably meaningless for the most part in a fire.

https://www.sturdysafe.com/products/model-2016

I would always have my handgun in a Simplex safe next to my bed for my primary weapon while sleeping. I do keep a couple long gun options in the safe that are ready to go if needed and my wife would always head that direction in an emergency to arm herself and sit tight.
 
I used the Gunvault brand with an electronic keypad. Sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn't, and I never could figure out why. Eventually the batteries died, without warning, and I ended up cutting the thing open with a hacksaw, which took about 10 minutes.

At this point I have a low opinion of battery operated "safes" and don't think any of them are good for more than keeping young children away from the gun. If I was to buy another one, it would be one of the Simplex types like this one from Fort Knox. https://www.amazon.com/Fort-Knox-FTK-PB-Pistol-Handgun/dp/B004H6MKI8
 
FAS1 said:
I am not a fan of electronics for securing my defensive guns, however IMO there are much better options regarding security. The Vaultek just sells people on whistles and bells that mean nothing to me. It is a locker with some pretty neat organizing features and less security than many others at that price.

Take a look at something like this Sturdy Safe Slim Jim model. You can get a UL rated electronic lock since speed is a concern to access and it will be far more reliable over the years. If you do have an issue with the lock over time a replacement is readily available. No parts available on the two brands you are considering that I am aware of. Fire protection is better with thicker steel and drywall is probably meaningless for the most part in a fire.

https://www.sturdysafe.com/products/model-2016

I would always have my handgun in a Simplex safe next to my bed for my primary weapon while sleeping. I do keep a couple long gun options in the safe that are ready to go if needed and my wife would always head that direction in an emergency to arm herself and sit tight.
Click to expand...

I agree with you on Valtek selling on bells and whistles that I really don't need. I don't need an app on my phone, wifi connectivity, a remote blue tooth button and maybe even not biometric and the steel is still only 14ga which is why I figured there had to be something else better for my needs but maybe there's not? I'm not too big of a fan of the simplex locks due to the lack of security, I prefer something with locking bolts because I live in highly populated area where we are no stranger to crime. I do like that Sturdysafe but I need something narrower in width than 20 inches because where I am putting it is a very small closet. I wish they made something 5-6 inches narrower, I would most likely take you up on that recommendation instead if they did. If they made it in a 12-15 inch width, that thing would pretty much fill everything I'm looking for.

I have safes that use both dial and electric. I do prefer the electric for ease of use. Yes, you do have to worry about batteries going dead but I keep them on tap incase they do run out. The only issues I've had with them running out of batteries was when it was on a safe that I barely used so I wouldn't open it for months and come back to a dead battery. If I use it as I intend to (at least twice a day minimum) then I don't see it being a problem since I will know the battery is running low before it dies.

Thanks for all the responses! Any other ideas like the Sturdysafe but narrower?
 
Last edited:
For awhile I had a nice electronic safe. Had bells and whistles. Fingerprint unlock, bluetooth, alarm if moved, even charging ports for my phone. Worked great, until it didn't anymore and I had to use the manual override to get my EDC firearm out. Now, give me a Simplex lock any day.
 
FAS1 said:
I would contact Sturdy since they will do custom sizes. I have no idea about cost or time. Let us know if you do.
Click to expand...

I contacted them as you suggested. The good news is that they definitely do custom sizes for people. The bad news for me is that their minimum width is 20". He said that they've tried making them narrower in the past and it didn't work well with their locking mechanism. Their customer service was really good so I would definitely consider them when I get another safe for storage purposes.
 
GlockFu said:
I contacted them as you suggested. The good news is that they definitely do custom sizes for people. The bad news for me is that their minimum width is 20". He said that they've tried making them narrower in the past and it didn't work well with their locking mechanism. Their customer service was really good so I would definitely consider them when I get another safe for storage purposes.
Click to expand...

Good to know, thanks.

I know you said for in the closet, but there's probably not much available that is better than the Barska in that size. As an option, what about under the bed?

Here's an AMSEC that uses their UL listed lock with an electronic keypad. Better quality than most under the bed storage options, although limited space.

DV652-B-1040x1000.jpg

https://residential.amsecusa.com/product/dv652/
 
CapnMac said:
Can that be bolted down? I don't see that in their specs.
Or, for that matter, "up"? Which might be handy for apartment dwellers to fasten the thing up under the bedframe.
Click to expand...

It does have 4 mounting holes. I think they are on the bottom. Since it is 14GA it would be easy enough to drill mounting holes on the top to mount to a bed frame. You would probably need to put a support piece to mount the rear to.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

pyle
  • Locked
Anyone Use A Biometric Handgun Safe?
Replies
3
Views
728
inserthumorhere
I
P
  • Locked
Single gun safe
Replies
14
Views
1K
Peter M. Eick
P
T
  • Locked
Barska Biometric "safe" issues
Replies
2
Views
1K
Teachu2
T
D
  • Locked
Stolen guns! Need best biometric safe
Replies
16
Views
858
FAS1
FAS1
O
61,000 biometric gun safes recalled over potentially deadly malfunction
Replies
17
Views
1K
Meeks36
Meeks36
Back
Top