Experience, good or bad: handgun safes with simplex locks

Hi Rmeju,

I know my opinion might be viewed as biased, but I will tell you my opinion on basically the locks used on the brands you are interested in. There are two brands available and I have used both with excellent results over the last 6.5 years. I have experienced only one broken button return spring on a lock in that time. It was on a Kaba brand lock and that was in 2011 and the lock still functioned. I did switch brands to the Illinois Lock version that same year, but quality was not part of that decision for me.

I offer a 1 year warranty since the components that I purchase from various manufactures have that warranty. I would not let that influence you on your decision as all these manufactures make very good handgun safes. These locks will probably last you a lifetime, but in the case you do wear one out over time, you can just buy a replacement lock.

From my experience when someone cannot access their handgun safe it is usually just after they purchase it and go to change the default combination. As long as you verify that your new combination is working properly before you close the safe, I doubt you will have any issues with the lock. Just don't forget your new combination.

Take a look at the different styles and features and find the one that fits your application the best and you will be happy with your purchase. While all these have similarities and use a mechanical push button lock, they also have significant differences/features as well.

Good luck and thanks for considering FAS1 safes for your needs.

Actually I recommend any handgun safe to be bolted down, including mine. I do not supply any mounting hardware since there are so many different mounting possibilities with my safes. Also, there are no pre-drilled mounting holes. My safes can be mounted from any side or from the bottom and they can also be mounted in any orientation. Most commonly they are mounted vertically or horizontally, but they have also been mounted standing on end and even upside down.
If I punched all the holes needed to mount from the bottom or any side, it would look like Swiss cheese and provide very little security in my opinion. I don't like unused holes in any handgun safe or gaps that are accessible and that's the reason there are no pre-punched holes. I know it's a little inconvenient, but seems to be the best solution without the added and most of the time unnecessary cost of a mounting plate.
My recommendation is once you locate where you want to drill the holes use a small diameter bit, such as a 1/8" to drill a pilot hole. Then it will be easier to drill to the size you need. 1/4" to 3/8" are common sizes used. Just make sure there is no interference with anything in the safe like the gas spring or the guns movement. Lock nuts on the inside are a good idea if bolts are used. Hex head lag bolts can also be used from the inside if attaching to relatively thick wood like a wall stud.

If you use Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, or Google+, you can find me and see some mounting ideas that I post from customers. I don't get a lot, but what I do I try to share.

Thegunbox.com ....

A forum topic often brought up is www.thegunbox.com .
It is available in different versions or budget styles.
If you want a simple, safe, tamper resistant holder for one handgun(bedroom or office defense), the Gun Box isn't a bad idea. There are mobile(vehicle) add-ons you can buy too.

Glenn,

I see you (FAS) are located in San Antonio. Do you have a shop there or is that where you build your safes?

By the way, I love my FAS1 and need to get another one. I just have not "got around to it".

Just curious.

Hi Peter,

Yes, I build the safes here in SA, but I don't have a retail location since I ship all over the US and Canada. A very small percentage of my sales are local.

Thanks for the thumbs up, it's always very rewarding to hear from satisfied customers.

I have a ranch west of SA so I was thinking of just dropping by your storefront to buy my next one. Obviously that won't work.

I will get busy and get it ordered off your web site. I use my one here in Houston so much that I miss it when I am at the ranch. It is nice to just drop my carry gun into it and lock it up instead of setting it on the counter.

I use the Fort Knox Pistol Box and I own 2. One I have had for quite a few years now. They have given flawless performance, and the use of a basic mechanical lock means they are practically upkeep free and will not fail should an electronic circuit fail. In my opinion, the Simplex lock is the best choice for this type of product.

Like all products in this class, these are not products made to provide significant amounts burglary protection. More so, they are to keep guns away from children, keep them locked up from wandering eyes, and offer a rapid access system should the gun be needed ASAP. Bolting the box to the ground and hiding it behind something will greatly increase this burglary protection IMO.

The AmSec has had some design issues. They may have since been fixed.

I prefer any locking system to be on the top, if it's something I'm going to need in a hurry. The joys of arthritis - it's easier for me to push down, than to push the buttons on the face.

Mark H.

Most of the consumer level security boxes and "safes" on the market will keep small kids out. And that's about all they're good for.

Most of the consumer level security boxes and "safes" on the market will keep small kids out. And that's about all they're good for.

Click to expand...

I would go as far to say all. I believe that the best of these products provide minimal protection from a penetration attack, and the worst of these products provide absolutely zero protection.

The Fort Knox Pistol Box, considered by many to be about as good as this type of product can get, is made of 10 gauge steel...and that is a LOT thicker than most other products of this type. In terms of armor capability, 10 gauge steel armor will, at absolute best, slow someone marginally. Nonetheless, the Fort Knox Pistol Box uses solid construction, quality welds, a reliable mechanical Simplex lock, and strong boltwork. For this type of product, I think it is an outstanding choice.

In the past few years, this type of fast-access safe has gained a very bad reputation. A major reason is because a few giant companies produce this type of product using the cheapest of imported parts, super thin steel, shallow welds, weak locking components, and unreliable & insecure locks. They flood the market with their junk along with incredibly good advertising. These products are so easy to defeat I do not consider most to be a child resistant storage solution, and they are so unreliable that I do not consider them a good choice if their reliable function could be the difference between life and death.

I also feel that the situation has been made worse by the California Department of Justice. They have started "approving" these types of lockable boxes and this suggests them to have "child resistant" abilities. I find this not just misleading, but immoral.


If anyone is curious, this is a link to the intro of what is probably the biggest single test done to date. Virtually all of the big makers of fast-access gun safes had products tested...most of the results speak to why many of the big name fast-access gun safes are arguably not a good choice.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CEsxltQ4ZCM