Looking for something to lock up a gun or two in a bedroom dresser drawer. This will be used for storage when I am home, and mostly to keep the kids away. The safe will be stored in a top dresser drawer which is too high for the kids to reach, but I just want to be extra safe. How does the GunVault, MiniVault rate? Are the locks that easy to get into? I will likely keep a G19, extra mag, JFrame and small folding knife inside. I want to spend $125 or so. Any have any recommendations or ratings on the above two mentioned? How about a good place to purchase? Thanks
GunVault, minivault or something else?
- Thread starter Frank1991
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Ohen Cepel
Member
I have the new large GunVault and really like it. Bit tricky to program the first time. However, after that is was no problem.
Might be an issue with those though since they have a cord to plug them in. Batteries are for back-up. The deluxe has a light and a motion sensor for it, nice options but not a deal breaker.
Local safe dealer really likes the AMSEC lock box, might be an option for you to look at also. I trust him, it just didn't fit my need.
Might be an issue with those though since they have a cord to plug them in. Batteries are for back-up. The deluxe has a light and a motion sensor for it, nice options but not a deal breaker.
Local safe dealer really likes the AMSEC lock box, might be an option for you to look at also. I trust him, it just didn't fit my need.
a1abdj
Member
Check out V-Line's safes
V-Line Safes
Very reliable mechanical lock, quick access, and no failed electronics or batteries to worry about.
V-Line Safes
Very reliable mechanical lock, quick access, and no failed electronics or batteries to worry about.
Ringer
Member
Check out the Stack-On drawer safe. Not quite as fast to open as the Gun Vault but I think they are more secure. Natchez has them for 30 bucks. These are not supposed to be affected by the "bicycle lock defect" like the Gun Vaults are.
I have two different models of the Stack-Ons and the batteries easily last a year but you can just change them more often. Plus you have a key as backup.
YMMV but worth a look.
I have two different models of the Stack-Ons and the batteries easily last a year but you can just change them more often. Plus you have a key as backup.
YMMV but worth a look.
Andrew Rothman
Member
GunVault has been purchased byh another safe company; the locks are improved, they say.
I was concerned about the original "bike lock" vulnerability, but although I can pick locks, I could not, despite hours of trying, breech the GunVault with a Bic pen. I know other people have, but it can't be that easy.
I have two now (got the second one to test the lock) and still use them with full confidence.
If your aim is to keep the guns from the kiddies, it's a great solution. Remeber, though, that a bad guy can simply take the whole drawer with him.
I was concerned about the original "bike lock" vulnerability, but although I can pick locks, I could not, despite hours of trying, breech the GunVault with a Bic pen. I know other people have, but it can't be that easy.
I have two now (got the second one to test the lock) and still use them with full confidence.
If your aim is to keep the guns from the kiddies, it's a great solution. Remeber, though, that a bad guy can simply take the whole drawer with him.
Mongo the Mutterer
Member
Frank,
Check out Harbor Frieght. They have a small electronc safe which can be lagged or mollied to a wall. About $40.
I have one and love it. I put a coated kitchen rack inside to give me two levels for pistols.
Check out Harbor Frieght. They have a small electronc safe which can be lagged or mollied to a wall. About $40.
I have one and love it. I put a coated kitchen rack inside to give me two levels for pistols.
silverlance
Member
gun vault
i have a minigunvault. as i have concrete floors, i decided that the best way to mount my vault is to use a dual cable lock system - I thread one Master lock through two side holes, then another (the one sold by Canon) through the back hole.
both cables loop through my bed's frame.
yes, they can steal the frame...
but they will have to explain to everyone why they have TWO 6.5 foot pieces of steel sticking out of their back pocket (and that's provided they know how to disassemble my frame, which requires an allen wrench)
the cables can be cut, yes, but will require a heavy bolt cutter - and of course I do not have any such in my house. nor do i have sledgehammers, crowbars, etc...
this last detail is very important as very often burgulars use people's own shiz to steal their shiz.
i have a minigunvault. as i have concrete floors, i decided that the best way to mount my vault is to use a dual cable lock system - I thread one Master lock through two side holes, then another (the one sold by Canon) through the back hole.
both cables loop through my bed's frame.
yes, they can steal the frame...
but they will have to explain to everyone why they have TWO 6.5 foot pieces of steel sticking out of their back pocket (and that's provided they know how to disassemble my frame, which requires an allen wrench)
the cables can be cut, yes, but will require a heavy bolt cutter - and of course I do not have any such in my house. nor do i have sledgehammers, crowbars, etc...
this last detail is very important as very often burgulars use people's own shiz to steal their shiz.
Mongo the Mutterer
Member
Silverlance -- solution
1. hammerdrill
2. carbide bit
3. blow out holes
4. tec screws or concrete bolts
No problem .. 30 minutes max.
1. hammerdrill
2. carbide bit
3. blow out holes
4. tec screws or concrete bolts
No problem .. 30 minutes max.
Tylden
Member
This is what I'm thinking about. It's biometric (fingerprint access) and can be opened in 2 seconds.
http://www.homesecuritystore.com/wall_safe.html
http://www.homesecuritystore.com/wall_safe.html
a1abdj
Member
I would trust a biometric safe (imported from China of course) just about as much as I would trust a biometric safety device on my pistol.
silverlance
Member
installing on concrete
sure... i watched the guy put in my safe do just that.
of course, he had five feet by three feet of room inside to swing that hammer and pound those bolts in to the concrete as well as having the drill in the first place.
I have a $30 cordless drill i bought at Target and no experience whatsoever in doing this sort of thing.
sigh*
do you?
sure... i watched the guy put in my safe do just that.
of course, he had five feet by three feet of room inside to swing that hammer and pound those bolts in to the concrete as well as having the drill in the first place.
I have a $30 cordless drill i bought at Target and no experience whatsoever in doing this sort of thing.
sigh*
do you?
silverlance
Member
ps
i even offered to pay the safe guy to install my minivault for me, in cash - but he refused.
he said it's too small and difficult.
i even offered to pay the safe guy to install my minivault for me, in cash - but he refused.
he said it's too small and difficult.
GregGry
Member
Working in constuction/remodeling, I know its not to hard to install safes in walls/floors be it concrete, drywall, wood, or dirt (hehe). A 1 inch hammer drill makes quick work of any drilling thats needed in concrete. I ran power to my garage a couple years ago, that took drilling through 12 inches of solid concrete to do. Granted I did break the home depot rental hammer drill in the process, but I got the job done. The rental drill was cheap, the one I own now has not even broke a sweat.
I must say that I am looking forward to moving to a new house in the next couple of months, I am going to install a 1,700+ pound double door safe in the basement. It has a 1/4 inch steel shell, 1/8th inch inner walls, 360 degree door pins, fireproofing, and only a combination lock. It will obviously be impossible to move once in place and bolted to the floor. It will be nice to know that if I need a place to keep something safe, I will more then have it
I must say that I am looking forward to moving to a new house in the next couple of months, I am going to install a 1,700+ pound double door safe in the basement. It has a 1/4 inch steel shell, 1/8th inch inner walls, 360 degree door pins, fireproofing, and only a combination lock. It will obviously be impossible to move once in place and bolted to the floor. It will be nice to know that if I need a place to keep something safe, I will more then have it
Mongo the Mutterer
Member
Silverlance -- see GreGry above. I don't know what the hammer thing was you were speaking of, but I am speaking of a "hammerdrill" which is an electric drill which "hammers" as it drills.
Hammerdrills are used for concrete, since a regular masonry drill bit in a standard drill does not work as well. Anchors are inserted in the holes. You can rent hammerdrills at a rental center.
Hammerdrills are used for concrete, since a regular masonry drill bit in a standard drill does not work as well. Anchors are inserted in the holes. You can rent hammerdrills at a rental center.
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