Looking at handgun safes

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I think these are a great idea, especially if children are around. My issue is with the lock being battery powered. It would be just my luck to have the battery run out of juice at exactly the wrong time.

I seem to remember a company that made one with a non-electronic push button combo lock. That would give the same speed of access, but without the possibility of battery failure. Can't remember who made that one though.
 
Graystar,

That would be close enough. The one I was thinking about had the same shape and was the same size as the electronic ones.

I don't know why anyone would rather have the electronic lock on this type of thing.
 
This is what I have in my bedroom. I bought it at Galyans for $59 I think. It is very sturdy. It has the electronic keypad plus a (sort of) "hidden" key lock. It's locked most of the time. It's not as fast to open as the gunvault and it beeps when you push the buttons. That doesn't bother me too much anymore, I keep a handgun out of the safe within arms reach while sleeping. I have the small version and it currently holds a 6" .357, full size USP 45 and a compact 9mm and a couple extra mags and speedloaders.

Stack-on safe

ps-314.jpg
 
I'm very happy with the Gunvault product. As far as battery life goes, I change them out when I change the ones in the smoke detectors (ie. when switching to/from daylight savings time). I also check the function once a day.

A friend has one and says that as the batteries start to get weaker, it begins taking multiple tries to open. I don't experience that with mine, but I've not allowed the batteries to discharge to a critical level.
 
There is a brinks model that sells for around $75 at office supply stores that is big enough for two weapons.
 
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Okay, so I'm biased because I bought the GunVault Multivault model. But here was my reasoning. I don't like relying on electronics any more than the next guy, but the mechanical locks (simplex) out there just don't cut it.

Most "normal" simplex locks fall within 1024 or so combinations. Even if you have a really weird combo (three buttons at once) there still are only a limited number of combos left to try. When my kids get older and are alone in the house, I'm guessing one of their games may be "let's get into the gun safe". I don't want them going on the internet and figuring out how to crack simplex locks and then applying that logic at home (because that is exactly what I would do :) ).

So, I went with electronic. The multi-vault is pretty cool since I got the deluxe model and it will take a DC adapter so you can run it off power. Of course, you have to have power wherever you store your safe. It also has a nifty internal light that stays on for a few seconds after opening. You can also hold down certain keys to see if the lock has been tampered with (failed opening).

Oh, and I bought mine from Midsouth Shooter's Supply, by far the best price on the web. I think I paid $125 or so (with shipping) for the deluxe multivault. Here is the
direct link to the multivault.

-Pytron
 
Quote:
"When my kids get older and are alone in the house, I'm guessing one of their games may be "let's get into the gun safe".

If that's the case, you've done something wrong as a parent. If your kids are old enough to be home alone, they should be old enough to respect a few of your your most important rules.
 
I realize that my wording was too loose and was easy to misinterpret. What I am saying is that while I hope and pray that my kids will never break rules while I am gone in the house, I'd rather play it safe. Kind of a "Trust but verify" philosophy. Let's not drift this thread into my parenting (or lack thereof) skills. Thanks,

-Pytron
 
Guys,

Thanks for all of the info. so far. My wife and I are contemplating how we're going to do this "safe" thing. All of your input and recommendation have been great!
 
Quote:
"Let's not drift this thread into my parenting (or lack thereof) skills."

We could start a new thread on that if you'd like. :)
Seriously though, I think someone would have to be extremely determined to defeat the lock on these safes.
http://www.handgunsafe.com/simplex.htm
 
I don't recall the company's name, but I got it at Galyans for $50. It is very similar to the Gunvault, but the buttons are not in a "handprint" shape. In addition to the electronic keypad, it has a keylock for access when you forget the code or the battery dies. It also has a motion detector/alarm. For less than half the price of the competition, it was a worthy purchase.

Chris
 
Seriously though, I think someone would have to be extremely determined to defeat the lock on these safes.
Click to expand...

I don't think they are secure against someone with a decent stretch of time on their hands. If I didn't have kids, I would have got a simplex lock. No burglar is going to take the 10-15 minutes it takes to crack a simplex lock. They will just take the whole safe or pry it open. But a kid just might sit there for half an hour punching buttons.

Simplex Locks - An Illusion of Security

As a side note, gun safes are sales tax-free in WA state. A nice bonus for buying locally (although nobody could beat the price on Midsouth).
 
Holy cow pytron, if your kids would expend that much time and effort to try to break into your gun safe, you've got serious problems on your hands, and I reiterate, you've done something wrong while teaching/raising them.
Do you really anticipate that they would try this? What do you suspect they'll do with your guns if they get the safe open? Are they that untrustworthy?
Also, do you feel the Gunvault if foolproof?
 
I'm calling Bravo Sierra on the whole "hack the Simplex, question my parenting" thing.

None of us are perfect. All of us want to protect our kids.
None of the locking technology is beyond the possibility of being defeated.

A gunsafe with a Simplex lock is a reasonable measure for most of us.
If it's not for you, no problem. Go for something more exotic.

Anything we use requires a combination (no pun intended) of deterrence and education. Remove the mystery, let the kiddos see (AND SHOOT!) the gun when they're old and responsible enough, and there won't be an issue with them "hacking" a Simplex or any other lock.

Let's don't turn it into a flame war, okay guys?
Kum Ba Yah.
FM
 
I guess it all comes down to what you're trying to accomplish.
If your main concern is quick access to your gun in an emergency situation and you want to eliminate the possibility of encountering weak or dead batteries, a simplex lock device makes perfect sense. It's not easily defeated.
On the other hand, if your main concern is that your teenage kids will go to great lengths to break into their father's gun safe, then perhaps there are better solutions than a simplex lock device. But I'm not convinced that someone with plenty of time and determination couldn't break into a Gunvault.
Most people who lock up their guns are protecting them from theft by burglars or from young children who may happen to discover them. The very best solution for this is a full size gun safe such as something from Fort Knox.
FM, I don't consider this thread a flame war. I respect pytons opinions, and he has made a valid point. I just think that his situation is an unusual one and that for most people, a simplex lock is just fine.
 
Here's a link to my web site. I'm working on providing reviews on small pistol safes. It's not comprehensive yet but I have about 10 different company listings so far and some of the safes are top notch. There are always trade offs between convenience, security, etc and there is no perfect handgun safe yet but take a look.

http://www.mrdove.net/Pistol Safes.htm
 
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