I am on a fixed budget and need a handgun safe which will hold a six inch revolver and a smaller carry pistol. I don't want boron of the barrel but not top of the line. Just need it to work and keep my kids from getting to it. Any suggestions are appreciated.
Need safe recommendations
- Thread starter ldlfh7
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HankR
Member
Are you worried about theft, or just kids meddling? Do you need/want quick access? One of the cheapest options would be to bolt down a metal tool box and lock that up (probably after installing a beefier hasp than they typically come with). If you bolt it in the corner of a closet you could get lags into two walls and the floor which might make it a little slower for a real burglar to pry up (but not much).
If quick access is desired, something like this is the next step, although I personally prefer the simplex locks, such as these. You're still not overly protected against real theft, but they (like the tool box) can be hidden which helps a little. I'm not saying anything for or against the sites I linked, just examples of what's out there. I suspect you could get better prices than those listed, but I haven't bought any of these for a long while.
If quick access is desired, something like this is the next step, although I personally prefer the simplex locks, such as these. You're still not overly protected against real theft, but they (like the tool box) can be hidden which helps a little. I'm not saying anything for or against the sites I linked, just examples of what's out there. I suspect you could get better prices than those listed, but I haven't bought any of these for a long while.
HankR
Member
I've been warned against keeping guns in a "document" safe, due the the moisture incorporated into those safes to be released in the event of a fire causing guns to rust. That said, my dad keeps two older revolvers in his, and has for several years, with no observable damage.
bullseye308
Member
I picked up a small electronic safe with a keyless entry at Lowes that holds a Glock 17L and a Glock 17 at the same time for about 30.00. It has a cable that secures it to whatever you wrap it around.
danez71
Member
What is the budget?
FAS1
Member
Probably more than you are budgeting for since you don't want the best 
, but the FAS1-Magnum XL is designed for a 6" revolver. Plenty of room for at least two more handguns in the bottom. The pic is a FAS1-Magnum which is for a 4" revolver. The XL is 2" longer.
Heavy construction and mechanical lock will cost more initially, but will give you many years of reliable use if not a lifetime.
, but the FAS1-Magnum XL is designed for a 6" revolver. Plenty of room for at least two more handguns in the bottom. The pic is a FAS1-Magnum which is for a 4" revolver. The XL is 2" longer.Heavy construction and mechanical lock will cost more initially, but will give you many years of reliable use if not a lifetime.
I am working with a budget around $100 - $200. My main concern is keeping the guns away from the kids. I currently store my handguns in the garage in a long gun safe but would really like to have one around my bed for obvious reasons. I am not too concerned about theft because my guns are not worth all that much to begin with.
Has anyone ever dealt with DeanSafe.com? I have never heard of them myself.
http://www.deansafe.com/stl-hh-safe.html
This looks like a pretty decent setup for the price.
Should I keep looking for a better deal for the money?
http://www.deansafe.com/stl-hh-safe.html
This looks like a pretty decent setup for the price.
Should I keep looking for a better deal for the money?
astocks2622
Member
We just picked up the Sentry quick access safe, and it's well made, fairly heavy, comes with lag bolts if you want to secure it. Has 3 access methods, fingerprint, code, or key. Will hold 4 prints, and works great. I'll have to check if it would hold a 6" revolver or not, but I think so.
We got ours at Costco for about $140.
http://m.costco.com/Sentry®-Safe-Quick-Access-Biometric-Pistol-Safe.product.100094572.html
Sent from my MotoG3 using Tapatalk
We got ours at Costco for about $140.
http://m.costco.com/Sentry®-Safe-Quick-Access-Biometric-Pistol-Safe.product.100094572.html
Sent from my MotoG3 using Tapatalk
FWIW, if it were me, I would personally avoid the junk-ish locking boxes because of serious design flaws and vulnerabilities. The selection process can be complicated by organizations like the CA DOJ, as they have shamelessly given their "child-resistance approval" to many products with serious functional deficiencies that have had (and will continue to have) fatal consequences. IMO a more secure product is a worthwhile investment.
For a locking mechanism, I highly advise avoiding electronic and biometric locks in favor of purchasing a product that uses a mechanical lock, which I feel is a superior locking mechanism in almost every way. It has proven reliability, proven durability, proven longevity, has zero dependency on a battery & circuits, and most boxes using a Simplex are about as fast as electronic-assisted opening boxes. The most common mechanical lock found on pistol boxes are designed to opened hundreds of times daily and run for decades with only the most minimal of service. So it is not unreasonable to expect 2, 3, 4+ decades of service from that type of product...in the long run, that extended service life can save quite a lot of money over the alternative of replacing an entire mini vault due to failed electronic components.
If I were personally shopping for a mini vault, I would also be interested in finding out other design details, such as what type of steel is being used (and how much), whether the welds are deep or shallow, if the door design mitigates the effectiveness of a pry attack, how much brass the locking system uses (superior but pricier choice over alternatives), and what the boltwork looks like. While this type of product only provides the most limited of burglary protection, I do feel that these details can also affect how well (or poorly) a product could resist a child or adolescent from getting inside. For example, the revelation that a huge portion of products on the market can be opened with things like paperclips, pens, and magnets speak to how poor the overall design is. Heck, simply dropping many of those mini safes on hard ground will often cause the (weak) locking mechanism & boltwork to fail outright.
There are several makers producing products that appear to be several orders of magnitude better than the crap that has become the norm. The model I use most is the Fort Knox Pistol Box (the original model, as there are several versions), and am very satisfied with it. With reasonable 10 gauge steel armor, a strong locking bolt, extensive use of brass, & deep welds, when bolted to the floor this provides limited protection from a smash & grab, and there are absolutely ZERO design issues that allow children to access the contents.
While I do not have experiences with the FAS line, from a construction standpoint it uses the design & materials I consider to be optimal for this type of product, and User reviews have a lot of praise for the overall quality of the end products. From an armor perspective, it goes even beyond the Fort Knox. Bolted down, I think a smash & grab burglar with basic hand tools would struggle to defeat a FAS in the short time frame that characterizes many burglaries. That's a nice benefit since 99% of fast-access gun safes can be defeated in seconds by the dumbest of criminals.
Ultimately, I think for not much more you can get something a lot better than you are considering. I believe it will give you optimal safety, reliability, longevity, and peace of mind that none of the electronic or biometric systems can come near.
For a locking mechanism, I highly advise avoiding electronic and biometric locks in favor of purchasing a product that uses a mechanical lock, which I feel is a superior locking mechanism in almost every way. It has proven reliability, proven durability, proven longevity, has zero dependency on a battery & circuits, and most boxes using a Simplex are about as fast as electronic-assisted opening boxes. The most common mechanical lock found on pistol boxes are designed to opened hundreds of times daily and run for decades with only the most minimal of service. So it is not unreasonable to expect 2, 3, 4+ decades of service from that type of product...in the long run, that extended service life can save quite a lot of money over the alternative of replacing an entire mini vault due to failed electronic components.
If I were personally shopping for a mini vault, I would also be interested in finding out other design details, such as what type of steel is being used (and how much), whether the welds are deep or shallow, if the door design mitigates the effectiveness of a pry attack, how much brass the locking system uses (superior but pricier choice over alternatives), and what the boltwork looks like. While this type of product only provides the most limited of burglary protection, I do feel that these details can also affect how well (or poorly) a product could resist a child or adolescent from getting inside. For example, the revelation that a huge portion of products on the market can be opened with things like paperclips, pens, and magnets speak to how poor the overall design is. Heck, simply dropping many of those mini safes on hard ground will often cause the (weak) locking mechanism & boltwork to fail outright.
There are several makers producing products that appear to be several orders of magnitude better than the crap that has become the norm. The model I use most is the Fort Knox Pistol Box (the original model, as there are several versions), and am very satisfied with it. With reasonable 10 gauge steel armor, a strong locking bolt, extensive use of brass, & deep welds, when bolted to the floor this provides limited protection from a smash & grab, and there are absolutely ZERO design issues that allow children to access the contents.
While I do not have experiences with the FAS line, from a construction standpoint it uses the design & materials I consider to be optimal for this type of product, and User reviews have a lot of praise for the overall quality of the end products. From an armor perspective, it goes even beyond the Fort Knox. Bolted down, I think a smash & grab burglar with basic hand tools would struggle to defeat a FAS in the short time frame that characterizes many burglaries. That's a nice benefit since 99% of fast-access gun safes can be defeated in seconds by the dumbest of criminals.
Ultimately, I think for not much more you can get something a lot better than you are considering. I believe it will give you optimal safety, reliability, longevity, and peace of mind that none of the electronic or biometric systems can come near.
Ed Ames
Member
If you are a costco member go look for a pistol safe there. Ive seen an electronic flip-down holster style box for $80 there a few times. It is designed to hold one pistol for fast access but could probably hold two if you needed.
GDownRange
Member
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- May 21, 2011
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V-Line
I've been using one of these for the last 5 or 6 years. I've been very happy with it, and it's right in your budget wheelhouse. Mechanical lock, and fairly rugged construction. So no batteries to worry about, and it will keep kids and guests from "accidentally" handling your firearms. A motivated person with a crow bar would probably break it open in a couple of minutes.
https://www.amazon.com/V-Line-Draw-Security-Case-Black/dp/B000T24OFG
I've been using one of these for the last 5 or 6 years. I've been very happy with it, and it's right in your budget wheelhouse. Mechanical lock, and fairly rugged construction. So no batteries to worry about, and it will keep kids and guests from "accidentally" handling your firearms. A motivated person with a crow bar would probably break it open in a couple of minutes.
https://www.amazon.com/V-Line-Draw-Security-Case-Black/dp/B000T24OFG
Sebastian the Ibis
Member
Drop by garage sales in older blue collar neighborhoods -- by far the best place for quality old stuff at unbeatable prices. I just bought out a guy's garage, he had a couple of heavy duty locking cabinets from a marina that would be perfect for your purpose. I could have had them for $5.
ArchAngelCD
Member.
The Hornady Rapid Safe is at the top of your budget but is an excellent choice. It is very secure yet provides immediate access to your handgun if needed. I can not tell you how good this product is.
http://m.hornady.com/store/RAPiD-Safe-and-Accessories-New
Hornady has a list price of $199 but a quick check on Amazon shows a price of $136 for the Large size unit and $153 for the XL unit. Check it out, you will probably like it.
https://www.amazon.com/Hornady-RAPi...1470586736&sr=8-3&keywords=Hornady+rapid+safe
https://www.amazon.com/Hornady-Heav...1470586736&sr=8-1&keywords=Hornady+rapid+safe
If you have Amazon Prime like I do shipping is free.
Midway USA has both on sale right now too if you like shopping there better.
http://www.midwayusa.com/s?userSearchQuery=Hornady+rapid+safe
http://m.hornady.com/store/RAPiD-Safe-and-Accessories-New
Hornady has a list price of $199 but a quick check on Amazon shows a price of $136 for the Large size unit and $153 for the XL unit. Check it out, you will probably like it.
https://www.amazon.com/Hornady-RAPi...1470586736&sr=8-3&keywords=Hornady+rapid+safe
https://www.amazon.com/Hornady-Heav...1470586736&sr=8-1&keywords=Hornady+rapid+safe
If you have Amazon Prime like I do shipping is free.
Midway USA has both on sale right now too if you like shopping there better.
http://www.midwayusa.com/s?userSearchQuery=Hornady+rapid+safe
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