New car coming - need to figure out what to do about lockboxes

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C

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I will be buying a Toyota Avalon Limited in the next day or so.

I plan to add a GPS and a quad-band mobile ham radio unit (not sure what to about the antenna, but this is the wrong place to get into that).

What I am trying to figure out is if there is a company that makes a lock-box that can integrate into the car in a hidden manner to lock up a pistol (so I can lock my CCW in situations where I can't carry into my destination), and also I was thinking about maybe having something in the trunk that can lock up a long-gun (either for going on hunting trips, to the range, or if for whatever reason I feel a need to keep a long gun in the car).

Something secure, but at the same time inconspicuous.

Ideas? I remember seeing ads in gun rags for car gun safes that are specifically designed for certain model cars that mount into the center console under the flip-lid... or in the glove compartment (replacing the compartment behind the door and making the standard door a faux door - or something like that).

(Not sure if it makes a difference, but it will be an '07 model - I wonder if that changes anything since I hear the dimensions for it are slightly larger than previous years)
 
http://www.titangunvault.com/ depending on your car's interior and seating arrangements, you could mount this under your driver seat to the front, or under the passenger seat from the rear, and reach it from the driver's seat if you mount it right. Simplex lock can be done in the dark, no batteries or keys to worry about. Puts the gun in your hand when you open it.

My console in the sean we own is too small for a lock box in there, so I was thinking of something like the above for it. My power seats won't let me mount it from the front of the driver's seat, without it being seen, but I've measured it and it will fit underneath the passenger seat from the rear, and I can reach it from the driver's position. I bought a handgun safe that fits in the console of my large SUV, but they are discontinued now http://handgunsafe.com/

http://www.corporatetravelsafety.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=169&osCsid=10f This is an inexpensive model that needs a key, and instead of mounting you might just use the security cable to attach to the frame or something.

http://www.consolevault.com/auto_vault.html This might be the one you're thinking of, made for specific cars in the console, as far as I know, there's a limited model selection, but they have a generic one too, but I would want something out of sight...

http://www.truckvault.com/ seen people link to this, but don't know if this fits any bills for ya...

http://www.toughstuffproducts.com/vaults/long_gun.html interesting long gun box for trucks, could maybe be used in other applications

http://www.vlineind.com/html/long_gun_case.html these guys have long gun cases, made for the home I think, but maybe you could look at function and dimensions to see if it would work...

Good luck...

Karz
 
hmmm.... seems most of this stuff is designed for trucks or SUV's.

I wonder if any of them do custom stuff.

Console vault is around the general idea of what I was remembering.
 
Most ways of locking guns in cars I've seen are pretty ugly, amounting to bolting a steel box under the seat. Anyone aware of higher-end stuff designed to blend into specific vehicles? Example: pic below is a discreet mount for an HK MP5 in a BMW.
 

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this is the one I use in my Jeep Liberty (KJ) and have been happy with it. I have it bolted to the frame with a carbide carriage bolt and welded the nut in place.

""http://www.corporatetravelsafety.com...169&osCsid=10f This is an inexpensive model that needs a key, and instead of mounting you might just use the security cable to attach to the frame or something.""
 
Check your State laws first. Having a secret compartment in your car is a class 4 felony here in Illinois, even if its empty! :cuss:

There was a case last year where the judge said the law was wrong, but I don't know where things stand now.
 
If you want discreet and high end, you're going to have to go the custom fab route. Certain auto customizers have experience installing hidden compartments for...things that the driver wants hidden. Sometimes these compartments are for guns, so you might want to check the custom fab route.
 
Let's differentiate between "discreet" and "secret".
The photo I posted is "discreet": even when closed, open the trunk and it's pretty obvious.
I'm looking for "discreet": while I can certainly just bolt a mount & lock to the roof of my Explorer, that would be scary obvious & ugly; while the combo lock may be visible if looked directly at, the rest of it should be enclosed, and curved & carpeted to match the rest of the ceiling's style.

Secret, however: is probably hard to open easily & conveniently, and as some note may be illegal (which is BS, but what is, is).
 
Check your State laws first. Having a secret compartment in your car is a class 4 felony here in Illinois, even if its empty!

There was a case last year where the judge said the law was wrong, but I don't know where things stand now.
Click to expand...

...

Let's differentiate between "discreet" and "secret".
The photo I posted is "discreet": even when closed, open the trunk and it's pretty obvious.
I'm looking for "discreet": while I can certainly just bolt a mount & lock to the roof of my Explorer, that would be scary obvious & ugly; while the combo lock may be visible if looked directly at, the rest of it should be enclosed, and curved & carpeted to match the rest of the ceiling's style.
Click to expand...

Bingo. I'm talking a compartment to keep my gun when I'm not able to carry it (ie: if I have to go into a federal building or something) that isn't blaringly obvious. As in, if I give a friend a ride, the first thing out of his or her mouth isn't, "What is this for?"

Just because it's a discrete lockbox doesn't make it a secret compartment. Discrete just means that it's there without being an eyesore or immediately visible. Doesn't mean the cops wouldn't find it in a pinch if they opened say the middle console or the glove compartment.
 
I went through these issues for exactly the same reasons

and I ended up being satisfied with the V-line pistol box shown here:

http://www.safetysafeguards.com/site/402168/product/3912-SH

It's big enough for a 1911 and a magazine or two.

This is able to be mounted 'discreetly' under the driver's seat. The 4-pushbutton manual lock allows it to be easily accessed and opened from the seated position. Oriented correctly for mounting, the access door will drop down, not swing out. Finally, on my PT Cruiser, it can be hung from the seat bracket, and there is still room for rear seat feet / toespace.

My auto dealership wouldn't do it because of liability fears. The local repair shop has no such compunctions. I've been meaning to get this mounted for the last two months, and I'm finally going to get it done tomorrow. Estimated cost to mount is $150.00--they have to remove the seat and maybe even modify the mounting bracket.

Is it hidden? No. Is it generally not visible? Yes. The car wash guys would see it, though--but I can't imagine anyone else, including a front seat passenger, would know it's there. Even a rear seat passenger might not notice it--or if they do, assume it's part of the seat paraphanalia.

FWIW--not exactly what you're looking for, I know--but maybe the local body shop can fabricate a skirt / whatever to hide an under-the-seat box further.

Jim H.
 
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Gator said:
Having a secret compartment in your car is a class 4 felony here in Illinois, even if its empty!
Click to expand...
Really? Man,I didn't know that...but I've never needed to know that either.

So just how lockable does this car-vault have to be? Does the Avalon have a locking console? If so,a quick git-r-done fix would be to open up the console and screw an Uncle Mike's holster to the cover,but you sound classier than that.:D
 
try a company called "Center of Mass". They have small steel boxes that are secured to the seat frome of your car with a cable. They come in 2 sizes, I have 1 I keep in the back of my Jeep Liberty with the cable attached to the seat back latch. This works great. I got both a large and a small box for about 65 dollars. The locks can be ordered keyed a like if you wish.
 
I'm driving an '06 Avalon XLS and have yet to figure out where to put a lock box in the car, other than in the trunk.

There isn't any room under the front seats. I suppose I could take the factory JBL amp out from under the passenger seat. Yeah, right. I need my 12-speaker XM radio.

I've always liked the suggestion to just leave the gun on the passenger seat with an algebra book sitting on it. ;)

John
 
hmmm.... seems most of this stuff is designed for trucks or SUV's.

I wonder if any of them do custom stuff.

Console vault is around the general idea of what I was remembering.
Click to expand...

FWIW, I was showing you the titangunvault as an option to mount under the seat or something, either front facing driver's seat, or rear facing passenger seat. Unlike some of the other boxes, this one will put the gun in your hand w/ the pop-out holster as you open the door, I figured that's a good thing if you're blindly accessing something from under the seat.

As for the 'custom' prefabbed pistol boxes for the trucks and SUVs, I sent those as a reference, but don't feel too bad, I drive a popular large SUV and they don't even make something for my model, but I can understand why they focus on these vehicles, my full size sedan's console is barely big enough to hold a G26 or a G19, let alone if you tried to put a drop-in lock box inside there, so that's why I was leaning toward the titan as a long term solution, or as a short term solution that Center of Mass / Corporate Safety box (I knew there was a cheaper price out there than corporate safety, but couldn't remember it, thanks for chiming in guys w/ the COM link) would be a cheap immediate solution.

The nice thing about the titan (or the COM lockbox) is they're somewhat portable. Like the titan, it mounts w/ brackets, buy an extra bracket and you can mount it in another vehicle, or in the house, and have a secure way to store in more than one location. And can also be used to secure a firearm when traveling at someone elses home or a hotel, if need be.

As for the other truck links I sent, you mentioned wanting to put a long gun in the trunk. I figured if you got the dimensions of some of those products, and maybe even made a cardboard mock-up, you could see if you were able to mount under the back deck, or trunk floor, something like that, even though it wasn't designed for the vehicle.

Good luck...

Karz
 
You could try to "hide it in plain sight".

Just get a metal toolbox that has a metal hasp and lock the gun in there - you could cable it around a seat bracket so it isn't easily moved.

Then its just a tool box with common tools in it - and a warrent is needed to search it without probably cause.

Of course, probably cause can be made up - such as I smell a "funny" odor coming from the toolbox - but that excuse could apply to any locked box.

Low cost for sure.
 
ctdonath-That's exactly what I want for my

Bimmer's but as far as I can determine,it was only available on the 7 series.
 
I suppose if you have the $$$ for a real MP5, then you can probably swing a 7, at least a CPO.


I've been meaning to just bolt a box in my trunk if I need to lock up my CCW. I was even considering one of the inexpensive portable Sentry file safes from Walmart that are less than $50.
 
So just how lockable does this car-vault have to be? Does the Avalon have a locking console? If so,a quick git-r-done fix would be to open up the console and screw an Uncle Mike's holster to the cover,but you sound classier than that.
Click to expand...

and that would be cracked open by thiefs faster than you can say, "Hey... where'd the gun go?"

and as for a lot of posts in this thread - all I can say is "wow".

1) It is not illegal to keep a gun locked in your car in Florida, with or without a permit.

2) This is not about hiding a gun from the police. This is about having a safe in the car for my gun that is set up in such a way that it isn't an eyesore and doesn't draw unnecessary attention. I am protecting my gun from thieves, not the police. I would rather not add another gun into the illegal gun population. It's about being responsible - not sneaky.

and furthermore

3) I do not hide my gun from the police. If they ask, I answer honestly. All this stuff about hiding guns from the police, and whether they'd have probable cause for them to search my safe is ridiculous. It's more of this "us vs. them" stuff that caused L&P to shut down for a period of time. Stop with it already!

Lastly, who the heck said I was planning to have an MP5?!

I plan to have my pistol in the car or on me in the front of the car, and in the trunk MAYBE have something to have a long-gun should I want to transport a long-gun(s). Long-gun could mean a lot of things. MP5 was not the plan though. Where that came from is beyond me.

holy moly I need a tylenol.
 
You might consider talking to a stereo shop somewhere, they're used to fabricating fiberglass enclosures to match the interior of a car. They might be able to make a factory looking enclosure for a ugly durable safe. If you wanted to be really stealthy you could make something with a door opened by an unused button on the car's remote so no lock would be showing.
 
Then its just a tool box with common tools in it - and a warrent is needed to search it without probably cause.
Click to expand...

Thieves love to steal tools. They'll probably at least smash the windows trying to get the box before seeing that it is cabled down.
 
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