Wondering what safe you would recommend for use in a nightstand drawer. Our son is just becoming mobile, 8 months and beginning to crawl. While we have a little bit of time yet, I would like to get small lockbox/safe to keep my carry gun in when its not on my person or in the big safe. Not so concerned about being bombproof burglar resistant, more just to keep a curious toddler from accessing a weapon. I'd like something that doesn't require a key, and that I could get into quickly if needed. I'm a little distrustful of fingerprint scanners, but that may be unfounded. What say you?
Nightstand Safes
- Thread starter bersaguy
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Poper
Member
Keep the door to your bedroom closed.
I have a 6 mo. old puppy that terrorizes my wife by dragging her throw rugs around the house and destroys shower curtains. We close the doors to the bathrooms and the shower curtains remain intact.
ETA: Teaching the little crumb crunchers that some things (drawers, cabinets, etc.) are strictly off limits is a good idea, too. It worked 45 years ago on my kids and 60+ years ago when I was a kid. My parents' bedroom was strictly TABOO!!! Punishment was swift and sure when a kid was caught going into the folks' bedroom without being explicitly told to do so.
ETA2:Kids start learning the day they are born. It is our duty to teach them well.
I have a 6 mo. old puppy that terrorizes my wife by dragging her throw rugs around the house and destroys shower curtains. We close the doors to the bathrooms and the shower curtains remain intact.
ETA: Teaching the little crumb crunchers that some things (drawers, cabinets, etc.) are strictly off limits is a good idea, too. It worked 45 years ago on my kids and 60+ years ago when I was a kid. My parents' bedroom was strictly TABOO!!! Punishment was swift and sure when a kid was caught going into the folks' bedroom without being explicitly told to do so.
ETA2:Kids start learning the day they are born. It is our duty to teach them well.
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You say you would like to avoid something with a key but that may be your best easiest option. If you have a nightstand with a locking drawer you could use that, otherwise just get a small lockbox that fits in the drawer or on the nightstand.
Everyone I know that has a box like that that uses a code or fingerprints just ends up using the backup key anyways since it’s easier and faster.
Everyone I know that has a box like that that uses a code or fingerprints just ends up using the backup key anyways since it’s easier and faster.
1942bull
Member
Consider installing an electro magnetic drawer lock instead of a locked box in the drawer. You can find a variety of them on Amazon. Search for:
Electromagnetic Cabinet Lock with RFID Card
Electromagnetic Cabinet Lock with RFID Card
FAS1
Member
I realize it's not in the drawer, but can be mounted near your bed in a number of ways and orientations.
wiscoaster
Member
Vaultek Lifepod. I have three. One on nightstand. One on end table. One under car seat. Don't fret the electronics. Works great. Lasts long. Have never had to replace a battery yet. Still full charge showing after 12 months plus.
herrwalther
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Fort Knox pistol box. Simplex lock so you don't have to worry about batteries dying or fingerprint not working. Throw a motion activated light inside, bolt it down to something solid, and you are good.
I used a high end RFID safe to keep my EDC firearm locked up when it wasn't on me. Worked great for awhile until it suffered a mechanical failure, rendering it unusable. When it had the failure, my firearm was inside. The biggest saving grace of that safe was it had a backup way of getting in.
I used a high end RFID safe to keep my EDC firearm locked up when it wasn't on me. Worked great for awhile until it suffered a mechanical failure, rendering it unusable. When it had the failure, my firearm was inside. The biggest saving grace of that safe was it had a backup way of getting in.
FAS1
Member
Chuck R.
Member
I use 3 V-Lines with Simplex locks.
Here's pictures of a couple:
All 3 of mine have the same code and I've never had an issue with any of them. My 1st have got to be over 20 years old now.
Here's pictures of a couple:
All 3 of mine have the same code and I've never had an issue with any of them. My 1st have got to be over 20 years old now.
I went with the V-LINE Slide Away safe. I didn’t want anything with electronics that could fail. (I’ve had that happen before). The V-LINE has a simplex lock with one thousand plus combinations. I can get it open in under 3 seconds. The drawer slides all the way out for full access to the compartment. I store my P220 and a spare mag in it. It could hold a couple of more mags, or maybe two small pistols.
My night table has a drawer and a shelf. I mounted it under the shelf. It has a plate that allows you to put the mounting plate on the top or bottom of the box. It doesn’t come pre-drilled for a locking cable, but you could add one easy enough if you were worried about the table being carried off. I have a motion-activated light insight that makes grabbing the pistol easy.
I’m very happy (and confident) with my set up. The simplex lock can’t be beat.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0100WUX6I/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
My night table has a drawer and a shelf. I mounted it under the shelf. It has a plate that allows you to put the mounting plate on the top or bottom of the box. It doesn’t come pre-drilled for a locking cable, but you could add one easy enough if you were worried about the table being carried off. I have a motion-activated light insight that makes grabbing the pistol easy.
I’m very happy (and confident) with my set up. The simplex lock can’t be beat.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0100WUX6I/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
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FAS1
Member
You know I like the Simplex lock and VLine makes good products, but the Simplex lock has 1082 possible combinations.
Fixed it - thanks!
herrwalther
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Yes. The Gunbox uses two steel plates as a release mechanism on the top door that clamp around a steel stud on the bottom door. One of the plates remains stationary while the motor moves the other to the right to unlock the box, and back to the left to lock it. Somewhere in that unlock/lock mechanism, mine stopped working. I was well past the warranty date on mine so I tossed it and got something else.
Pat Riot
Contributing Member
If you are just trying to keep a toddler away from a Gun in a drawer these would work very well.
Cabinet Locks Child Safety Latches - Vmaisi 12 Pack Baby Proofing Cabinets Drawer Lock with Adhesive Easy Installation - No Drilling or Extra Screws (White) https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B07BXKN3MW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_1ZWYC8CNES4JJ51A2XN0
If you just want a cheap handgun safe with a simple combination you create yourself Stack-On has a couple of options. I change the batteries every few months.
Cabinet Locks Child Safety Latches - Vmaisi 12 Pack Baby Proofing Cabinets Drawer Lock with Adhesive Easy Installation - No Drilling or Extra Screws (White) https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B07BXKN3MW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_1ZWYC8CNES4JJ51A2XN0
If you just want a cheap handgun safe with a simple combination you create yourself Stack-On has a couple of options. I change the batteries every few months.
Thank you all for the good suggestions. I think I'll go with the V Line box. That looks like just the ticket. The cabinet and drawer locks look like a good option, but I'd like to get something that will be effective not only when he is 2 and 3, but long enough that he can be taught about firearms and safety. And anything that requires a key just makes me nervous. Thank you all!
BlueHeelerFl
Member
I have one like this in my car and the FL summer heat kills the batteries, so I gave up and just use the key
bassjam
Member
2162 combinations if you use a "half press" for the first number.
https://www.tech-faq.com/how-to-open-a-simplex-lock.html
https://www.handgunsaferesearch.com/simplex-lock
FAS1
Member
True, but not practical in a quick access handgun safe application in my opinion. I don't even recommend a 3 simultaneous button push in your combination because it's hard for most people to do consistently.
FlyingScot
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I have FAS safe with Simplex for my nighttime grab, simple heavy as heck and works great. I also have a standup cabinet hidden in a nook in our bedroom - from Moutec (Amazon’s) that has electronic lock and holds my shotgun and carbine. Everything else goes in the Liberty safe. I lock up my ammo too in case someone breaks in, use an old Sentry 24 gun safe to hold the ammo cans.
Agree. My oldest is 3 and his brother is turning 2 in July. Neither touch guns, lighters, recepticles, etc.
They also know Dad's gun room is off limits unless he's in there.
Spankings combined with explanations work wonders.
My guns are currently kept with an empty chamber except when on my person.
Howland937
Member
At the rate I've been going with sleeping on the couch, I may not need a nightstand or bedside safe anytime soon. I did buy one of those metal cash boxes with a 3 digit combination lock. Idea was to have first # off one digit, last 2 #'s set to open.
My kid came out carrying the box when he was about 2, clanking the gun around inside the box as he wobbled through the living room.
Gun stays on top of the wardrobe now.
My kid came out carrying the box when he was about 2, clanking the gun around inside the box as he wobbled through the living room.
Gun stays on top of the wardrobe now.
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