Seeking opinions

[SwissArmyDad]

I searched a bit, but didn't find much info on bedside pistol safes.


I have a winchester longgun safe for rifles and shotguns, a Gunvault "Nano" keyed travel handgun lockbox (great for hotels and such), and now I'm looking for a nice 2 or more gun electronic quick access handgun safe.

Price range: Less than $100.00. Found a few options in the $60.00 range via amazon and my local gun stores

I used to have a DAC sportsafe that I gave to my dad for his K-frame. Great value, IMO, for $70.00. Of course, now I can't find that model for sale. :banghead:

I'd be very open to buying something online via amazon.com, etc, and would appreciate hearing experiences with some of the more major brands besides Gunvault ($$), e.g. Barske, ValueGuard, etc.

 

[docnyt]

Above your budget but I like mine.

http://www.fas1safe.com/

 

[SwissArmyDad]

Yeah, that's a bit out of budget, but it looks very solid. Thanks for the link!

I'm thinking I definitely want the ability to store both my XD9 tac and my wife's gp100 at the same time, too. (Probably should have placed more emphasis on that in the first post...sorry!)

 

[localgirl]

That price range is tough, but here's a few options: http://www.gunsafes.com/Pistol-and-Handgun-Safes.html

 

[SwissArmyDad]

A few I've found:

$47.24 free shipping - Stack-on
http://www.amazon.com/Stack--PDS-50...2?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1311823818&sr=1-2

$70.22 free shipping -Stack-on
http://www.amazon.com/Stack--QAS-71...LK/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&qid=1311824175&sr=8-12

Not sure about stack-on's quality, but I like the way the second one opens...


$81.55 free shipping - Gunvault MicroVault
http://www.amazon.com/Gunvault-MV50...1?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1311823930&sr=1-1
(not bad, but too small for two guns)

$88.83 free shipping - Gunvault MiniVault GV1000
http://www.amazon.com/Gunvault-GV10...KA/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&qid=1311824175&sr=8-13
(Gunvault seems to get some funky reviews for their battery powered systems...)

$37.90 free shipping - Homak
http://www.amazon.com/HOMAK-HS10036...N8DG/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1311824175&sr=8-6
(I kind of like the way this one opens, too.)

I went to a local safe store today and saw one that looks just like the first "Stack-on" brand. Seemed like a very heavy-duty unit. it was about $70.00. Brand was Value-Guard.

Only thing I didn't like about it(aside from the fact that I can get basically the same safe from Amazon for about $25.00 less...lol), is that the door can be closed without being locked. I'd prefer something that is locked when the door is shut, like the DAC I used to have. If it doesn't lock, the door is spring-loaded and stays open. I think Gunvault mini-vaults are similar.

 

[FAS1]

My personal opinion is that the boxes you are looking at offer very little security.Will you leave your guns in there when you are not home? They all will give you quick access to you handgun provided the electronics last. Sounds like your main concern is kids, not thieves and all will do that since your kids won't pry or hammer on them. If you can justify spending a little more on a heavier box with a quality Simplex mechanical lock (the lock alone costs more than all the boxes you posted) take a look at the Ft. Knox handgun safe. It is made of 1/8" steel with a 3/16" steel lid. I think it's around $190.00.

 

[SwissArmyDad]

I appreciate the perspective, and I'll be the first to admit and agree that some of these look less than "up to the task". My DAC safe worked very well for 2 years of daily use, hence my frustration that I cannot simply buy another one.

And to answer your questions, yes, I actually have 3 kids, who's safety is my main focus, and yes the handguns would be staying in the handgun safe during the day. I prefer that the handguns be fully loaded and ready, yet completely locked and instantly ready to deploy by touch (at night) if necessary.

(Somewhat demanding requirements, I know!)

I actually saw that particular model last night (with the simplex lock). Definitely worth some consideration.

 

[SwissArmyDad]

My local GS carries this brand:

V-line $129.99 -free shipping.
http://www.amazon.com/V-Line-Compac...QGJS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1311897932&sr=8-1

Similar to Ft. Knox, and pretty darn close to my $100.00 budget without an electronic system to fail. Might be worth a look.

ft. knox:
http://www.amazon.com/Fort-Knox-Pis...=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1311898532&sr=1-1


I see the difference. The V-line brand doesn't list a "Simplex" brand lock in it's features. It says that it had 1081 possible combinations just like the Simplex, but I'd assume it's a "knockoff" lock.

 

[FAS1]

The V-Line products seem to be good products and many companies use the "other" brand lock. It does help cut costs. There are two companies that make this style push button lock and while I haven't used the copy of the original I think it's up to par. I have examined a sample they sent me and a year ago it did not have the clutch mechanism to protect the shaft from being broken by someone with pliers twisting on it, it now has that feature. I would have no problem with either brand. The lock that usually has the flat rubber four sided knob that I think looks like a 4-leaf clover and the square shaped buttons is the other brand. Simplex uses round buttons and usually a taller rubber knob.

 

[SwissArmyDad]

10-4. thanks for that clarification.