Trigger Locks or gunsafe for nightstand?

[UglyGlock]

if you are on a tight budget, then a simple safe like the ones from http://www.center-of-mass.com/ can be had for $30-ish and are better than a trigger lock for sure. it'll keep the kids out, (or the casual theif), but can be pried open with a crowbar or claw hammer.

something like this is more secure and also faster/easier to access but costs about $120:
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/t...cm_cat=Google&cm_pla=handgun&_requestid=59153
it can also be opened by feel in the dark.

I have the former in my car, and the latter bolted to the wall out of sight between the bed and nightstand.

 

[bobhaverford]

OK, here's the deal. My old Palmer Security gun safe is built like a freaking TANK! Out of curiosity, I called handgunsafe.com to inquire as to whether or not they were the old Palmer Security gun safe. The owner's wife said, no they were not.

I then asked if her safe was built as well as the Palmer and she laughed and said no, it was built better. I figured this was b.s. as I really couldn't imagine a safe built any better. She told me that their doors are 1/4 INCH thick and the walls of the remainder of the safe are 3/16 INCH thick. WOW!!

My old Palmer is only 3/32 of an inch thick and IT'S very heavy. So, if you are looking for the ultimate in gun safes then this is the best - but you do pay a premium - Duh!

 

[Don Lu]

I've got that DAC safe from wal-mart, it is great and has never failed to open. It will beep and let you know batteries need to be changed well before the batteries fail.
I have a little one so loaded on the night stand is not an option, but you would be surprised how alert you would be if you heard someone banging your door down at 3am. Adrenaline does not take long at all to kick in and you will be able to punch in your security code, at least I have. Luckily it wasnt a threat just a drunk neighbor trying to get into the wrong house (long story)

 

[themic]

I don't like the idea of training myself to fiddle with the trigger area in the dark. They have trigger-lock-like things that go around the whole action area of a firearm that seem a little better - the lock isn't right on the trigger area.

 

[tbtrout]

I use the Gun Vault safe next to the bed. Press the buttons and opens right up. $100 @ cabelas.

 

[Arcticfox]

Mini gun vault at cheaper than dirt. $90.

 

[Trebor]

You should *NEVER* put a trigger lock on a loaded firearm. The post that connects the two pieces of the lock goes through the trigger guard. That post can very easily depress the trigger and cause the gun to fire while you are installing or removing the lock.

If you use a trigger lock, you have to keep the unloaded, which adds even more time to the time it takes to access the gun. You have first remove the lock and then load the gun. Under stress this becomes more difficult.

A trigger lock also doesn't reduce the chance of theft. The thief just steals the whole thing and removes the lock later.

I reccomend a good gun safe. There are many brands and types available. Shop around a little and see what you can afford and what features you want.

 

[obxned]

Safe Kids

When I was growing up and when my kids were young, there were always guns around, and it was the same at all of our friends homes. We knew about guns because we were taught about guns, and went shooting with the grownups. We could shoot any gun we wanted to under adult supervision. We also played with toy guns. We knew the difference, and I never knew of anybody who shot anyone or themselves.

 

[UglyGlock]

When I was growing up and when my kids were young, there were always guns around, and it was the same at all of our friends homes. We knew about guns because we were taught about guns,

yes, me too. and my kids were taught early how to handle guns and when not to.

Unfortunately, very few of the neighbor kids, or friends of my kids, have any clue. most of them don't know a toy from a real firearm. Sadly, my sister-in-law won't let her children see a gun, picture of a gun, toy or otherwise. even on tv. even yellow plastic rayguns or super-soaker kind of squirtguns that don't even look like a real weapon. i'm not sure what she thinks of the 90degree hose nozzels.

So when my youngest nephew came to my house and saw my daughters toy pistol he picked it up, and pointed it at his own head, pulled the trigger, and made hair-dryer sounds. Of course my sister-in-law freaked out and started going off on what a terrible parrent I am for letting my girls have toy guns. She dosen't see that she is the one being irresponsible for not teaching her kids how to properly recognize and handle dangerous items they are likely to encounter in the world.

Anyway, there is a whole generation of parents like my sister-in-law, and so i keep my guns locked up when not under my direct control. Its sad that I have to do so, but times change.

 

[Shipwreck]

I plan to buy the delux gunvault soon - but how does that Wal-Mart Winchester one compare to the gunvault deluxe?

 

[JAB]

I would stay away from key lock safes, I recently took a defense course and the instructor had us take turns walking from about 40 to fifty feet to the safe, with someone else trying to unlock it and pull a weapon prior to walker approaching. Every time the mock attacker got to the person trying to open the safe before they had the gun out, and they were walking slowly. add in adrenaline/panic in a real situation and its very possible you would be atttacked prior to being armed in a real situation, unless you practice extensively with the key opening systym, and even then you gotta deal with were do you keep the key to keep it secure. I have a key lock safe, but no kids so I go loaded on the stand, ready to grab. If I had kids Id prob go for a push button combo, and just have a preventative maint schedule for batteries, backup, elec, whatever. Just my 2 cents.