Quick access safe for handguns?

[Puss]

Hello,
I have a push button safe for my shotty, but my handgun is always locked up in a case with a padlock. I would like to make it quicker to access but I cannot just leave it loaded by the night table; we have teenagers flow through the house from time to time.

Does anyone have a biometric / push button / other tech quick access safe that they like?

[SkyHawk]

V-line
Amsec
Fort Knox
FAS1

They all have Simplex locks

[Squidward]

Maybe this is obvious but.. Regardless of the brand/make/model, look for one that can be firmly mounted to something substantial.

[Casual_Shooter]

I have a Gun Vault Mini Vault that's worked well for quite a few years.

[Rivers]

I have both V-Line and Gun Vault security boxes. The battery-powered Gun Vaults can be defeated if you know how but for quick access, they work fine. The V-Line security storage boxes are Simplex locks that don't use batteries. Defeating them would largely depend on where they are located. Mine are recessed into the wall framing and are secured to the studs. Inside a closet where there's really no room to pry, etc. is best. My V-Line boxes will hold a my 870 12-gauge shotgun, an AR or lever action 30.30, a couple handguns and a decent selection of ammo and magazines. These are not intended as the big storage bin for all things gun-related. For that, look at some Rigid job-boxes bolted someplace prudent. Both the Gun Vault and V-Line are very quick access even in total darkness.

[L-2]

One of the small handgun safes I have is similar to this Amsec-brand safe:
https://www.amazon.com/Amsec-PS1210E...4595071&sr=8-6

It was my very first handgun safe/lockbox and works quite well.

I should also mention one's own teenagers should be well-training/educated on firearms already, but I suppose this won't mean their friends will be.

Here's another company I found during a brief internet search:
https://www.safeandvaultstore.com/co...d-pistol-safes

Then there are full-size safes. Now may be the time to just go full-size:
https://www.libertysafe.com/collections/gun-safes

[AFTII]

I have a Vaultek RS 500 safe next to my bed. It houses my HD defense gun - a suppressed SBR. (Long story short, home invading a-holes wearing vests are going to have a bad day and I get to keep my hearing.)

I've had the safe for about 18 months. The Vaultek's biometric lock has been very reliable. (There have been occasions where it didn't open on the first try (sloppy finger placement), but it has always opened on the second try. Its on par or better than an iPhone.) It opens very quickly. It also has a Smartkey push button bluetooth / rf opener. Again, really quick and really totally reliable, i.e., mine has never failed to open the safe.

Vaultek's pistol safes have the same tech options. (Vaultek even offers a Smartkey with a biometric sensor.) They are not cheap, but if you want fast and reliable access, they are probably the best.

[FNGGlock]

Been using the Vaultek Pro VE for bedside HD handguns. Has worked well for over 16 months. I just use the code, but you get models with bio (finger) and the code, smartphone app, yada yada. I figured a 6 digit pin is fast enough to get access to it, while keeping kids out of it. Though it is hidden, but still very accessible.

[D.A.V.I.D.]

Originally Posted by AFTII

I have a Vaultek RS 500 safe next to my bed. It houses my HD defense gun - a suppressed SBR. (Long story short, home invading a-holes wearing vests are going to have a bad day and I get to keep my hearing.)

I've had the safe for about 18 months. The Vaultek's biometric lock has been very reliable. (There have been occasions where it didn't open on the first try (sloppy finger placement), but it has always opened on the second try. Its on par or better than an iPhone.) It opens very quickly. It also has a Smartkey push button bluetooth / rf opener. Again, really quick and really totally reliable, i.e., mine has never failed to open the safe.

Vaultek's pistol safes have the same tech options. (Vaultek even offers a Smartkey with a biometric sensor.) They are not cheap, but if you want fast and reliable access, they are probably the best.

Some people have ones that work but I have one of these and that hasn’t been my experience. I would never depend on that thing. I just use it to throw my ccw gun in by the door when I get home. I have my finger set for 8 different users, you would think that would make it get your finger no matter what. Nope, then if it doesn’t work you have to wait until the lights go off before you can enter the code.

Fort Knox with the simplex lock is what I’ve been using next to the bed and like it.

[madland]

https://www.costco.com/gunvault-spee...100390759.html

I have this downstairs mounted inside a kitchen cabinet that doesn't see everyday usage. The kids know what it is. They know what's in there. They know it's loaded.They know not to touch it. Including the 8yr old. Who is probably the most proficient among everyone else in my house. Lol

https://gunvault.com/product/microvault-mv550-19/

I have this upstairs next to the bed.

Neither are biometric. I've read those can be hit or miss. Keep the battery changed every 6 months just to be safe. No problems in years..(Knock on wood)

I'm happy with both of these GunVault products.

[L84CABO]

Mechanical Simplex Lock > Biometric and/or Electronic Locks

In a quick access safe, I am not a fan of anything electronic or battery operated. Electronics fail and batteries die...usually at the worst possible moment. Also, I personally don't think that the biometric tech that is used at the lockbox price point, achieves the level of reliability that is needed yet. That's just my opinion. YMMV.

[WWDHD?]

I've had a Fort Knox simplex lock gun box bolted to a very large piece of furniture for about 10 years now- still works/looks like new.
My policy is if I'm ever going to be out of the house for 24 hrs I'll put my HD pistol in the main safe and leave the gun box lid open so if some crook does come in they hopefully won't destroy it or what it's bolted to trying to get it open.

[jimbo74]

RPNB Gun Safe,California DOJ... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B083PYT8CV...p_mob_ap_share


Is what I got off Amazon

Sent from my SM-G965U1 using Tapatalk

[kayaker]

I'm surprised about how much information people are making public.

[rodralig]

Stopbox I think is the quickest.

But again - it is not a safe. Consider it a “holster” at home.

_

[FAS1]

Simplex lock and thick 7GA steel bolted down for me.

[TFA777]

Originally Posted by FAS1

Simplex lock and thick 7GA steel bolted down for me.

Have you welded the lock down like the vline brute XL? Prevents an attack by punching out the lock with a screwdriver and hammer

[smittty]

My friend has a couple biometric pistol vaults and a couple that are essentially locking holsters that mount to a wall or whatever. He’s complained that none of them have been 100% reliable for accessing the guns.

[FAS1]

Originally Posted by TFA777

Have you welded the lock down like the vline brute XL? Prevents an attack by punching out the lock with a screwdriver and hammer

They are adding a steel backing plate behind the lock, the lock is not welded down. We have had a steel backing plate behind the lock for 7 or 8 years now. BTW, have you looked at what that did to their MSRP price? It went from $317 to $365 to add that plate. It is a good addition.

[SkyHawk]

I always forget FAS1 - they are good safes with Simplex locks, and for some reason I always get it wrong and think they only have stuff for cars.. clearly they have a good bedside safe. I edited my post

[edgalang]

For me simplex locks are the way to go. Of all of them, my favorite has been the https://www.shotlock.com/ brand.

[SkyHawk]

Originally Posted by edgalang

For me simplex locks are the way to go. Of all of them, my favorite has been the https://www.shotlock.com/ brand.

It looks like the only true simplex option they have is for AR - their C series lock.

They have other mechanical locks, but they are not simplex locks. Their 8-button mechanical lock looks interesting, I'm curious if it has simultaneous key press options. Not digging the key override though.
https://www.shotlock.com/locks

[FAS1]

Originally Posted by SkyHawk

I always forget FAS1 - they are good safes with Simplex locks, and for some reason I always get it wrong and think they only have stuff for cars.. clearly they have a good bedside safe. I edited my post

Thanks!

HaHa, actually I don't have anything specifically for vehicles although people will mount the Compact and FAS1/FAS1-TL in their Truck/SUV consoles.

[billped]

Originally Posted by kayaker

I'm surprised about how much information people are making public.

Paranoia will destroy ya'.

[edgalang]

Originally Posted by SkyHawk

It looks like the only true simplex option they have is for AR - their C series lock.

They have other mechanical locks, but they are not simplex locks. Their 8-button mechanical lock looks interesting, I'm curious if it has simultaneous key press options. Not digging the key override though.
https://www.shotlock.com/locks

Yeah...looks like they got rid of the C-Series for handguns (I have 2 of them). The 200M is not a bad idea though, since you can always just lock the keys inside I suppose.

[SkyHawk]

Originally Posted by edgalang

Yeah...looks like they got rid of the C-Series for handguns (I have 2 of them). The 200M is not a bad idea though, since you can always just lock the keys inside I suppose.

The lock picker in me always looks at keyways with excitement. A missing key just makes it even better

Most teens or petty thieves aren't lock pickers though. Hopefully it would not be easy to punch that lock out.

[Peahi2]

I like my Hornady Rapidsafe. Big thumbs up

[Friesland]

Anyone have experience with this model;
LifePod 2.0 weather resistant lockable storage?

Or the smaller model?

[Munny$hot]

The best would be one with a real Simplex lock. bio metric and a lot of the ones with electronic buttons can be simply rest by replacing the battery.

[rodralig]

Originally Posted by Friesland

Anyone have experience with this model;
LifePod 2.0 weather resistant lockable storage?

Or the smaller model?

Yes. Not recommended for quick access. It is for storage and portability.


_

[nick]

I use a bigger version of this safe. It works well for what it is: getting the gun out is quick. It won't withstand any halfway serious effort to break it open, but it's ok for preventing the kids from getting your handgun, and getting the gun out is quick. About 1.5 second.

https://www.amazon.com/BARSKA-HQ100-...PRJQ&srpt=SAFE

[d0190535]

Originally Posted by rodralig

Yes. Not recommended for quick access. It is for storage and portability.


_

Sorry for bumping an old thread, I was going to get the lifepod2.0 as a nightstand safe but what makes it not good for quick access? Thanks

[becxlt]

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[SilveradoColt21]

I recommend the Vaultek DS2I smart station, I have one next to my bed and the best part is it looks like an alarm clock so nobody would ever know it is a safe in the first place, plus it has a wireless charger on top so I can charge my phone .

[L84CABO]

Originally Posted by d0190535

Sorry for bumping an old thread, I was going to get the lifepod2.0 as a nightstand safe but what makes it not good for quick access? Thanks

I do not know anything about the Lifepod 2.0 specifically. But do consider whether a battery operated/electronic safe is the way to go for a quick access safe. Batteries die and electronics fail...often times at the worst possible moment. This goes for biometric functionality as well. I personally don't think the reliability is there yet for biometrics at this price point. For this application I greatly prefer a mechanical simplex lock. There's a lot less to go wrong with than anything electronic. YMMV.

[Marauder2003]

What alarm clock has a 4 digit keypad and a fingerprint reader on the top?

Originally Posted by SilveradoColt21

I recommend the Vaultek DS2I smart station, I have one next to my bed and the best part is it looks like an alarm clock so nobody would ever know it is a safe in the first place, plus it has a wireless charger on top so I can charge my phone .

[SilveradoColt21]

Originally Posted by Marauder2003

What alarm clock has a 4 digit keypad and a fingerprint reader on the top?

None but this is why you put some papers on top to cover it, simple solution