I'm looking for a single-handgun easy-open safe for our "bedside companion." I really want one that is 100% mechanical.

A few years ago, I picked one up at Costco. It was nice enough. Biometric sensor, 5-button combo for redundancy, key lock for redundant redundancy. The biometric sensor was spotty at best, but the keypad worked reliably. For a few years, anyway. Now, the keypad is temperamental, and worse, the hydraulic cylinder that supports the lid is dead, so it no longer pops open. I've added a string so that we can get it open without finding a nail file to pry it up.

Also, there's rust forming on my bedside companion. Rust! How embarrassing!

I like the form of it, a flat box that I've bolted to the top of a chest of drawers. What I've come to dislike are the electronics and the hydraulics. In other words, anything fancy. Oh, also the lack of weather sealing.

I want a box that locks with a purely physical mechanism. You know those 5-button locks you see on doors in old government buildings? I want THAT. A pushbutton combination lock that does not rely on batteries. Ever. And I want one that doesn't require a spring or hydraulics to open. Just a hinge. I want a steel box with a hinged lid and a manual, physical, push-button combination lock. And, of course, a key for backup. I want a safe that can sit for 35 years, undisturbed, and still open the first time you hit the combo. And, while we're at it, i want it to be environmentally sealed.

As far as I can tell, no one makes this box. If you know of someone who does, please share! Alternately, if you're a skilled engineer or machinist, start making and selling these!

Following up on this.
They found someone with a nice airsoft collection that looked realistic enough. I was running sound, and didn't get a good look at the props until we took a break after a few hours' shooting. There's a scene where one woman in unpacking a bag full of guns in front of her family. She says "Two handguns, both Glocks" as she pulls them out. During the break, I went to look at the collection. Sure enough, two handguns, both H&Ks. Sigh.

Well GZ can just light Kong on fire. So easy win.

Dude, Godzilla can't hit what he can't.... oh. Crap. He just hit Kong. Yep. Burned him right up. I guess giant apes ain't as agile as one would think.

I've got a small group of people who I want to take shooting for their first time. If it happens, it needs to happen before April 16.

First, what's open? Pistol? Rifle? Silhouette? The website says silhouette is closed, but it's still got the warnings about the "upcoming" lead remediation project in November.

Next, what's the time protocol? I know that for a brief time, windows were scheduled and of short duration. What's the sitch now?

Lastly, "groups." If I show up with 3-4 people with the intention of us sharing a shooting station, is that still ok? Or are there limits on the size/composition of groups due to covid?

Mahalo!
Tom G

Zippz, while your proposals are certainly stellar, I am aware of at least one other developed concept that goes much farther. It starts with subterranean parking then revamps the entire crater. Imagine what you could do with al that space! Sure, it's a pie-in-the-sky scenario, but why not aim high? I can reach out to the man who developed said plans, see if he's willing to share.

Hmmmm but my question is how would HPD know if you took possession of a black powder firearm if no registration is required? Sounds like another useless law that is pretty much toothless. My 1858 Remington Army replica is coming in Monday.

That is a fair question! Also, by the letter of the law, if you were buying a BP pistol, to get a permit, you'd need the serial number ahead of time. With a mail-order outfit, I'm not even sure that's possible.

Erm... maybe the Russians label their firearms differently, but the AK is not a submachine gun.

As a proper Southern Boy, black-eyed peas are essential for New Year's Day.

What grades were your 1903 and Garand? 

Um, no idea. I think my dad got the a4 from CMP (or the ODCMP at the time) after his service. My other 1903 examples have all been purchased from other shooters or gun stores.

IIRC, I think I ordered a "field" grade for my M1, back when they first rolled out that designation. I was much pleased; what I received was actually "service" grade.

I can't believe Big City Diner didn't make the list! I like it with their fried rice.