2aHawaii
General Topics => General Discussion => Topic started by: Cheeehooo on January 29, 2021, 05:24:53 PM
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What do you guys like for quick access handgun safes? I see a lot of options out there
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What do you guys like for quick access handgun safes? I see a lot of options out there
I tried a couple of the $80-$120 models. Most of them are just designed to keep kids and nosey relatives and guests from finding and handling/taking your handgun.
If you are going to leave a gun in it 24/7, then I'd recommend an actual quick-access SAFE, rather than a flimsy lockbox.
Also, the battery-operated locks tend to fail. Unless you religiously test the thing every week, you won't know it needs a new battery until it's crunch time.
Look on YouTube for reviews on handgun lockboxes. The most common ones are super easy to break into given the right info and a little time.
I opted for a brand called FAS1. http://www.fas1safe.com/
The products are made from super thick and heavy steel, not thin, lightweight metal you see in the $100 models. They use a Simplex pushbutton lock which is fast yet doesn't require batteries. These things are TANKS. If you find a good spot to mount it down with good hardware and is difficult to get under or behind, it's not going anywhere without a lot of time, tools and patience.
Fort Knox and AMSEC have similar products that might cost less given the shipping to Hawaii, but the metal used by FAS1 is heavier and thicker than both.
If interested, I'd sign up for their newsletter and wait for a promotion. The savings will help pay for the shipping. Historically, the have promos during every major holiday. You can also follow them on FB and Twitter to get notified of discounts.
I have 3 myself. If you want the best price on shipping, email the owner and let him know you're in Hawaii. He'll take your order online, then find the best shipping price and charge you exactly what he has to pay to ship it. Like I said, they are heavy, so shipping will not be cheap.
I think I'll have the three FAS1 safes I own until I no longer am around. I have no doubt these things will last as long as a regular gun safe unless someone takes a jackhammer to it!
Anyway, that's my story. If you want specifics, feel free to ask, or just contact the owner. He's really good to work with.
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My quick access gun safe is a Remora holster sitting on the nightstand next to my bed. Also have ear muffs hanging right above it along with a EagleTac G25C2 flashlight. Just me and the wife, so no kids to worry about.
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Stick with a mechanical lock.
Don't trust electronic crap any further than I can spot.
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Stick with a mechanical lock.
Don't trust electronic crap any further than I can spot.
Or spell :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:
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Or spell :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:
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spat spet spit spot sput....
Dammit, one of these is correct.
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But seriously, we all know how reliable madern electronic gadgets are.
Stick with a mechanical luck. Never have to worry about changing the butteries.
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I recommend a box like this....
https://www.amazon.com/V-Line-Compact-Keyless-Storage-Security/dp/B001H3QGJS/ref=sr_1_2?crid=28NFV4UAZPOQS&dchild=1&keywords=simplex+gun+safes+for+pistols&qid=1612039215&sprefix=Simplex+gun+safe%2Caps%2C310&sr=8-2
And a dog that barks at strangers.🐕
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This V-line is great. No goofy biometric crap that either does not work, or opens for anyone's fingerprint. No battery powered keypad that craps out unexpectedly. (stack-on)
Have a couple small Stack-On safes for not emergency use. Backup keys are in the big mechanical combo safe.
Only thing with the V-line is to remember to turn the knob CCW before entering the button push. Can momentarily jam if you do not requiring the CCW turn and re-entry.
edit: a spring loaded cover opener would have been nice, as there is no easy one hand grabbing the somewhat heavy lid. Looked at some sort of strut to add on, but decided it was too much trouble.
I recommend a box like this....
https://www.amazon.com/V-Line-Compact-Keyless-Storage-Security/dp/B001H3QGJS/ref=sr_1_2?crid=28NFV4UAZPOQS&dchild=1&keywords=simplex+gun+safes+for+pistols&qid=1612039215&sprefix=Simplex+gun+safe%2Caps%2C310&sr=8-2
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I recommend a box like this....
https://www.amazon.com/V-Line-Compact-Keyless-Storage-Security/dp/B001H3QGJS/ref=sr_1_2?crid=28NFV4UAZPOQS&dchild=1&keywords=simplex+gun+safes+for+pistols&qid=1612039215&sprefix=Simplex+gun+safe%2Caps%2C310&sr=8-2
That one looks nice for travel. The price is also around half what FAS1 safes run + shipping.
"Pry-resistant" doesn't make me confident, though. The "tab" that the lock holds onto looks a little too easy to pry if you get a pry bar or heavy screwdriver under the front of the lid.
This one from V-Line (Brute) looks much better, but isn't as cheap.
https://tinyurl.com/yyfwbuwb
Thicker steel and the tab goes completely across the front, not just in the center where the lock holds on. I could see where the "Brute" version keeps anyone from prying the front open.
The version oldfart posted is 18ga steel (1.214mm). The brute is 10ga (3.416mm).
I also read in the comments (and saw pictures) of how the lock mechanism protrudes into the storage compartment. It reduces usable storage area, and causes a risk of marring the contents if the safe is moved while your stuff is inside.
Just a few things to consider.
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I reccomend a mechanical type lock. It's tactile, highly reliable. Had an electronic liberty pistol safe that is now a key only safe. :crazy:
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Thanks for all the good info. I think I’m going with Fort Knox or something similar, simplex locks
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Also these....
VAULTEK LifePod 2.0
https://www.amazon.com/VAULTEK-Waterproof-Electronic-Organizer-Portable/dp/B08PPQYWS1/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=vaultek&qid=1612498625&sr=8-3
VAULTEK LifePod
https://www.amazon.com/Vaultek-Waterproof-Electronic-Organizer-Portable/dp/B07XTLXNJY/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=vaultek&qid=1612498625&sr=8-2
the company website for these
https://vaulteksafe.com/products/vaultek-view-all-lifepod-series/
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I have a vaultek slider biometric safe, supposed to be one of the best and has a price to match.
It's very sturdy and we'll made. The spring loaded slide out tray is it's best feature which makes the gun quickly accessable and it holds a spare magazine. However my full size sig 320 with optic does not fit. My Glock 22 with irons does fit.
It has 3 ways to access it. Primary is the fingerprint reader which is fast when it works. But you have to get your finger placement exactly right. It works like 40% of the time. It won't work if your fingers are wet or dirty. Backup is a code combination that I'd use in emergencies. There's also a key option. I haven't seen any youtube videos on vulnerabilities so I guess it's pretty good.
Overall a well made product but the fingerprint reader is good for convenience but not emergencies.
(https://vaulteksafe.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/slides-1024x827.png)
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Is the title missing a ","?
Like "Handgun, safe, quick access" ;)
Someone above already mentioned my method for safe, quick access. . . O0
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Lol I had thought about that too..fixed for clarification :thumbsup:
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I have a vaultek slider biometric safe, supposed to be one of the best and has a price to match.
It's very sturdy and we'll made. The spring loaded slide out tray is it's best feature which makes the gun quickly accessable and it holds a spare magazine. However my full size sig 320 with optic does not fit. My Glock 22 with irons does fit.
It has 3 ways to access it. Primary is the fingerprint reader which is fast when it works. But you have to get your finger placement exactly right. It works like 40% of the time. It won't work if your fingers are wet or dirty. Backup is a code combination that I'd use in emergencies. There's also a key option. I haven't seen any youtube videos on vulnerabilities so I guess it's pretty good.
Overall a well made product but the fingerprint reader is good for convenience but not emergencies.
There is a SMARTKEY thingy that works with several of their vaults https://vaulteksafe.com/accessories/smart-key-nano/
"Smart Key Nano is compatible with SLIDER SERIES, VT SERIES, MX SERIES, and RS SERIES safes. It is not compatible with 10 Series, 20 Series, and Essential Series models."
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What do you guys like for quick access handgun safes? I see a lot of options out there
Stick with a mechanical lock
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Costco $100:
https://www.costco.com/gunvault-speedvault-sv500-quick-access-safe.product.100390759.html
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Costco $100:
https://www.costco.com/gunvault-speedvault-sv500-quick-access-safe.product.100390759.html
I have one of those. Better off taking that $100 bill and wiping your ass with it.
After about a year, the battery started needing replacing more frequently. In about 2 years, the keypad only worked now and then. Had to use the backup key to open it for the last time.
Electronic locks for quick access really are a gamble, IMHO.
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I have one of those. Better off taking that $100 bill and wiping your ass with it.
After about a year, the battery started needing replacing more frequently. In about 2 years, the keypad only worked now and then. Had to use the backup key to open it for the last time.
Electronic locks for quick access really are a gamble, IMHO.
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Think about all your defunct phones, computers, tablets, etc.
:rofl:
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Costco $100:
https://www.costco.com/gunvault-speedvault-sv500-quick-access-safe.product.100390759.html
I've taken up lock picking in the past year since watching these lock pick videos. Amazing how simple and fast it is to crack most locks. Though in reality $100 for a safe like this is a good deal and a thief would just rip the safe off the mount and crack it open at home.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYqwyLSywWc
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I've taken up lock picking in the past year since watching these lock pick videos. Amazing how simple and fast it is to crack most locks. Though in reality $100 for a safe like this is a good deal and a thief would just rip the safe off the mount and crack it open at home.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYqwyLSywWc
All electronic handgun safes have to have a backup key for when something goes wrong. The normal thing they do is purchase the least expensive keyed lock they can. I can but that lock for about $1.50 if that tells you anything about the security/quality of the lock.
The Simplex lock's advantage extends to not having a need for a backup entry key which in almost all instances creates another access point to exploit. There are some pretty good quality keyed locks that are available like the Camlock T8 https://www.camlock.com/cylinders/cam-lock/series-T8-cam-lock (https://www.camlock.com/cylinders/cam-lock/series-T8-cam-lock) that we use as a deadbolt/backup entry option and locks like Abloy https://www.abloy.com/en-US/products1/catalogue/mechanical-industrial-locks-/cam-locks/ (https://www.abloy.com/en-US/products1/catalogue/mechanical-industrial-locks-/cam-locks/) are very good, but very few manufactures incorporate them because of the cost. The consumer has to demand better quality before it will change for the mainstream manufacturers.