What's A Good Handgun Safe?

B

Bruise Lee

Joined
Aug 4, 2002
Messages
363
I'm thinking of picking one up for quick but secure access in my house. I don't have any children, but I had some friends over recently who had a young son. While we were talking at the dinner table, the kid wandered into my bedroom and grabbed one of the stuffed animals my sister bought me out of my room. I was thinking, thank goodness the kid didn't dig around my room and find my S&W M66! When you are a bachelor, you just don't think like a parent about kid safety on a regular basis. At any rate, the incident got me thinking a handgun lock box might be a good idea.

Does anybody here have experience with a model they've used that they either like or dislike? Do you think keys are the way to go, or are push buttons the way to go? I'm leaning towards push buttons, because who is going to have keys in their pj's at 3:00AM in the morning?

Also is electronic the way to go or not? I've seen pistol safes that light up at night, making access easier, which seems like a good idea. On the other hand, dead batteries are just another thing that can go wrong and we all know about Mr. Murphy's Law.

I'm thinking a portable pistol safe would also be useful to legally transport an unloaded handgun to the indoor range here in the very Second Amendment unfriendly state of California. I certainly can't see any judge, jury, or cop claiming a pistol safe is NOT a locked container, even here.

Oh, by the way I already have a full sized safe for theft protection, so that is only a secondary concern. The main thing is to prevent unauthorized casual access for others, and quick emergency access for me.
 
I've been pretty happy with the GunVault models.

Get the "Deluxe" version (small or large) that has the AC converter if you'll be using it in your home. Saves on batteries. I have a large "Multi-Vault Deluxe" (with converter) in my bedroom and a small "Mini-Vault Standard" (without converter) in my truck. I have to change out the batteries in the truck version about every three months. Not a big deal, but it costs me about $5 to $10 every three months for the 8 AA batteries. The unit beeps occasionally when the batteries get low.

They feature BOTH a finger pad and a keyed lock (in case of power failure). The "Deluxe" versions have a small light inside.

http://www.gunvault.com/

Picked up both of mine on sale at http://www.wholesalehunter.com a while back.
 
How about just using a trigger lock?

Easy access and can't be fired unintentionally!
 
The handgun box is the way to go, as Dog Man says. :thumbup: I few years back I played around with a dozen different lock boxes and locks. This was the fastest one to use that didn't require a key or battery. You can easily punch in the combo by touch after a little practice. No key to lose, no trick ring to match up, no battery to die so THEN you go looking for the key :eek:

However, it's a free country. Go out and play with all that you can get your hands on before you invest.

jw
 
You can still shoot a handgun with a trigger lock in, according to my SWAT neighbor. I've heard the Pistol Pal series were good, but don't know if they're still in business.
 
I'm going to go out on a ledge .

A Holster.

I'm guessing even in California you can still carry or CCW while INSIDE your home.
 
OrangeJoe said:
A Holster.

I'm guessing even in California you can still carry or CCW while INSIDE your home.
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Lol OrangeJoe - did you read my original post? I invited some friends over and their kids to my house for dinner. I'm sure if I served them my linguine with white clam sauce with my old Bianchi break front holster with my 4" K frame .357 on would make for some interesting dinner conversation.:)
 
Just from a practical standpoint, I would look for something that does not require batteries or other power, but can be opened with a mechanical combination or a key. That way you don't have to worry about batteries dying or power going out, and if you forget the combo, you have a key overide.
 
I'm in the same boat as you, Bruise. From what I've found, the handgunsafe models look ideal. For a smaller, more compact container, these guys also look good: http://www.policefirerescue.com/life_jacket.html
They go for $20-$30. There's a model made of all steel that can be bolted into a car (the steel model is about $30). I don't recall the name of the manufacturer, just do a 'net search for Lifejacket + handgun.
 
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