Hornady Shackle Box handgun safe

Does anyone here have the Hornady Shackle Box handgun safe? I'm considering one for use in the car, for those occasions when I have to lock up my gun (like when I take my wife to her doctor's appointment, which is in a hospital.) It gets decent reviews on various sites, and I did try the search function on this site with no results, so I thought I would ask for any input from the members here.

I do have a small handgun safe with the cable that I currently use, but I think the cable could be cut with a set of side-cutters, so I'm not too confident in its security. On the other hand, the places we go where I would need to lock the gun aren't in bad areas, and we're not usually away from the car for very long (usually an hour or less) so perhaps I'm worrying too much.

No experience with it, but it does look more secure than the Gunvault lock box with cable that I use. I doubt the cable on mine could be cut easily with sidecutters, but a small bolt cutter would make short work of it. When I have to leave my weapon in the car I shove the box under the seat with the cable wrapped around the seat frame. If it's not easily visible it is less likely to be a temptation for thieves or vandals.

Do they make one with a combination lock? I like the overall design of the product, but I hate having to remember to keep the key with me. The price is really good too. I saw them for $25 on Wal-Mart's website.


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You mean to tell me that you don't carry everywhere? [emoji6]


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Don~Z~ said:

You mean to tell me that you don't carry everywhere?

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There are places where it is illegal to carry, like a hospital. My wife's doctor's office is in a hospital, so no I don't carry when we go to her doctor (she is disabled, and has to go once a month to see this doctor.)

TX-Dennis said:

No experience with it, but it does look more secure than the Gunvault lock box with cable that I use. I doubt the cable on mine could be cut easily with sidecutters, but a small bolt cutter would make short work of it. When I have to leave my weapon in the car I shove the box under the seat with the cable wrapped around the seat frame. If it's not easily visible it is less likely to be a temptation for thieves or vandals.

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I happened to have a cable left over from a smaller lockbox that I no longer have, so I tried cutting the cable with pliers and then a pair of sidecutters. The pliers were no go, and the side cutters put a dent in the cable, but didn't completely cut it. Now, someone younger and stronger may be able to use the side cutters to completely cut it, but it didn't cut it with my applied force. I didn't try bolt cutters, but I feel sure they would do it. I don't know how many smash and grab thieves carry bolt cutters, but they might, especially since there are small handle models that are easily carried. Since that is a chance, I'd rather not risk it...even though the risk may be low in the locations we visit where I have to lock up my gun.

FLSTFI said:

Do they make one with a combination lock? I like the overall design of the product, but I hate having to remember to keep the key with me. The price is really good too. I saw them for $25 on Wal-Mart's website.

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They don't make a combo lock model that has the shackle. It has a barrel key, which doesn't thrill me, since I wonder if ANY barrel key will unlock the box. I'd prefer a unique key, but they don't offer that.

I did check Walmart, and I didn't see the shackle box model on their site at the price you mentioned. There are other models with a cable at a lower price, but I didn't see the shackle model. That's a really good price if it is for the shackle model!

Bought it, returned it

I bought the Hornady Shacklebox at Academy Sports, but I've now returned it.

The shackle was a good idea, but poorly designed in my opinion. First of all, the two locking "tabs" (or whatever they are called) are annoyingly difficult to operate. They take a lot of "fiddling" to get them to release and then lock in again. I could get one to lock in, but then the other one wouldn't.

The main problem I had with it, though, was that the shackle wasn't big enough to fit around my seat post. I did have a short chain that I used around the seat post and then padlocked the chain to the shackle...which did work.

The other problem was that the box is bigger than my previous (and still current) handgun safe, and wouldn't allow me to lower the seat until it locked in. I have an Expedition, with captain's chairs for the second row, and they raise up and go forward to allow access to the rear seat. I put my safe under one of the captain's chairs, since there is no room under the driver's or front passenger's sear, because of the seat motors. The Hornady box is taller and wider, and wouldn't allow the seat to come all the way down and lock in.

Another issue that was to me minor but to my wife a serious problem is that the shackle rattles inside the safe. My wife is very sensitive to noises like this, while I just turn up the radio (when I am alone.) I do admit that it's annoying, and perhaps a design flaw...the shackle is too loose where it slides in and out, and loose metal against metal produces a rattle.

So, I am back to the drawing board...I'm going to find a way to replace the cable in my current safe with a chain. Or, I may see what a local shop would charge to make a safe. This shop makes trailers, and they make diamond plate boxes for the trailers...if they would make a much smaller one to my specifications, that would be ideal.

These folks make excellent safes. I have one bolted to my bedframe. They make one for autos.

FAS1 SAFE, LLC

84Carrera said:

These folks make excellent safes. I have one bolted to my bedframe. They make one for autos.

FAS1 SAFE, LLC

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In looking at their website, I noticed that they sell barrel keys...which is what the Hornady box uses. Would any barrel key fit any safe with a barrel lock?

Don't know if they are out of your price range but I like the idea and I will get one when money allows but look at the console vault gun safes. It replaces the inside of you center console with a gun safe.

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mpreusse13 said:

Don't know if they are out of your price range but I like the idea and I will get one when money allows but look at the console vault gun safes. It replaces the inside of you center console with a gun safe.

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I've looked at those. While a little pricey, they aren't as much as replacing a gun! I may just have to go that route.

I had a lockable case in my wife's jeep. It somehow got partially crunched beneath the passenger seat. It was a Nanovault 200. It was deformed in such a way that the key wouldn't turn. I thought it would be a good test to see how long it took me to get into it.

With a hammer and large flat screwdriver, it took me two to three minutes to get into it. And it was not subtle. As far as I am concerned that is good enough for me. It would certainly keep the casual thief from grabbing it. Sorry I did not try to cut the cable, but will do do to see if it will hold up...

jmace57 said:

With a hammer and large flat screwdriver, it took me two to three minutes to get into it.

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Well, that concerns me...a hammer and a screw driver aren't exactly uncommon burglar tools! Fortunately, as I previously mentioned, the times that I need to lock my gun in the safe are usually in good areas, and aren't for long intervals. Still, one never knows these days.

The console safe is sounding like a better option...and not just for my gun, but for any other small valuables we might need to secure as well.

It has a barrel key, which doesn't thrill me, since I wonder if ANY barrel key will unlock the box. I'd prefer a unique key, but they don't offer that.

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A barrel key uses exactly the same set of pins as a regular lock, just arranged differently. In fact barrel locks usually have more pins that a regular padlock.. (6 or 7 in a barrel to 5 or 6 in a regular lock, so actually they are more secure....)

deadin said:

A barrel key uses exactly the same set of pins as a regular lock, just arranged differently. In fact barrel locks usually have more pins that a regular padlock.. (6 or 7 in a barrel to 5 or 6 in a regular lock, so actually they are more secure....)

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That's good to know!

GKC said:

In looking at their website, I noticed that they sell barrel keys...which is what the Hornady box uses. Would any barrel key fit any safe with a barrel lock?

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I doubt any barrel key would work. I have a sentry with a barrel key and keep inadvertently trying to use my Harley barrel key in it. Needless to say it does not work.

deadin said:

A barrel key uses exactly the same set of pins as a regular lock, just arranged differently. In fact barrel locks usually have more pins that a regular padlock.. (6 or 7 in a barrel to 5 or 6 in a regular lock, so actually they are more secure....)

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Yes thanks for that bit of info.

rickflst said:

I doubt any barrel key would work. I have a sentry with a barrel key and keep inadvertently trying to use my Harley barrel key in it. Needless to say it does not work.

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Another Harley that doesn't work...

(Sorry, I couldn't resist!)

Here is another option although it doesn't appear to be available until the end of the year.

A Gun Vault for Your Car, EAA's Car Abdo - SHOT Show 2017 - GunsAmerica Digest

84Carrera said:

Here is another option although it doesn't appear to be available until the end of the year.

A Gun Vault for Your Car, EAA's Car Abdo - SHOT Show 2017 - GunsAmerica Digest

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Well, that's different...

I wish car makers would offer the option of a built-on floor safe. It could be used for all sorts of small valuables, not just a gun (to placate the anti's.)