Recommended Handgun Safes???

drew-67 · Nov 28, 2010

Hi,
I am looking for a Handgun Safe and hoping for some thoughts...
Low cost and function is important, in addition;
I would like to be able to fit both my 686 6" and a 642 revolvers in the safe.
The safe would be on a top shelf in a closet, so would be looking at possibly anchoring it to the wall/shelf.

Also, looking at overall security feature...I need it child-proof; but would like to be able to access as quick as possible.
What's best; key lock, combination lock etc.? Might have to get open in a hurry, in the dark.
I am thinking key might be faster...combination might be safer...

Anyway, look forward to all thoughts!

***Just an after-thought...I would consider a "single" handgun safe, if it would make accessability/security that much faster and safer...and the price was right.

UGlide · Nov 28, 2010

These are, IMO, the best.
V-Line Industries Security Cases and Cabinets

I got one many many years ago when the kids were young. I use it every day. Never a failure. The self-coded combo is easy to do in the dark. They are not cheap, but you will never have to worry about batteries, keys or failures ...or the kids.

jfd · Nov 29, 2010

agree with uglide, I have a few vlines around the house. Not the lowest cost but I think a great,secure, reliable product at a fair price. Can be hard mounted if desired. Good luck.

novalty · Nov 30, 2010

I like my Stack-on Mini-Storage Vault. Two shelves, I can fit my 5906 on one shelf for quick access and my 2206 and 1911 on the bottom shelf along with magazines. It is a solid 28 pounds, has mounting holes for it to be bolted or screwed down. Has a keypad that you can set combo up to 6 digits I believe, with key back up. I have had it for about a year and still has the factory batteries, safe gets opened everynight before I go to sleep and closed when I wake up, never had a failure. Got mine at Cabelas for $69.99, right now has 4.8 out of 5 rating with 37 reviews on Cabela's sight.

drew-67 · Nov 30, 2010

Thanks for the Helpful replies...
There sure is a lot of considerations, once one starts looking!

The Stack-on mini storage vault is certainly priced right and has a great rating...I will defientely be considering this one.

V-lines look like an awesome product too.

Anyone familiar with;
Cabela's: GunVault 1000 and 2000

Looks like fast access and secure at a do-able price...Doesn't look like the space of the Stack-on though; wondering if I could fit both revolvers in this, if I decided too.

Thanks, again!

novalty · Nov 30, 2010

I looked at the Gunvaults but after doing research there seemed like to many issues. The biggest of which was the batteries dying quickly, the price is pretty high, the space isn't very large, unless you get the larger model. After looking at one in the store I really didn't care for the large loop on the door, seemed like I would bang the gun on it while removing. Not sure to the validity of it, but remember watching a video on YouTube where they dropped a locked Gunvault on the floor and the door would pop open.

Lightfoot4 · Dec 1, 2010

I've got Vlines around my house too. Awesome safes.

Kuglespritz · Dec 12, 2010

I've had a Gunvault for over 10 years. Very secure and you can open them very quickly and I only change the batteries every couple of years. You can tell when they need to be changed by the sound the buzzer makes.

coach22 · Dec 12, 2010

Cabela's: V-Line Top Draw Pistol Safe
Batteries fail at the worst possible time.
This is the best money I ever spent.
It can be opened in 3 seconds in the dark.

Romanarcher · May 29, 2011

Just wondering does the v-line lid pop open when you press in the correct combo or do you need to open it yourself?

Kanewpadle · May 29, 2011

Romanarcher said:
Just wondering does the v-line lid pop open when you press in the correct combo or do you need to open it yourself?

No they don't.

I would go with Gunvault or VLine.

I have both. Personally I think the Gunvault is stronger. But neither were designed for long term storage but only short term quick access.

Vlines quality control seems to be better but then again it's a much simpler design.

Gunvault is well made and a good design but I have seen some issues. The Mini Deluxe uses an external power supply so power loss isn't an issue unless you have a power outage. Then the battery backup will bail you out provided they aren't dead.

They only potential problem with the Vline safes is the combination chamber which is purely mechanical. The combination chamber is the brains of the safe. But with high use they do wear out. But I don't think the average user will use it enough to wear it out.

The same combination chamber is used on some commercial push button locks. With high use, I've seen them last less than a year. A replacement is $150.00.

If the combination chamber quits working on a Vline safe, I know no way of getting in without breaking something.

There are many other gun safe/pistol boxes out there. I would stay away from anything that uses a key exclusively. Using a key exclusively defeats the purpose of quick entry IMO. And some of them have a loud adible beep when you push the buttons. Stay away from them too.

lagavulin62 · May 29, 2011

agreed with the stack-on. this was my first and it allows for storage up to 6 inch barrels. probably a little longer too, but i have nothing that long stored in it.

once you outgrow the stack-on you might consider the sentry fire proof safes which are much heavier and also offer more protection from the elements, moisture etc.. that's really the only downside to the stack-on in that it is simply a secure place for your gun and nothing more.

you can find the sentry safes at walmart, lowes, and home depot, often on sale for reasonable prices.

one more thing with the sentry safes, they don't have as much room as the stack-ons on the inside but if you can find extra shelfs(they only include one in the purchase) you could store more without having to buy rugs.

Kanewpadle · May 30, 2011

Stay away from Sentry.

R1_Demon · May 30, 2011

Kanewpadle said:
Stay away from Sentry.

Reasons to avoid?

lagavulin62 · May 31, 2011

R1_Demon said:
Reasons to avoid?

apparently the rationale is based on the fact he said so. quite convincing.

been using mine for over 10 years and never had anything turn to dust that was stored inside them.

billdeserthills · May 31, 2011

One thing about everything mentioned so far is they can all be opened with a hammer & a screwdriver-that includes the smaller Sentry fireproof safes as well. I got a AMSEC BF Series handgun safe, it wasn't cheap at $600, but it will not be opened with a screwdriver either. Weights about 300lbs, so it's about the smallest BF series safe.

MPH · Jun 2, 2011

I have looked at the V-line, Sentry, GunVault, etc. My two cents... Fort Knox is the best. I don't think you could open it with a sledge hammer. Remember it's only two cents. 10 guage body, 3/16" thick cover for a total of 24 lbs worth of safe. Take a look yourself.

Fort Knox: Americas Best Made Gun Safes, Hand Gun Safes, Fireproof Home Safes, and Vault Doors About US Hand Gun Boxes

billdeserthills · Jun 2, 2011

MPH said:
I have looked at the V-line, Sentry, GunVault, etc. My two cents... Fort Knox is the best. I don't think you could open it with a sledge hammer. Remember it's only two cents. 10 guage body, 3/16" thick cover for a total of 24 lbs worth of safe. Take a look yourself.

Fort Knox: Americas Best Made Gun Safes, Hand Gun Safes, Fireproof Home Safes, and Vault Doors About US Hand Gun Boxes

That Simplex lock on this safe is Bad News. These locks are very easy to break, I have had safe owner's accidentally break the lock while normal usage was taking place. I do like that the hinge pin is protected, unlike many other handgun safes that allow the use of a pin punch to simply "knock-out" the hinge pin allowing the door to then be opened.

GunGalBB · Aug 12, 2014

Best Biometric Gun Safe by FAR!!

I know this thread is a bit old but I thought I'd post here for anyone else looking for a good biometric gun safe. I've shopped around a lot for a good biometric gunsafe and the best one that I've found is The GunBox Biometric + RF gun safe. Not only can I program all 10 of my fingerprints but I can program my husband's as well. Heck, I could program my toes if I wanted to. It holds about 200 fingerprints. It also comes with a RFID label and wristband. They also offer some sweet RFID rings as well. It holds my gun plus a magazine. I've even seen pictures of people that can fit 2 smaller guns in it. You can bolt it down, upside down to a wall etc. You have access to your guns in about 3 seconds. This gun safe exceeded my expectations and blows GunVault out of the water. Gunvault is cheap and feels like those till boxes they use in retail. Their videos are impressive too. They have videos where the GunBox is put through a "torture test" not only by the company but by other companies as well. These gun safes are not only child proof but have an alarm so if it is moved it will go off (sounds like a fire alarm).

kbm6893 · Aug 12, 2014

I had a v-line. Solid safe, but the one thing I do not like is no key back up. The knob is designed to break if turned too hard so if you out the wrong combo in and turn that knob under pressure it will snap. I use a gunvault and have had it for 10 years. I change the batteries every year just to do it and have never had an issue. If the lock fails, I have the key back up. If you're really that worried just leave the key in the safe when you go to bed. If you need the gun just turn key. Return key to hiding spot in the morning

Recommended Handgun Safes???

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