Bedside Gun Safes

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Not sure if this is where to post this question. But here goes and if the Moderator wants to move it, then so be it. So here goes. My Brother-In-Law wants to keep his nightstand gun in a small safe. He would like to know what are good safes and which to stay away from. He would prefer a safe that opens by fingerprint or a push button safe. Any inputs both positive or negative would be welcome. Also where to get them would be helpful.

Thanks,
AJ
 
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When the time comes for me to need the weapon in question, I don't want any encumbrances. Trying to push buttons, turn keys, etc. at 4 a.m in the dark isn't conducive to self defense.

If he's worried about children or grandchildren...educate them.

I grew up around guns and so did my children. We were all educated at an early age. No problems.

I knew there might be a curiosity factor; so, in addition to educating about the potential dangers of firearms, I told my children they could look at the guns anytime they wanted as long as they asked and we did it together.

When my grandchildren were small, I simply put the revolvers somewhere higher up, like the chest or dresser until they left.

My recommendation is the cheapest and, to me, the most practical...no safe at all. I'm sure you'll get many opinions.
 
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I have a Fort Knox pistol box I purchased when my daughter was a baby. I agree with the education, but my toddler's life wasn't worth the chances. Plus what happens if you have company with children and someone goes wondering thorough your house?

I don't like anything with batteries. There's nothing no batteries to die and the push buttons on the Fort Knox are pretty well fool proof. If you're worried about opening it under stress, practice just like you would drawing your pistol from a holster.

Original Pistol Box | Fort Knox
 
I agree with diyj98. Mr. Murphy will rare his ugly head at the most inopportune times.

Stay away from anything with batteries or any other electronics for a safe you depend your life on. Something with a mechanical lock is ideal.

I have a Fort Knox that will fit an SBR in one vehicle and a V-Line pistol safe under the back seat in another vehicle. They are hidden from plain sight and bolted to the vehicle. Both have push button simplex locks and are not apt to cause problems.
 
I could recommend Hornady's Rapid Safe. This one pictured is for small to medium-size revolvers or semi-autos. It uses RFID technology (see the wrist band) with five devices to electronically open the safe. It can also be opened with a four digit sequence or, if no power is available, you can unlock it with a key.
 

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I agree with sjbrdn. My Dad was a Federal LEO. He never locked up his gun or unloaded it, just put it up in the closet with his hat covering it. My brother and I were taught well about gun safety and never thought about touching it or letting ANYONE know it was up there. We had respect for what our parents told us to do, or not to do. I have been startled awake a few times, and though it was nothing that I needed to be armed for, I want as few barriers as necessary between me and my pistol. The one question I have is this, if you don't bolt the safe down to the, let's say, bedside table or to the bottom of the drawer, what is to stop a burglar from simply picking up the safe and taking it with them? What if they get into your bedroom before you wake up, grab it and run? Unfortunately, most are fairly easy to open if you don't have the code, key, or whatever.
 
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I was taught from a very young age to respect my parents all adults firearms and dogs too
Didn’t stop me from pulling out my dads revolvers when he wasn’t home
I had ACTS and PROVE drilled into my head but as a 13 year old I didn’t always do the right thing
I once belted on a pair of my dads single actions and did a “quick draw looking in the mirror , I saw 45 Colt hollow points in the cylinder in the reflection … had I dropped the hammer , I would have shot a hole through the master bedroom door down the hall out the front window into possibly the horse field or the pigpen .
Yes definitely get a safe lol education just means they know better but won’t necessarily do what was taught
 
I don't like anything that can fail and keep me from being armed but I do step up security when grand children are in the house. A gun in a pistol rug with 3 tumbler combination lock, flashlight, and assisted opening knife is what I prefer. In a hurry, I just cut the lock off.
 
You can purchase items like this Secure Vault, then Mount it securely to your bed frame or a nightstand. This runs about $125.00.
 

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As far as easy but secure storage, I prefer the V-Line safes which use a mechanical push button system to open. No batteries to worry about. You can screw it down to a surface with a mounting plate and, as I have done, obtain additional plates so I can move it to my vehicle.

However, as with all things guns, procedure and brain housing group are your best assets.
I don't worry about fumbling combos in the dark.
At night I open the latch. In the morning I lock it or take the piece with me.
I don't have littles in the house that might wander in in the dark while we sleep though.
In that case, practice, practice, practice with whichever system you choose is needed so you can have it locked at night.
Good luck and choose wisely. :D
 
Photog said:
The one question I have is this, if you don't bolt the safe down to the, let's say, bedside table or to the bottom of the drawer, what is to stop a burglar from simply picking up the safe and taking it with them? What if they get into your bedroom before you wake up, grab it and run? Unfortunately, most are fairly easy to open if you don't have the code, key, or whatever.
Click to expand...

They're not really designed to prevent theft, just someone from easily accessing your loaded firearm. Some like the Fort Knox are designed so they can be bolted to a floor or wall if theft is a concern.
 
I got one from Harbor freight of all places. It has programmable finger combo ( 4 buttons) . It has a key backup. I only bought it because it was an open box and I had a coupon. It actually works great. Even has a light inside when door opens. You could always unlock it at bedtime and lock in the morning.
 
Personally, I’m like Mr. Rustyt; at bedtime my gun is on the nightstand beside the bed. Although it’s not my EDC, it gets put elsewhere after I get out of bed. Also, I use a .38 Spl M36, sometimes a 15-3. I want a da/sa revolver. The 1 1/2 to 2 seconds, or more, is how long it takes for gun safe access. And I have a dog, which helps. The gun is put away after I get up. My EDC is downstairs.
 
I have a little different take on keeping your night stand gun in a safe. I think having to open a safe, and the fingerprint ones take about 2 seconds, gives you a little bit of time to think about what you are doing. If the time it takes between getting the gun out of a draw or getting it out of a good, accessible safe is enough to make a difference, there's a pretty good chance that you've already lost the encounter.
 
Just my opinion ……..

But if you’re worried about taking 5 seconds to access your gun from a pistol safe, you seriously need to harden your perimeter.

Some states have laws requiring you to use a pistol safe. I’ve been using V-Line for over 20 years. Had two other electronic safes that failed within two years of purchase.

It’s just been my wife and I for many years. I still use a pistol safe. People visit. Some with small children. Everybody’s happy.
 
Thanks for the information. He has told me that he has ordered one. Many reasons cited both for and against safes. None were even close to why he wanted the safe.
 
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