Gun safe for car

[spirit4earth]

Can you offer advice on a gun safe for my car? Bolting a safe to the vehicle isn't an option, and I have a hatchback. I would be carrying an M&P 9c and an extra mag. I don't have much money, but I do want something secure. Thanks!

 

[Lost Lake]

Nothing will be completely secure, as a cable can be cut and a small safe hacked open or ripped out.

I use a Gun Vault that has a cable that can be wrapped around a seat frame or something solid then the end of the cable goes into the safe and the safe is locked. A thief could defeat it, but it at least makes them work at it a bit.

A decent vault will cost less than $100. You may be better off disguising the gun or hiding it in an unnoticeable place, like under a hidden carpet flap or something.

 

[Kanewpadle]

I use a hard side pistol case with extra long bicycle cable. I have just enough room to slide the case under the drivers seat from the rear. I wrap the cable around the seat posts a couple times and then padlock the cable to the case. Kind of a pain but it works. I put one of those trash cans made for vehicles on the floor in front of it so it can't be seen through the window.

If you can find a decent place to mount one, here is a reasonably priced option.
Amazon.com: Smittybilt 2746 Universal Secure Lock Box (Black): Automotive

 

[ruger480]

There is no lock that is theft-proof.

 

[gonzogeezer]

Gun vault

+1 on Gun Vault. Midway had a sale, I keep two in the trunk and if I need to use I wrap the cables around the spare tire. Not theft proof but s/b a deterrent for the snatch and grab. And it meets fed interstate transport regs., gun in one and ammo in the other. Or buy one for the gun and lock the ammo in the glove box.

 

[Springfeildkid585]

I take the gun with me when I get out of the car, my has a lockable center console and glove box I've used twice when taking the gun with me wasn't a viable option. If I didn't have those and needed to store the gun in the car I'd put it in a gun vault and under the seat or hide it in one of the many areas in the car used for stashing (behind speakers and the like).

 

[donalfor]

Tuffy

Conceal Carry Valuables Tote

 

[MPGSR]

I got an under seat safe from qaudratec for my jeep. nothing is fool proof but anything thing that takes time to break into helps. 80 bucks.

 

[StuperDan]

+2 on the gunvault. For fancier option check out http://www.truckvault.com/

Sent from my PG86100 using Tapatalk 2

 

[Pasifikawv]

I generally try to avoid leaving a firearm in an unattended vehicle. However, there are occasions when I need to lock up a handgun while making a quick trip into the court house, post office, airport, etc.

For these times when the firearm will be locked in the car for a short period, I use a simple "secure-it" gun safe with a cable. It isn't the strongest lock-box in the world, but it will make a thief have to work a little harder than just "smash-n-grab." Since I do not leave a sidearm in a vehicle for long periods, this works for me.

I also will use it as a lightweight travel safe for securing passports, cash, credit cards, etc. that I may not want to carry with me when stepping out, but want to keep under lock & key back at the hotel room. Again, not the most secure option, but offers some increased security for items left in a hotel room.

Large Pistol Security Box 9-1/2 x 6-1/2 x 1-3/4 Steel Black

 

[spirit4earth]

A lot of the options mentioned are inconvenience type deterrents, more than actual super-secure options. This leads me to the question: why not just use my S&W gun case? Padlock the case, then cable lock through the handle to some place secure in the car. The bright blue might be an attracter, though.

 

[HCF]

I also use gun vault, its nice an slim slides under seat no problem.

 

[Ltlbear]

more than actual super-secure options

That is not a cheap budget item. Super Secure cost money.

You are contradicting yourself.

Won't bolt to the vehicle, but want super secure.

Cable lock box under the seat is as good as it gets on a budget. The options mentions are all good ones to prevent smash and grab which covers most all car break ins and theft.

I use the gun vault with a cable. Works for valuables in a motel room as well.

 

[jkc]

Cables of any size are easily defeated --- if you use a GunVault for anything beyond legal compliance reasons, I recommend chain. Drill out the hole designed for the fairly flimsy GunVault cable system, add a stout machine eye (not a Home Depot screw eye), and use two quality padlocks to fasten a length of heavy chain to the machine eye, and around the seat frame or etc.

 

[vista461]

I generally try to avoid leaving a firearm in an unattended vehicle. However, there are occasions when I need to lock up a handgun while making a quick trip into the court house, post office, airport, etc.

For these times when the firearm will be locked in the car for a short period, I use a simple "secure-it" gun safe with a cable. It isn't the strongest lock-box in the world, but it will make a thief have to work a little harder than just "smash-n-grab." Since I do not leave a sidearm in a vehicle for long periods, this works for me.

I also will use it as a lightweight travel safe for securing passports, cash, credit cards, etc. that I may not want to carry with me when stepping out, but want to keep under lock & key back at the hotel room. Again, not the most secure option, but offers some increased security for items left in a hotel room.

Large Pistol Security Box 9-1/2 x 6-1/2 x 1-3/4 Steel Black

I have one these in my truck. Cable around the seat mount and the box tucked away. Not perfect but they'd have to have some time to find it plus get it open, an dI don't usually leave it unattended for too long.

 

[M_E_]

I have had several of the clam shell cable safes in my truck & car for years. The best ones I have used are by gun vault. DO NOT get the combo lock. Use the key only. I have found that the combination settings can become scrambled from vibration. It isn't fun getting one of those things apart to re set them. The combo ones are OK for use inside the house, but not the car. The fewer electronics, the better off you are. The fingerprint reader ones are unreliable at best.

 

[SicSemper]

Well how you going to get to your firearm if you need it.

 

[Poodle Soup]

Well how you going to get to your firearm if you need it.

I believe this is for leaving a gun unattended in a vehicle or for transporting where not legal to have a gun on you.

 

[SicSemper]

I don't think so, but it's a good reason to have one.

 

[ashmanit]

I have made some detailed reviews and comparison of small safes for use in cars.

 

[ashmanit]

Blog | Car gun safeThis may help

 

[GKC]

A lot of the options mentioned are inconvenience type deterrents, more than actual super-secure options. This leads me to the question: why not just use my S&W gun case? Padlock the case, then cable lock through the handle to some place secure in the car. The bright blue might be an attracter, though.

It might deter a smash and grab thief, but I'd be concerned that someone might decide to pry the case open and take the gun...or cut through the handle and take the gun/case.

There is no foolproof system...especially if someone steals the entire car! These are merely deterrents to slow an opportunistic thief down, and make him unwilling to take the time to defeat your safe/lock system.

Cables of any size are easily defeated --- if you use a GunVault for anything beyond legal compliance reasons, I recommend chain. Drill out the hole designed for the fairly flimsy GunVault cable system, add a stout machine eye (not a Home Depot screw eye), and use two quality padlocks to fasten a length of heavy chain to the machine eye, and around the seat frame or etc.

That is exactly my concern, and why I am in the process of modifying my GunVault accordingly. Even so, if someone had a hacksaw and time, they could get it...but it would take them a while, and in most cases they aren't going to do that.

 

[GKC]

Another option you could consider:

Remove the magazine and lock the slide open. Thread a length of chain (heaviest that will fit) up through the magazine well and out the ejection port. Lock this to a seat frame or other secure part of the car, and cover it so that it isn't readily visible. The chain could be cut, but it would be quite a bit of work. You can even cover the chain (the part that goes through the gun) with plastic tubing or duct tape, if you are concerned about it damaging your gun in some way.

Some safes can be easily pried open, even with the cable lock in place, so check out reviews before you buy, if you go that route.

 

[chief38]

NO GUNS in any unattended car is my opinion.

 

[GKC]

NO GUNS in any unattended car is my opinion.

So, when you go to a location where it is illegal to carry, do you leave your gun at home, or violate the law? Neither one is acceptable to me. I'd rather have a means to secure my gun in the car when I can't take it in with me (like to the post office, the doctor's office, or other prohibited locations) than have to leave it at home altogether. I won't knowingly violate the law, either.

 

[Smithsrevenge]

you could try a trick from a movie that is actually used in illegal street racing :-D

Hollow out the passenger seat :-D thats where a lot of guys stick a nos bottle. Then the center of the seat opens up like a "hatch" but look 100% normal otherwise.

I've seen a LOT of car burglaries in my day, no one ever looks inside the seat :-D haha

 

[sipowicz]

Any box can be defeated...best to keep them away from your car in the first place. I just use an "I love Diane Feinstein" bumper sticker on my Yellow Prius so they will move on to the raised Tahoe with the "Kill em all let God sort em out" decal on the blacked out back window.

 

[David Armstrong]

Another vote for Gun Vault. I secure mine in the trunk which I feel gives an additional layer of security. Nothing is foolproof, but generally it doesn't need to be real good protection, just good enough to make the bad guy decide it isn't worth the risk.

 

[drolen]

Amazon.com: Pacsafe TravelSafe 100 (Black): Clothing@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41BszEXvJSL.@@AMEPARAM@@41BszEXvJSL

Master Lock 8417D Python Adjustable Locking Cable, 6-Foot - Game Camera - Amazon.com@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/414SZB5vBdL.@@AMEPARAM@@414SZB5vBdL

Many good options already mentioned here's to others.

The first is an awesome little bag that is virtually indestructible. The second is a simple cable lock. Either would work fine and nothing short of bold cutters is going to get them open. These would be plenty good enough for the expected risk in my area.

 

[FAS1]

That is exactly my concern, and why I am in the process of modifying my GunVault accordingly. Even so, if someone had a hacksaw and time, they could get it...but it would take them a while, and in most cases they aren't going to do that.

How would you modify it for better resistance to a small screwdriver?