Recommended Handgun Safes???

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drew-67

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

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.
 
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.
 
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 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
Click to expand...

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.
 
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).
 
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
 
We have a Winchester eVault eV400. It's small and changing the batteries are a PITA.

Funny thing, we only put a box of ammo in. Too much of a hassle honestly. We either keep the firearms on us or they are going inside the big safe. I don't see much use for that kinda safe in a house unless it's mounted firm into the wall.
 
kbm6893 said:
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.
Click to expand...

That might have been the case back then but all the mechanical pushbutton locks used on handgun safes now and at least for the last few years have a clutch built into the knob. This allows the knob to rotate and someone doesn't try to force it open that doesn't know the combination. The shafts are small, but solid so I doubt that you could snap any of them off today without the help of some vice grips. If someone tries this and breaks the shaft it will ruin the lock, but I doubt they will gain access that way as it will probably break above the mechanism, at least that's my experience with them.

As far as the back up key goes, it's really not needed unless you forget your combination. There are no electronics to fail.
 
Choices can all seem so daunting. Just remember, quick access safes are really meant to keep kids out, not criminals, so they don't have to be burglar proof...you should have a regular heavy duty gun safe when storing your guns...the quick access boxes are for when you are home...you would not want to leave your gun in one when you go on vacation.
 
Stackon makes a nice one for less than $100 with electronic keypad and a hidden key back-up access.
 
Top shelf means your have to be tall to see a combination lock, so that will put a biometric safe, key box, or button type on the top of your list to be able to open easy. I have two bio safes and they work well for me, tho others will say they are problems. The ones I have are BARSKA Biometric Safe's and are large inside 16.5 x 7.75 x 14.5 inches outside measurements, but no shelves so you have to make your own if you want them. A thing to remember about bio boxes is you have to place your finger or thumb the same way so it recognizes your imprint, I put my prints in several ways and with several digits so if I get a cut or something I can still open without using the key, and wipe the scanner when you open so your print is removed, I keep a rag on top to do this.

Remember these are only lock boxes and not safes. If you want a safe just buy one of the floor safes and you will have room for what you want.
 
Bedroom Gun Safe's

I would highly recommend not getting a key lock, go with the combination push button type. Get a safe where the battery can be changed without opening the safe. I have mine hidden in the bedroom but close to the bed. I attached two, 2 by 4's to the wall and painted them the same color as the wall. Then I mounted the safe to the wood with long lag screws. My house is alarmed so the safe is primarily to keep the grand kids from touching the guns. The lower end Stack On safe's can be opened with a large flat blade screw drivers. You have to decide how secure you want it.
 
Go to youtube and search for "safe cracking" and "gun safes." You'll see that none of the small ones can resist a good hammer and many fail immediately.
Sentry safes: Teenagers seem to love showing how easily they can be opened. They demonstrate in great detail. Not for me.
None of the biometric ones are UL approved for function or durability. A Bing search will show you how often they fail. I don't feel I'd rely on one to open instantly for me. Note that some of them have maddening delays after the code is entered or the finger is swiped, and some require two operations to open. I definitely want a key to back it up.

I have a Fort Knox by my bed, but would never leave the house with a gun in it. It's main purpose is to keep the rug-rat grandchild out of it, but we don't let him get even THAT close to it. I also have one in my Trucklet, in a location that makes it very difficult to pry out or beat open. It's mounted with hardened bolts and a backplate.

If I'm in bed, the Fort Knox box is unlocked and open beside me. When I'm up, if my gun is not on my person it is in the Fort Knox, which I think of as a "day box." Again, I'd never leave home with a gun in it.
 
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