What handgun Lockbox?

[sceva]

I am considering a Lockbox for at home and when on trips. There are lock only, combination locks, Code pads, RFID chips in combo with Key and pad, Fingerprints and so on. Other than carrying a key or having one near the lock only seems most fool proof and Fingerprints seem most troublesome.. I want it to hold a full size 1911; I am looking at a Hornady Alpha Elite with it's double lock bar for a key only at about $50.00 and open to suggestions on others or the Biometrics. I have plenty of time to decide.

 

[WardenRoss]

You got me to doing a little research too...

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdKGtapi7WE&t=7s[/ame]

 

[Kanewpadle]

Fort Knox and V-Line have mechanical locks. No batteries.
Vaultek offers an expansive line of pistol safes with many options.

All great quality.

There aren’t too many others that I would consider.

 

[Onomea]

I bought this for less than $20 off Amazon. It's a cashbox. My purpose is for TSA's required hard-sided case.





I used foam cut to size from cushioning material from other stuff ordered online. I wrap the gun in a silicone cloth to protect from possible scratching.

Based on advice I recently got here, I added an airtag under the foam. Handy.

One downside is that it does not have a cable for securing to the frame of one's suitcase. (Another good suggestion I received here.)

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If your trips are by car, something heavier, more secure and with a cable to lock to the car seat frame or lock to something in the trunk would be more secure.

 

[sceva]

Fort Knox and V-Line have mechanical locks. No batteries.
Vaultek offers an expansive line of pistol safes with many options.

All great quality.

There aren’t too many others that I would consider.

I just looked at these, I kind of like the V-line over the Ft Knox but they are both in the $200 and up range. I was leaning toward the Hornady Alp[ha Elite at $50.00 which they say fit a 1911 but photos show it shoehorned in and it looks like the lock mechanism presses down on it ( Good thing it is plastic covered)
I am in no rush and think I'll keep a watch for a V-Line on sale

The ones with a electronic lock may be faster but it is my experience that they are more problematic with reader failures, battery failures, etc. They may be faster when they work well but if I need to get in fast I don't want to rely on it.

 

[TJm15.38]

I like the Hornady Rapid Safe.

 

[Eagle 477]

Been thinking about a console vault for the car for when I have to leave the gun unattended in my vehicle because of our Governess sensitive places which is the whole state of NY a bit pricey but!!

Rob

 

[ladder13]

Similar to what Onomea posted. This attaches to the metal track under my seat via a cable.

Not the best, not the worst, but beats leaving the gun on a seat in plain view.

 

[sceva]

I like the Hornady Rapid Safe.

I saw those; the 2700 says for a 1911 but does it actually fit without any interference. The Alpha Elite says 1911 also and it fits but just barely and the locking mech touches.

 

[TJm15.38]

I saw those; the 2700 says for a 1911 but does it actually fit without any interference. The Alpha Elite says 1911 also and it fits but just barely and the locking mech touches.

My Taurus PT1911 with extended beaver tail barely fits in the 2700. I was able to close the lid without interference. See attached thumbnail. I put a medium frame revolver in mine (Model 65-5) and there is plenty of room for it and a couple of speedloaders.

 

[sceva]

Thanks, That helps. I like the that Rapid Safe all except the price. Hoping the local gun shop has some to look at in person.

 

[Tom S.]

The electronic lock boxes are handy BUT can be unreliable. I have one and my M.O. is to open it at night and close it in the morning. This would be my process whether the box was electronic or mechanical.

Do a Google search and you will find several boxes are actually quite easy to open with very little effort. Also, whatever box you buy, consider bolting it down to prevent walk off theft. While it may not stop a determined thief, it might a smash and grab doper. Mine is bolted through my bed's side table (part of the bed) with fender washers underneath.

 

[Baxter6551]

I have one similar to Ladder 13 but with a key lock. I looped the cable around the metal hinge frame in trunk could also loop around seat bracket. As noted cheap around $20. Good enough to cover new laws requiring storage. Could be used in house too.
It depends on where you want to locate the safe and what you want to spend. I did read somewhere recently of a shooting where kids managed to access a fingerprint safe. Don’t know details.
Chrysler sold a console safe for my other vehicle and had them install. It was pricy ($250 ish) installed which I had them do as it required some modification to console. Very secure. Made by Tuffy.

 

[Inusuit]

Do a Google search and you will find several boxes are actually quite easy to open with very little effort. Also, whatever box you buy, consider bolting it down to prevent walk off theft. While it may not stop a determined thief, it might a smash and grab doper. Mine is bolted through my bed's side table (part of the bed) with fender washers underneath.

But he wants to use it while traveling. If I have unauthorized persons in my house - kids, contactors, relatives - my guns go in the full size safe. I don't feel the need for a lock box on the nightstand. I do have a $20 Harbor Freight box that cable locks to the seat frame in my truck when I go to the Post Office. As Tom notes, it will slow down a smash and grab but would probably open with some effort. I make sure the box is concealed under the seat or covered a grocery bag.

I will note that one of my fellow instructors was demonstrating safe storage to students. Took him three tries to open his fancy box in full light and no stress.

 

[sceva]

At home is the main thing. On a trip I usually have a firearm near at hand. The box, if I took it along, is only to use should I need to leave it due to a restriction.

Lots of good ideas and I am actually leaning toward a key lock. unless I see a Ft Knox or V-line at a very attractive price. I want to see if the LGS has a Alpha Elite Hornady and is willing to actually put a 1911 in it to show me.

 

[CalifEd]

Again, depending on what you will be using the safe for.
Some of the combo locks also have a TSA key lock too.
Amazon sells the keys.

 

[TJm15.38]

The Hornady Rapid Safe 2700 has five options for RFID unlocking, a four-digit unlock combination pad on top of the safe, and, if all else fails or the power goes out, a keyed lock on the top of the unit. Mine isn't bolted to the nightstand, but there is a steel cable looped around the bed frame. I know that's not much to deter theft, but when I leave the house for a trip, I simply unlock the Rapid Safe and store the revolver (unloaded) in the big gun safe.

 

[sceva]

After a lot of looking I found someone that still had this one in stock. A Hornady 2700KL (Keylock only). Discontinued, the new version has an electronic lock and is double to triple the price. Heavier steel (14 ga) and large enough to fit a full size 1911 easily. I found one on E-bay for a double price; it's still there. and I found three places on line that said in stock but when I asked to verify they had them one ( that showed 4 in stock) couldn't locate any and figured inventory error, one finally got back to me today - discontinued and no stock. The other one said yes and offered a deal on shipping so I ordered it along with a box of ammo. I asked them again to verify they actually had it and received verification this AM that it is indeed a 2700KL and will ship today.
I was close to getting an alpha Elite or a Tripoint but although they say they fit a 1911 it is very close to or is making contact with the (plastic covered) locking bars and they are a thinner 16ga steel I was to the point of either ponying up the much greater cost for a

 

[Rpg]

Bought a small, one or two pistol, lockbox. It has 5 buttons that you need to depress in the proper order..

For many years, I’d periodically forget the combination. I’d call the gun store and they’d laugh and tell me how to open it.

A few years ago, the shop went out of business. Fortunately, I wrote it down!

 

[Kevin J.]

My night stand set up. An inexpensive GunVault combo/finger keypad lock with a keyed override. The mod I do is apply a binder clip to keep the lock from engaging, and it adds a handle to open the cover. To lock it, like when my grandkid was little, I would remove the binder clip allowing the lock to engage. Now she is seventeen and trained that is not an issue.

I also have the cheap lock box and cable setup under the seat of my truck for storage when needed as others have commented earlier.