Pistol vault

Slackdaddy · Nov 4, 2020

Another question, but this one is for my wife.
(I dang near have my whole street armed in the last 3 months)

Pistol vault:
She has been getting 1 on 1 lessons from a local instructor and is at the point of ready to store the pistol in an locked but "accessible" location.

I am a big fan of NOT storing a gun in a safe that is visible, (on a nightstand, in a closet, etc), But the gun is hidden in a piece of furniture, etc.

As a contractor I was going to pick up a "Pistol vault" and "build it in" something.
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/546976317227851738/

Question is:
What type of lock for 100% reliability and speed of access?
Bio-metric?, electronic push button?, manual buttons?

Thanks,

platekiller · Nov 4, 2020

I have a gun vault mini volt I picked up on a Black Friday deal 9 years ago (we were expecting our first). It’s been a good solution for quick storage but keeps it away from the kids. I just slid it under the corner of the bed and used a steel cable to lock it to the bed. Has worked well. Just added a stack on with amazon digital lock in the closet so I can have long gun on hand quick but locked.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

platekiller · Nov 4, 2020

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

ForcedSig · Nov 6, 2020

If you can swing it, I really like these https://vaulteksafe.com/.

gwchem · Nov 6, 2020

The push button simplex type are much more reliable than a biometric.

tom855 · Nov 6, 2020

gwchem said:
The push button simplex type are much more reliable than a biometric.

And you never have to worry about dead batteries. The simplex locks have their weaknesses as well, but electronics add a whole batch of concerns to a really critical item.

SkiPatrolDude · Nov 6, 2020

Fort Knox makes probably the best pistol safe out there.

https://www.ftknox.com/product/original-pistol-box-wfront-sight-training-certificate-included/

Heavy duty, reliable simplex mechanical lock, no frills safe.

Fits nicely in a nightstand and fits two duty sized handguns and extra mags.

I don’t trust the electric/ biometric ones. I know I could not touch it for years and it’ll still open the moment I need it.

tom855 · Nov 6, 2020

SkiPatrolDude said:
Fort Knox makes probably the best pistol safe out there.

https://www.ftknox.com/product/original-pistol-box-wfront-sight-training-certificate-included/

Heavy duty, reliable simplex mechanical lock, no frills safe.

Fits nicely in a nightstand and fits two duty sized handguns and extra mags.

I don’t trust the electric/ biometric ones. I know I could not touch it for years and it’ll still open the moment I need it.

Heavy duty is an understatement. The thing feels like a rock. And I couldn't agree more about the idea of knowing it's always ready. I understand the draw of biometric. But I would never rely on it. Try opening your iPhone when your finger is wet...... and then imagine that's a fingerprint reader on a gun vault. To each his own, but they are not for me.

Slackdaddy · Nov 7, 2020

Mechanical buttons appear to be the way to go,
I googled "Hidden pistol vault" and now have a list of all the place to NOT hide a vault,,
placement will determine vertical or horizontal

FAS1 · Nov 9, 2020

Figuring out where and how you want to mount it will also determine what design works best for you. Many will only really work mounted in one orientation, but this one is more universal and can work mounted in any orientation and bolted from any side or the bottom. The gas strut will open it automatically and hold it open no matter how you mount it.

Slackdaddy · Nov 10, 2020

Thats one I have not seen,, do you have a link for it?

FAS1 said:
Figuring out where and how you want to mount it will also determine what design works best for you. Many will only really work mounted in one orientation, but this one is more universal and can work mounted in any orientation and bolted from any side or the bottom. The gas strut will open it automatically and hold it open no matter how you mount it.

slowpoke · Nov 10, 2020

http://www.fas1safe.com/

This one is my favorite.

Mondial · Nov 11, 2020

The Gun Vault SV 500 has worked well, electronic but not biometric. LED light comes on briefly. Beep sound can be turned off. 9V battery lasts > 1 year. Key back up.

Slackdaddy · Nov 11, 2020

Checked them out online,, they do look nice and what I am looking for.
Does anyone typically sell these at shows? as I wanted to lay my hands on it prior to purchase.

FAS1 said:
Figuring out where and how you want to mount it will also determine what design works best for you. Many will only really work mounted in one orientation, but this one is more universal and can work mounted in any orientation and bolted from any side or the bottom. The gas strut will open it automatically and hold it open no matter how you mount it.

FAS1 · Nov 11, 2020

Slackdaddy said:
Does anyone typically sell these at shows? as I wanted to lay my hands on it prior to purchase.

I can certainly understand wanting to see one in person, but the only place to get one is online. You could always return it if it didn't meet your expectations.

Slackdaddy · Nov 12, 2020

Thanks,
I probably will.
My main curiosity was some models have a key lock in addition to the combo lock. Does the key lock "override" or "active" the combo lock, incase the combo fails?
or is the key "In Addition" to the combo ?

FAS1 said:
I can certainly understand wanting to see one in person, but the only place to get one is online. You could always return it if it didn't meet your expectations.

Homesick Texan · Nov 12, 2020

Slackdaddy said:
Thanks,
I probably will.
My main curiosity was some models have a key lock in addition to the combo lock. Does the key lock "override" or "active" the combo lock, incase the combo fails?
or is the key "In Addition" to the combo ?

In almost all cases if the lock is combo/electronic/biometric the key is for override purposes only; you wouldn't need to use the key and combo at the same time. They key is for battery failure, brain freeze with combo, etc.

FAS1 · Nov 12, 2020

GradyMcGuire said:
In almost all cases if the lock is combo/electronic/biometric the key is for override purposes only; you wouldn't need to use the key and combo at the same time. They key is for battery failure, brain freeze with combo, etc.

In this case the key is used with a Simplex lock (not electronic) and it's primary function (out position) is to deadbolt the pushbutton lock for added security and quick access isn't desired. An example would be if you keep a dedicated home defense handgun inside the safe all the time. When you leave you can engage the lock so even if someone knows the combination the safe won't open. Most people aren't familiar with this option since it is an exclusive feature only available on these safes.

With the key in the neutral position it does nothing and doesn't effect the Simplex lock's operation. This would be how you would have it at night.

It does also work as a backup entry by key only (in position). This can be user disabled if you don't want key access.

Frostadams · Nov 19, 2020

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/prod...MI8bqWpouQ7QIVArGGCh3wxgTZEAQYASABEgKkzfD_BwE
Secure to shelf in closet

smkranz · Nov 22, 2020

I'll add a vote for the Gun Vault Mini. It is easily concealable (say, on the floor between a bed and night stand, with a small trash can in front of it), secures to a fixed object either by mounting, or with a cable, and is easy to program any combo of button presses you'll remember at night or under stress. The door flips up and does not require a lot of clearance space, whereas the other pistol safes in this thread look like they need a whole lot more space for the lid to open, which holds the pistol.

The key overrides the electronic lock and instantly flips open the door, in case you either forget the combo, or if the battery dies.

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