Hand gun safe recommendations

[The_Beast]

Nice to meet you all guys. I was not a member of this forum and joined it recently. I was trying to find any information about hand gun safes, some comparison articles probably, but there's nothing. I'm choosing one for my CZ shadow 2 right now. That was kind of a gift. Found a list here, but have no idea if the one on the top is really a good one. I can't rely on biased amazon comments. Thought someone here could share his experience. I'd appreciate that

[Hawkmoon]

What is your goal for the safe? Is it to prevent children from being able to access the handgun, or is it for protection against theft? Or is it both?

First off, if you spend much time on "gun" forums, you'll find that any time the subject of gun safes comes up, any number of armchair experts will immediately chime in to say that "Those aren't safes, those are just 'residential storage containers'." I guess that gets into professional locksmith esoterica as to where the line is drawn between a "safe" and a "residential storage container." To me, if the manufacturer calls it a safe and it has tubular draw bolts to hold the door closed ... it's a safe.

The ones in the link you provided aren't "gun" safes, they're just run-of-the-mill, entry level home safes. And, in reality, for one handgun any of them will be perfectly adequate. The biggest issue with any safe in that category is that a crook can just grab the entire safe and abscond with it. It needs to be put somewhere that it can be bolted down -- such as at the back of a closet -- and that makes it inconvenient if you need quick access to the gun for home defense.

[Mark75H]

Most of these manufacturers are in it for a quick buck and not really long or vested in the safe/safe storage business. Except for the top 2 I am pretty certain the others are easily defeatable. Many of the electronic key pad "safes" can be defeated by bashing the key pad off with a hammer and touching 2 wires together. Many of the smaller ones have snap closed latches than can be defeated with a clothes hanger or similar wire.

My suggestion is to stay with real safe makers like Knox or Cannon who are long time makers in it for the long haul with a reputation at stake. Sometimes you can find Cannon's "Edge" box on sale for less than $50. I don't think there is a better box for less than $150.

When you find a box you like, check YouTube to make sure there aren't videos showing how to easily break into the one you are interested in.

[Sergio Natali]

It depends on what you want it for, and as usual how much you are ready to spend.

[MuyModesto]

I have "speed vaults" in strategic locations. Here's a link to an advertisement for one.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...yABEgLY8fD_BwE

Having read about problems some users were having with fingerprint access I went with the 4 button combination. It serves the purpose of denying my grandson access to my loaded 1911s. Only downsides I've found are:

1) I forgot to change the battery and had to use the back-up key to get in.
2) My Springfield Mil-Spec wouldn't allow the speed vault to close when certain magazines were used.
3) It works best with 5" 1911s. The Commander length sits deeper, so grasping it for the draw isn't as easy to do.

I also have a couple of "Gun Vaults". Here's a link to an ad for one: https://cdn.gunvault.com/wp-content/...ULT-MANUAL.pdf

They have the advantage that they can be plugged in, so as not to need the battery unless the house current is down. From time to time I practice, rolling out of bed, planting my right foot in a certain spot then dropping to the left knee to be in correct position to access my 1911 in case our burglar alarm goes off in the middle of the night. (Yep at age 70 I do practice this move).

The one device I do not recommend and don't use is the microvault https://www.gunvault.com/product/microvault/ The lock is not "positive" when it unlocks. I could enter the right code and only have it unlock about 2/3 of the time.