Favorite Type of Gun Safe

45ACPShooter · July 27, 2010, 06:52 PM

I was considering purchasing a small safe for a few handguns and wanted something that I could access in a hurry yet would be secure from burglars.

What's your favorite type?

usaign · July 28, 2010, 10:51 AM

I read somewhere that you must be able to access your weapon within 3 seconds for it to be truly effective. So the fingerprint scanner seems to make sense. The key could get lost, the combination forgotten or if the combination lock is a round dial type then its tough to get in in a hurry.

Daryl · July 28, 2010, 11:29 AM

I have two safes; one with a dial and key, and one with just a touch-pad combination. The touch-pad is a lot quicker to get into, especially in low light.

That said, I leave all but one or two of my guns in the safe at all times. The one or two not in the safe are being carried by me and/or my wife. No need for a quick-access safe if it's in a holster on your body.

Daryl

MadHatter1 · July 28, 2010, 12:34 PM

Id say a touchpad combo. I have yet to see a fingerprint reader thats "fast". A little dust on the reader or a smudge from a prior entry can foul it up as well. Another option is to leave it unlocked when you're home, and only lock it when you leave. In that case, any type of lock will work.

Skans · July 28, 2010, 01:27 PM

My "favorite type of gun safe" would have the following specifications:

1. 1/4" steel body; at least 1/4" steel door
2. Big enough to hold 25 long guns 30 handguns and "other junk".
3. combination lock - NO ELECTRONICS! In the even of a Hurricane - just when I need to access them, there will be no electricity or batteries.
4. Interior lighting and plug for goldenrod
5. Multiple devices to prevent drilling the lock.
6. holes so that it can be lag-bolted to a concrete foundation.
7. watertight seal on the door.

As far as accessing my HD gun goes - I don't keep it locked up. I also don't keep a round chambered because I have a small child. It's a Glock. It's a tool. And, it's ugly. And, I'm not going to cry if someone breaks in and steals it when I'm not home.

pck823 · July 28, 2010, 03:45 PM

My favorite type is the one I have! Not really - but this is what I NEEDED at the time I installed it. Fingerprint or keypad, and hidden behind a wall hanging next to my bed. I have a small child at home, so keeping it in the drawer in the nightstand is not an option:

somedudefromhouston · July 28, 2010, 05:46 PM

my favorite type?
Chock full!

Dr_2_B · July 28, 2010, 08:45 PM

I have a strange combination (pardon the pun). Inside my small combination safe, I have the key to my rifle and pistol cabinets.

rtpzwms · August 1, 2010, 06:08 PM

go to youtube and search how to break into a safe. It can be somewhat of an eye opener.

Jimmy10mm · August 1, 2010, 06:45 PM

My dad used to say that locks were made for honest people.

View Poll Results: Favorite Type of Gun Safe
Combination Lock	32	86.49%
Key	1	2.70%
Finger Print Scanner	3	8.11%
Other	1	2.70%
Voters: 37. You may not vote on this poll

July 27, 2010, 06:52 PM	#1
45ACPShooter Senior Member Join Date: January 21, 2010 Posts: 116	Favorite Type of Gun Safe I was considering purchasing a small safe for a few handguns and wanted something that I could access in a hurry yet would be secure from burglars. What's your favorite type?

July 28, 2010, 11:29 AM	#3
Daryl Senior Member Join Date: July 11, 2008 Posts: 2,350	I have two safes; one with a dial and key, and one with just a touch-pad combination. The touch-pad is a lot quicker to get into, especially in low light. That said, I leave all but one or two of my guns in the safe at all times. The one or two not in the safe are being carried by me and/or my wife. No need for a quick-access safe if it's in a holster on your body. Daryl Last edited by Daryl; July 28, 2010 at 01:18 PM.

July 28, 2010, 05:46 PM	#7
somedudefromhouston Member Join Date: January 8, 2007 Location: duh, Houston Posts: 66	my favorite type? Chock full! __________________ somedude many guns, little time NRA Life Member

July 28, 2010, 10:51 AM	#2
usaign Junior member Join Date: July 11, 2010 Posts: 73	I read somewhere that you must be able to access your weapon within 3 seconds for it to be truly effective. So the fingerprint scanner seems to make sense. The key could get lost, the combination forgotten or if the combination lock is a round dial type then its tough to get in in a hurry.

July 28, 2010, 12:34 PM	#4
MadHatter1 Senior Member Join Date: January 3, 2010 Posts: 151	Id say a touchpad combo. I have yet to see a fingerprint reader thats "fast". A little dust on the reader or a smudge from a prior entry can foul it up as well. Another option is to leave it unlocked when you're home, and only lock it when you leave. In that case, any type of lock will work.

July 28, 2010, 01:27 PM	#5
Skans Senior Member Join Date: November 20, 2008 Posts: 11,132	My "favorite type of gun safe" would have the following specifications: 1. 1/4" steel body; at least 1/4" steel door 2. Big enough to hold 25 long guns 30 handguns and "other junk". 3. combination lock - NO ELECTRONICS! In the even of a Hurricane - just when I need to access them, there will be no electricity or batteries. 4. Interior lighting and plug for goldenrod 5. Multiple devices to prevent drilling the lock. 6. holes so that it can be lag-bolted to a concrete foundation. 7. watertight seal on the door. As far as accessing my HD gun goes - I don't keep it locked up. I also don't keep a round chambered because I have a small child. It's a Glock. It's a tool. And, it's ugly. And, I'm not going to cry if someone breaks in and steals it when I'm not home.

July 28, 2010, 03:45 PM	#6
pck823 Member Join Date: July 6, 2007 Location: Georgia Posts: 73	My favorite type is the one I have! Not really - but this is what I NEEDED at the time I installed it. Fingerprint or keypad, and hidden behind a wall hanging next to my bed. I have a small child at home, so keeping it in the drawer in the nightstand is not an option:

July 28, 2010, 08:45 PM	#8
Dr_2_B Senior Member Join Date: December 21, 2005 Location: midwest Posts: 502	I have a strange combination (pardon the pun). Inside my small combination safe, I have the key to my rifle and pistol cabinets.

August 1, 2010, 06:08 PM	#9
rtpzwms Senior Member Join Date: July 6, 2010 Location: OTS Posts: 1,035	go to youtube and search how to break into a safe. It can be somewhat of an eye opener.

August 1, 2010, 06:45 PM	#10
Jimmy10mm Senior Member Join Date: June 16, 2010 Location: Greenacres, FL Posts: 933	My dad used to say that locks were made for honest people.