Quick-access gun safes:Electronic vs. Mechanical

ChrisMkIV · November 11, 2000, 09:31 PM

Due to the fact of my kids geting older and starting top get around and into things, I decided to go look for a quick-access gun safe.

I wanted somthing that would be locked at all times, but still provide that quick-access abilty.

I looked at some cool electronic ones but was learly of a circuit falure or related event, and the saledman said that it had a key for emergeny access in that event, but the quick-access aspect would be gone, and if that were the case, I might as well just put a trigger lock on it >>shiver<< NOT!

I bought the mechanical 5 rasied push button combo type, but after you depress the three buttons in order, you still have to turn the knob to open the safe.

Should I have gone with the electronic pop-up
drawer type? Were my fears of a circuit malfuction unfounded?

Any input would help.

------------------
"Arms discourage and keep the invader and plunderer in awe, and preserve order in the world as well as property...Horrid mischief would ensue were the law abiding deprived the use of them" --Thomas Paine, 1775

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2arms · November 12, 2000, 12:15 AM

I recently bought a Mossberg InstantAccess electronic safe. It has an electronic, back-lighted keypad on the top, which flips up when you punch in the code.

It's a pleasure to use (and I open it at least twice a day), but the keys have no tactile feedback to let you know you are correctly pushing them. Instead of feeling a click, you'll hear a slight beep and the keypad will flash, but I worry that wouldn't cut it in a panic situation.

I'm not really concerned with the electronics failing because, as I mentioned, I open the thing multiple times per day so I should know well in advance if the thing stopped working.

It's a bit spendy, too (around $240 if memory serves).

I've never been impressed with the electronic kind that has the four buttons on top in those finger grooves.

I guess what I'd recommend is just getting a purely mechanical Simplex lock safe, which should be much cheaper. If you don't like it, at least you aren't out as much money. It sounds like this is what you did.

Either way, make sure you use the safe if you have kids around. The odds of you actually needing to get into your safe in less than 5 seconds are much less than the chances that even a good kid will find and use an unlocked gun.

ChrisMkIV · November 12, 2000, 12:53 AM

That is the exact one I did buy.

------------------
"Arms discourage and keep the invader and plunderer in awe, and preserve order in the world as well as property...Horrid mischief would ensue were the law abiding deprived the use of them" --Thomas Paine, 1775

http://come.to/2ndamdlvr
http://go.to/rkbaforums

Gopher .45 · November 12, 2000, 09:12 AM

I have a Mossberg Instant Access and really like it. I have it solely for the purpose of keeping children's prying eyes and hands out of trouble.

The nice thing you can do with electronic locks as on the Instant Access is to program in your own code. No, the keys do not give you a differing tactile feel as they as all feel the same. However, it is easy to get your bearings because you have to push the * key first and that should orient you in the dark. The * key is in the lower left corner. Then you either know where you are on the keypad (by feel) or you will be able to see because the keys light up and the same light lights the inside.

The Mossberg system also lets you know if someone has been trying to figure out your combination through trial and error the next time you successfully open it. Three failed tries and it locks you out for a time (I don't recall how long) as well.

The only thing that might be better, IMHO, is an electronic keypad wall safe, but that is situation specific. We debated adding a wall safe for a gun in the front of the house to compliment the Instant Access in the bedroom.

Keep in mind that if you get one of these safes and plan to keep it in a drawer, make sure your drawers are deep enough to hold them. The instant Access works well in a drawer, but it is still 3" tall or so.

ctc · November 12, 2000, 05:15 PM

I bought the mechanical type - because I never seem to have the right battery when I need it. I bought model 4106-S from R&D Enterprises http://www.handgunsafe.com/ . It's sold to mount vertically in a truck console. But I mounted it vertically in a drawer of my nightstand - easy to get and I can open it without looking at it. Plus it's very quiet.

-- Chuck

ChrisMkIV · November 12, 2000, 07:44 PM

I don't know Chuck, that distictive "Chink" sound I think is just as successfull to scare off an intruder.

------------------
"Arms discourage and keep the invader and plunderer in awe, and preserve order in the world as well as property...Horrid mischief would ensue were the law abiding deprived the use of them" --Thomas Paine, 1775

http://come.to/2ndamdlvr
http://go.to/rkbaforums

Grayfox · November 12, 2000, 09:07 PM

Never trust your life to anything which requires a battery. Ever notice how your flashlight always seems to be dead just when you need it?

------------------
Roadkill on the information highway.

November 11, 2000, 09:31 PM	#1
ChrisMkIV Senior Member Join Date: April 15, 2000 Location: The Colony,Tx Posts: 338	Due to the fact of my kids geting older and starting top get around and into things, I decided to go look for a quick-access gun safe. I wanted somthing that would be locked at all times, but still provide that quick-access abilty. I looked at some cool electronic ones but was learly of a circuit falure or related event, and the saledman said that it had a key for emergeny access in that event, but the quick-access aspect would be gone, and if that were the case, I might as well just put a trigger lock on it >>shiver<< NOT! I bought the mechanical 5 rasied push button combo type, but after you depress the three buttons in order, you still have to turn the knob to open the safe. Should I have gone with the electronic pop-up drawer type? Were my fears of a circuit malfuction unfounded? Any input would help. ------------------ "Arms discourage and keep the invader and plunderer in awe, and preserve order in the world as well as property...Horrid mischief would ensue were the law abiding deprived the use of them" --Thomas Paine, 1775 http://come.to/2ndamdlvr http://go.to/rkbaforums

November 12, 2000, 12:15 AM	#2
2arms Junior Member Join Date: November 12, 2000 Posts: 2	I recently bought a Mossberg InstantAccess electronic safe. It has an electronic, back-lighted keypad on the top, which flips up when you punch in the code. It's a pleasure to use (and I open it at least twice a day), but the keys have no tactile feedback to let you know you are correctly pushing them. Instead of feeling a click, you'll hear a slight beep and the keypad will flash, but I worry that wouldn't cut it in a panic situation. I'm not really concerned with the electronics failing because, as I mentioned, I open the thing multiple times per day so I should know well in advance if the thing stopped working. It's a bit spendy, too (around $240 if memory serves). I've never been impressed with the electronic kind that has the four buttons on top in those finger grooves. I guess what I'd recommend is just getting a purely mechanical Simplex lock safe, which should be much cheaper. If you don't like it, at least you aren't out as much money. It sounds like this is what you did. Either way, make sure you use the safe if you have kids around. The odds of you actually needing to get into your safe in less than 5 seconds are much less than the chances that even a good kid will find and use an unlocked gun.

November 12, 2000, 12:53 AM	#3
ChrisMkIV Senior Member Join Date: April 15, 2000 Location: The Colony,Tx Posts: 338	That is the exact one I did buy. ------------------ "Arms discourage and keep the invader and plunderer in awe, and preserve order in the world as well as property...Horrid mischief would ensue were the law abiding deprived the use of them" --Thomas Paine, 1775 http://come.to/2ndamdlvr http://go.to/rkbaforums

November 12, 2000, 09:12 AM	#4
Gopher .45 Senior Member Join Date: April 30, 2000 Location: Texas, USA Posts: 384	I have a Mossberg Instant Access and really like it. I have it solely for the purpose of keeping children's prying eyes and hands out of trouble. The nice thing you can do with electronic locks as on the Instant Access is to program in your own code. No, the keys do not give you a differing tactile feel as they as all feel the same. However, it is easy to get your bearings because you have to push the * key first and that should orient you in the dark. The * key is in the lower left corner. Then you either know where you are on the keypad (by feel) or you will be able to see because the keys light up and the same light lights the inside. The Mossberg system also lets you know if someone has been trying to figure out your combination through trial and error the next time you successfully open it. Three failed tries and it locks you out for a time (I don't recall how long) as well. The only thing that might be better, IMHO, is an electronic keypad wall safe, but that is situation specific. We debated adding a wall safe for a gun in the front of the house to compliment the Instant Access in the bedroom. Keep in mind that if you get one of these safes and plan to keep it in a drawer, make sure your drawers are deep enough to hold them. The instant Access works well in a drawer, but it is still 3" tall or so.

November 12, 2000, 05:15 PM	#5
ctc Senior Member Join Date: April 17, 2000 Location: Doraville, GA Posts: 174	I bought the mechanical type - because I never seem to have the right battery when I need it. I bought model 4106-S from R&D Enterprises http://www.handgunsafe.com/ . It's sold to mount vertically in a truck console. But I mounted it vertically in a drawer of my nightstand - easy to get and I can open it without looking at it. Plus it's very quiet. -- Chuck

November 12, 2000, 07:44 PM	#6
ChrisMkIV Senior Member Join Date: April 15, 2000 Location: The Colony,Tx Posts: 338	I don't know Chuck, that distictive "Chink" sound I think is just as successfull to scare off an intruder. ------------------ "Arms discourage and keep the invader and plunderer in awe, and preserve order in the world as well as property...Horrid mischief would ensue were the law abiding deprived the use of them" --Thomas Paine, 1775 http://come.to/2ndamdlvr http://go.to/rkbaforums

November 12, 2000, 09:07 PM	#7
Grayfox Senior Member Join Date: December 17, 1998 Posts: 1,885	Never trust your life to anything which requires a battery. Ever notice how your flashlight always seems to be dead just when you need it? ------------------ Roadkill on the information highway.