Looking for the best way to secure HD shotgun with kids in house

mbrittb00 · March 25, 2013, 03:25 PM

This is not a disucssion on the merits of locking your HD weapons, but rather once the decision has been made to do that, what is the best way to proceed and/or best products to use.

I've been look around the forum for an answer to my question and while I've found a few discussions with links to various products, unfortunaltly most of those posts were from 6+ years ago and the links are now dead.

I'm trying to figure out the best way to secure my shotgun (pump, loaded, chamber empty) yet have it realitvely quick access. We have 4 kids, 2 boys (14, 10) and two girls (6, 5). The kids are all being firearm educated, and I'm not worried about the two boys, it's the girls that I'm mostly concerned about. I know and understand the argument behind the inability of a 6 year to cycle a pump-action shotgun, toggle the safety and then pull the trigger. However I would like to, if possible, take one additional step of safety. One additional requirement that my wife has added is that any "safe" type solution needs to be conceiled from "easy" sight. We do have a 42" tall dresser that a smaller safe could be conceiled on the side away from the bedroom door.

I've been doing some research and I think the ideal solutions would be a small (<= 42") quick access shotgun safe or a Simplex type trigger lock. I've done some looking and I can't seem to find a Simplex type trigger lock (maybe I should patient the idea), although some are close.

Here are some of the items I've found.

Smark Lock

Not sure if this is Simplex or Electronic.
Could be stored under the bed.
Upon further review this may be exactly what I'm looking for.
Has anyone used this product?
Is it reliable?

Pro-Lok Gunlok

Not a combination lock
Quick access uses a combo of presses to open.
Key must be inserted for quick-access (why not just use the key).

Sentry Safe HDC11E Home Defense Center

This probably comes closest to the quick access safe idea. However it it s bit taller (47") than I would like.
Without the pistol area at the top it would probably be perfect.
The price tag at $400 is also a bit stiff.

V-Line Quick Access Keyless Shotgun Safe

Even though it is the same height as our dresser, it is desinged to be wall-mounted, so mounting it even right above the baseboard would cause it to stick above the dresser.
I suppose I could mount it behind the bedroom door, but that would be less than ideal.
It has a Simplex type lock rather than electronic so that is a plus.

Gun Casket Fast Opening Shotgun Safe

This is an interesting concept. I could keep the shotgun underneath my bed.
I wish it had a Simplex lock rahter than electrnic.
Could be stored under the bed.
Seems a bit on the expensive side ($270), but may be the best solution.
No reviews on this item, so I'm assuming relatively new. A little hesitant about using unreviewed products.

ShotLock Shotgun Solo-Vault

I've seen good reviews on this.
Simplex lock
All mountings I've seen show it with the barrel, up. I would prefer to mount it barrel down. Not sure if it would support that direction.
Would have to mount it behind the bedroom door (not as easy to access).

DaveH · March 25, 2013, 04:35 PM

ShotLock Shotgun Solo-Vault

I was curious about this product so I called them. As long as the unit is assembled properly, you can mount it in any direction; barrel up or down or horizontally.

The owner's manual is available at their website. It describes how to assemble the unit.

k511 · March 25, 2013, 04:47 PM

a buddy of mine has the senrty home defense center, he bought it for the same reason as you are seeking one... i think he found it for around 350. its expensive, but a very nice unit, and also nice to look at aswell... his lives on the other side of his nightstand and houses a benelli m4 and a 1911....

Virginian · March 26, 2013, 01:05 AM

A trigger lock is hard to beat for the cost, but you need to wear the key around your neck 100% of the time. A buddy got a Solo Vault. If you forget the combination it makes a hell of a club.

mbrittb00 · March 26, 2013, 07:37 AM

I think I'm leaning toward the Smart Lock. It's a Simplex style so there is no key.

Dreaming100Straight · April 11, 2013, 08:01 PM

Gaucho, The OP clearly states that he doesn't want to debate whether guns should be locked up and merely wants info on the best ways of locking them.

hogdogs · April 12, 2013, 07:23 AM

OP expressly limits discussion to the securing of the gun and not the education of the kids mentioned...

For that reason, all I can do is moderate this thread...

Brent

mike72712 · April 23, 2013, 11:53 PM

I have three Shotlocks -- love them. Very easy to mount, and I am NOT very handy!

March 25, 2013, 03:25 PM	#1
mbrittb00 Member Join Date: January 30, 2013 Posts: 32	Looking for the best way to secure HD shotgun with kids in house This is not a disucssion on the merits of locking your HD weapons, but rather once the decision has been made to do that, what is the best way to proceed and/or best products to use. I've been look around the forum for an answer to my question and while I've found a few discussions with links to various products, unfortunaltly most of those posts were from 6+ years ago and the links are now dead. I'm trying to figure out the best way to secure my shotgun (pump, loaded, chamber empty) yet have it realitvely quick access. We have 4 kids, 2 boys (14, 10) and two girls (6, 5). The kids are all being firearm educated, and I'm not worried about the two boys, it's the girls that I'm mostly concerned about. I know and understand the argument behind the inability of a 6 year to cycle a pump-action shotgun, toggle the safety and then pull the trigger. However I would like to, if possible, take one additional step of safety. One additional requirement that my wife has added is that any "safe" type solution needs to be conceiled from "easy" sight. We do have a 42" tall dresser that a smaller safe could be conceiled on the side away from the bedroom door. I've been doing some research and I think the ideal solutions would be a small (<= 42") quick access shotgun safe or a Simplex type trigger lock. I've done some looking and I can't seem to find a Simplex type trigger lock (maybe I should patient the idea), although some are close. Here are some of the items I've found. Smark Lock Not sure if this is Simplex or Electronic. Could be stored under the bed. Upon further review this may be exactly what I'm looking for. Has anyone used this product? Is it reliable? Pro-Lok Gunlok Not a combination lock Quick access uses a combo of presses to open. Key must be inserted for quick-access (why not just use the key). Sentry Safe HDC11E Home Defense Center This probably comes closest to the quick access safe idea. However it it s bit taller (47") than I would like. Without the pistol area at the top it would probably be perfect. The price tag at $400 is also a bit stiff. V-Line Quick Access Keyless Shotgun Safe Even though it is the same height as our dresser, it is desinged to be wall-mounted, so mounting it even right above the baseboard would cause it to stick above the dresser. I suppose I could mount it behind the bedroom door, but that would be less than ideal. It has a Simplex type lock rather than electronic so that is a plus. Gun Casket Fast Opening Shotgun Safe This is an interesting concept. I could keep the shotgun underneath my bed. I wish it had a Simplex lock rahter than electrnic. Could be stored under the bed. Seems a bit on the expensive side ($270), but may be the best solution. No reviews on this item, so I'm assuming relatively new. A little hesitant about using unreviewed products. ShotLock Shotgun Solo-Vault I've seen good reviews on this. Simplex lock All mountings I've seen show it with the barrel, up. I would prefer to mount it barrel down. Not sure if it would support that direction. Would have to mount it behind the bedroom door (not as easy to access). Last edited by mbrittb00; March 25, 2013 at 03:49 PM.

April 23, 2013, 11:53 PM	#8
mike72712 Member Join Date: May 1, 2009 Posts: 18	Re: Looking for the best way to secure HD shotgun with kids in house I have three Shotlocks -- love them. Very easy to mount, and I am NOT very handy!

March 25, 2013, 04:35 PM	#2
DaveH Member Join Date: November 24, 2000 Posts: 69	ShotLock Shotgun Solo-Vault I was curious about this product so I called them. As long as the unit is assembled properly, you can mount it in any direction; barrel up or down or horizontally. The owner's manual is available at their website. It describes how to assemble the unit.

March 25, 2013, 04:47 PM	#3
k511 Senior Member Join Date: December 1, 2010 Location: Oregon Posts: 461	a buddy of mine has the senrty home defense center, he bought it for the same reason as you are seeking one... i think he found it for around 350. its expensive, but a very nice unit, and also nice to look at aswell... his lives on the other side of his nightstand and houses a benelli m4 and a 1911....

March 26, 2013, 01:05 AM	#4
Virginian Senior Member Join Date: February 11, 2012 Location: Williamsburg, Va. Posts: 1,528	A trigger lock is hard to beat for the cost, but you need to wear the key around your neck 100% of the time. A buddy got a Solo Vault. If you forget the combination it makes a hell of a club.

March 26, 2013, 07:37 AM	#5
mbrittb00 Member Join Date: January 30, 2013 Posts: 32	I think I'm leaning toward the Smart Lock. It's a Simplex style so there is no key.

April 11, 2013, 08:01 PM	#6
Dreaming100Straight Senior Member Join Date: February 3, 2013 Posts: 1,235	Gaucho, The OP clearly states that he doesn't want to debate whether guns should be locked up and merely wants info on the best ways of locking them.

April 12, 2013, 07:23 AM	#7
hogdogs Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 31, 2007 Location: Western Florida panhandle Posts: 11,069	OP expressly limits discussion to the securing of the gun and not the education of the kids mentioned... For that reason, all I can do is moderate this thread... Brent