Child "proof" but quick access Long gun storage?

[Peter M. Eick]

I want to have an M1 Carbine or a similar weapon readily available but yet safe from a 6 year old and friends playing with it. I have introduced my daughter to shooting and she has her own 22 lr, but it is kept in the safe. My wife does not want a handgun out but there has become a need for a weapon to be more readily available.

I have read the suggestion to put a cable lock through the action to something secure. This seems pretty reasonable, but it would take a while to dial the combination or find a key.

Does anyone have a good suggestion or technique or how did you approach this problem?

Thanks

 

[gazpacho]

I have a wall safe that mounts between two studs. It is specifically designed to open up with a handgun properly presented for drawing once the correct combination is pressed on the keypad. From the time I hit the first button, to the time I grasp the handgun is about 2 seconds. Not instant deployment, but close.

Here

 

[MudCamper]

http://www.vlineind.com/html/long_gun_case.html

 

[hitman134]

Another Way Is To Secure The Ammo For That Gun,And Lets The Ammo Readily Avaliable,But Safe To Child.

 

[torpid]

I have the Vline long gun case that MudCamper linked to, and it should keep kids out. It opens in about 1-2 seconds depending on the combination you choose to give it.

For quick access handgun (not out), I highly recommend these safes:
http://www.handgunsafe.com/safes.htm

Extraordinarily tough and heavy duty, no batteries, enter your own combination.
Best I've used to date. (used to have a GunVault...)

 

[a1abdj]

I have the Vline long gun case that MudCamper linked to, and it should keep kids out. It opens in about 1-2 seconds depending on the combination you choose to give it.

For quick access handgun (not out), I highly recommend these safes:
http://www.handgunsafe.com/safes.htm

V-Line is the only company that I know of that makes a unit large enough for a long gun. The locking device on the V-Line is the same Simplex mechanical lock used by Handgunsafe. The only difference between the two, aside from the dimensions, is the thickness of the steel.

Ironically, the handgunsafe that you'll lock one gun in probably uses thicker steel that the safe you keep your entire collection in.

 

[Jorg Nysgerrig]

I always thought this one looked interesting: http://www.nitevis.com/Gunlocker_Riflelocker_Detail.htm

But I don't know anything about it.

Here's another simliar one below the V-line on this page: http://www.americansafestore.com/vline-rifle.htm

 

[Old Fuff]

I won't delve into what the need is, but while you are thinking of ways to secure a weapon, also think about better ways to secure your home. You may not be able to keep the threat out, but you can find ways to buy time. What ever that time is, it will be on your side.

 

[pax]

Faced with the same basic dilemma, I opted to carry a handgun on-body even at home.

pax

 

[Damien45]

GunVault

 

[Jorg Nysgerrig]

Uh, how do you fit "an M1 Carbine or a similar weapon" in a Gunvault?

 

[torpid]

V-Line is the only company that I know of that makes a unit large enough for a long gun. The locking device on the V-Line is the same Simplex mechanical lock used by Handgunsafe. The only difference between the two, aside from the dimensions, is the thickness of the steel.

Ironically, the handgunsafe that you'll lock one gun in probably uses thicker steel that the safe you keep your entire collection in.

I always enjoy and respect your posts on safes a1abdj.
Have you dealt with the R&D handgunsafes, and if so, what's your overall opinion of them?

Comparing my vline to my R&D, my handgunsafe's locking mechanism is substantially beefier and rugged than my vline's. Also the buttons and knob are on the handgunsafe's simplex lock seem better built too, imho. And yes, of course the handgunsafe's steel is much thicker as you noted earlier.

I've heard that they are formed from a steel cylinder compressed into a rectangular shape (they look like that may be the case it to me). Anyway it seems remarkably stout to a layman like myself.

 

[bclark1]

there are biometric safes that are instant-open, but i've only seen them for handguns. i would really opt for the handgun if possible, even if it means getting one such device. if it's gotta be the m1 though, i would probably just go for something covering the action that you could mount to prevent the rifle from being removed. i've seen gun "locks" that are basically polymer or metal housings that wrap around the action and trigger and are then locked, i think in the cheaper than dirt catalog. if you could find one of those and screw the one side into a stud or the floor, it might just work, and quite cheaply. use it with a lock that is both combo and key - keep the key somewhere safe and immediately accessible, as it will be quicker and easier, especially in the dark. you've got the combo to fall back on if you lose the key. a real safe is to secure around the home and hopefully delay intruders who are around when you're not, and is not fit for SD weapons - and always remember your vision and dexterity will be crap if you're caught off guard in the night, time being the critical issue, so even fumbling with a keypad could be more than you'd like to worry about. you're not prepared 'til you're loaded in-hand, at the very least.

 

[Hk996]

Do you think there are anything like the one in mr. and mrs. smith? You know when brad smith goes into his house and touches the picture frame and it opens up with a gun inside.... that would be really cool.

I need something for a shotgun also... I want to keep it in the closet, but now that there are nephew's coming around who are going to be at that age.... I need a way to secure them, but hinder my ability to access it in a hurry if I needed to.

So far that skinny one that goes into the wall may be the closest that Ive seen so far. How about some sort of gun rack that locks the gun, maybe similar to how the cops lock theirs into their cars... just some thoughts....

 

[LaEscopeta]

I use one of these:

http://www.smartlock.com/triggerlock-r.htm
http://www.smartlock.com/features.htm

The advantages:
- Can be opened in 1 second or less, even in the dark, just like the ad says (you can push the combination buttons all at once or in any order.)
- No key to lose, no battery to go dead.
- Fairly inexperience ($28 including shipping.)
- Multiple adjustable pins will block the trigger on most firearms.
- Can be mounted to the wall or heavy piece of furniture.
- Will prevent a 6 year old from fooling with the gun.

Disadvantages:
- A real thief will be able to pry it off the wall, and pry the lock off the gun (with tools.)
- A mathematically inclined 12 year old can figure out how to open it.

 

[mp510]

This operatres on a key, and thus can be difficult to access in a bad situation, but they do have long gun options in addition to handgun options.

Life Jacket

 

[Peter M. Eick]

Thanks for the insight and suggestions.

I did like the smart lock. I will have to go off and investigate some more and figure out exactly where to put it/whatever I come up with.

Pax, she had a CHL license for a long time but then let it lapse with the first child. Going back to on-body carry would probably not be practical now but I thanks for the suggestion. That is more how I carry when I am at home now.