Gunvault

[puppage]

Greetings from SW Connecticut. I'm in need of a gunsafe/vault for a few of my handguns...basically to keep my media warped wife happy. I'm looking at the Deluxe model offered by gunvault.com
Does anyone have any info good or bad in regard to this? Is there something better out there I'm not aware of?

 

[GeneS]

puppage,

I've had one of the small Gunvaults for about 4 years. Never had a problem. You have to change the batteries about once a year. It sometimes takes me a couple of tries to program the code after changing batteries, but no big deal. It's not really theft proof, but should keep small children out. I would buy it again.

 

[puppage]

Thanks, Gene. I figured it wasn't too theft proof, but just wanna keep "unwanted" hands off/out. Thanks for your input.

Pete

 

[Vern]

Got to play with all of the models when I did some work for the company. Great people and a fine product.

I had the deluxe, but traded it to a friend with little one's in the house. I liked the handprint and ease of use i.e. in low light.

It's no substitute for a good safe, but to keep a couple guns handy and secure, it's a good piece-o-gear. If I had kids, I would definitely own one.

 

[eap]

my friend has little ones and is looking at a gunvault too. right now academy has them for $84.99 and running a special on all safes %10 off.

 

[Shawn Dodson]

GunVault is an excellent product, in my opinion. The one I have is the deluxe model, and I've tested the bejesus out of it. My primary concerns about GunVault, which have since been dispelled by my experiences were 1) battery life and 2) usability when still groggy from sleep. Over the past 3 years I've let the friggin motion alarm and tamper alarm sound and sound, cycled the combination for well over 5 years worth of everyday cycles (and the interior courtesy light comes on everytime the door opens, consuming extra battery power), frozen it for a week in a freezer and cycled the combination everyday, dropped it onto my concrete garage floor from a height of 6 feet, completely disassembled it about a half dozen times, set my alarm clock to alarm at O-dark thirty to see how hard it is to successfully operate in the dark after being awakened from a deep sleep. The batteries are the original ones I installed in it in August 1999, and they still test fine on the battery tester (although I recommend they be changed annually).

Over this period of time I've had a single negative experience: the first time I did the O-dark thirty test I found out my combination was too complicated to successfully enter when fuzzy eyed, and the unit entered "sleep mode." I selected a less complicated combination and resolved the problem.

 

[4v50 Gary]

I think it's OK, but I prefer something smaller and flatter. With any unit, pay special attention as to how you mount it. You don't want someone running off with the unit and opening it at their leisure.

 

[Sven]

The GV2000 is a nice unit. Two shelves, or remove the shelf and use it as a large compartment. The foam lining comes loose at times, but is easy to re-install.

Aside: I wish the shelf support bracket was deburred - I have to be careful to avoid metal on metal contact.

As others have suggested:

Try a night drill... set your alarm randomly and find how long it takes you to get the gun out of the GunVault in a panic mode. You may find that if you plan on having access to your weapon, it may be better to leave it out in reach.

Whether you choose to do that or not - at night, for example - is your own call based on your neighborhood and situation.

When I polled TFL on this subject, an overwhelming 73.94 percent of respondants stated that they keep their gun within reach, not in a safe.

-

But REALLY what I wish is that I had bought a larger safe - one with room for more guns or... a long gun.

 

[RKCheung]

Geez Shawn, talk about torture tests!

Maybe we should start calling it "GunVault Perfection!" now.

I own the mini-Gunvault that has just enough room for one handgun and some mags. It has never let me down. There's also an option of bolting it down (I rent so I don't have the ability to drill holes anywhere). It is a good quick-access safe that will allow you to keep it from prying hands.

As for keeping your gun in reach, when I am not around I will keep the safe closed, but when I am, I will usually keep the door of the safe open for quicker access.

 

[Betty]

I had the small GunVault and loved it (a friend is now borrowing it). I had mine mounted upside down and drilled into the attached surface. They're quite tuckable and concealable - you can plop a shoebox over the small one to hide it.

 

[mpthole]

I'm very happy with mine. I went ahead and added the security cable to it so that it can be used in my truck.