Quick access handgun safe

[wombat13]

I did a quick search and the only relevant thread I could find is 10 years old. I'm looking for a reliable, quick access handgun safe. It only needs to hold one full-size handgun. Probably needs to be vertical mount. It would be in a space that is 6" deep and 13" tall.

I could find another location if necessary. Thanks for suggestions.

 

[FAS1]

Most quick access handgun safes are designed to be mounted one way, say with the door opening upwards. This limits the mounting/placement opportunities on most. Just make sure you can mount it and use it where you want before you buy.

Get one with a Simplex lock and it will be quick, reliable, and durable to last many years if not a lifetime.

The FAS1 line of safes (5 sizes and multiple holster options) can be mounted from any side or bottom and placed in any orientation. the gas spring will open and hold the door open while safely presenting your holstered handgun to you in the exact same place every time, and you can't grab the trigger in the dark.

 

[Guy48065]

I have what I think is called a sleigh bed. The top of the headboard is curved backwards and that creates a space behind the headboard. For years I had a holster screwed to the back of the bed that held my 9 mm.
When my grandson got old enough to start spending the night I realized this accessible gun was a problem so I bought a safe and screwed that to the back of the headboard. It's normally left open except when we have company for the night.

 

[herrwalther]

Definitely go with a Simplex lock style. They may not be as fast as a biometric or RFID safe, but the chances of failure are much lower. The FAS1 safes look good. I use a Fort Knox safe and it has been amazing. Only change I made to it was added a motion activated light on the inside so I can see when I reach my hand in.

https://www.gunsafes.com/Fort-Knox-PB1-Original-Pistol-Safe.html

 

[Ohen Cepel]

Another vote for the Simplex lock. I have the Knox Box mentioned above and like it. V-Line also makes some good ones as do others. The FA's above also look good but I have no experience with them.

 

[wombat13]

FAS1 looks nice, but it appears that it can only be secured on the bottom with the door opening upward. That won't work in my location.

I have what I think is called a sleigh bed. The top of the headboard is curved backwards and that creates a space behind the headboard. For years I had a holster screwed to the back of the bed that held my 9 mm.
When my grandson got old enough to start spending the night I realized this accessible gun was a problem so I bought a safe and screwed that to the back of the headboard. It's normally left open except when we have company for the night.
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That looks like the Gunvault SV500. Reviews on Amazon suggest a high failure rate. Have you ever been unable to immediately access your firearm?

 

[wombat13]

Definitely go with a Simplex lock style. They may not be as fast as a biometric or RFID safe, but the chances of failure are much lower. The FAS1 safes look good. I use a Fort Knox safe and it has been amazing. Only change I made to it was added a motion activated light on the inside so I can see when I reach my hand in.

https://www.gunsafes.com/Fort-Knox-PB1-Original-Pistol-Safe.html

That looks good. I would have to mount it vertically, so I would have to come up with a way to secure the handgun so it does not fall out when the door opens.

 

[Navy87Guy]

FAS1 looks nice, but it appears that it can only be secured on the bottom with the door opening upward. That won't work in my location.

I don’t have any direct experience with FAS1 safes, but the post made it very clear that their safes can be mounted on any side or bottom. They also include a holster integrated into the safe to hold the gun. So if you are ruling them out for mounting limitations, you’re making a mistake.

 

[Kawamax]

I agree with a simplex lock for a quick access safe. (Well, not a safe but a locker really.) I have an Amsec that I am very happy with, and FAS1 also has a good reputation as well. The problem with the biometric or electric combination safes is twofold: firstly, batteries are always going to be an issue; and lastly, many of them are poorly constructed with poor locks, hinges, etc.

 

[Guy48065]

FAS1 looks nice, but it appears that it can only be secured on the bottom with the door opening upward. That won't work in my location.

That looks like the Gunvault SV500. Reviews on Amazon suggest a high failure rate. Have you ever been unable to immediately access your firearm?

That's been in use about 8 years and only once I've changed the battery--when the buttons didn't respond. I had to go fetch the key. Of course I wouldn't want to be fumbling with a key in the dark--especially tucked awkwardly behind the bed.

It IS going to be a challenge to remember to check the battery in a hidden safe. I *should* change it when I do the smoke alarms, on my birthday, etc.

 

[herrwalther]

That looks good. I would have to mount it vertically, so I would have to come up with a way to secure the handgun so it does not fall out when the door opens.

Can't really picture how you are planning on mounting that one. But Fort Knox does make some other options to help with mounting. That same website has 2 Fort Knox boxes with front swinging doors instead of on top.

 

[FAS1]

FAS1 looks nice, but it appears that it can only be secured on the bottom with the door opening upward. That won't work in my location.

Incorrect. The FAS1 is the most versatile handgun safe to mount. You do have to drill the holes where you need them for your application since it can be mounted from any side or the bottom.

Additionally, as I mentioned above, they can be mounted in any orientation you like since the gas spring will open and hold the door open and the holster will present your gun to you.

Here's a couple customer pics of common installations. More on social media and on the website.

 

[wombat13]

Can't really picture how you are planning on mounting that one. But Fort Knox does make some other options to help with mounting. That same website has 2 Fort Knox boxes with front swinging doors instead of on top.

I would like to put the safe in a cabinet with doors that is below a display cabinet. The space is 6" deep, 13" high, and 30" wide.

 

[wombat13]

I would need to mount the safe like this with the door vertically. The difference would be that I would mount with the large side against the back of the cabinet and the door on the right opening downward. That would work well in my application. Thanks to FAS1 for the photos in the post above. 99% of the photos on the website show the safes mounted with the door on the top; that's why I mistakenly thought that was the only way to mount them.

 

[FAS1]

I would like to put the safe in a cabinet with doors that is below a display cabinet. The space is 6" deep, 13" high, and 30" wide.

The 6" deep is a problem for the FAS1 safes. Thanks for taking a look!

 

[wombat13]

The 6" deep is a problem for the FAS1 safes. Thanks for taking a look!

Now, I'm confused because I think your compact safe will work. The dimensions listed on your website are 11-1/4" x 8-1/4" x 4-1/8". I would plan to mount the 11" x 8" against the back wall of the cabinet which is 13" x 30". That would mean the 4" dimension of the safe has to fit in the 6" depth of the cabinet.

 

[FAS1]

Now, I'm confused because I think your compact safe will work. The dimensions listed on your website are 11-1/4" x 8-1/4" x 4-1/8". I would plan to mount the 11" x 8" against the back wall of the cabinet which is 13" x 30". That would mean the 4" dimension of the safe has to fit in the 6" depth of the cabinet.

Well, you’re probably the only one that will know if it will fit in the space that you want to. Yes, the width of all the FAS1 safes is less than the 6” depth you describe.

The Compact model is the only one that opens 90 degrees. All the others open 65 degrees.

Thanks again for considering a FAS1.

 

[bassjam]

A 5th (or 6th) vote for something with a Simplex lock. I have two Ft. Knox boxes and one V-line. One of those Ft. Knox boxes has been opened twice a day for 4 years. It's nice to never worry about dead batteries or wonky electronics.

 

[cslinger]

Lemmee get this straight. You guys are drilling and screwing these safes into fairly nice pieces of Furniture, on the outside of them, you apparently have wives and by virtue of needing a safe have loaded firearms. I only have one question?

How do you still have the use of BOTH knees? I am pretty sure I’d get at least a .22LR in one of them as my first “warning”. .

Seriously though I am a huge proponent of locking/securing your weapon for any number of reasons including but not Limited to kids. I think SIMPLEX is the way to go. I, myself, have had great luck with V-Line safes.