Looking to Buy A Quick Access Lockbox

[plinker202020]

Fort Knox is the correct answer.

[db556762]

I have a vaultek. Very rarely needs to be charged so that is just an extra reason to keep it charged... or get a mechanical one instead

+1 on Vaultek for a few reasons. They have internal lithium rechargeable batteries that you charge via external connector. So if battery dies and you don't have the key handy, you can connect to power and it will work. Also bluetooth connection on some that let you monitor tampering and battery states.

I have Gunvaults and they have been the fastest for access but all have internal non-rechargeable batteries. You can hook up to external power brick to mitigate battery drain. Interesting point that I experienced with a 20yo Gunvault. The battery drained to a low enough state that the electronics wouldn't respond. Hooking up to external power didn't make it work and I still couldn't access my gun locked inside. I long had misplaced the key, so I couldn't open it. Eventually just got a pry bar and popped the door open. I was surprised how easy it was to do. If I had nosey kids around, i wouldn't use a pry-able gun case in the future. But gunvault with a 3 digit code is really quick to access. (I found the key a month later, though).

+1 on mechanical locks and Fort Knox. Just another good system that will last a lifetime. For quick access, simpler codes and training are helpful to use muscle memory in a stressful situation like bump in the night stuff. Having a good keypad that you can feel in the dark and work quickly is a key feature that I like.

[Captain Bob]

Although everyone seems to have vapors over a possibly failing electronic lock...when was the last time one failed on you? Your car's keyless entry? Your PIN code to get gas?
Electronics today are VERY reliable and failure is statistically insignificant. I have three small electronic safes, one with a biometric finger access, and have never in more than 10 years had a failure to access any of the firearms there at any time I tried.
My last purchase was a Vaultec with a six digit electronic access. It is very small and light but well made. It's legal for traveling on airlines and comes with a steel cable so it can be attached to a rental vehicle easily.

https://vaulteksafe.com/products/vaultek-view-all-lifepod-series/lifepod/

All the safes have 9 volt batteries that are good for more than two years. Also each has a key access that allows, if the battery is dead, to be opened manually.

[Ewok55]

A simplex lock has one problem, only 1084 combinations. A good lock box only buys access time. If you wrote down every possible combination, trying and crossing them off one by one would take about 30 minutes, leaving no sign of getting opened. That's probably longer than it would take to open other lockboxes. But, a simplex is for not so good for untrustworthy teenage kid with unlimited access time protection.

[PogoJack]

I used a plastic thing called a stopbox where the youngest kids were little. It worked well.

[deckhandmike]

+1 on Vaultek for a few reasons. They have internal lithium rechargeable batteries that you charge via external connector. So if battery dies and you don't have the key handy, you can connect to power and it will work. Also bluetooth connection on some that let you monitor tampering and battery states.

I have Gunvaults and they have been the fastest for access but all have internal non-rechargeable batteries. You can hook up to external power brick to mitigate battery drain. Interesting point that I experienced with a 20yo Gunvault. The battery drained to a low enough state that the electronics wouldn't respond. Hooking up to external power didn't make it work and I still couldn't access my gun locked inside. I long had misplaced the key, so I couldn't open it. Eventually just got a pry bar and popped the door open. I was surprised how easy it was to do. If I had nosey kids around, i wouldn't use a pry-able gun case in the future. But gunvault with a 3 digit code is really quick to access. (I found the key a month later, though).

+1 on mechanical locks and Fort Knox. Just another good system that will last a lifetime. For quick access, simpler codes and training are helpful to use muscle memory in a stressful situation like bump in the night stuff. Having a good keypad that you can feel in the dark and work quickly is a key feature that I like.

Go to Amazon and read the reviews of the vaultek. Multiple people saying it didn?t work. It?s literally an electronic version of the Fort Knox but with more potential for failure. I fail to see the reasoning to electrify something that doesn?t need it.

[n8vrmind]

https://youtube.com/@HandgunSafeResearch

A whole YouTube channel dedicated to OP's question. I like VLine and Fort Knox


Original version of Vaultek lifepod had a design vulnerability that allowed anyone to open it with a fork.

[axhoaxho]

I have a couple of these Fort Knox pistol boxes. They are heavy-duty and built like tanks. All mechanical, fast pushbutton access, and will last a lifetime.

https://www.amazon.com/Fort-Knox-Original-Defensive-Training/dp/B072NFNDZB/ref=sr_1_5?crid=1P265IBCO30E6&keywords=fort+knox&qid=1679711203&sprefix=fort+kno%2Caps%2C253&sr=8-5

[FAS1]

Go to Amazon and read the reviews of the vaultek. Multiple people saying it didn?t work.

They also have refurbished models available most of the time. That means it failed under warranty from the original purchaser and they have enough of them that they want to re-coop some of that cost.

[FAS1]

A simplex lock has one problem, only 1084 combinations. A good lock box only buys access time. If you wrote down every possible combination, trying and crossing them off one by one would take about 30 minutes, leaving no sign of getting opened. That's probably longer than it would take to open other lockboxes. But, a simplex is for not so good for untrustworthy teenage kid with unlimited access time protection.

While technically true, in reality I don't think it's much of a concern. In 14 years I have sent plenty of customers a list of all possible combinations when they either tried to reset the combination and did it incorrectly and not sure what it is set to now, or just forgot their combination. I have only had one guy be able to figure his out that way.

Since it is a concern for some, especially with boy teenagers that they fear would try on a boring rainy Saturday, I did come up with an optional feature that would deadbolt the Simplex lock when quick access isn't really needed like when you are away from home. I think that was in 2014 and now 90+ percent sold have that option. The key that deadbolts can also open the box as a backup entry. It is an exclusive feature that works well.

[splithoof]

A good option for sure, but just to keep it accurate the Ft Knox is 1/8" (10GA) steel on the body and 3/16" (7GA) steel on the door. I'm not aware of a handgun safe that is currently being made with 1/4" steel.

3/16" (7GA) all around is the thickest steel on a handgun safe currently and it also uses the Simplex lock.

I really like the Fort Knox we use, it is a good option. Simplex lock is just that, simple. Forget about batteries, finger grooves, etc.

Our old R&D Enterprises is made to mount on a wall, and has ACTUAL 1/4 wall thicknesses, and a very heavy door. Too bad they are no longer around; I?ve searched high & low to find them, with no luck. They were offered with two types of locks: Simplex, and Medeco keys. You just ordered whichever you wanted.

[splithoof]

While technically true, in reality I don't think it's much of a concern. In 14 years I have sent plenty of customers a list of all possible combinations when they either tried to reset the combination and did it incorrectly and not sure what it is set to now, or just forgot their combination. I have only had one guy be able to figure his out that way.

Thanks for posting here; I might order one of those in the next month.

[FAS1]

Our old R&D Enterprises is made to mount on a wall, and has ACTUAL 1/4 wall thicknesses, and a very heavy door. Too bad they are no longer around; I?ve searched high & low to find them, with no luck. They were offered with two types of locks: Simplex, and Medeco keys. You just ordered whichever you wanted.

I do remember them, but mainly for a small 1/4" steel box that would fit inside a center console. They were a big influence on me to use a heavier gauge steel than what most were offering at the time. They were a little crude in appearance and finish, but definitely a solid safe.

[BrokerB]

I have a lifepod i leave in car for ccw when needed.

At home i use Simplex style push button. For a handgun and rifle /shotgun wall lock.

I have no love for electric or keys

[jimbo74]

Picked up a biometric iff amazon for $70 if I remember correctly.