Biometric Safes

[hi3cho]

I am new to the forum so and I didnt see any other place for this so I figured I would ask it here. I am going to be buying my first handgun and for safety reasons I want a small safe to keep it in. I wanted to get some opinions on the biometric fingerprint safes. Do they generally work as advertised or are they a pain and is it really not worth it? Any input would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Boom Boom]

Search on biometric. There are a bunch of threads about it already.

 

[chale127]

I'm buying one based on one a buddy of mine owns, it works just as advertised, him and his wife can access the safe no problem and anyone else that i have seen try, including myself cannot, he got his pretty reasonably through Natchez shooters supply online

 

[hi3cho]

I'm buying one based on one a buddy of mine owns, it works just as advertised, him and his wife can access the safe no problem and anyone else that i have seen try, including myself cannot, he got his pretty reasonably through Natchez shooters supply online

Do you recall the brand or model?

 

[hi3cho]

Search on biometric. There are a bunch of threads about it already.

Gotcha, Thanks. I am new to the forums and I didnt really know where to look. A lot of sites search functions leave a lot to be desired.

 

[chale127]

Do you recall the brand or model?

I'd know it if i saw it, unfortunately i cannot get to that website at work, i'll see if i can find it later and update you

 

[hi3cho]

I have been looking at these two models

http://www.amazon.com/Stack-On-PDS-...2895&sr=8-1&keywords=stack+biometric+gun+safe

This is a cheap one with good reviews and would work until I could do some more research in to the biometrics.

http://www.amazon.com/Stack-On-Quic...543&sr=8-15&keywords=stack+biometric+gun+safe

This one is more but is the biometric is what I want and its bigger so it would last longer as I purchase more guns. However the reviews are pretty mixed.

 

[Andronitis]

I wouldn't go with a biometric. I do not own one but I cannot imagine that it would work in all scenarios. Wet, cold, dirty, bloody, sweaty, etc. I use the push button style. Just my 2 cents.

 

[cyclrcr]

Someone is selling two of them in the classifieds on here. You could always ask him his impression.

 

[Baccusboy]

Seen enough scary YouTube videos on these to avoid them.

Go with a Fort Knox safe with the push buttons.

 

[safecracker]

I have been looking at these two models

http://www.amazon.com/Stack-On-PDS-...2895&sr=8-1&keywords=stack+biometric+gun+safe

This is a cheap one with good reviews and would work until I could do some more research in to the biometrics.

http://www.amazon.com/Stack-On-Quic...543&sr=8-15&keywords=stack+biometric+gun+safe

This one is more but is the biometric is what I want and its bigger so it would last longer as I purchase more guns. However the reviews are pretty mixed.

Cheap + Biometric = Disaster.

Biometrics and safes don't mix well. The 'mixed reviews' should be a giveaway.

At some point it will fail. Period. Trust me, I do this for a living.

 

[Minuteman]

I wouldn't go with a biometric. I do not own one but I cannot imagine that it would work in all scenarios. Wet, cold, dirty, bloody, sweaty, etc. I use the push button style. Just my 2 cents.

+1

Get a mechanical lock like the ilco.

 

[Minuteman]

Seen enough scary YouTube videos on these to avoid them.

Go with a Fort Knox safe with the push buttons.

This.

http://www.gunsafeshouston.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/bistol-box.jpg

Worth every penny.

 

[Jack Ryan]

I had a Gunvault safe with a keypad, ran on 8 batteries, and ran through them once a month. It was always out of power when I went for my gun...not good.

I got rid of it and bought a V-Line pistol safe that doesnt run on batteries:

http://www.amazon.com/V-Line-Draw-S...F8&qid=1353166077&sr=8-1&keywords=v+line+safe

These are real nice, no batteries, low profile could fit in a drawer, room enough for a 1911 and 2 mags, and a Simplex 5 button mechanical lock.

 

[safecracker]

+1

Get a mechanical lock like the ilco.

Mechanical is definitely the way to go as far as reliability, but stay away from Ilco. Sargent & Greenleaf (S&G) or LaGard, (which is now made by Ilco, but is a much more reliable lock) are your best options.

 

[hi3cho]

Cheap + Biometric = Disaster.

Biometrics and safes don't mix well. The 'mixed reviews' should be a giveaway.

At some point it will fail. Period. Trust me, I do this for a living.

Thanks for the input and I guess I was just being optimistic. I think I will just go with something simple at least for now. I am getting my first gun and I just want something to have it locked up in. I don't have any kids and I have no worries of theft. Its just really for piece of mind when kids come over. I think I am going to get the $40 combo safe that got good reviews. I can always upgrade in the future.

 

[Minuteman]

Simplex.


Buy this: http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B004H6MKI8/ref=aw_d_detail?pd=1

 

[Baccusboy]

If you just want to keep the kids out, and you have a rifle and ammo you want to lock up as well, then the Stack-on gun cabinets are hard to beat for around $100 at Wal-Mart.

http://www.amazon.com/Stack-On-GCB-8RTA-Security-Assemble-Storage/dp/B004EYTD4W/ref=pd_cp_hi_0

I own one, and it's very decent for the price. No, it won't keep out a robber who grabs tools and prys it apart, but it might just be enough to stop someone from bothering in a smash and grab, and it will certainly keep the kids out.


And here is the Fort Knox safe I was talking about. It's great:

 

[ohen cepel]

Ft. Knox or V-line if you want to go a bit cheaper.

I've had several different ones over the years. Gunvault was neat, but not reliable. Simple is best under stress so I would stick with the mechanical ones as mentioned.

 

[brackishfly]

I use a Barska Bio (bolted to the floor). I don't recommend this safe, not if trying to retrieve your primary home defense gun quickly or quietly. Even though the Biometric memory stores upwards of 8 or 10 finger prints (I don't remember) it may take two, three, or more tries to open. Also this unit makes an irritating sound (sort of a high pitched and long beep) it'll let anyone know in the hallway that somethings up. I'm in the market myself for a mechanical (no battery) safe for the bedroom that's quick to open, AND OPEN QUIETLY! Well at least silence that darn tone!