Security & storage products

Shooting Industry, Nov, 1994 by Roy Huntington

Firearms: From Lockboxes To Safes, There's A Lot To Offer Your Customers

What price can you place on peace of mind? Forty-nine dollars? Two thousand dollars? With residential burglaries occurring at a rate of five million a year--that's a 1 in 14 chance -- peace of mind may be cheaper than your customers think.

With the threat of crime, and the emphasis on added personal responsibility if a customer's firearm is misused in a crime or by a child, it just makes good sense to discuss the many gun safety products on the market.

The myriad of safes and gun locks available makes it tough for a dealer to keep up on what's available. However, your customer will look to you for advice. Features ranging from bank-vault like construction in large stationary safes to handy transportability in the smaller personal-sized lockboxes means there are devices to match any customer's needs. From the collector with 50 firearms to the apartment dweller who owns one handgun for protection, one of the following products will help keep your customer's firearms safer.

LOCKBOXES

Action Products

The Pistol Caddy from Action Products is almost a combination pistol lock-box and range box. Able to hold several pistols, depending upon their size, a shooter can also fit an assortment of gun care accessories and other shooting supplies inside. Once closed, a hasp is provided for a padlock chosen by the shooter. Not exactly a lock-box for storing a home-defense handgun, the Pistol Caddy still offers convenience for the shooter and a level of security for your firearms.

American Security Products Co.

In the business of safe making for almost 50 years, AMSEC also builds bank vaults! This experience shows itself in its Pistol Packer Model PB48 handgun box. Manufactured of 14-gauge steel -- the heaviest in the industry -- the Pistol Packer uses a mechanical Simplex lock (push button) to gain entry into the padded interior. There are no batteries to go dead, and Simplex locks have proved themselves for years. Able to hold one large handgun, or two smaller ones, the Pistol Packer can be secured to a wall or floor, yet still allows access to the handgun in seconds. AMSEC also builds a superlative line of full-sized safes.

Aspen Outdoors Inc.

The Safeguard gun vault from Aspen Outdoors is of rugged 12- and 14-gauge steel with foam padding inside. A unique spring-tension latching system keeps small children out, even if they know how to open it. A key-lock is also installed and can be used to override the latching mechanism for extra security. A handle lets you transport your secured handgun to the range, or place of business, and the Safeguard comes in burgundy, beige, brown or green premium-textured powder coat.

Doskocil Mfg. Co. Inc.

Long known for its hard plastic gun cases, many able to be locked with small padlocks, Doskocil has introduced two new cases from Gun Guard. The double- scoped rifle case has an "O"-ring system which makes the case water, moisture and dust tight. The case has a pressure relief valve, 5 inches of protective foam and a six-latch locking system making it airline approved. Doskocil's introduction of its Corner Cabinet Lockable Gun Storage Cabinet has solved the problem of what to do with that corner space, where long guns always seem to end-up anyway. Holding up to four long guns and several handguns, the space-age plastic can be secured to the wall for extra security.

Gun Vault

Available in two sizes, the MiniVault and the MultiVault offer a unique entry system. The 16-gauge steel housings are locked with an electronically controlled touch pad. Contoured grooves guide your fingers to the control panel, and Braille-like dots help you to locate the correct buttons for in-the-dark operation. Either safe can be opened in seconds with one hand. When the right combination is pressed, the door pops open making the handgun immediately accessible. Both gun vaults can be secured to a wall or floor and have a keyed lock to over-ride the touchpad in case of electrical failure or other problems.

Lauck Mfg. Co.

Made of welded steel, the Night Holster can be bolted easily to any standard bed frame. The Night Holster uses a push-button mechanical lock with over 2,200 possible changeable combinations. Its robust design makes the Night Holster virtually impervious to the most inquisitive children and almost burglar proof. It's available in charcoal or hammer tone finish with velvet or corrugated foam lining.

Necessary Concepts Inc.

One of the very few companies who offer a secure way to lock a long gun. Insta Guard is a simple design, but offers flexibility in mounting and the type of guns it will accommodate. The two models, the 1100 -- which holds any shotgun or handgun -- and the Model 1200 -- which can hold up to three handguns and virtually any military-type long gun -- are made of stainless steel and use a Simplex lock. The Insta Guards are mounted easily on a bed frame, in a vehicle cab or trunk, boat bulkhead or under the counter at a business. The Model 1200 can also hold a shotgun and a handgun at the same time, offering the user the choice of firearm for the threat at hand. The Insta Guard locks are rubber lined to protect the firearms.