UPDATE:
Since I started this thread, I contacted GunVault and asked them about the resistance of the small pin used in the latch on the MV-500. Here's their response:
"Thank you for your inquiry. All of our safes have passed all the requirements set by the California DOJ (Department of Justice)"
Well, that's something, now if we just knew what those requirements were.
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I needed a small 'safe' to store a handgun and the GunVault MV 500 micro vault seemed perfect - a key lock plus an electronic lock.
But when the thing arrived, here's what I found - check out the single locking mechanism that keeps your gun secure!!!
Here's the lid and locking pin:
Here's a close up of the same pin - bear in mind this is the ONLY locking mechanism:
And here's the mating latch:
And a close up:
The security is far from what I was looking for and expected. So if you're considering one of these, security is something to think about. IMO, this isn't a very secure safe.
These are not designed to prevent a determined thief with a lot of time and tools. They are designed to keep the firearm accessible to the owner while keeping kids out.
What chiller said, if you want to lock up your gun safe from thieves use a proper gunsafe. This is intended for nightstand or desk storage to keep curious kids away from firearms overnight or while adults are home and allow quick access when needed.
Time and tools? What about a large screwdriver and 15 seconds?
I have a big gun safe, and BTW I doubt our valuables are as safe in a typical large gun safe from a determined crook with time and tools as we'd like to think. One could buy a small acetylene torch, probably from Harbor Freight, and be in any typical gun safe in minutes.
But, that's not what I'm after; I have numerous situations where it is not practical to use my big safe. Just one of many examples: securing the gun at a relative's home to go swimming, etc. I'm not trying to stop a determined thief with lots of time and tools, it was my intention to secure a gun for short periods of time in some device that would take more that a large screwdriver to open.
I use mine in my car to comply with FOPA when traveling interstate or when flying. For that it's perfect. I didn't really expect security from this box and I don't think Gunvault markets it as such. It's simply a locking case. Locks are for honest people anyway.
Sure a thief could open it later; they do that with full-sized safes as well, but that's not what I want it for. I want it to secure a gun against an adult (or teenager for that matter) that might discover the box and happen to have access to a large screwdriver to use as a pry device.
Also it makes a much bulkier, heavier object to try to sneak out if I or someone else is home, and the cable all but stops any removal attempt without attracting attention of someone in the home.
Just for kids only? I must have missed that, here's what Gun Vault says. BTW, does vault sound like a kid's only device? But, Let's see if we can get any indication at all that Gun Vault intended this to be security just against kids - from their website:
INCREDIBLE SECURITY, RELIABILITY AND
PORTABILITY
The MicroVault and MicroBioVault’s unique, notebook-style design allows you to take your handgun or valuables with you. Incredibly compact and lightweight, this safe will fit inside a briefcase or day pack and can be quickly accessed with GunVault’s No-Eyes® keypad or Biometric technology.
Incredible security - doesn't sound like a kids only device; 16-gauge steel doesn't sound like a kids only device; did I miss that in the specs that this is only good for kids????
I think this Pelican case at a third of the cost with two like-keyed inexpensive locks would be just as secure, if not more so, than the MV-500. For example, this is about the same size, just a little taller and costs $32 without web shopping:
In fact, I guess I'll bite the bullet and return the micro Vault and get that Pelican case. More security at a third of the cost. Of course I'll have to supply my own locks, but how much could that cost? And it's not quite as convenient.
Hmmm, I could get three Pelican cases for the price of one MicroVault!
I have a $30 small keyed gun safe in my car. It comes with a cable to secure it to something. I have it secured to the car seat frame and slide it under the seat when locked up. Its out of sight out of mind. I rely on the fact they won't find it and if they finally do that they won't have the means to open it. Wishful thinking huh?
LOL, well maybe so, but isn't that true of our large gun safes as well? I.e. we're hoping the 'thief(s)' won't know it's there ahead of time, won't have any tools with them to open a safe, and won't, as happened in my area, handtruck the safe to a truck and haul it off. Perhaps our most wishful thinking is that they won't bring a small acteylene torch to open the safe.
Actually, I pretty much see it the way you do - first I hope they won't find it, if they do they won't have the means to open it. By 'means' all I mean is a large screwdriver. I was looking for a security box that could resist a screwdriver; I'm not so sure the Micro-Vault can do that.
In my case I can and probably will. The thing is though, it was the size I wanted - one handgun - would 'hide' just about anywhere, including an attache case, under the seat of a car, etc.
I was just, hmmm, surprised to see that single tiny little latch on a 16 ga steel box, I just can't warm up to that.
And now, I'm taking my coffee and a bag of orange slices out to the shop to work on a project that I hope to 'unveil' soon.
Too bad you don't like it. I bought 2 of them as I said and I'm ok with the level of security they provide. Crooks don't care about locks anway. They're for honest people as I said. Hope you find something to your liking. Have you looked at COM safes ?
I agree; I've been wondering about that myself. If it were not for wasting $89, I'd sure give that a try. I may anyway; it just might be worth $89 to know.
It may be that the pin is 'grade 8' and any more pin strength could not be justified by the strength of the 16 ga body.
Well, I think I'll give Gun Vault a call and see what they say.
Too bad you don't like it. I bought 2 of them as I said and I'm ok with the level of security they provide. Crooks don't care about locks anway. They're for honest people as I said. Hope you find something to your liking. Have you looked at COM safes ?
I'm not concerned about crooks; and if a person is honest, I could put the gun in an unlocked box. I just want to be able to defeat a person of 'opportunity' that has nothing more than a screwdriver available.
Currently, I am using the MicroVault. At the moment I have a G17 and a PX4 with an extended 20 mag in it and they fit just right. I didn't even realize you could get two guns in the MV-500. Right now, I'm leaning toward keeping it; I think the purpose I want it for is at least partially met, the size is just perfect for me, and it is convenient having the key and finger pad.
Do we actually know how resistant this box is to an unauthorized entry attempt? How long is an adequate amount of time to resist entry using a screwdriver?
If no one has actually tried, all this is conjecture.
No, we don't know, that's the point. What we know is that it has a very small pin, yet the manufacturer claims, and I quote,
"INCREDIBLE SECURITY, RELIABILITY AND PORTABILITY"
I don't know that it's accurate to claim "this is all conjecture". I think what we're doing here is what we often do; lacking opportunity to actually test, we look at the facts available and evaluate what we see based on past experience with things that might be similar.
Hence, when I read, "INCREDIBLE SECURITY", discovering that incredible security relies on a small pin does conjure up some doubt.
But I do agree, until it's actually tested, or the manufacturer can supply info, which I'm about to check on, we really don't know the full implications.
It or one similar like I bought for COM is perfect for when you travel and want to keep your kids from getting curious while you are in the shower or something equivalent while in your hotel room.
HEre is a review I wrote for another site on the Console Vault. I have had it now for a couple of months and I really like it. It is very sturdy and strong.
i'm having a problem with the whole point of this thread to be honest...the op apparently expected to find safe like security in an $89 purchase...its time to put on the big boy pants and come to the realization that that isnt going to happen...take this opportunity and your apparent knowlegde of security to design and market something better for the price...it will be a challenge...
for information purposes you might want to do an internet search regarding defeating a full size safe...youll find a video of 2 guys who pry open a pretty robust safe in about 30 seconds...and many showing guys who can pick their way into one in very little time...
if youre really worried about a curious teen with access to a screwdriver you shouldnt be leaving yor gun even locked near their access...if they want in that badly where they would be willing to pry open your safe they are pretty bad off to begin with...
most small safes are merely to prevent snatch and grab theft...thats the best you are going to do...
what you may want to do is invest in a trigger lock or cable lock through the action of your gun inside the safe...then if its found by one of those curious teens they have another challenge ahead of them on their journey into a life of crime...simple precautions that could prevent your concerns...
i'm having a problem with the whole point of this thread to be honest...the op apparently expected to find safe like security in an $89 purchase...its time to put on the big boy pants and come to the realization that that isnt going to happen...take this opportunity and your apparent knowlegde of security to design and market something better for the price...it will be a challenge...
for information purposes you might want to do an internet search regarding defeating a full size safe...youll find a video of 2 guys who pry open a pretty robust safe in about 30 seconds...and many showing guys who can pick their way into one in very little time...
if youre really worried about a curious teen with access to a screwdriver you shouldnt be leaving yor gun even locked near their access...if they want in that badly where they would be willing to pry open your safe they are pretty bad off to begin with...
most small safes are merely to prevent snatch and grab theft...thats the best you are going to do...
what you may want to do is invest in a trigger lock or cable lock through the action of your gun inside the safe...then if its found by one of those curious teens they have another challenge ahead of them on their journey into a life of crime...simple precautions that could prevent your concerns...
the line in bold is the EXACT reason I bought a cheap safe.
In Ohio you must lock a gun in the car. While glove box is legally enough I opted for the cheap $30 safe which is miles better then the plastic glove box. If someone breaks into my car they have to find the safe, cut the metal security line or break the lock all while the alarm is blairing.
I am so weary of explaining over and over I am not expecting the security of a full size gun safe. I am so weary of explaining that I don’t expect this to stop a determined thief. Nor do I expect my full size gun safe to stop a determined thief.
I was very specific that my disappointment was: an 1/8” latch pin on an otherwise fairly robust device that is advertised with incredible security.
I don’t know how many times I’ve had to explain that my full size gun safe is not as portable as I need it to be, so I was looking for something portable. Even in the title I raised the question about advertising something as having “incredible security” and then finding a single, 1/8” locking pin.
I have repeatedly stated my expectations for the device to be resistant to a thief of opportunity with only a screwdriver to work with. Should it completely stop him? Of course not. Should it take him longer? I should hope so.
Some of you need to read before you post. If you did, you'd see that your trivialized view of whining and claims of over-expectations from a $90 security device advertised as incredible security are totally off subject.
So are there any more out there that have the irresistible urge to state the previously known obvious that this thing doesn’t have the security of a full size gun safe or it won’t stop a determined thief? If you do, go back and read my posts and you’ll see that has nothing to do with my assessment of the Microvault’s security.
I challenge any one to find any of my posts that even suggested such a thing. All this thread is about, is a device that could be more secure than it is with no increase in size and little increase in cost.
My CCW instructor (who is a Police Commander) told us a story about the GunVault. They had sold this guy 2000 X pills, but upon raiding his apartment, the pills were no where to be found. But then they found this little black box. They took it to the Fire Department, and it took them 45 minutes to burn, pry, and just generally knock the **** out of it before they could get it open enough to see inside. And there were the pills.
If it takes the Fire Department 45 minutes to get it open with hammers and pickaxes, I'll trust it around my kids. And it doesn't particularly concern me about a burglar, either. If he's going to take it, he'll walk out with it, not take the time to try to get it open.
Wow! That is impressive! Unfortunately I have the MicroVault; I doubt it would have that much resistance. But I wasn't looking for that much either. I'd be happy if it'd resist a person with opportunity and a screwdriver, or at least put up a good fight. And the MicroVault may be capable of that, it's just that we simply don't know and the manufacturer won't tell.
Hmmm, what's Harbor Freight got? It may be just as good as the MicroVault. If you have a pic or even better a link, I'd appreciate it; if not, don't go to a lot of trouble, I can probably search the HF website and find it - Thanks!
Notice the large double bolt and 12 ga steel and the $55!
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