Vehicle handgun safe recommendations

From another post I made:

I had a console vault in my Silverado. It was OK. My Truck was a 2LT (bench seat) The vault went in the lower console, under the center of the front seat. I sold that truck, and give the vault to my brother in law. I've got an E&G Console Lock Vault in my Titan. My Titan has a full center console and bucket seats. The vault covers half the console, but leaves the other part open. I won't elaborate online about what I keep in there. The tray in the picture comes with it, but it's...not for me. I don't leave the key in the console either. LOL



Added: It would take more tools, and time than the average smash and grab thief has to get my weapons.

Console vaults fit well in most SUVs and some sedans. Larger gun and/or other valuable safes/vaults work in SUV types, trunks or in other non-visible securable locations of larger vans or vehicles. The thing to remember is the things are only as good as the protection from access. If your vehicle can be stolen and/or the bad guys/gals have the time and tools, your contents are at risk. Many of us who have fitted vehicles with secure containers of various makes/models have multi layer additional risk reduction factors. One example most common is LE vehicles. The theft risk is low for obvious reasons. Most of the newer higher end vehicles have alarm systems that include lock out/shutdown/tracking powered by self contained power sources. Vehicles hardened from theft require time, tools, flat bed wreckers and if tampering, towing or relocation occurs, several methods of notification occur. Sure they can be taken but the odds are against success. Very few folks have the need, will take the time or spend the $ for this level of security. Those who do still seldom are far from their vehicle. The make a living with it or what is in it. The vehicles live inside locked buildings with armed security teams, cameras, steel doors with fences that say keep out. Putting a tin box in your BMW or F150 just isn’t the same. The take away here is when containers are endorsed, it might be that there is much more to the story about how it is actually used.

One more thing while I’m ranting. Truck gun doesn’t necessarily mean it lives in a truck. It means cosmetic appearance is not important; if it gets scratched, it’s OK; cleaning is not a priority. The terms tool box gun, fishing box gun are also used. It will have rubber grips not ivory. A beat up/scratched wood stock or perhaps synthetic. It will be shorter than long. It will be of a caliber large enough to stop a livestock threat or the destructive pigs. In most cases it will be used for short range, not have glass and it ain’t for sale. If you don’t keep mud boots in your vehicle, you probably don’t need a truck gun.

I had a Console Vault in my 2015 Subaru Legacy. (also fits the Subaru Outback). They have several models for several cars. Sadly they don't make one for my current car so I bought a Vaultek Lifepod to hold a spare gun.

Here's pics of the Console Vault

Nothing is absolute. There are no locks generally available that cannot be picked or forced by a person with a little knowledge and/or the right tools. All we can do is make it as difficult as possible (and as our budgets allow). Fortunately, most car break-ins are crimes of opportunity committed by dumba$$ dopers, not skilled thieves.

When I retired I had a small (0.8 cu. ft.) floor-mount safe for my business. One-hour fire rating, 4-digit combination lock, weighs about 90 lbs. That is now bolted through the floor of my extended cab truck behind the front seats. Easily holds 6 or 8 handguns, couple of cameras, wallets, and any gold bars and silver ingots I happen to find laying around. Truck has an alarm system also.

Wife's car trunk has a hardened steel chain sheathed with plastic tubing, looped through the welded-in spare tire mount, and an old high-security padlock (6-pin lock, one the US Army used to have for securing classified document files before it went home with me). Loop the chain through trigger guards or mag wells and set the padlock. Heavy duty bolt cutters would defeat the chain, but the lock won't be bothered by anything less than an acetylene torch (or a very experienced locksmith).

Indyal said:

I realize these are not highly theft resist but just looking for a semi secure storage when I can’t legally carry into an establishment for short periods

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What kind of vehicle? If you have a decent size console there are a few options. This is in a Tundra.

1911_Kid said:

Is there some technical requirement for a in-vehicle "safe"? And is there a definition of "safe" you are going by?

The vehicle itself is a safe.

Unless there are some very strict requirements, a steel cable loop is ez and cheap. Just screw down a small loop, then use the cable to loop the firearm making it very difficult to take if the vehicle is broken into. 1/16" to 3/32" vinyl steel cable and a small lock, etc.

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In a two week period recently, I read about a woman on Nextdoor that had two handguns stolen from her vehicle, which was broken into overnight, and a co-worker had a Kimber stolen from his vehicle, also broken into overnight. That's why I purchased a console vault in case I have to run into a public place that doesn't allow concealed carry and I have to leave the gun in the car.