Handgun security

[karatediver]

I keep mine in one of those lock boxes with the finger grooves and buttons. I've used it for many, many years and have no problem in the dark getting the combo to work even with adreneline flowing. I've done it and it is such a habit I don't even have to think about the sequence. With little kids in the house and little kids over visiting all the time I don't leave anything out unattended.

[crashdive123]

Before you decide on a model, shop around - prices to vary a lot. The link I provided was just an example. Better still, if you have a local gun shop or sporting goods store that carries them you can "test drive" them.

[kyratshooter]

Absolutely kyratshooter, education is the best policy. My gun is a semi-auto with a very difficult slide. Right now I'm sure he won't be able to operate it and I don't leave it chambered. My wife has a single action revolver. I'm worried slightly about that one as it could go off simply by being dropped on the hammer. I'll look into the speed loader. Thanks.

mark

Does the SA revolver have a transfer bar or is it the old type with a firing pin on the hammer or direct contact with the firing pin?

If it has a transfer bar it is safe with all cylinders loaded. It wll not go off if dropped. If it is the old style you should not have a round under ther hammer anyway. I would put a zip tie on the SA and make sure the wife has the strength to rip it lose.

BTW, you will not find a "speedloader" for a SA pistol.

???? You have no closet in your bedroom ????

[crashdive123]

If the entrance to the bedroom is between the bed and the closet you run the risk of not being able to access the weapon.

[1stimestar]

I grew up with my mom keeping her gun under her pillow. Then of course, my dad taught us all to shoot and we handled guns very often. He was a truck driver for many years and even afterwards, was gone for work a lot. We weren't allowed in their bedroom but I have to say, that is not a safe alternative, especially for a 2 year old. I'm glad you are looking into this. Please do find a way to keep your baby safe. And those drawer locks can be opened by 2 year olds if they are very crafty, which most of them are.

[kyratshooter]

We weren't allowed in their bedroom ...

I remember that rule! We only went into Mom and Dad's bedroom if we were SENT in there to fetch something! That was off limits territory with imminant death a possibility for violation of that taboo.

They could have had an atomic bomb in there and it would have been safer than Fort Knox.

[tj922]

I would probably explain to them that this is not something that you ever touch. I have .357 revolver unloaded on the night stand, with a speed loader on the shelf well out of reach. It won't take me long to load up in the dark.

[Rick]

If I understood the OP correctly, this is just a toddler.

[mountainmark]

Does the SA revolver have a transfer bar or is it the old type with a firing pin on the hammer or direct contact with the firing pin?

If it has a transfer bar it is safe with all cylinders loaded. It wll not go off if dropped. If it is the old style you should not have a round under ther hammer anyway. I would put a zip tie on the SA and make sure the wife has the strength to rip it lose.

BTW, you will not find a "speedloader" for a SA pistol.

???? You have no closet in your bedroom ????

If the entrance to the bedroom is between the bed and the closet you run the risk of not being able to access the weapon.

Kyratshooter, There is a bar between the hammer and the firing pin. Someone had told me that it would go off if dropped, but they probably didn't know.

Lol, well technically I don't have a bedroom. I live in a one room cabin with a loft. The wife and I have this thing about not getting into debt, so we only build as we have money. We were going to add a couple bedrooms this summer, but ended up needing a car instead. Hopefully we will still be able to get running water this year. If you break into my house, you are breaking into my bedroom.

[mountainmark]

Before you decide on a model, shop around - prices to vary a lot. The link I provided was just an example. Better still, if you have a local gun shop or sporting goods store that carries them you can "test drive" them.

I will definitely shop around, thanks Crash!

[kyratshooter]

Lol, well technically I don't have a bedroom. I live in a one room cabin with a loft. The wife and I have this thing about not getting into debt, so we only build as we have money. We were going to add a couple bedrooms this summer, but ended up needing a car instead. Hopefully we will still be able to get running water this year. If you break into my house, you are breaking into my bedroom.

Been there and done that!! Know your situation well. Space is probably at a premium as well, with money rationed to the penny.

I commend you for your financial self control, work and planning. I have added two rooms to my abode in two years. I am finishing up a screened back porch this year. Got the roof on it last week and an doing the screen this week. I still have two rooms that need finish work inside, but that is waiting for a days I can not work outside.

I got lucky and caught a sale at Dunham's Sports this spring. They had the cheap metal Stack-On gun cabinets (14 gun model) on sale at half price. When I arrived they only had the floor model left and it had a slight dent. They knocked another 10% off the sale price, so I got a locking metal cabinet for about 65% off.

It went into the gun room to compliment the real gunsafe, and it is not exactly bullet proof but it would do exactly what you desire. You could set it where you want it and bolt it to the wall, lock it when needed and unlock it at other times.

I also have a big white "kitchen cabinet" that is 5 feet tall, has double doors and locks. I added childproof catches at the top when the grandbabies started falling out of the sky. I kept some of the pistols in that cabinet for a long time. The real valuable stuff still lived in the gunsafe.

I also built an enclosed box into my ammo shelf and find that handy. I keep small items in that when I want a bit of added protection past just sitting on the shelf. As I have added other security that space has been appropriated for storing financial documents.

In a cabin setting you can knock together a wall mounted box from nice lumber and it will fit right in. Put a padlock on it as well as a child proof catch and mount it where your wife can just barely reach it. Hang the lock from the hasp at night without locking it and you will be better off than with nothing.

[roar-k]

If I understood the OP correctly, this is just a toddler.

Rick you're still a toddler.

The thing to remember is that toddlers grow and they are already learning at this age. Like everyone else has stated it's a good idea to start teaching them as soon as you believe they can comprehend.

[karatediver]

Just be careful, especially if other kids come over to your house to play with your kids. While your kids may know better and have been taught, the kids coming over probably have no clue. If they get a hold of your firearm and kill someone you will be in big, big trouble at least financially and probably criminally depending on the laws of your state. I'm very much for personal responsiblity and teaching your kids to be responsible but society unfortunately doesn't work that way anymore and the legal system is ready to pounce for stuff like this.

[mountainmark]

Been there and done that!! Know your situation well. Space is probably at a premium as well, with money rationed to the penny.

I commend you for your financial self control, work and planning. I have added two rooms to my abode in two years. I am finishing up a screened back porch this year. Got the roof on it last week and an doing the screen this week. I still have two rooms that need finish work inside, but that is waiting for a days I can not work outside.

I got lucky and caught a sale at Dunham's Sports this spring. They had the cheap metal Stack-On gun cabinets (14 gun model) on sale at half price. When I arrived they only had the floor model left and it had a slight dent. They knocked another 10% off the sale price, so I got a locking metal cabinet for about 65% off.

It went into the gun room to compliment the real gunsafe, and it is not exactly bullet proof but it would do exactly what you desire. You could set it where you want it and bolt it to the wall, lock it when needed and unlock it at other times.

I also have a big white "kitchen cabinet" that is 5 feet tall, has double doors and locks. I added childproof catches at the top when the grandbabies started falling out of the sky. I kept some of the pistols in that cabinet for a long time. The real valuable stuff still lived in the gunsafe.

I also built an enclosed box into my ammo shelf and find that handy. I keep small items in that when I want a bit of added protection past just sitting on the shelf. As I have added other security that space has been appropriated for storing financial documents.

In a cabin setting you can knock together a wall mounted box from nice lumber and it will fit right in. Put a padlock on it as well as a child proof catch and mount it where your wife can just barely reach it. Hang the lock from the hasp at night without locking it and you will be better off than with nothing.

Just be careful, especially if other kids come over to your house to play with your kids. While your kids may know better and have been taught, the kids coming over probably have no clue. If they get a hold of your firearm and kill someone you will be in big, big trouble at least financially and probably criminally depending on the laws of your state. I'm very much for personal responsiblity and teaching your kids to be responsible but society unfortunately doesn't work that way anymore and the legal system is ready to pounce for stuff like this.

Kyratshooter- I like the idea of building a box on the wall just high enough for DW to reach it. Don't know why I didn't think of that Would free up some space that a safe would take up as well. Just have to make sure it is quick to access.

Karatediver- Yup, not everyone trains their kids in firearm safety, and I don't want to be responsible for having one of my guns used to hurt an innocent child regardless of the legal mitigation I would come under if that happened. A good reminder, thank you.

[kyratshooter]

Come to think about it, my house would not be a safe place for most of the adults I know to visit.