Gun safe recommendations?

[shireen]

I'm shopping for a small gun safe. The revolver is for home defense so I'm looking for a small safe to store a loaded gun. The safe would be secured to my bed with a steel cable, and/or bolted to the wall.

I'm leaning towards the Gun Vault Deluxe 2000, which should comfortably fit a 686. I picked the deluxe over the base model because it has an internal light.

Has anyone used this safe, and if so, do you like it? Do you have other small safe recommendations?

Thanks is advance! :)



(from http://tinyurl.com/2xofbb )

[shireen]

1. Another question ... ear protection

The ear muffs are pretty uncomfortable. Can I use ear plugs, and if so, are there certain types I should buy? Thanks!

[SteveM]

2. Unsure of the types of ear plugs...

I have always used the "stereo headset" protection. I'm the opposite: I am more comfortable wearing them (earplugs have a way of working out, and when you go to readjust them, the guy at the next table lets loose with a .30 '06! I have had effective protection with Moldex "Pocket Pak" and one of the foam types, however.

Can't help you with the hand gun safe as I use a cheap lock-box that I slide under the bed when not at home and leave open beside the bed when I am. Not the best. I recall a discussion (Christmas time '06?) centered on your question. There were recommendations made then about small boxes.

[shireen]

3. thank you, Steve.

i'll check the archives about the safes.

The headsets I've used at the range are pretty uncomfortable. Perhaps what I should really look for is a pair of comfy headsets.

:)

[SteveM]

4. Yeah, range stuff can be pretty grim...

You should be able to open and try on headsets of different makes at a local big box; mine was about $25. The tension can be adjusted, even on my cheap one. I sent a message to BenEzra re: your questions. He might have some suggestions.

It's unfortunate that the bifurcated nature of all-matters-gun leads to technical questions getting the gulag. And "outdoors?" The indoor range I use is a thunder box requiring a trance before you enter. Otherwise, I have to drive ($$$) 45 minutes outside of Austin to shoot outdoors.

[shireen]

5. thanks, again!

I wish I could have posted my question in the "Guns" forum. "Outdoor Life" seems an odd place to be discussing handguns 101 topics, firearms security, and the joys (not!) of indoor ranges. There's so much technical stuff I'd like to chat about with other experienced gun-users at DU, like ammo recommendations and types, targeting techniques, gun maintenance, etc.. Guess DU's not the right place for it ... it's too bad because I like talking about this stuff with other progressives with similar interests.

[benEzra]

6. That looks like a good unit. New Gunvaults should be fine.

I'd stay away from any used ones, though--they had a problem with the lock a couple of years ago, but I believe they changed them. I know a lot of people who have Gunvaults and they seem to like them, and it solves the quick-access-while-childproof problem very neatly.

As far as hearing protection, I use the soft foam earplugs you can get from your local gun store or the sporting goods section of Walmart. They have an NRR over 30dB, IIRC, and do a good job. Personally, I like to wear both plugs and muffs together while shooting, particularly at indoor ranges. I hate heavy muffs, but I like the Peltor (now AOSafety) Shotgunner, which is slimmer and lighter than most muffs and seem to fit better without squeezing your head in a vise. At least for me, they are comfortable enough to sleep in (lying on one's back, of course), which is handy when one has a migraine.

http://www.amazon.com/Peltor-Shotgunner-Hearing-Protector-97011-00000/dp/B0002INNUO

[shireen]

7. Thank you, benEzra,

i appreciate the comments. I'll check out those headphones at amazon.

[gorfle]

8. Internal light.

They make these little battery-powered stick-on push-to-turn-on lights. It would be nice to have an internal light that was hard-wired, but if it was a very expensive option, these little stick-on lights might be just the trick.