The Electronic Pistol Box features powdered steel durability, that resists everyday wear and tear. Smaller framed firearms are extremely popular for concealed carry due to their size and weight. There are times while at home or out in public, when carrying isn’t an option and you need the security of an electronic pistol boxes. This durable pistol box restricts unauthorized access to your guns and other valuables. This can easily mounted inside a closet or a drawer or vehicle.

I’ve been evaluating seven different models: The Fort Knox Original Electronic Pistol Box, the V-Line Hide-Away, the ShotLock Handgun 200M Solo-Vault, the Vaultek VT20i, the Hornady RAPiD Safe 2600KP, the Stack-On PDS-1500 Drawer Safe, and the GunVault MicroVault XL.

I know there are dozens of other options out there, but I tried to choose as many different types as possible so you could see a good sampling of the different features that are available. I also decided to stick with relatively affordable models. These are all under $300, most of them are considerably less than that.

We purchased six of these seven products through regular retail channels. Vaultek sent us their safe to evaluate with the understanding that we could not promise to give them a positive review. Otherwise, we have received no compensation nor have we discussed this review with any of these manufacturers.

First is the Fort Knox Original Electronic Pistol Box. And we’re starting with this one because it’s my favorite. If you want to know what I think you should get, you can stop the video here. This is the one. Forget all the others. The rest of the video is just about why these other safes aren’t as good as the Fort Knox. I’m only kidding a little bit.

This is basically just a big, ugly, 20-pound steel box with a Simplex mechanical push-button lock. You put in your code and turn the knob clockwise, and it opens right up. If you enter the wrong combination, you just turn the knob counter-clockwise, and it resets. With a little bit of practice, I was able to consistently unlock the safe and remove the gun in well under three seconds.

Inside, there’s easily enough room for two full-size handguns. It’s got two layers of foam that you can remove if you want even more room. There’s a hydraulic piston to hold the heavy door open. It’s got four holes in the bottom for mounting.

I know mechanical locks can break, too, but the Simplex lock has been around since the 1960s and it is known to be a reliable design and they tend to last forever. With an electronic lock — and especially the inexpensive kind that go into these little gun safes — there are just too many things that can go wrong. The batteries can die unexpectedly. They are more prone to user error when you’re trying to enter the code. They’re susceptible to moisture.  That’s not the kind of thing you have to worry about with a mechanical safe.

MSRP is $235, but right now you can get it on sale directly from the manufacturer for $199. Fort Knox also has a couple of front-opening Electronic Pistol Boxes that are not quite as large.

And there are a few other companies that make very similar safes that also have the Simplex lock. American Security makes some. Titan Vault has a couple of compact models. And V-Line has a few as well. I would pick any of those over any commercial electronic handgun safe.

Price $80.00