Magazine vs. a Clip, Here’s The Difference

the difference between a magazine and a clip

Magazines and clips are not the same when it comes to firearms as clips feed magazines which feed firearms, and magazines feed the firearm directly eliminating a step in the firing process.  Although both hold and load ammo into the chamber, and both can be attached to the firearm, they serve different purposes and have different uses.  

The term clip comes from the ammunition being fastened or “clipped” to the holder and loading to the firearm as needed, where a magazine loads based on the shooting action of the firearm.  Clips can be used to load ammo into a magazine, but magazines cannot load ammo into a clip, and that is the main difference between the two.

Clips tend to load cartridges more accurately and in some cases faster than a magazine because they hold the ammo together in storage, while magazines feed the ammo in more of a real time situation.  But even though magazines can be better in a live fire situation, clips may be able to change in and out faster giving you more shots which come in handy for security and self-defense situations.

The last main difference between a clip and a magazine is that clips are older technology and more common in revolvers and single-shot firearms.  Magazines are newer technology and can be used with modern firearms.  And with the differences there are similarities.

For example both magazines and clips have three types.  Magazines come in internal meaning they’re attached to the firearm and are an older technology, detachable which are able to be removed and replaced, and tubular which is similar to the internal but used for more modern firearms.  

Clips come in half-moon or circular which describes the shape of the storage chamber, stripper clips which reference the side strip where the ammo loads to the chamber, and en bloc which like internal magazines are nestled inside the gun.  Both clips and magazines can also be stored the same way in your gun safe.

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The Differences Between Gun Safes and Gun Lockers

the difference between a gun safe and a gun locker

Having manufactured military grade gun safes and gun lockers, many customers over the years have asked about the differences.  They main question is if one is better than the other, and how to choose between the two if they’re stuck. 

Good news, this guide will answer these questions, and we’ll keep it up-to-date as new customer inquiries come in.

We cover the:

  • Appearance
  • Locking mechanism
  • Size and Capacity
  • Usage
  • When to choose which over the other

Appearance

Visually we naturally associate a storage unit with open holes in the metal doors or some form of pattern that allows you to see through it a locker, and a gun safe when the walls are solid.  It makes sense visually, but a gun locker can have solid walls just like a gun safe, and the locking mechanism is the same as a locker. So the visual differences aren’t the only telltale sign of what the unit is.

And some storage units appear to be safes, but when you see them in person you’d likely consider it a locker because it’s just a key with a little latch that flips over and keeps the door locked.  Or the metal could be thinner or seem less secure than what we’d imagine with a safe. 

Bonus tip: The thickness of the metal does not always mean more security.

Locking Mechanism

This is the best way to differentiate a gun safe from a gun locker.  Gun safes have bolts that penetrate into the metal walls for added locking whereas gun lockers may be a moveable piece of metal that simply rests behind the wall and turns with a key to lock and unlock the storage unit.  

The locking mechanism on a gun safe can be a key, keypad, or biometric, while a gun locker is likely going to be a lock and key, or a keypad.  It’s mostly the bolts that go into the wall that creates the difference between a gun safe and a gun locker.

Size and Capacity

Both gun safes and gun lockers come in all sizes, but gun safes tend to have smaller storage capacity than lockers because they’re more about protecting the firearm and being hidden from plain sight when there is an intruder.  But the size and capacity do not matter when comparing the two, both can be large and small, so this one isn’t a qualifier, but it a common question.

Usage

Both are meant to provide secure storage for your firearms, but they serve very different purposes.  Gun lockers are better than gun safes if you need something with easy access and multiple people need access.  This includes gun clubs, ranges, storage for your hunting room, etc….  

The purpose of the gun locker is storage and enabling the people that need access to have access whereas gun safes are for securing and storing your firearms and being accessible to you and not a potential threat when you need your firearms for protection.  That’s where these play very different roles.

Burglars may enter through your garage, and a gun safe with thick metal doors may be more intimidating for them to try and open than a gun locker where they can see the firearms.   The threat may think that picking the lock could give them an advantage over you.  But that is speculation and may not hold true for your situation.

When to Choose Which

Both gun safes and gun lockers make sense for multiple situations, but there are a few in particular where one makes more sense than the other.  It is better to go with a gun safe than a gun locker when it will be in the path of an intruder as a gun safe can be hidden and give you the element of surprise.  And this applies to houses with kids too.

Your kids might be aware that the gun locker is no place for them, but if they have friends that sleep over or you have family for the holidays, a gun locker may seem like something the other kids may try to break into so they can play with the guns.  A safe blocks their eyesight of the firearms and may seem more intimidating, so they’ll leave your firearms alone when comparing the physical design of a gun locker to a gun safe.  But don’t count lockers out.

If you have a firing range, a gun club, or a secured gun room you hang out with your buddies in, gun lockers make accessing them and counting to make sure all guns are secured and inventory is accounted for is easier than a gun safe as you can see through.  The same goes for police stations and security firms.  Gun lockers provide ample secure storage while letting your teams access their firearms quickly and efficiently.  

There’s benefits to both gun safes and gun lockers, and when you have to choose between them, consider where it will be located, how much visibility you want for your firearms, and the level of security you want in a locking system.  Did you find this guide helpful?  Subscribe to our blog for more just like it.

Popular Nature Survival Rhymes and Their Origins

nature survival rhymes and their origins

There is no shortage of dangers in the wilderness.  To make remembering them easy people have created rhymes (mnemonics) about everything from plants to animals, and even the weather.  If you need a refresher on the rhymes because you’re teaching your kids, or are curious about their history, this post is for you.

Below you’ll find a few of our favorites.

If red touches black venom they lack, if red touches yellow kill a fellow

This rhyme was created to help people in the USA determine if a snake is the venomous coral snake or the harmless milk or kingsnake.  We emphasize USA here because this does not apply outside of the US or to all US species.  

People import snakes from all over the world and sometimes they get loose.  If you remember this survival rhyme, also remember that it was meant to identify coral vs. milk and kingsnakes, and never engage when you come across one.

This mnemonic doesn’t have a guaranteed origin, but it may have come from a man in the 1860’s named “Fat” Jack Loticus who is not the modern day singer.

Pink sky at night sailors delight, pink sky at morn, sailors be warned

This mnemonic saying has been used for predicting sailing conditions for about as long as we’ve been sailing.  In fact it was referenced in the bible as a note to shepherds in the Book of Matthew (you can read each variation here).  Although the English version didn’t come around until years later, the rhyme is a reference to atmospheric conditions.

When the sky is red at sunset it is a sign that high pressure is rolling in from the west and the next day will be clear.  The reverse would mean storms are potentially coming if you see it in the morning.  

The red skies are light being reflected through air particles and moisture which can also change the clouds to red.  As the air cleans up there may be less of a chance of a storm which is why it would be “smooth sailing” if the saying is true. 

The origin is unknown, and it exists in multiple languages.  The first studies and recording of meteorology date back to 3,000BC, so the saying could have started more than 5,000 years ago.

If it’s brown lay down, if it’s black fight back, if its white say goodnight

This rhyme originated to help people know what to do when a bear attacks.  If it’s a black bear the rhyme would indicate you want to fight back.  When a grizzly bear is heading towards you, you’d lie down and play dead.  Is a polar bear coming at you?  According to the mnemonic you’re about to die.

Although this may sound like good advice, WebMD makes an important point that you first need to identify why the bear is coming at you and the situation around you.  And then take the proper action which you can learn by attending a quality survival class taught by certified professionals that manage and work at the parks where bears live.

Leaves of three let them be, leaves of four eat some more

Leaves of three is a reference to remind you to leave poison ivy alone, and the hit TV show the Simpsons added their own flare when Homer included “leaves of four eat some more”.  Although the saying is funny, it is not safe to eat any plant unless you can positively identify it and that it is not treated with hazardous chemicals.

There is a related saying here regarding the vine of the poison ivy plant that goes “hairy vine no friend of mine.”

If the Berry is White Take Flight

This rhyme has a dual meaning.  For some people it means you’ll die if you eat white berries and the “take flight” part is your soul leaving while for others it means you should leave the plant alone.  This is because many white berries (around 90%) are toxic, and SmokeyBear.com has some other advice when eating berries in the wild here.

There’s no shortage of ways to remember how to survive in the wild, including using tools like a compass and “Never Eat Shredded Wheat” which refers to north, south, east, and west, or “being humble around an umble” as numerous types of umble plants like the poison hemlock.  Kids tend to laugh when they hear “nope rope” which is a reference to venomous snakes, and the laughter may help them to remember not to go near it.  If you have a favorite, leave it in the comments section below.

A Look Back at SHOT Show 2019

Recapping SHOT Show 2019

The NSSF SHOT Show took place this past week in Las Vegas, NV. We set up shop in a new booth location to show off more product and to talk about what customers can expect in the future from SecureIt.

Enough is Enough. Get The Answer.

In recent years, our booth focused on our custom Gun Walls and the modularity of our storage system. This year, we brought everything out for display. As we walked people through the booth, they got to see everything from our Fast Box hidden gun storage systems to the Answer cabinet line to the weapon racks used in our military armory installations (along with a few new prototype brackets).

Also on display in our booth was a gun safe that we cut through in a demonstration to highlight what you’re actually getting when you purchase a traditional “gun safe” (actually an RSC).

Many were shocked and surprised to hear that it only took 1 minute and 29 seconds to cut all the way around the top. This is why we displayed our collection of smaller, modular, discrete and easily hidden product lines. Why bother with a big and bulky RSC that does not provide true storage capacity when you can get something with a smaller footprint but still provide a great level of storage capacity?

The People Who Get It

In raising these points with visitors, one common reaction people had was that their “gun safe” does not store the number of guns they said they could. In fact, when walking through the show, NO OTHER GUN SAFE COMPANY had firearms displayed in their products. Why? Because they know they can’t store the number of guns they say they can. Visitors seeing our products in person for the first time also expressed interest in the ability to start with a smaller storage unit while having the ability to expand over time with the Agile Quad Kit.

Tour Our Booth

Get a walkthrough of our booth to see what we had on display:

Touring the Show

We work with a number of industry leaders to provide the best storage for their firearms and products. Check out a few displays from companies that were using SecureIt’s CradleGrid Technology:

Palmetto State Armory

Falkor Defense

Horizon/Iota Firearms

Davidson’s

Military Weapon Storage Leader

How a technology storage expert, turned military weapon storage guru, is revolutionizing the way military armories store their weapons

Tom Kubiniec got involved in military weapon storage in 2001 while running a technology storage company. He received a call from a client who asked if his storage company could store MP5s in one of its high-security laptop storage cabinets. He was intrigued, and as he looked further into military weapon storage, he found that there were serious concerns and difficulties with the existing systems. The military was moving to modular weapon systems which leveraged a wide variety of attachable optics and electronics (ACOGs, PEQs, etc.). Weapon storage systems, designed for traditional battle rifles (M16, M14, M4), simply were not up to the task of storing these modern weapon systems with their modular components and parts.

Weapon storage systems on the market became very complex, non-adjustable and very difficult to use

It seemed that the companies supplying these weapon storage solutions did not fully understand the challenges and requirements of the modern armory. Most manufacturers were reacting to military weapon system changes by simply adding new components and pieces to their existing rack systems. The net result was that most of the weapon storage systems on the market became very complex, non-adjustable and very difficult to use.

“We took a different approach”

Tom took a different approach. His storage company was fortunate to be located in southern California, with proximity to many military installations. Tom and his associates took every opportunity to visit these facilities to talk with the armorers in command about the challenges faced in a military going through a modernization initiative. They rapidly gained a great deal of experience in military armories. SecureIt was created as a business to address the challenges associated with storage and organization of modern modular weapon systems.

SecureIt® wins the USASFC armory assessment contract

In October 2006, USASFC (U.S. Army Special Forces Command) was facing several big issues in their armories. “Space-saving” storage systems that had been recently purchased were simply not working. The weapon storage systems were too complex and despite the name, took up way too much space. A solicitation was put out for an armory assessment program. SecureIt won the contract. Over the next seven months, SecureIt traveled to all CONUS Army Special Forces locations, surveyed the armories, interviewed the armorers and observed the workflow. This level of access to our most elite fighting forces was normally impossible. The time spent in the armories and the frank discussions with team members gave SecureIt an incredible amount of information and experience.

In their brief to USASFC (US Army Special Forces Command), SecureIt outlined the need to move away from component-based weapon racks – systems where you have a “universal rack” and different brackets for each type of gun. These types of systems may work when installed but fail when there are changes to the units equipment list. They also require specially trained factory technicians to install and reconfigure.

The simplest solutions are the ones that withstand the test of time

SecureIt set out to develop a simple solution that would address the needs of a modern armory and easily adapt to changes. All things being equal, the simplest solutions are the ones that withstand the test of time. “CradleGrid” was the solution. SecureIt’s easy to understand, no training is required weapon storage platform. SecureIt weapon racks adapt to changes without the need to purchase new or additional brackets and do not require factory technicians to install or change. The new system was a big hit and quickly adopted into SOCOM armories. Since then, SecureIt has designed and installed weapon storage solutions for all branches of the military as well and foreign fighting forces all over the world. SecureIt is now the largest supplier of weapon storage systems in the world and Tom is respected and the leading authority on weapon storage and armory design.

Review Round-Up | The Agile Model 52

Looking for a way to see the Agile Model 52 in action? Check out what customers across the web have been saying about their SecureIt products.

Gun Digest

See the full review at gundigest.com

HuntingLife.com

Kat Haas Outdoors

AP2020 Outdoors Adventures

Wranglerstar

[Note: This is an overview of the gen-1 Agile Model 52]

13C Gun Reviews

HandleBandle

On Target

The Truth About Guns

Check out Dan’s Gear Report review over at thetruthaboutguns.com

Bonus Clip

Looking to create your own custom storage solution? We can help with that! Check out what the Old Fart Restorations YouTube channel was able to do with a vintage candy machine and a Retrofit Kit.

Hidden Gun Safe: Comparing Barska, AMSEC and SecureIt

Hidden Gun Safes - Which is Best?

In this video, we compare 3 popular hidden and fast access gun safes

Comparing Hidden Gun Safes


Proper gun storage requires that all firearms be locked in a safe or secured in a cabinet. While this keeps your guns safe, it has the potential to block your access to the firearms in a crisis situation. Here we compare 3 popular products on the market that each tries to address the issue of secure storage vs. fast access: the AMSEC gun safe, BARSKA Biometric gun safe, and the SECUREIT Fast Box Hidden Gun Safe.

SMALL SAFE - COMP

BARSKA Summary Rating: Fail

  • Street Price $279.00
  • Fails on stated capacity
  • Will not store any type of modern sporting rifle or shotgun
  • Does not consider rifles with scope
  • Not really a hidden gun safe

BARSKA Quick Access Biometric Rifle Safe: While it is not advertised as a hidden gun safe, it can be placed in a closet. This is a small vertical-only gun safe, available on Amazon for $279.

SMALL SAFE - barska

BARSKA Fails Test – The BARSKA simply fails and what it says it will do. The box depth is less than 6”. This severely limits the type of rifles you can store. The BARSKA will not store an AR15 or any rifle or shotgun with a pistol grip.

Any rifle with a scope will also not fit. Your only option is to carefully place the rifle sideways in the safe and lean it against the back. In this scenario, the scope is hitting the safe’s metal wall and the capacity has been drastically reduced from the stated 4 guns to just 1 gun.

We were very disappointed in the BARSKA. It simply does not do what it claims. BARSKA shows an image on their site of a safe with the door open and an AR 15 inside. This is deceptive and misleading as the door could not be closed and locked.

AMSEC Summary Rating: C

  • Street price: $399.00
  • Solid quality construction: stores 1, possibly 2 rifles under 43”
  • Only one use, designed specifically for under bed/horizontal use
  • Fast access in a crisis situation is not possible
  • Lock and door operation extremely loud which can give away your position

AMSEC Home Defense Vault: This is a horizontal (under a bed) hidden gun safe, available on Amazon for $399.

SMALL SAFE - amsak

The AMSEC is an under bed gun safe with a drawer system. It is a very well-made all-steel welded construction. It is designed specifically to mount underneath a bed. What you notice right away when opening the safe, is that the lock mechanism is loud. The lock beeps and opening the lock bar makes a loud “clank”.

This safe drawer, where the firearm sits, is 43” long. While that will store most tactical shotguns or an AR15, you may struggle to fit more traditional shotguns. Anything over 43” will not fit.

The AMSEC can only be used in a horizontal under the bed configuration. This is a one-dimensional product. The position and type of lock make this impossible to open quickly in an emergency situation. You will have to get out of bed, down on all fours in the dark and try to open the lock. It may be difficult to see and the loud beeping from the lock can give away your position to an intruder, putting your safety at a much greater risk.

SecureIt Fast Box Summary Rating: A

  • Street Price Model 40 $285.00 | Model 47 $295.00
  • All Welded heavy gauge steel construction
  • Fits all firearms with attached optics up to 5” thermal imaging scopes
  • Can be used vertically or horizontally
  • Can be used in mobile vehicle applications
  • Provides fast and quiet access
  • Wide variety of accessories available

SecureIt Fast Box: Fast Access Hidden Gun Safe: Heavy-duty, secure gun safe in two lengths for flexible and fast access to a secure firearm; The Fast Box hidden gun safe is available in two sizes (Model 40: 40” long / Model 47: 47” long) allowing unlimited uses in key location according to your firearm type and storage needs.

FB-40-77-01-Example 0

Both Fast Box models can be used in either a horizontal or vertical orientation. The Model 40 is designed for tactical weapons and small shotguns where space is limited. The Model 47 will hold any rifle or shotgun up to 46 1/2” long. At 13” deep, the Fast Box will hold rifles and shotguns with optics and magazines. Vertically, there is room for 2 rifles, a few handguns, and extra ammunition.

Fast Box Model 47 Hidden Gun Safe

Right away you notice the lock makes virtually no noise and opening the box is fast and quiet. Construction is rock solid, the box was designed to meet DOD AR190-11 and OPNAV 5313-c military security requirements. The basic model (model 47) includes hardware to mount to a steel bed frame (no drilling required). There are mounting holes in the top and bottom to allow bolting to wood frames or to the floor.

Vertical Applications:

Both Fast Boxes can be used vertically (Vertical Kit required) to properly store two long guns with scope attached.

Fast box Fast access gun storage

The vertical kit consists of two cradles and one base unit (stores two firearms).

Fast Boxes are also compatible with most CraddelGrid accessories so you can easily add storage for handguns, ammo or other valuables.

Mobile Applications:

With the purchase of the quick release tie-down strap kit ($9.95), the gun safes can be used in mobile vehicle applications. The Model 40 is primarily used for Law Enforcement mobile applications and includes the quick release tie-down straps.

Locker Applications:

Fast Box Hidden Gun Safes can be bolted together in a locker format if you have multiple firearms you want to be locked and stored together. This application style is popular among SWAT teams and other rapid response security force units.

Conclusion

  • All 3 safes were well made.
  • The BARSKA fails at a very basic level. I do not think it was designed by a gun owner since it will not store what it claims it can store and it would be difficult to hide.
  • The AMSEC is a solid under-the-bed hidden gun safe for long guns under 43”, however, it does not allow for fast access and is too loud when unlocking.
  • The FAST BOX provides secure and hidden storage of the widest variety of firearms and is the only product that offers quiet fast access in a crisis situation. The ability to adapt to vertical or horizontal applications is also unique and makes the SecureIt Fast Box adaptable to almost any situation – vertical, horizontal, and mobile.
  • When you compare the facts it’s easy to see why the SecureIt Fast Box is the market leader in small fast access and hidden gun safes. SecureIt is also the only company that offers a “Buy-It-Back” Guarantee.
  • Firearms should be locked when not in use. All 3 of these products will achieve this at some level but we believe the Fast Box wins in every comparison. Regardless of what gun safe you use, the number one take away here is – All firearms must be locked. Please be responsible.

NRA Tactical Carbine Class – Review

I recently attended the NRA Tactical Carbine Class with my two boys. We made the road trip down to Winchester, West Virginia for the two-day training course and ultimate father and sons “guys” weekend.

First off, I have to say this was one of the best weekends I have spent with my boys. While we do a lot together and have had many adventures. When you combine the fun factor of the weekend with the skills and knowledge that we will carry with us forever, it is hard to beat.

About the class: The NRA Tactical Carbine Class presented by Sig Sauer is a two-day world-class introduction to the world of defensive tactical shooting. It is specifically designed for the shooter who is familiar and safe with firearms and has the desire to become extremely proficient with the AR platform.

The NRA works with Gary Melton and his company Paramount Tactical Solutions to conduct this fantastic course. The presentation of information is top notch, the shooting drills were challenging yet presented in a manner where we all progressed smoothly over the two days. There were three instructors for ten students. This meant a lot of personal attention and very detailed instruction.

Your ability to properly and safely defend yourself and your family can be dramatically increased with proper knowledge and training. The goal of the course is to give you a solid understanding of the tactics used by our elite law enforcement and security force personnel to gain the upper hand in crisis situations.

I came away with not only a higher degree of proficiency with the AR15 platform but also a real understanding of the challenges associated with threat assessment and neutralization. In stressful situations, it is amazing how quickly we all develop tunnel vision and fail to see the whole picture in front of us. This type of training improves your ability to think quickly and make smart decisions and perform in a stressful environment.

While nobody becomes an expert overnight, the goal of the class is to give you a solid foundation of knowledge and skills to build from. It has changed the way I look at range days. I now have a much better understanding of what is important and battery of shooting drills to further develop these skills.

NRA Training class drill

Weak side shooting drill

The instructors are very experienced tactical trainers. Gary Melton who owns Paramount Tactical Solutions spent most of his military career as a Green Beret with 1st Special Forces Group. Before going into Special Operations. He served as a Sniper Team Leader during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Upon leaving active duty, he accepted a position as a Senior Special Tactics Instructor and Unit Chief with a federal law enforcement agency. During that time, he continued another year of military service with 20th Special Forces Group as a military instructor training and preparing soldiers wishing to attend Special Forces Assessment and Selection.

The level of training you receive in just two days is incredible. I credit this to the ability of the instructors. These guys are not only extremely knowledgeable and experienced but are able to explain and teach in a manner that is easy and fun to learn. When we weren’t actively learning and shooting we were talking, laughing and having a great time.

Relaxing between drills – NRA Training Class

The facility for the event is perfectly set up for this type of event. The main building has a nice lodge feel to it and provides a very comfortable setting for classroom instruction and meals. (Lunch was included and the food was top notch!) The range is simple and effective. Gary and his team were able to quickly set up different shooting scenarios and drills.

My two boys really impressed me with their focused and took direction very well (if only they would listen to their mom and I like this). I do not know if it is age or some other cosmic force but they kicked my butt most of the weekend. At the end of each day, there was a “top shot” competition. Charlie, my youngest (and the youngest in the class) won the first day and Colton who heads off the college this fall won the day two event. I also found it delightful and frustrating that Charlie was pinging 300yd steel targets from a standing position. While I’m a solid distance shooter from a prone position, I struggled to find steel at that distance while standing.

The training covers everything from sighting in the optic and basic shooting positions to real-world, live fire hostage/threat scenarios. The training flows very efficiently over the two days. There is a lot to cover however the instructors are very experienced and move you through the course at a comfortable pace with lots of one to one instruction. This is a hands-on course and you shoot a lot. I would estimate between 800 and 1000 rounds over the two days.

NRA Carbine Class Sig516

Sig Sauer provides their SIG516 Patrol rifle with Tango4 optic.

All of the equipment was provided as well. Sig Sauer supplies their SIG516 Patrol rifle with the Tango4 optic. They do this because they know once you spend two days and 1000 rounds with their rifle system that you will really want to go out and buy one for yourself. Paramount also built us fantastic setups with High-Speed Gear and Sure-Grip Padded Belts. At the end of the course, the attendees do have the option to buy the belt and accessories at a significant discount, and many did.

In conclusion, I highly recommend this course to everyone who owns or is thinking of buying an AR platform firearm. Gary and his team at Paramount Tactical Solutions know what they’re doing and how to get results. Besides being a fun weekend, the skills and knowledge acquired will help you make better decisions and perform better in the unlikely event a crisis situation.

Gun Safes: Fast Box sales are growing quickly

The SecureIt Fast Box hidden gun safe is quickly becoming the top selling small gun safe in America. The unique and flexible hidden gun safe provides secure storage for up to 2 rifles, handguns and some ammo. “We are really pleased with the accelerating sales of the FAST Box line” stated Tom Kubiniec, SecureIt founder and president. “People are just getting it. We applied our military storage principals to designing the small gun safe and the results were just great. It’s strong, simple and adaptable to a wide variety of situations and it’s very affordable.”

The Fast Box gun safe is unique in its ability to provide fast access and secure storage in multiple locations throughout a home. It can be mounted under a bed, vertically in a closet, bolted together locker style or mounted in a car or truck. The programmable 4 button lock is designed to be used by touch to provide fast access even in total darkness. A key override is also included.

Available is two sizes; 40” and 47” the smaller safe is used primarily by government security groups and law enforcement for in vehicle secure out of site storage. The Model 47 is the primary consumer product. All Fast Box gun safes are 13 deep and 6 1/5” high. This provides enough storage for an AR platform rifle with optic and magazine installed as well as a handgun and ammunition.

fast box gun safe

Kubiniec: “If every gun in America was properly secured and locked out of sight, we could eliminate many tragedies. The problem has always been that secure gun storage blocks fast access. Many Americans have their firearms secured in a gun safe only to leave one or two out, under a bed or in a closet so they can get them quickly if needed. They are opposing forces, Secure gun storage and quick access when needed. The SecureIt Fast Box effectively addresses these opposing forces and provides the location and storage flexibility to effectively work anywhere in a home, office or vehicle.”

BARSKA Gun Safe: Fails

BARSKA Gun Safe – Does Not Work

I am very disappointed in the small quick access biometric rifle safe by Barska, it fails at its most basic function. It does not do what it claims it can do.

The biggest issue we have with this gun safe is the depth. The door is about two inches thick but it is recessed into the cabinet yielding about five and a half inches of usable internal space. The net result is a lack of adequate space for rifles or shotguns.

This gun safe will not hold rifles or shotguns with a pistol grip!

Although the safe is marketed as a four capacity rifle cabinet, We could not fit 4 long guns.

The BARSKA door would not close when trying to store this rifle with a low profile scope.

even low profile scope doesn't fit

There’s no way to close the door. I even experimented by taking the internal panel off the door to see if I could make it work but the gun still interferes with the locking mechanism on the door. Since the door does not close your only option would be to turn the gun sideways, but now you’re only storing one gun. This is sold as a 4 gun safe.

The biggest issue with the BARSKA is the depth.

depth

Can not handle scopes or optics!

Rifles with scopes or optics do not fit in the BARSKA, it hits the back of the safe and you can’t shut the door. I used my Marlin as an example with a scope that is pretty tight to the barrel and doesn’t have a huge offset. Then I tried storing an AR 15, it has to go in sideways it is not supported properly. It was very difficult to balance the firearm in the safe. You would not be able to store any additional firearms with the one awkwardly placed AR15. You can not fit two rifles with scopes in the safe without damaging your gun or your scope. If you’ve got stripped down old Winchester Model 94 you might get four in but any modern firearm or combination of firearms is just not going to work. The construction quality of the product is OK, it just fails horribly at storing firearms. Five and a half inches of usable space is simply not enough.

In comparison

The Fast Box is 13 inches deep with internal usable space of twelve and a half inches. Vertical Fast Boxes use the CradleGrid System to properly store two long guns with scope/optics attached ( up to 5″ thermal imaging scope) for proper and accessible storage. Originally designed for law enforcement applications, the Fast Box stores any length firearm up to 45.5″ in length with accessories attached. For example, this safe properly stores an AR 15 with optic and magazine. You can lock the gun in a fully ready to roll fashion and it’s still quickly accessible ( popular with Rapid Response and Reaction Teams). What it gives you is proper storage for any two long guns with optics attached in a fast access locked safe. You get proper storage for the stated number of rifles. The Fast Box secures any two rifles with any size optic. You even have room above to store handguns and ammo.

The Fast Box Model 47 properly stores both a Marlin and an AR Super SAS with scopes attached.

SuperSAS

The BARSKA is about the same price as the Fast Box but they advertise it as a four-gun safe. You are not going to fit four guns in it. You can fit one maybe two and at that point, anything with a pistol grip or a scope is going to bang into each other. They’re not going to fit properly. So when you’re looking at small gun safes you’ve got a decision to make and it’s one of reality versus myth.

Added Value: The Fast Box can be used horizontally mounted under a bed and on a closet shelf.

Model 47- horz

Vertically the Fat Box it gives you unlimited options to store any two firearms with a lot of flexibility at a very affordable price. The safe is fully seamed welded heavy gauge steel with full-length piano hinge door with three points hardened steel locking system.

Shop: Hidden Gun Safes

Hidden Gun Safe: Firearms, Locked and Out of Sight

Children do not even need to know.

Until they are old enough, children don’t even need to know there are firearms locked in the house.

The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) recently published its “Top Ten” list of safety tips firearm owners should remember to help ensure they are taking responsible precautions with firearms in their home.

Fast Box Hidden gun safe for fast access

Fast Box hidden gun safe has become the most popular small gun safe in America. Mounts under a bed or anywhere. The fast access hidden gun safe is discreet, secure and virtually silent to operate.

Hidden Gun Safe

Where you need it when you need it fast!

Use several Fast Boxes in different locations around your home to be prepared for any crisis situation. SecureIt offers two sizes: Model 47 and Model 40. Both hidden gun safes can be used under beds, in closets, under counters or mounted in cars and trucks. Convert to vertical use with our Vertical Kit featuring CradleGrid Technology. Vertically, Fast Boxes store 2 rifles. The Model 47 has room above the long guns for handguns, ammo or other gear.

“Nearly all firearm accidents in the home can be prevented when gun owners take simple precautions, and proper storage is the number one way to help prevent accidents,” said Steve Sanetti, NSSF president, and CEO. “Anyone who is going to own a firearm should respect it and secure it when not in use to help prevent firearm accidents and misuse.”

NSSF’s Top Ten Safety Tips include:

  • Tip # 1 — Always keep the firearm’s muzzle pointed in a safe direction. A “safe direction” means that the gun is pointed so that even if an accidental discharge occurred, it would not result in injury.
  • Tip # 2 — Always keep your finger off the trigger until you actually intend to shoot. When handling a gun, rest your finger outside the trigger guard or along the side of the gun. Don’t touch the trigger until you are actually ready to fire.
  • Tip # 3 — Firearms should be unloaded when not actually in use. Whenever you pick up a gun, such as when removing it from or returning it to storage, remember to point it in a safe direction and make sure it is unloaded.
  • Tip # 4 — Be sure you know how your firearm operates: read the manual on your firearm, know how to safely open and close the action of the firearm and know how to safely remove any ammunition from the firearm and its magazine.
  • Tip # 5 — Store your firearms in a locked cabinet, safe, gun vault or storage case when not in use, ensuring they are in a location inaccessible to children and cannot be handled by anyone without your permission.
  • Tip # 6 — Store your ammunition in a locked location separate from firearms.
  • Tip # 7 — Use a gun locking device that renders the firearm inoperable when not in use. A gun lock should be used as an additional safety precaution and not as a substitute for secure storage.
  • Tip # 8 — Make sure young people in your home are aware of and understand the safety guidelines concerning firearms. Reminder them that if they find an unattended firearm in their home or a neighbor’s to not touch it, and tell an adult.
  • Tip # 9 — Always unload, clean and place your firearms in their secure storage location immediately after returning from a hunting trip or a day at the range.
  • Tip # 10 — Educate everyone in your family about firearms safety. Visit the Project ChildSafe website for safety information and to find out where to get a free firearm safety kit in your area.

Children don’t need to know.

Keep all guns locked and out of sight. We’ve all heard the saying “Out of sight, Out of mind.” Until your child is old enough to understand — don’t touch, please be responsible and take the proper precautions.

out of sight

Be Prepared!

Fast access hidden gun safe

How to Upgrade Your Existing Gun Cabinet

There are around 13 million Stack-On® gun boxes in America

That’s 13 million gun cabinets that do not properly store modern rifles and shotguns. The challenge with traditional firearms storage solutions is they do not take into account the size and form factor of modern sporting rifles or traditional rifles with scopes.

stackon-gun-cabinet-upgrade_large

SecureIt® Conversion Kits Solve the Problem

Here we have a typical Stack-On® gun cabinet. In this example, the cabinet has an advertised capacity of 14 rifles. As you can see there is no way you will come close to fitting 14 modern sporting rifles in this cabinet.

The plastic barrel holder does not provide the proper standoff for AR platform firearms or traditional rifles with scopes. The guns end up leaning against each other and the risk of damage is greatly increased.

Upgrading Your Stack-On Cabinet

Below, we are using the SecureIt® Retrofit 6 conversion kit.

Retrofit 6 Gun Safe Conversion Kit

SecureIt’s patented gun safe conversion kits feature CradleGrid™ technology, allowing you to upgrade your existing gun cabinet or gun safe to properly store modern sporting and tactical rifles, as well as traditional rifles and shotguns. Each conversion kit features an assortment of adjustable firearm storage components and is designed to address a wide variety of applications at affordable price points.

SecureIt Retrofit Kit 6 installed in-cabinet

The louvered grid panels are installed on the back of the Stack-On cabinet

Rapid-6-conversion-kit-installed-in-cabinet

In this installation, we used peel and stick Velcro®. It works really well and is fast and easy to install. The Velcro strips are placed horizontally since this install will only hold the rifle cradles and support little additional weight. There is not much vertical load on the grids in this configuration so, there is not much need for a lot of Velcro. If you are going to use a lot of bins to store accessories and gear, run three strips of Velcro vertically, the length of each grid. This will provide maximum shear strength and allow you store in excess of 50 lbs of rifles, accessories, and gear on the grids, using the movable components of the CradleGrid system.

stackon-gun-cabinet-upgrade-4

Proper storage for modern firearms

Here we see how to properly store modern and traditional firearms together in one cabinet. The SecureIt Tactical CradleGrid system provides the proper standoff from the back of the cabinet. It provides proper spacing for storing all modern sporting rifles (AR15, AR10, AK47, etc.) and rifles with scopes, and is quickly adjustable to accommodate the widely varying lengths of firearms today.

Stack-On gun cabinet upgrade, using a SecureIt Retrofit Kit 6 which leverages CradleGrid technology.

Here we are properly storing:

  • Remington 700 308 bull barrel
  • AR10 SuperSASS with Leupold Mk IV Scope
  • Colt Comp AR15
  • FN SCAR with Acog
  • S&W AR15 with Eotech
  • RPD machine gun

Remember – Respect for firearms does not end when you close the door

SecureIt Tactical values the service you provide to OUR Community and Country! Thank you! 

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