On todays episode of Getting Dirty with the Dog, we're going to install a biometric gun safe.
I'm your host, Rowdy, the Best Dog in the World. I was born an 80lb Boarder Collie, but I identify as a 3lb lapdog.
Evil exists. That is an undeniable fact. And the sad reality is that the police cannot really protect you. Although the vast majority certainly will, on the rare occasion that it is possible, their job mostly amounts to collecting evidence for a hypothetical prosecution. So the only person you can count on for protection is you.
To that end, I have spent 50+ years training in various martial arts, with ranks ranging from 1st Dan to 7th. And because I don't live in a Hollywood movie, where empty hand vs a weapon is just fine, I also carry a gun.
I typically carry IWB (Inside Waist Band) at about 4 O'clock, just behind the hip. This is comfortable, readily available, and easily concealed. But when I get in the car... not so much. It's uncomfortable, really difficult to access, and wears the upholstery. What to do? In the past, I've used several options. The Vette has a leather holster bolted under the dash. The 2011 Wrangler has a holster clipped to the knee panel. The '13 has a magnet on the knee panel.
Functionally, these are just fine. The problem, though, is that none of them are secure. There are lots of options for a safe that fits in your center console. That's secure, but it's not exactly fast access. "Excuse me, Mr. Carjaker... can you hold on a moment while I get this open?"
After digging around and considering a lot of options, I came up with THIS solution.
The Vara Safety biometric gun safe was originally envisioned as a way to securely store your firearm in the home, while maintaining ready access. Recently, they added a car mount. The safe is a $300 investment, but you only need to buy one. You can buy additional mounts and swap the safe between vehicles and home or work at will. The car mount kit is $50 and the mount (with an additional charger) is $40.
Vara Safety makes holsters to fit about 150 different guns, so you should be able to fit whatever you carry. 99% of the time, my EDC choice is a Glock 19 with a couple extra Glock 17 mags. I occasionally carry a 1911, and when I need something smaller, a Glock 26 or a Ruger LC9S Pro. They have holsters for all of these. One tip. Most shooters probably know this, but Glock handguns are dimensionally identical around the trigger. The only difference is the length of the barrel and slide, and the grip and magazine. So get a holster for the duty sized gun, and it will work perfectly well for the compact and sub-compact models as well. The safe covers the trigger, and is rated to withstand 350lbs of force if you're trying to break the gun out.
The car mount kit comes with the mount, a right-angle adapter, an extension if you want to move the holster farther from the seat, the upright, and the nuts and bolts needed.
Tools needed for this install are a ratchet and 18mm socket, a 3/8" hex drive, and a 7/16" wrench.
Start by deciding exactly where you want it mounted. Assemble the mount using the 3/8" hex drive and 7/16" wrench. Don't tighten things up yet, just snug. Use your 18mm socket to loosen the bolt holding the drivers seat to the floor, just enough to slide the mount under the washer. Get everything adjusted to your liking and then tighten.
The battery needs to be recharged at roughly 6 month intervals. Or you can do like I did and just tuck the cable under the center console and into the USB port under the armrest. That port is always hot. In the picture above, the cable is in place. I hate cables flopping around my interior, so I am quite happy with this.
When you place your gun in the safe, you push straight down. You will hear and feel it lock, the safe will beep, and the light next to the sensor turns red for a moment.
Removing the firearm is fast and easy. The safe will record 20 prints. So I have my thumb, for normal draw, and both index fingers, for odd situations. As with any new holster, I need to practice a bit so touching the sensor becomes automatic.
Random thoughts:
The safe is a bit thick, but I don't see any way around that. In my install, my calf lightly brushes against it. You could angle it a bit more towards the center console, but the key slot is on the bottom and would be inaccessible. I considered mounting it directly to the console or to the passenger seat, but decided against it. It could also be mounted under the dash, with the grip horizontal. If the biometric lock concerns you, just get in the habit of putting your thumb on it when you enter the vehicle, and pushing the gun down to lock it in place when you get out.
I'm your host, Rowdy, the Best Dog in the World. I was born an 80lb Boarder Collie, but I identify as a 3lb lapdog.
Evil exists. That is an undeniable fact. And the sad reality is that the police cannot really protect you. Although the vast majority certainly will, on the rare occasion that it is possible, their job mostly amounts to collecting evidence for a hypothetical prosecution. So the only person you can count on for protection is you.
To that end, I have spent 50+ years training in various martial arts, with ranks ranging from 1st Dan to 7th. And because I don't live in a Hollywood movie, where empty hand vs a weapon is just fine, I also carry a gun.
I typically carry IWB (Inside Waist Band) at about 4 O'clock, just behind the hip. This is comfortable, readily available, and easily concealed. But when I get in the car... not so much. It's uncomfortable, really difficult to access, and wears the upholstery. What to do? In the past, I've used several options. The Vette has a leather holster bolted under the dash. The 2011 Wrangler has a holster clipped to the knee panel. The '13 has a magnet on the knee panel.
Functionally, these are just fine. The problem, though, is that none of them are secure. There are lots of options for a safe that fits in your center console. That's secure, but it's not exactly fast access. "Excuse me, Mr. Carjaker... can you hold on a moment while I get this open?"
After digging around and considering a lot of options, I came up with THIS solution.
The Vara Safety biometric gun safe was originally envisioned as a way to securely store your firearm in the home, while maintaining ready access. Recently, they added a car mount. The safe is a $300 investment, but you only need to buy one. You can buy additional mounts and swap the safe between vehicles and home or work at will. The car mount kit is $50 and the mount (with an additional charger) is $40.
Vara Safety makes holsters to fit about 150 different guns, so you should be able to fit whatever you carry. 99% of the time, my EDC choice is a Glock 19 with a couple extra Glock 17 mags. I occasionally carry a 1911, and when I need something smaller, a Glock 26 or a Ruger LC9S Pro. They have holsters for all of these. One tip. Most shooters probably know this, but Glock handguns are dimensionally identical around the trigger. The only difference is the length of the barrel and slide, and the grip and magazine. So get a holster for the duty sized gun, and it will work perfectly well for the compact and sub-compact models as well. The safe covers the trigger, and is rated to withstand 350lbs of force if you're trying to break the gun out.
The car mount kit comes with the mount, a right-angle adapter, an extension if you want to move the holster farther from the seat, the upright, and the nuts and bolts needed.
Tools needed for this install are a ratchet and 18mm socket, a 3/8" hex drive, and a 7/16" wrench.
Start by deciding exactly where you want it mounted. Assemble the mount using the 3/8" hex drive and 7/16" wrench. Don't tighten things up yet, just snug. Use your 18mm socket to loosen the bolt holding the drivers seat to the floor, just enough to slide the mount under the washer. Get everything adjusted to your liking and then tighten.
The battery needs to be recharged at roughly 6 month intervals. Or you can do like I did and just tuck the cable under the center console and into the USB port under the armrest. That port is always hot. In the picture above, the cable is in place. I hate cables flopping around my interior, so I am quite happy with this.
When you place your gun in the safe, you push straight down. You will hear and feel it lock, the safe will beep, and the light next to the sensor turns red for a moment.
Removing the firearm is fast and easy. The safe will record 20 prints. So I have my thumb, for normal draw, and both index fingers, for odd situations. As with any new holster, I need to practice a bit so touching the sensor becomes automatic.
Random thoughts:
The safe is a bit thick, but I don't see any way around that. In my install, my calf lightly brushes against it. You could angle it a bit more towards the center console, but the key slot is on the bottom and would be inaccessible. I considered mounting it directly to the console or to the passenger seat, but decided against it. It could also be mounted under the dash, with the grip horizontal. If the biometric lock concerns you, just get in the habit of putting your thumb on it when you enter the vehicle, and pushing the gun down to lock it in place when you get out.
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