on-board pistol safe for access cabs

Those w/access cabs who've done the rear seat delete... I've seen a few pix of metal pistol safes/boxes in the space above the trans tunnel hump, between the DeWalt gear boxes. Is there a particular brand/model that is the 'perfect' size... or will anything so wide x so long work? I am considering carrying w/me and would like something sturdy, that bolts in that empty dead space and can be fast access - maybe finger/thumbprint operated? I dunno…

Also mulling over sandwiching a hard/plastic holster into the narrow gap between the male-end seatbelt and my center console, secured 'permanently' via screws/bolts... for quick access whenever I'm forced to travel in less-than-desirable locales. Don't mean to seem paranoid, but we had a loon stab an elderly man to death in a local grocery store a few weeks back. Seems nowhere is safe anymore.

 

Last year I bought a Lock'er Down only because I got it half price. It's probably the most expensive one, there's a couple other brands that are cheaper.

This is what I fit in, pics below. Had to put the pistol in upside down because of the length. If you have a compact it would defintely fit and you could use a magnet.

 

I get the secure side of it... but forgive me if I am too "southern- chicken fried steak" here... I have a CC permit and keep my protection of choice way more accessible than that and since I don't "store' weapons in my truck they travel with me on my person. Seems like that locked box will be too much thinking in a real emergency to help the situation. Opinions vary on this I get it...

 

The above is your best idea and is where I carry mine. (details to follow). The lock box is only good for when the weapon has to stay in the vehicle without you. No way for a lockbox to be "quick draw". It'd be ok if you saw the trouble coming and it's minutes away.

Details about the sandwich holster: Consider a car-jacker at your window, weapon in hand. You're dead if you reach forward to your knee area (common location for on board carry). You are dead if you try to reach for an appendix carry, kidney carry, or even pocket carry. Bad guy is watching your every move very closely!
Best option is to tell him you'll get out of your truck, but he'll have to allow you to unbuckle your seat belt... Now, at least, you'll have your defense tool in your hand!
It's up to you after that to be on target and squeeze off before he does.

This is from a real life scenario (except, there was a bad guy on pax side also). Driver/owner survived, one bad guy did not, other (pax side) got away.

I've been intending to post this in the gun threads. Many, many others need to at least see this as an alternative to the knee/shin holster location. Way too many want to mount down by the accelerator pedal. ???

I do have an access cab and a lock box on the tunnel hump, bolted to the floor. But it is storage, not a holster, for me.

 

I'm with Gatordog on this one. My "Safe" is on my belt. That "Safe" may not be if some bad guy wants to get in it bad enough. I don't advertise in ANY way that I may be armed. No stickers, no badges, and no "Safe" visible to anyone.

Just my take on weapon in a truck.

G.

 

I have had a LockerDown box for many years. One of the best truck purchases I've made.

Not sure I understand the accessibility concerns. Just leave it unlocked when you're in the truck....

I like locking my wallet, keys and other things up when I park somewhere.

 

I agree. I don't want to have to unlock my weapon and then have to unholster it too. By the time you do all that whatever was going to happen has already happened.

As far as locking it in your truck if you need to go in somewhere you can't take it, it's nice for that.

 

Yeah I don't have a CWP and in PA we have to travel with the gun locked up with the ammo separate, unless you have a CWP. Also, some places you can't carry if you did, so locking up your arms is a great solution.

 

This is the safe:

$100 SentrySafe Gun Safe with Digital Keypad Lock, Gun Safe with 1 Handgun Capacity, Firearm Storage with Bolt Down Kit, QAP1E

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00A75EVJO/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

This is the thread: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/access-cab-storage-organization.453774/

Despite drilling through the cab, this setup is rock solid and I highly recommend it.

 

Woops, I see you're a third gen, not sure how that will apply!

 

For clarification, my pistol safe make/model inquiry pertains to secure in-truck storage options for additional handheld armament when away from the vehicle. I intend to always keep my primary pistol on my person.

However, I do like the idea of having close-to-instant access for back-up(s) if it hits the fan. Biometric/fingerprint locking access seems the best, quickest option currently. A plethora of models to choose from! After pouring through dozens of types & reviews from their owners, I've chosen this: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07S8SQ3KG/ref=ppx_od_dt_b_asin_title_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Once I have it I'll mess with it a bit to see for myself whether it's really worth all the hooplah ...and the moolah. If this little pistol vault is truly 1-second or less access then that will certainly open a few more options. I plan to 'permanently' bolt it to the transmission tunnel hump, in the dead space between my Dewalt tool boxes. Either way it has to make for more secure containment then just tucking my back up's back up under a mat, seat or whatnot.

The fixed holster in-between my seatbelt and the center console remains a tempting alternative choice, too.

 

Got the safe this afternoon and have spent the last hour or so monkeying with it. Have to say, this thing's slicker than snot. If it continues to work as well as it does now then I have made a very sound purchase. ($107)

BTW... it won't mount longways, as I've installed a couple of large-ish eye bolts into the rear console mounting threads to secure potential large items from shifting while in motion (and more importantly, from turning into deadly missiles in an emergency stop/impact). So the vault will have to go either open door facing towards the front of the truck or facing the back. If you don't have anything in those unused console bolt holes then the pistol safe should mount in any direction.

It opens 1 of 3 ways: key, 4-5 digit code via keypad, or biometric fingerprint scan. Takes 4 AA batteries. I'm using Energizer Lithiums to minimize in-between changes and raise the curve on dependable juice to power this thing. I'll probably keep 4 spare AA's banded together in my glovebox for back ups.

This particular model holds up to 20 (!) individual prints. The owner's manual encourages increasing success of print access by using some of those 20 scans to scan your preferred digit more than once. I scanned my thumb from all four directions (N, S, E & W) and then did the same thing with my index finger. That way, no matter which direction I end up mounting it, it should eliminate miss-scan issues. A simple press of your registered digit lightly on the 3/4"x3/4" scan window and it opens in about a second. Hinges (enclosed) are spring-loaded, so it swings open reasonably quick, but not so forceful that it could scratch, scrape or cut your hand if it's in the way of the opening lid. There's enough room to store 2 pistols and additional ammunition. I had my N-frame S&W 627 snubby w/2 speedloaders & a Glock 30 w/a spare mag set inside. It's snug but not jammed or wedged in, by any means. Just trying to decide now which way to mount it: opening facing towards the front or the rear? I will try both several times and see what feels most comfortable (and is quickest).

Hope this info helps anyone who's mulling over a similar decision. There are a LOT of thes kinds of safes out there. I chose strictly by amount of 4 and 5 STAR reviews on A-Z, (and checking those reviews to make sure they weren't bogus rave reviews from company employees). The price was about $25 more than a few of the entry level vaults and anywhere from $50-$100+ less than some of the more widely recognized "name" brands - who still did not have near the satisfaction level from owners in the review sections. As always... IMHO/YMMV