Center of Mass "In Car Gun Safe"

[lildobe]

http://www.center-of-mass.com/

So I needed a "hard sided, locking case" to secure my weapon in while I traveled by air this holiday season, so I decided to kill two birds with one stone and get one of these "safes"

For the record, I ordered one of the Large variety.

The first thing that I appreciated when I first unpacked it was it's weight. Empty, it weighs nearly 2 lbs.

It is constructed of 21 Gauge steel (1mm thick) with 14 gauge (2mm thick) reinforcing plates welded to the sides of the bottom half. There are two bolt holes in the bottom to facilitate hard-mounting. The lock and cable anchor is also constructed of stamped 19 gauge steel, welded to the bottom and side in 5 places. The lock is a 12-pin, double sided security lock. The lock's catch is 14-gauge steel. The hinge is a 16-segment "piano hinge" secured with a 12 gauge wire pin and spot welded in a total of 10 places. Everything but the lock is powder coated.

Overall construction is very well done.

It is lined with 3/8th-inch, medium-density, closed-cell foam pads on both top and bottom. The pads are easily removed.

I had been a little concerned with the cable, used for temporally securing the 'safe', for example, to the seat rail in your car or to the frame of a bed.

The cable itself is multi-stranded braided steel cable 4mm thick and vinyl coated, with loops crimped on both ends. One end attaches to the anchor and locking mechanism of the 'safe' and passed through a notch in the side. The other end is wrapped around any solid object.

While it COULD be cut fairly easily with heavy-duty wire cutters, in and of itself it's very sturdy. To test it, I attached it to the 'safe' and around a beam in the basement of my house. I gave it several vicious tugs and didn't notice any deformation of the safe or cable. This really surprised me.

So far I'm extremely happy with the In Car Gun Safe. I'll call it a "recommended" buy, and I plan to purchase several others for various uses.

Some pictures, for those interested:
http://www.lildobe.net/albums/view.php?sid=Guns&cid=Center_of_Mass_In_Car_Safe

[CA CCWInstructor]

I have four of them all keyed a like. They are the best.

[Stubob]

There is only one problem - You set the BAR -very high for product reviews from the forum gang!

Way to go -Great information.

CA CCWInstructor - Are you a dealer for them, or did you just buy them.

Again thanks for posting.

[VegasGeorge]

Lildobe - Did you permanently attach the safe to your car? If so, how did you go about it? Thanks!

[lildobe]

Lildobe - Did you permanently attach the safe to your car? If so, how did you go about it? Thanks!

I have not yet, as I don't have a permanent car yet.

My plans are, however, to attach it to the floor in the drivers foot well, nearly under the drivers seat (assuming there are no wiring harnesses under that spot) by drilling two hole in the floor pan and using round-headed stainless steel bolts to affix it, with the nuts on the inside of the safe. This will allow easy access, and concealment by flipping the floor mat over it.

Or, if I end up with a truck, I will attach it to the SIDE of the driver's seat in basically the same way - round headed bolts so there is nothing to grip on the outside.

[Swift locksmith]

I know this is an old thread, but I just noticed it.
I wouldn't trust that "safe" too protect your handgun in a car for an extended period of time, or any period of time unless permanantly attached. That double sided lock is definitely the weak point, with the little screw dead center holding the cam on. A drill down the center of the keyway and pop goes the little screw. Thirty seconds to open your car and get your guns. Contact a locksmith in your area and replace that lock with a reputable, hardened high security lock like Multilock (best out there) or Medeco (probably as good, but a pain in the butt for me)

[lildobe]

That double sided lock is definitely the weak point, with the little screw dead center holding the cam on.

Contact a locksmith in your area and replace that lock with a reputable, hardened high security lock

If there's one thing I've learned, it's that the lock is the week point of any system ;)

Locks are only there to keep honest people honest - and this lock box is only designed to keep your gun safe from a "smash and grab" type car theft.

Besides, any of those locks you mentioned there could be picked by a skilled lock picker in under 5 minutes ;)

My point is, even if you installed a mini vault into your car, if someone really wanted what is in it, they could get in.

Besides - I've not seen too many car burglars carry drills ;)

[VegasGeorge]

I agree that a gun locked up in a car safe is better than a gun left in a glove box, or thrown under a seat. But, I still say that leaving a gun in an unattended vehicle is a bad idea.

All you have to do is look at the number of car thefts taking place. Once they steal the whole car, everything in it, including your safe and your gun, is theirs. In my opinion, your gun is much safer in your holster than in your car.

Another point to consider. If we gun owners acquiesce to those who demand private gun free zones by leaving our guns in our cars, we are not only creating a danger, but defeating our own purposes. If the gun ban advocates see that we are willing to leave our guns in our cars, soon they will be demanding that we leave them at home, and so on.

[lildobe]

I agree that a gun locked up in a car safe is better than a gun left in a glove box, or thrown under a seat. But, I still say that leaving a gun in an unattended vehicle is a bad idea.]

I totally agree, but unfortunately there is nothing we can do about that. For example, I can't carry at work, but I'm sure as heck not going to go without it on the half hour commute....

Or if I have to go to the post office, or, or, or... and like you said, it's better that the weapon be in a lock box then just tossed in the glove box.

Though, thankfully, in Pennsylvania private "gun free zone" signs are worth about as much as the paper they are printed on. The most the property owner can do is tell you to leave; and if you don't, then you might be charged with trespassing.

[Bill of Rights]

...Though, thankfully, in Pennsylvania private "gun free zone" signs are worth about as much as the paper they are printed on. The most the property owner can do is tell you to leave; and if you don't, then you might be charged with trespassing.

Same as it is here in Indiana. I rather like it that way, but I agree with George in that when we give the antis their own little "gun free zones", they'll expect to enlarge them. I'd prefer that the only "gun free zone" be a prison cell; that is, that, as I read the base sentence (subject and predicate) of the operative clause of the 2A to say, "...the right...shall not be infringed."

That means, "BY ANYONE!" No exceptions.

(edit: Actually, I think I would make some exceptions, now that I think about it. The offices of the Brady Campaign, VPC, etc., should have large signs posted in front of them: "There are no guns in this building. (and large quantities of drugs and untraceable cash in various offices!)"

Of course, any resistance to any criminal act other than calling 911 would have to merit the most severe possible response by the courts; after all, the criminals have been promised safe working conditions with signs like that, and violating that condition is a breach of that contractual promise.)

Blessings,
B

PS: I like your new avatar! http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd198/St-Michael/thumb.gif

[lildobe]

PS: I like your new avatar!

Thanks ;)

I'd uploaded it to the other two gun forms I participate on - but forgot to here... I haven't been following this forum too closely.... mainly 'casue I haven't been *conceal* carrying lately 8)

But I don't want to start that debate here ;)

[Swift locksmith]

Just for the record the Miltilock company hosts an annual event to see if anyone can defeat their keyway without destroying the lock, the payout is $100,000... in five years no-one has been paid. Personally the only way to defeat this lock is by drilling with a drillbit specially designed for safes and that takes multiple bits, and a minimum of 45 mins to an hour. For travel if you really need to park at the airport a high security lock on my gun case makes me "feel" better about my gun. VegasGeorge makes the best point though (a hat's off emoticon mabe?). A handgun is cheaper to replace than my truck, but I'd rather be begging rides than unarmed.

[Bill of Rights]

...(a hat's off emoticon mabe?)

Like this? http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd198/St-Michael/hatsoff.gif

(Why am I suddenly hearing, "Hee Haw salutes my home town of Horse Gulch, Wyoming; Population: Three hunnerd forty-two and a half!"

"Saaaaaaaaaaaaaa-LUTE!")

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd198/St-Michael/roflmao.gif

Blessings,
B

[Swift locksmith]

Maybe old world politeness from a youngster would be the first step in bringing our society back to the level that every polite gentleman was armed, for his defense and those around him. MEN were polite to LADIES, I'll hold the door for a lady that I think looks like a prostitute, she might be a lady, I still get unusual amounts of gratitude. I've seen the quote on this forum(?) that "an armed society is a polite society". Why can't a polite society exist whther armed or not? Not following the rules had potentially deadly consequences once upon a time, and I don't know why that's changed. Hee-Haw away meet me an educated redneck, and more proud of being a redneck.

[Swift locksmith]

I re-read what I posted, and I may have come off as a little vehement. I apologize, but such stereotypes tend to lump such simple courtesies as a"hat's off" or "tip of the hat" with the poor uneducated south, and Hee-haw. We conservative southerners are the bastion of the values of gun rights and concealed carry etc. for the entire nation, and quicker than our slow speech let's on.

[Bill of Rights]

I'm not ashamed to admit that I liked Hee Haw once upon a time, though I am ashamed to admit that on some occasions I don't always hold the door for a lady. I do believe a gentleman never hits a lady, but conversely, if she raises a fist to me, she might be female but she ain't no lady.

I don't expect everyone or for that matter, anyone to agree with me, but I do agree that our society has moved too far afield from the manners we used to have.

Perhaps we can't be (or aren't) as polite unarmed because of a lack of consequences? I don't pretend to have THE answer, but I do have that as AN answer.

Blessings,
B

[Swift locksmith]

AN answer that helps your perception of our little world is better than NO answer at all. Sheep have no answer to wolves, But sheep with sheep dogs mixed in have AN answer. Maybe NO wolves is THE answer, but I won't hold my breath.