  Unfortunately our concept of a gun lock has been guided by a national campaign for cable locks, but they are inferior to the Omega system. The Omega locks the chamber with a cartridge sized insert that has an expansion sleeve. The system locks and unlocks with a special key wrench, which looks like a female torx bit but isn’t a specific torx size. It is not an individually keyed system like the cable lock, but as a child deternent it is a lot more practical, and it gives you easier access to your gun.
This is the video for the pistol lock. You can watch the rest of the videos on the Omega website or on their YouTube Channel.  On auto pistols like this Springfield Range Officer, the chamber insert goes in like a dummy cartridge and is latched to the extractor. The action, once closed and the sleeve locked, will not open.  This T-handle has a caliber specific bore guide that lines up the locking torx-looking bit. The handle itself is also safety locked closed, and it takes some hand strength to even open it, by design.  These are the two systems for handguns.  The insert extracts after you unlock it like a dummy cartridge. The back where the primer is has a rubber pad like a high quality snap cap.  For revolvers you insert the whole thing down the barrel, the completely lock the cylinder and hammer. 1/4 turn locked and unlocked is all it takes.  It took me less than two minutes with this cheap linesman plier from Home Depot to cut through this cable lock that came with one of my pistols.  Beretta includes one of the better cable locks I have seen with their Px4 pistols, but try to get this off in 2-5 seconds under stress. |
https://www.omegagunlock.com/
Gun locks may not be the most exciting topic in the firearm world, but it is one that many of us have to deal with on a daily basis. In states like Maryland, California, Massachusetts, and even Florida, there are now laws on the books that either require you to keep your guns locked, or (in the case of Florida), make you criminally liable if your unlocked gun gets into the wrong hands. Unfortunately, we as a gun community have been sold on what is most likely the worst method of locking a gun available, the cable lock.
Omega Safety Systems has been making an alternative to the cable lock for more than a decade, and it is a far superior product. Unfortunately however, though they are approved by the Department of Justice in California, Maryland, Massachusetts and all the other gun lock requirement states, they were left out of the industry-wide gunlock promotion put together by the National Shooting Sports Federation (NSSF) that distributed over 35 million gun locks by 2010. It took me a few minutes to understand the way the Omega gun locks work, but it is ingenious, and head and shoulders better than cable locks on many levels. It is a shame that the locks we have grown to know are the cable locks.
It could be that cable locks are just cheap and that is why they were used, but you would think in such a life or death issue, more than minor price issues would come into play for a far superior technology. Omega locks retail on their website price page at $24.95 for most calibers, and nearly all calibers, from .22LR up through .45-70 are represented, and shotguns are a little more. Right now they are clearing out some inventory that was packaged in older clamshell packaging and, while they last, the clearance page has them for over ten bucks less, as well as case prices at just over $10 per lock. If you are a gun dealer in one of the mandatory states it is probably a deal that won’t last long once this article comes out.
If you really look at the technology, Omega gun locks may be the best gun locks ever invented to prevent young hands from using firearms while leaving a firearm easily accessible for its intended purpose. And even though Omega has been making locks for Browning, Winchester and a few other major gun companies since 2002, they may be the best kept secret in the gun industry, simply because they weren’t included in ChildSafe program by NSSF. When all you see out there is cable lock after cable lock, it is easy to think that this i the only option for locking up your gun, but the Omega is far superior methodology, and it has a lifetime warranty.
The premise of the Omega lock is that it locks the gun from the inside, not the outside. Each caliber or gauge has a specific insert the size of a cartridge. For pistols you load the lock like a live round, then you insert the “key” wrench down the barrel to expand a ring around the dummy cartridge locking device, locking it into the chamber. The key wrench is a T-handle that has a hard to open clip on the handle, so you have to be of at least sufficient hand strength to make the handle operable. On the end of the “key” wrench is a like a female torx bit, but isn’t a torx size, and with a 1/4 turn, the gun is locked. To unlock the gun, it takes about 2-5 seconds, you stick the key wrench into the barrel and 1/4 turn unlock, then rack the slide to remove the locking device and chamber a round. Watch the videos it is truly amazing.
When the gun is closed, you can’t even tell the Omega lock is in there, and from a safety perspective, this is a huge advantage over cable locks. If a kid, say a teenager, has had his eye on Mommy or Daddy’s gun sitting in the nightstand, and that gun has a cable lock through the action, the kid knows that he needs either a)the key, or b) a pair of linesman’s pliers or a garden clipper, which many homes have. The defeat method on the lock is so simple and obvious, a child, literally, can do it.
With the Omega lock, you would never know that the gun is locked until you actually try to use it. It is “stuck,” at first try, and even after you discover that the gun is locked with a device, if you have not seen an Omega locked removed (recently), you would ever even be able to figure out how on earth to open it. Even in the same drawer, most likely, a kid wouldn’t ever be able to connect the dots and make the gun operable.
With revolvers you insert a plug down the barrel and it locks the cylinder and hammer with the same kind of expansion ring. On rifles and shotguns you insert it like a cartridge and tighten the 1/4 turn from the back. Though the Omega locks are caliber specific, the T-handles cover a range of calibers each, so the same wrench that locks and unlocks your 9mm pistol will lock and unlock your .357 Magnum revolver.
The behavior of the gun, when someone tries to work the action, is that it is “stuck” or broken for lack of a better term. On pistols and revolvers, you can’t even open the action. For an impulse or opportunity kind of thing with a teenager, they will most likely just put the “broken” gun back in the drawer and hope you don’t notice that they touched it. On a rifle or shotgun, they will see the insert when they open the gun, if they look hard enough, but they won’t understand what they are looking at, or how on earth to get that thing out of there. For child safety, I have not seen a better gun locking system.
The same goes for a thief to some degree. A cable lock is like a free pass on a stolen gun. Yes, they are individually keyed somewhat, unlike the Omega that is a like a single sized torx bit, but everyone knows how easy cable locks are to cut. Even if your lock is too thick for linesmans pliers (most aren’t), Wal-Mart sells bolt cutters for $12. With the Omega lock, the thief will meet the same “broken gun” result as did the young person. And because the “key” on an Omega isn’t a key, and you would never know what it is or that it is related to the gun, the thief will most likely will leave it in the drawer, while absconding with their “broken” gun. At some point you might see a savvy villain who knows they can open the Omega with that wrench, but if you hide the wrench, it is something else for them to have to find. Ultimately if someone is determined, few locks will stop them, but the Omega is pretty effective as locks go.
A lot of people are totally against gun locks. If you need your gun, you generally need your gun right now. But in states where gun locks are required, you just don’t have a choice. The law is the law. Also take into consideration that a lot of first time gun owners came into the gun owning world these past few years, and a lot of them don’t know any other way but to lock their guns with a gun lock, a cable lock, as the ChildSafe program has taught them. As far as access to an operational firearm goes, I haven’t seen a more effective system than the Omega. With cable locks, they are usually rubberized, and they hang up when you try to get them out of the gun. The key is also tiny and there is a spinning cover over the keyhole. And what if you don’t have room for a safe and you have a whole bunch of guns with cable locks? All those little keys look the same. With the Omega you have one or a couple keys that will open all the same calibers in that range. It is a much more effective and common sense approach, and it should have been the product used for ChildSafe.
Some guns have internal locks and come with their own key. The Taurus guns mostly come this way, and we looked at a Judge Polymer that utilized this approach. Legislatively, the states that are in control of the anti-gunners tend to be moving toward the “internal lock” approach, because they can then exclude whole classes of firearms from the market, or so they think. The Omega lock is approved as an internal gun lock in Maryland, California and Massachusetts already, so no matter how the legislation falls, you are covered.
Often times the best safety device is the one you don’t see. Just ask the polymer striker gun companies that have dominated the pistol market for years. The Omega lock is a similar kind of idea. It is one step before an external lock, leaving it less vulnerable to defeat, and much more fault tolerant of using it incorrectly. It also comes off easy, yet complies with legislation, which is a huge plus. If you lock your firearm, or you are a dealer who is compelled by your state to give away locks with all of your used gun sales, the Omega lock is a product worth your time to look at. Check out the pictures and videos here, and if you are a dealer, take the time to sign up for a dealer or distributor pricing account. Omega gun locks are a great service to the gun owner, and probably the best gun lock technology on the market.
Aluminum, not in my steel barrel. Bad choice of material for a gun lock. Galvanic corrosion will be a problem in non-arid places. So unless you live in arizona or all your customers happen to live there you should probably coat the rod with some form of poly or use something close to the .15v threshold in the anodic index. A gun is a tool that can save your life. Do you want to put your faith in it with pits in the bore?
My US patent #8,720,097 Trigger Lock issued today May 13, 2014
below is link to USPTO site
http://patft1.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?patentnumber=8720097
IP Rights available
Can the omega lock be “punched” out of the bore by using a rod and hammer? Just curious as to how much effort a criminal would have to use to get the omega lock out, assuming they don’t buy a key. I like the concept and understand that no system is perfect and all locks are fallible. I plan on purchasing these locks for all of my handguns, shotguns and rifles for use when I travel.
Got one from as a mandatory addition with my M&P22. Not really a lock unless you don’t keep the huge wrench separated but it stopped working in a month or two and I have to put a finger on the lug in the breech while I tighten the lock now. That only works some times. Yikes
Came across your article researching the Omega lock. Don’t know if anyone is still following this post, but many of the “safe’s” or lock boxes (some hawked above) have proven to be basically nothing more than an overpriced toy. I’m sure some of you have seen it, but there was an article in Forbes, and there are some videos by DEF CON (hackers), that demostrate that a 3-year-old can get into these safes (tragically, after a child was killed).
From a home defense standpoint, there’s that decision of how accessable you need a firearm to be and abide by the laws of your state. But if you have kids/teens, or worry your kid could be peer-pressured into showing mommy/daddy’s guns, then you have to really consider a strong second line of defense. I have the same fear of cable locks as noted above. Yes, virtually any safe or lock can be broken depending upon the determination, but I agree that if this is your concern for finding a lock/safe, you want to make it as discouraging as possible to avoid an accident. And I agree, taking out the mystery and educating your kids is the best tool of all.
I’ve included the Forbes article link and the author’s blog post, and the YouTube DEFCON videos below. I’ll also counter the arguement that these ‘safes’ need to be mounted to avoid being tipped/banged, as the same shock can be provided to the mounted case with a hammer.
I would like to hear if anyone has used the Omega system and what their thoughts are, as it looks like a great second-line of defense.
http://www.forbes.com/sites/marcwebertobias/2012/07/27/unsafe-gun-safes-can-be-opened-by-a-three-year-old/
http://www.thesidebar.org/insecurity/?p=793
NSFW – unfortunately quite a bit of foul language to make his point, but you can see the failures here. DEFCON 19 http://youtu.be/vIJFQO4DIxw
More from the recent DEFCON 20, meat and potatos starts around 19 minutes; little kid breaking in around 49:55. Yes, the kid was prepped a little, but any curious kid or determine teen won’t have any issue going this route if they really want to get in. http://youtu.be/48HUctXZUNw
should have read this 8 mints ago.
this looks to be a good system, $25 for a safety system is reasonable, for extra cartrages should be cheaper.
maybe along the way the manufacturer can make the lock more personable, then it would coast more again,
but in the long run, ” safety is #1 ” maybe the gun manufacturer can have this type of safety lock sold with
the gun.
i was always under the impression that it was ‘tough’ on your extractor to pop a single round into the chamber and drop the slide. that the proper way to load a round into the chamber was via the magazine. seems like someone didn’t think this product all the way through…
One can always work the omega lock under the extractor and slowly ease the slide close and then insert the key from the front.
This seems like a great product idea. I am very interested to purchase a couple of them.
Being an old school systems programmer/engineer, I have to ask the simple and obvious question… What if it fails to unlock?!
As with any mechanical device, it is the extremes that make for true design integrity.
Please focus your answers to the questions and not some general answer like ‘that is not recommended’, or, ‘anyone that does that…’; address the question directly with a Solution.
So, I ask these ‘stupid’ questions only because they are possible; and as such, will most likely happen:
1. If I was to gorilla the bore insert mechanism can it be damaged into a locked position?
Please address your solution to the mechanics of the lock and do not question why I was so stupid as to use too much force!
2. Can the shaft of the key shear and damage the bore; does it have a foot/lb rating?
Again, keep your solution product specific.
3. If the key breaks, will it stay stuck in the lock?
All mechanical things break; what is this product’s solution?
4. Approximately how many uses is this product rated for before it fails?
All mechanical devices have a usage lifespan.
Benchmarking is key towards warranty and buyer confidence.
5. Rust, Corrosion… so, I am a sloppy gun owner and Omega lock up a dirty gun for a year. Will the various propellant and lead residues corrode the Omega lock such as to ‘freeze’ it into a locked position? Again, keep this solution product specific.
6. I’m out in a raining field and accidentally drop my Omega locked gun into the mud; okay, so my brain farted… now what?! Can sand and/or dirt particles get into the locking mechanism and render it unusable, and therefore frozen into the locked position?
7. Last, but not least… what about salt air corrosion… What would be a reasonable estimate on how long the Omega lock would be able to withstand the rigors of salt air over time? The marine environment is the harshest of all the natural environments.
Thank you,
SigSauer P266 Match Elite Stainless Steel .40cal
Ruger Mark III Competition Stainless Steel .22cal
S&W Model 41 .22cal (and petitioning for a Stainless model!)
For less than a hundred dollars you can buy a lock box, that screws between the beams in any closet in about a half hour. At least once that is screwed into the beams, you can put a half dozen pistols in it. Or those electronic 1 or 2 pistol, boxes, bolt it or padlock it to the floor in the truck or in a closet, and that’s it, your loaded gun is available in seconds.
Or break down and for less than the cost of a new Glock, you can ge a pretty good safe that bolts into the cement like most folks do.In a few seconds you have access to whatever you choose, as Far as rifles go, just take the bolt out and lock it up, no need for these time wasting devices.
These are among the lamest rationale I’ve yet encountered for a product the detractors haven’t even seen.
Safety bullet makes a similar product along the lines of a dummy round. Also a good option for a no key required safety device. Have to say I like the Omega though for transport requirements in my state.
The safety bullet product is NOT a good product. Do you set your clock five minutes ahead so you are early for things? A lot of people do, because even though you know it is five minutes fast, you sometimes forget. That is exactly how it would be with a safety bullet loaded weapon that has sat in your nightstand for six months when someone crashes through your back door at 2am. Point, click, oops, I just disabled my firearm. This is a terrible product. The Omega product makes it so the gun is inoperable, which is going to make you grab the key and open it.
Admin-
The most biased post on the site, which is saying something. With a safety bullet, you claim that “…with a safety bullet… when someone crashes through your back door at 2am. Point, click, oops, I just disabled my firearm.”
Okay, they’re breaking into your back door at 2am. If you grab your gun (not remembering it has a Safety Bullet in there), bad guy comes in, click- you’re dead. What about with this Omega?
Same. They’re breaking into your back door at 2am. You grab your gun (not remembering it has an Omega in there), bad guy comes in, click- you’re dead. WHAT CHANGED?
What killed the person? Not being familiar with their gun. Well how about this?
Bad guy breaks into your house with intent to do harm. Rushes your bedroom (highly unlikely) but you know your gun and have prepared. Which is easier to get out of your gun? I’m guessing racking the slide a couple times. “It’s dark, oh no, where’s that rod?! Bad guy, hold on… I’ve got to unlock this darned…”
Your argument is WEAK at best, but most assuredly it is not well thought out.
Dare you to post this, because it’s valid; it just makes your argument invalid.
wondering what was so objectionable in my previous comment on this subject that did not make it past the moderator. Please enlighten me.
You attempted to hijack an article on a fantastic product with a weak and misguided gimick product.
My new Winchester 101 O/U came with Omega locks. They are a bit of a pain to use, certainly not something that I would want to have to take out in a hurry under pressure. If you’re not familiar with how they work and how to unlock them, it would be tough to figure out.
They seem to be well made, so if your state requires locks, they’re a viable alternative, but I’d rather use a trigger lock for my O.U (single trigger) and use the Omegas on my double trigger O/U.
Let’s make one thing clear here, this product is NOT a substitute for gun safety or firearm education but to abide by the laws set by certain states. Yes it sucks but if you don’t want to give Johnny Law a reason to confiscated your beloved firearms then you will need to store them in a safe or use an approved lock. This also applies to transportation as well. For those who live in states that don’t require them, well then its your choice as a citizen of that state to determine if you need one. Some unfortunate don’t have that choice.
On the flip side, yes the are morons in this world and don’t educate their children or don’t practice simple gun safety. Because of these morons laws are created to protect them from themselves which screws over the people who are responsible. Why do you think this country has very strict alcohol laws?
Locks on firearms, may as well just hang ’em on the wall then as decorations.
i feel that education is the best way to handle gun safety
The most fool proof system I have yet to find is training young minds that firearms are not toys. As a former state instructor, I taught many youngsters about firarms. Not once did I hear about any that I instructed, having a mishap with a rifle, pistol, shotgun, or revolver. I raised two sons around fireams. Not once did I lock them. They left them alone, and not once did they ever mention firearms being in the house to other children.
Locks, blocks etc. are needed today because the leftist liberal, finds it easier to not be responsible, and blame others for their lack of education, and training. At one time schools had shooting teams. No school shootings occured. But the boohoo liberal, decided that was wrong to teach marksmanship, which encouraged self reliance and responsibity. So you folks keep pushing your locks, as opposed to education. In return we will continue to see morons blaming guns for the evil that people do.
Agree…. I have a 10 & 7 yr old and have several guns and I have safes. I also believe that educating them that guns are not toys have lead them not to go around them when I’m gone. I have a minivault under my bed with my home defense gun in it and have a safe for al my other guns and long guns. I really dislike the cable looks and think this product is great. As for anything thing else if u place the rod in carefully then u should not worry about scratching the barrel. Just recommending that relief of the spring is useful. I always clean n maintain all weapons regularly. I’m going to order a few just to try out, but the only safety is education and security. If you have weapons you should have a security system and safes to store your weapons these are all great ways to deter any thieve.
I concur with everything you’ve said wholeheartedly.
Amen brother !
There will come a point where the irresponsible will legislate themselves into a corner of stupidity such that they can no longer think for themselves, have zero problem resolution skills, nor carry an intelligent verbal conversation.
What will they do when all they have is themselves and they are all pointing their fingers at the other person ?!
I’ll just stick with my trigger locks that I’ve had for years with no problems.
I have a problem with any “lock” which requires me to put ANYTHING down the bore of a gun which I cannot open to do a chamber-check.
I had a failure to “lock into battery” which I could not open by pulling the slide by hand, which required me to push the slide back from its front, using the jaws of the vise in my garage. This required me to carry the LOADED GUN into the garage and push on the front of the slide. I knew the gun was loaded and tho I didn’t put my hand in front of the muzzle, I was uncomfortable with this whole scenario.
Recall some of the PRIME RULES of gun handling – every gun is loaded.
For me to put anything into the muzzle makes me nervous, unless I have already opened it to see an empty chamber.
YMMV and if you want to be a DARWIN CANDIDATE, buy this lock.
Gun safety = gun storage*
I love this product. While I’ll never have use for one, it looks like a great option for anyone who doesn’t have or cannot afford adequate gun safety. The issue of child safety aside, if a gun with this product installed happens to be stolen, chances are it will never be used in a crime – at least not as a firearm. Great ingenuity.
If you are concerned about scratching the barrel with the key you can always apply heat shrink tubing to the rod for additional protection and if you feel that “stuff” has been embedded in the tubing you can cut it off and apply a new tube.
Hate to burst your bubble Donnie but have been in Law Enforcement for over 17 years, I’ve seen lots of “SAFES” easily opened up like sardine cans. That being said a second layer of safety/security should not be sneezed at and not everyone can afford a killer safe. Hey maybe we can get Obamma to buy us a killer safe as a health care deal you know like birth control. Of course a shotgun in the hands of a concerned father could also have the same effect on a horney little S.O.B. just like a whole case of little pills in preventing pregnancy.
Does it affect the action of a semi pistol when the hand gun is kept with a cable lock installed and the spring in the compressed position all the time????
Spring compression issues with slides and magazines are one of those things that you can read opinions on both sides ad nauseum. Over years at least theoretically a spring will lose some of its memory if you keep it compressed, but I’ve never seen evidence of it in guns. I have a mossberg 500 that has had the same buckshot rounds in it for ten years and it cycles just fine.
I truly don’t see how this system solves any “real” problem (at best) other than a purely legal one. At worst it creates a both false sense of security for the gun owner and a false sense of threat for anyone on the other end of the barrel (BG, LEO, etc.). All these issues (particular when it comes to home defense) are far better addressed by CC/OC, a gun safe and/or biometric gun vault.
I think this is the best lock I have seen and it doesn’t have the compression on the slide back spring all the time. I think it is a great tool to make the gun unuseable around kids and I agree most young kids would not be able to get it open quickly. Adults on the other hand can get it unlocked quickly. Great
I like this product and the idea of the dummy rounds. However, as someone with kids in the house I don’t understand why more people don’t store their home defense handguns in a VLINE (or similar – I don’t work for VLINE) quick access locking box. The VLINE boxes are study steel and have 5 push-buttons that you easily feel and operate whatever unlock sequence you set – even in the dark.
I have a Glock in one VLINE case just under my side of the bed (case is cable locked to my bed frame) and another VLINE box in my office desk drawer. I can get to my home defense in seconds if ever needed.
By the way, my kids have been taught about gun safety/respect but they have friends who visit and even the best instructed kid could have an emotional breakdown/trauma of some sort which could cause them to make a rash/tragic decision if they have access to a weapon.
There are a lot of small safe options but they are not as affordable and the access is not as quick.
I understand the affordability issue. Maybe I have two left hands but I can open my VLINE box and chamber a round (clip is left in) much faster than if I were using cable locks – and I’m guessing faster than with this new lock option. Still, I like having this new option available for other situations – so I appreciate the review!
Ed, you’ve plugged (pardon the pun) the box maker 11 times in above comments … so, if you don’t work for them, they should at least give you a commission ;-}
interesting concept, but the “universal” nature of a cable or trigger lock has a lot going for it. I can use a cable lock on any magazine fed pistol or rifle, or a revolver without having to worry what caliber cable I have. I could see why that might influence the NSSF decision so that they do not have to predict caliber sales distributions to avoid shortages and over buys on their lock supply.
Yes, I’m sure this was a major factor, but if you are really trying to make a difference, do you go for quick and dirty? We didn’t try to cut a cable lock with garden loppers, but what do you think would be the result?
Thanks for this article… think I’m gonna stock up on some of the keys for these things now.
(j/k)
As for the gun lock laws in Florida, I just took my CWFL course last month and it was taught by a deputy of the local sheriff’s office (take it for what you will) who explained the relevant statutes… gun safety was included. You’re responsible if you don’t keep your firearms locked and you knowingly HAVE MINORS PRESENT (whether regularly or occasionally, I believe). Granted, safety is important and whatnot but this article reads like “if you are in FL and have guns and don’t keep ’em locked up you’ll be criminally responsible for folks doing bad things with ’em,” which just isn’t so as far as I’m aware.
The statute in Florida, 790.174(1), explicitly states that it applies to *loaded* guns readily accessible to minors. It excludes unloaded guns. It excludes guns illegally acquired (e.g., a minor or adult steals the gun). The only ambiguity in the law is what “loaded” means since it is not defined. It would obviously mean a gun with a round in the chamber, but what about one with a loaded magazine only and no chambered round. Still, probably best to not keep the guns with the ammo if the gun is accessible.
Has anyone been prosecuted on it? I haven’t ever seen a case in the news. Don’t forget that there are generally less than 30 child fatalities from accidental discharge of firearms every year, compared to over 1500 pool accidents and 1000 plastic bag deaths.
I’m with Jim. They’re a little too pricey right now, but with more exposure, the cost should drop some. It would also be nice to have a universal key, so you don’t have to sort through keys to get the right caliber.
The point of the different size bore guides is that you don’t have to fish around to hook up the torx bit. It centers it perfectly.
My guns are kept away from kids, loaded and no round in the chamber. Someone who doesn’t know my guns…picks it up and points it and pulls the trigger “click” now I got ya…or at least a fighting chance. Now, when I need to engage…pick it up, chamber a round and bang. Now, kids and further prevention….hate to give anyone this idea but I will never have the know-how to make money on it. Why not make some dummy rounds? I would place two in the mag….a would be criminal would pick it up, smart one…chamber a round, see one come out and one go in and point and “click”…. I pick up the gun to use. Back and forth on the gun to eject two rounds..and “bang”…I was able to pick it up and within 2-3 seconds engage with it. A kid who knew what he was doing would be able to see there was no round in the chamber, then chamber a dummy round and when he used it it would not fire, chamber another, would not fire, throw down gun and run. BTW all of my children know how to work the gun, know where it is and can engage an intruder if we are tied up. Also, know they will be killed by me the parent if I ever see them touch it without permission and we can shoot anytime (almost) they want. Whew, now, what you think about that. Good, Bad and the Ugly.
then the guns not locked if a thief were to brake in while your not home change mags then have access to your guns. i’m all for home defense and i have loaded guns at home too. when i leave they all go in to the safe and one unloaded gun goes in the car with me.
Some people choose to keep the lock in the chamber as a dummy round to keep the gun accessible. When you don’t tighten the lock, it will just eject like an empty casing, and you’re ready to go. However, if you’re traveling or leaving a gun anywhere for any reason, we recommend locking it! After all, it takes less than two seconds in the dark to unlock it (with a little practice). The lock also has a recoil pad so it can be safely dry fired.
I like the idea, but it’s too expensive right now since I have 4 different calibers.
I’ll wait till the price comes more in line with the cable locks.
And wait until the horse is out of the barn, eh?
Seems to me that there are fewer parts involved with this device than with a cable lock. Price should be closer to cable locks. Perhaps need larger production runs to achieve economy.
Yes, that is the bummer of being left out of the NSSF program. I actually spoke to them about this at SHOT Show. They would be the same price as cable locks in quantity. They just got left out so the millions of pieces orders didn’t happen, when they should have.
I am interested in the product
Thanks Rick
I like it a lot but one drawback I see is that the key is universal for each caliber and can be bought on the website for $4.99 each. A would-be thief could simply buy a key for 5 bucks and open the gun or even carry keys with them when stealing guns. Probably unlikely, just playing devil’s advocate.
Other than that I love the idea and it is great for kids.
Buy a key for 5 bucks? I pair of bolt cutters is $19 from home depot= no more cable lock. and believe it or not, most of the cable gun locks use similar padlocks…. Loved it when my beretta lock was keyed the same to the lock that came with my springfield 1911. so.. if someone reallly wants to take your sidearm.. they’re getting it one way or another. at lease this way will make the gun look “hot” when it’s really safe.
The nice thing, as it explains in the article, is that a kid generally isn’t even going to understand what is disabling the gun, let alone where to buy a key for it online. There is no such thing as an undefeatable lock. They all have weaknesses. But this is a lot better a product than cable locks.
I’m not putting anything down my barrel that may look like it can damage the barrel.
The only metal on it is aluminum, softer than steel and can’t damage your gun.
Sure, it’s aluminum. However, what swarf will be imbedded in that aluminum rod over time? What will that imbedded debris do to the bore? Sure, the same thing can be said for aluminum and graphite cleaning rods, but I just do not like this system for my applications. I spend a lot of time conditioning bores (fire lapping, hand lapping), and I do not take putting anything down the bore of any firearm lightly. This is why I have an extensive collection of bore guides and stop-collars for my cleaning rods. Plus, I regularly clean my cleaning rods….which sounds silly, but I do.
However, I think that this would be a good option for some people. I am all for keeping my arms out of the wrong hands, just don’t think this would be right for me. Then again, I rely on gun safes for keeping my firearms out of unsanctioned hands.
This is for the gun that isn’t in the safe but that may be subject to young hands around. And no, it would never harm your guns. You can scratch at steel all day with a piece of aluminum and it won’t scratch it.
With kids in the house I use the VLINE quick access locking boxes (hope it’s okay to mention a brand name – I don’t work for them). The VLINE boxes are study steel and have 5 push-buttons that you easily feel and operate whatever unlock sequence you set – even in the dark.
I have a Glock in one VLINE case just under my side of the bed (case is cable locked to my bed frame) and another VLINE box in my office desk drawer. I can get to my home defense in seconds if ever needed.
Hopefully I’ve made a good choice but would be interested to hear other opinions about the suitability of the VLINE boxes.
By the way, my kids have been taught about gun safety/respect but they have friends who visit and even the best instructed kid could have an emotional breakdown/trauma of some sort which could cause them to make a rash/tragic decision if they have access to a weapon.
Again, I am not concerned about the base metal of the lock damaging the bore or chamber of a firearm. I am however concerned about what may become imbedded in the aluminum causing damage. Now, proper hygiene virtually eliminates this concern. Admittedly, my concerns are very paranoid. That goes with the territory for me, as an avid bulls-eye shooter who happens to be a metallurgist, I am certainly over sensitive (and probably over analytical) of this device. The more I consider it, it seems like a very good device for the right application. Again, I am all for making it as hard as possible for unauthorized access of a firearm. Besides, it is nice to see some innovation in this vein.
Out of curiosity, is this lock anodized or coated in any way? Or is it just plain aluminum? It appears from the photos to be just plain aluminum.
Yea it appears to be plain aluminum.
apparently you don’t know that sandpaper is made with ALUMINUM OXIDE. AlOx is harder than steel. Besides, I won’t put my hand in front of ANY muzzle unless I can open the slide and inspect the chamber beforehand. If I can’t open the slide, I consider that the weapon IS LOADED !
Good idea on paper but it just doesn’t get it when you’re working with fanatical weapons handlers who respect/revere gun safety.
There are aspects to the word fanatical that you may want to get a little counseling on. Because if you put the lock in, locked it, and you can’t open the action, um…
Oh, and sandpaper is generally for sanding wood, not metal. Aluminum is actually harder than wood believe it or not, but it is softer than ammunition brass.
All of the materials are softer than ammo brass! The materials couldn’t be more gun friendly. There is also a caliber specific bushing on the auto pistol and revovler locks. This bushing both protects the inside of the barrel and self centers the key to the lock for quick access.