This video (below) is just silly. The idea that you can gain emergency access to a handgun in a finger safe, load it quickly and effectively then bring it to bear on the bad guy(s) during a home invasion is as good an example of dangerous optimism as I can imagine without going full Wallenda. Sure, you could do it. And yes, if you’re going to do it, you should practice doing it. But not at the range; use your home environment (with an empty, safety-checked firearm). But c’mon, let’s get real.
If you’re storing your home defense handgun in a safe at night, the last thing you want to do is fumble about with loading the damn thing. Or undoing a trigger lock. Or anything involving fine motor skills. We’re talking life-or-death manual manipulation during a full adrenalin dump, where fingers turn to flippers. You can find the full details on efficient SHTF gun retrieval at aintgonnahappen.com.
In fact, do you even want to be messing with a gun safe?
SHOCK! HORROR! Keeping a loaded gun by your bed! Think of the children! Which is about the only reason I can think of for using a bedside safe – other than a tumultuous marriage and/or Massachusetts’ safe storage laws. If your children are post-toddler, it’s best to put your faith in education (e.g., teaching the four safety rules and firearms familiarization) rather than depending on the impregnability of a gun safe. Especially if the sprogs are teens; the clever little you-know-whats.
The trick with that instant access bedside gun strategy: put the [loaded] gun into a proper gun safe in the morning. Never leave your handgun accessible and unattended. Better yet, put it on your hip. And keep it there until you go to bed that night. Because when you need a handgun in your home you don’t need it a safe. You need it in your hand. If you have your gat on your person in a dangerous situation arises, it will appear in your hand as if by magic. If not, well, remember those dreams about running through peanut butter? Like that.
You may need a two handgun home defense strategy. A small gun for home carry; something like a Ruger LCP or Smith & Wesson Shield that slips into a pocket (inside a simple holster). A gun that lets you dress down even as you tool-up. And a larger handgun for nighttime defense; something like a SIG SAUER P226 or GLOCK 19 with night sights and a large capacity magazine. Unless you don’t mind schlepping a larger gun all day long. Then two is one.
Bottom line: gun safes are only safe when you don’t want someone to gain access to your gun(s). And sometimes not even then. [See: clever teen routine above.] But gun safes can be extremely dangerous if that someone trying to gain access is you, in a hurry. As Dirty Harry dictated, a man’s got to know his limitations. And plan accordingly.