Unless you live by yourself and never have anybody over to your house, hiding your bedside gun in the unsecured nightstand drawer where little, curious hands can get to it is a bad idea. If you have a family, especially with small children, a safe is essential. Some states require guns to be stored inside a safe regardless of how many people live in a house. Whatever your situation, keeping your guns inside a safe when not in use is just smart. But the safe you use for your home defense gun needs to be readily accessible and easy for you — but not a bad guy — to open. That’s where the SnapSafe GlideVault with Keypad comes in handy.
SnapSafe is a relative newcomer to the industry, but its reputation as a quality safe maker is growing rapidly for good reason. This is my second SnapSafe gun safe to review, and I’ve been impressed with both. I’ve used the SnapSafe GlideVault with Keypad for about a month, and I can say that it is a solid and reliable safe that provides adequate protection for firearms and other valuables. Let’s look at why.
SnapSafe GlideVault — Construction and Design
The SnapSafe GlideVault with Keypad is made from heavy-duty 16-gauge steel with a pry-resistant door, making it very sturdy and difficult to break into. Let’s just say that when I accidentally dropped in, I was expecting the worst and was surprised by the best: no damage. The empty safe is relatively small and weighs approximately 26 pounds. While it is not the lightest gun safe on the market, it’s easy to move around, relocate, and conceal if needed.
The exterior of the SnapSafe GlideVault with Keypad is finished with a matte powder coating. The finish looks elegant and professional while also being enough to deter intruders as it is less reflective than a glossy finish. In addition, the safe’s interior included a padded floor mat to protect your firearms and other valuables from scratches or damage.
The safe can store up to two handguns. Compared to other gun safes with similar dimensions, it provides more storage space for your firearms, making it a good choice for gun owners with multiple firearms that need storage.
An electronic lock system keeps the safe tightly and securely closed. Four AAA batteries buried in a compartment in the rear of the drawer power the lock. The electronic lock system is simple, and instructions are easy to follow. Enter a four- to eight-digit code to access the safe’s contents. The owner can change the code anytime; a backup key is provided if the electronic lock fails.
Specs
- 16-gauge steel housing
- Pry-resistant design
- Glass tempered keypad
- Customizable 4- or 6-digit code
- Silent mode
- Spring-assisted slide-out drawer
- Includes 5-foot anchoring cable
- Pre-drilled mounting holes
- Features micro-USB and backup barrel key
- Exterior: 15.9” x 12.2” x 4.4”
- Interior: 13.5” x 9.5” x 3.1”
- Weight: 26lbs Exterior
Ease of Use
The SnapSafe GlideVault with Keypad is easy to use and operate. The electronic lock system works smoothly, and the keypad is responsive to the touch, making it quick and easy to open. The safe opens via a spring-loaded door that pops open quickly once the correct code is entered, which is an added convenience for gun owners who might need to access their firearms in a hurry.
My only complaint about the keypad is that it lights up on the first button push instead of a wake-up push first. This oddity didn’t bother me at first until I realized that the most likely scenario where I would need to get into the safe is at night when it’s dark and I’m under pressure to get the gun out quickly in response to a threat inside the house. The keypad itself is flat and smooth, with no button textures, so it has to light up to see what buttons you’re pushing, a difficult task in the dark. My guess is I’m not the only person to criticize this feature.
Speaking of the nighttime threat, the keypad has a silent mode, letting you access your gun without the bad guy hearing you until the drawer has slid out and you can grab your gun.
The layout of the interior of the SnapSafe GlideVault with Keypad is straightforward and functional, with a single self-sliding drawer that pops out automatically when the correct code is entered. The small size of the safe is also a plus, as it fits easily into a corner or any other small space.
Versatility
While the GlideVault is marketed primarily for gun owners, it is also suitable for anyone looking for a secure storage container for valuables such as jewelry, cash, and important documents. The two-handgun capacity might seem limiting, but it is more than sufficient for most gun owners’ needs. Depending on the gun or guns you store inside, there is also room for spare magazines and even a flashlight.
Price
At $199, the SnapSafe GlideVault with Keypad is affordable and competitively priced compared to other gun safes of similar size and features. As a result, this safe’s price point is a significant selling point, especially for budget-conscious gun owners and first-time buyers.
However, it is essential to note that the SnapSafe GlideVault with Keypad does not have the fire protection features that other gun safes in the market have.
Customer Support
The SnapSafe GlideVault with Keypad has a one-year warranty against defects in materials or workmanship. However, I have not had to use the warranty, so I cannot comment on the quality of customer support provided by SnapSafe if an issue arises.
Final Verdict
Overall, the SnapSafe GlideVault with Keypad is a reliable and versatile gun safe that provides reasonable protection for your firearms and other valuables. In addition, the small size and easy-to-use electronic lock system make it an ideal choice for gun owners looking for a safe that provides functional protection without taking up too much space or breaking the bank.
While it may not have as many features as other more expensive gun safes, such as fire protection, it does provide a reasonable degree of protection against theft and unauthorized access.
The SnapSafe GlideVault with Keypad is a good entry-level gun safe, offering value for money while delivering the security and safety gun owners require.
