Are you a concealed carry license holder?
If so, you know that there are times when you need to leave your gun (hopefully a Springfield Armory XDS) in your vehicle. And if you are like me you prefer to think that it’s locked up as best as it can be against a smash and grab, legal, and safely out of the grasp of a minor.
The SnapSafe (XL) Lockbox is a good solution to a complex problem.
SnapSafe XL Lock Box
Another Keyed Lockbox
Store and protect your handguns, passports, sensitive documents, heirlooms, media cards, ammo and other valuable items in this durable and portable gun safe / lock box by SnapSafe. Includes 1 keyed lockbox and 2 keys.
This is a keyed lockbox. It’s hard to find a combination gun vault of any kind that gets good reviews for being made well with sturdy components. (Yes, you can even order 2 that are keyed alike from Amazon.)
What I Like About the SnapSafe Lock Box
There is plenty to like about the SnapSafe XL Lockbox, starting with the price. It’s around $30 with free shipping from Amazon.
One can basically read down the bullet points on the box:
- Heavy Gauge Steel (16ga)
- 1500LB Test Steel Cable (4′ long)
- Thick foam interior
- Pry Resistant
- Meets TSA Firearm Guidelines
- 10″ x 7″ x 2″
The “Thick Protective From Interior” from the listing on the box is not quite true. You might even need to customize it with additional protective foam.
How to Use the Gun Lock Box
In a vehicle, it’s best to wrap the cable around a sturdy seat mounting bracket. The driver’s seat should only be the location of the gun safe if you know it cannot slide out under heavy braking and get tangled in your feet or the pedals.
In a hotel room or apartment, just find the sturdiest item available to wrap it around. If the hotel/motel TV has a security cable protecting it from being easily carried off, perhaps therein lies an opportunity.
Adding Customized Foam
For additional protection against banging, scratching, etc., you can try adding some additional protective foam that came out of an old hard drive box.
Simply trace around the outside of the SnapSafe vault with a magic marker and cut inside of that line. The ‘hole’ in the center needs just a little notching for a perfect fit to the XDS.
You can even cut a slot for a spare 5 round (.45) magazine.
SnapSafe Lock Box Sizes
There are three SnapSafe Lock Boxes available: SnapSafe Lock Box LG, XL and XXL.
For a Springfield XDS, you may want to consider the LG version. Being 1/4″ thinner than XL, it may fit in tighter under-car-seat configurations.
- The smallest SnapSafe Lock Box LG measures 9-1/2″ x 6-1/2″ x 1-3/4″.
- The medium SnapSafe Lock Box XL measures 10″ x 7″ x 2″.
- The largest SnapSafe Lock Box XXL measures 11.5″ x 8.5″ x 2.5″.
SnapSafe XXL is bigger, but beware, it’s also thicker. So if room under the car seat is tight at 2″, it won’t work with the 2.5″ XXL.
