Last Updated on October 7, 2022 by admin_hunter
Everyone will have different ideas when it comes to the perfect gun safe. There are, however, some key aspects that are universal.
Security, capacity, and accessibility are always going to be the most important features of a gun safe. We love the QAP2BEL Biometric Safe from SentrySafe because it strikes the perfect balance between these features.
Interested? Keep reading to find out more about this great safe. From its key design features and why you, too, should choose biometric security for your next gun safe.
SentrySafe QAP2BEL Biometric Gun Safe
Quick Overview
After just a couple of minutes with this safe, we are sure that it is quickly going to become one of the most popular gun safes around.
It is incredibly secure, but this supreme security does not compromise ease of access. The interior light is a great feature and lets you clearly see what is in your safe – no more fumbling around in the dark for you!
Need somewhere secure to store your handgun collection? We highly recommend that you check out the QAP2BEL from SentrySafe.
- Biometric gun safe provides secure storage for 2 standard handguns, or 1 large pistol and ammunition; Gun safe, safe features a fingerprint scanner for advanced protection
- Gun safe is equipped with a gas strut to instantly and quietly open the safe door for single-handed access to your handguns; Ideal for use as a bedside gun safe
- Gun safe is constructed with solid steel and a pry resistant door for strength and handgun security; Digital keypad and override key for back up entry; California DOJ certified gun safe
- Exterior: 16.4 inch W x 9.8 inch D. x 3.2 inch H; Interior 14 inch W x 6.5 inch D x 2.2 inch H; Weighs 16 pounds; 4 AA batteries required (not included)
- For optimal performance, SentrySafe recommends the use of four high-quality, name branded and alkaline AA batteries with an expiration date of 8-10 years from the current year. Generic and rechargeable batteries often do not have the lifespan needed to support long term usage
Design Features
Security
First things first, the biometric lock is one of the key distinguishing features of this safe. The fingerprint scanner is quick, quiet, and accurate. We found that the safe was easy to open even in the dark – assuming that the correct person tried to gain access, of course!
The scanner will read and grant up to four fingerprints access to the safe – ideal for homes with more than one adult who may need appropriate access to a firearm or for someone who wants to use multiple fingers of their own. The scans taken are detailed and comprehensive, giving you the peace of mind that just those with saved fingerprints will be permitted access into the safe.
Access without the master key, correct code, or correct fingerprint is impossible, thanks to the steel construction of the safe. SentrySafe has fitted the interior inside a hardened steel compartment made of 12-gauge steel. This is the thickest safe that we have found that is available today and is completely resistant to any attempts at bending or warping the metal.
If you look at the safe closely you will notice that there are no areas or spaces that you could even try to pry open. We cannot say this enough – the QAP2BEL safe is super secure!
Capacity
There is nothing worse than finding out that your gun safe is not big enough for your firearm. SentrySafe has apparently realized this and has made the QAP2BEL large enough to happily store two handguns with some extra room for magazines.
We also found that there was just enough room for a few other important items like a passport and some cash. Additional room to store other important albeit small items is another thing that we love about this safe.
Worried about your weapon getting damaged in the safe? Worry no more! The QAP2BEL comes with high-compression foam inserts. These work great for keeping any items in the safe completely still, ideal for transportation.
Portability
Considering its material composition and capacity, we are amazed by how portable SentrySafe has made this product!
The QAP2BEL clocks in at just under 16lb. This is weighty enough to suggest its incredible quality but not so heavy that it would be impossible to move. Keep in mind that you don’t necessarily need a safe to be portable, but we do like having that option for vacations or just general car storage.
But if you don’t want this safe to move, it absolutely is not moving. Mounting a safe can give it some additional security, as well as guarantee that you know where your weapon is if an emergency arises.
Your safe will come with some compatible bolts to affix securely via the holes in the bottom to whichever surface you want to. SentrySafe recommends that this is a strong, sturdy surface like a good quality shelf or to the floor. You could even secure it to a desk drawer if you needed to.
We don’t generally recommend that you affix a gun safe to a wall. This is because the contents are likely to fall out and clatter to the floor. Not only will you be likely to damage your handgun, but you will alert an intruder to your whereabouts.
Access
The only downside to this safe that we could find is that it cannot be plugged directly into a power source and it does not have a rechargeable battery. Instead, this safe runs on four AA batteries.
It is a little disappointing but do keep in mind that these batteries are needed to grant you access via the keypad or the reliable and accurate fingerprint scanner. Is this enough to put us off? No, this safe is still an excellent choice for any multi-handgun owner.
All you would need to do is make sure that you regularly check that the safe has enough power by using the fingerprint scanner or keypad to open it up. You also only need to do this if you think that there is the possibility that you will need your gun in an emergency. Remember that you will always be able to open the safe with the master key.
Emergency Use
We have found that this safe would be excellent in the unfortunate event of a home invasion. You can use it in the dark – the keypad and fingerprint scanner are backlit and very tactile, and the interior light lets you easily see everything in your safe – and you have the reassurance that only you can open it.
But the biggest, most obvious feature about this safe that sets it apart from its competitors is that it can be opened in complete silence. We were amazed to discover that there is absolutely no sound involved when this safe is opened correctly.
Why is silence so important? Well, in the event of an invasion, silence can be used as another weapon and gives you the greatly advantageous element of surprise. If you can catch the intruder unaware, it is more likely that no one will get hurt before law enforcement arrives.
This silence is due to the compression gas struts that open the safe. Once either the correct code has been entered on the keypad or a recognized fingerprint has been read, the safe will open by itself immediately. This way, you have one hand to enter the code or scan and the other can grab the gun. You will be up and running to investigate the suspected disturbance in next to no time.
The QAP2BEL addresses another frequent concern for gun owners – what if someone in your home needs access to your weapon while you are out? With this safe, you have a couple of options.
Either you have their biometric information – i.e. fingerprint – saved, or you can tell them the keypad information if they phone up in an emergency. We understand that it is not always practical to allow multiple people in the house constant access to the gun safe, so we love that our loved ones could phone us if they needed access for immediate protection.
Aesthetics
The QAP2BEL safe is available in matte black. This is probably the best color for a safe to be as we have found that it will easily blend in with its surroundings – you really don’t want an overtly detectable safe!
Why Biometrics?
Not familiar with biometric safes? Don’t worry!
A biometric safe is a safe that can only be accessed with the correct biometric data. In most cases, biometric data is a scan of your fingerprint. As everyone’s fingerprints are unique, biometric gun safes are a secure and increasingly popular option.
As with this safe, many allow you to save multiple fingerprints. This means that the safe will open when any of the chosen few are detected. This is a great option for those living in a household with multiple responsible adults.
Using fingerprints takes away a fairly significant risk with keypad entry or classic lock safes – codes can be guessed and locks can be picked but fingerprints cannot be duplicated. You also cannot forget your fingerprint in the same way that you can forget your security code or lose your key.
Because of the security of a biometric lock, many of these safes are entirely pry-proof. This means that it is impossible to bend the door to gain access.
Finally, a good quality biometric safe – like the QAP2BEL – will not be affected by heat or water. This means that your weapon or any other important items that you keep in your safe will be fine in the event of a fire or flood.
The only disadvantage of a biometric safe that we can find is that it can take a while to get used to. Putting your finger in the incorrect place or not holding it down for long enough are common issues that mean people are unable to easily access the contents.
For this reason, we recommend that you practice opening the safe several times. They are super easy and completely reliable once you get the hang of them!
Final Thoughts
We cannot recommend the QAP2BEL Biometric Gun Safe enough. It is sturdy, secure, and reliable. It is one of the best biometric gun safes available on the market at the moment and it is no surprise that it is certified by the Californian Department of Justice for firearm storage and protection.
The biometric lock can recognize up to four fingerprints. We found it very reassuring that our spouses could access the safe while we were out in the event of an emergency.
The silent open access and interior light features are another greatly reassuring personal safety idea – you really will be able to rest easy in your bed knowing that you can access your weapon in the blink of an eye. The single-hand access design really shines through in this remit of personal protection.
Want a biometric gun safe? Get the SentrySafe QAP2BEL – you will not regret it.