Top 7 Best Simplex Lock Gun Safes By 2 Brands

By far, the best Simplex Lock pistol safe on the market today is the Fort Knox Original PB1. This is the safe that put this style of lock into the limelight, and it continues to lead the pack in functionality, steel gauge, and general usability. That said, there are many other safes from both Fort Knox and Amsec (American Security) that offer similar security and quality that I would recommend.

1. Fort Knox (PB1, PB4, PB5, and PB6)

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Fort Knox has been making gun safes for a long time now! This includes their pistol safes. Each pistol safe they make features the 10 gauge steel you expect from a high-security manufacturer like Fort Knox. They then took the tried and true formula they had and changed the pistol safe to different sizes to allow for different applications.

• The PB1 is perfect for the desk or nightstand with a top-opening door.
• The PB4 is a front-opening version, which is excellent for under the bed (or under a seat in your car).
• The PB5 is purpose-built to be used in the car with its smaller profile. 
• Of course, the massive PB6 can handle a shotgun! 

The PB6 is one of the few longer safes that can handle a longer gun. Usually, you would need a full-size safe for that. Make sure to read more about these safes in this article here, where I go into much more depth on these safes.

2. American Security [HAS410, PS1208EZ, PS1210HD]

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You can’t get past many lists about pistol safes if you don’t mention an Amsec pistol safe. In this case, they create three excellent versions that include the Simplex Lock.

The HAS410 is a hide-a-safe with a heavy 7 gauge steel door and a 10 gauge body. It also obviously features a simplex lock and is perfect for keeping it under your bed, under a car seat, or under something else, I don’t know, it’s up to you.

The PS1208EZ on the scene is meant to be something you can carry when you need it. Not all the time, but if you need it. It sits at 14 gauge steel.

Now, every manufacturer has to have a heavy-duty version. Amsec is no different by offering the PS1210HD. Like the other heavy-duty safes, it features that same 10 gauge steel. It has a handle that Fort Knox doesn’t, which is a great addition.

Upsides of owning a Simplex Lock Gun Safe

• Rapid access
• Push button lock
• No battery
• No need for a key
• No spinning dials

Downsides of owning a Simplex Lock Gun Safe

• Only a little over 1000 possible combinations

Why a Simplex Lock?

What is the main downside to a standard push-button electronic lock? The battery. It can go dead without you ever knowing, leaving you without quick access to your safe when you need it most.

The Simplex lock gives you the ease of an electronic lock with buttons instead of a dial, fingerprint scanner, or key. Still, it does away with the need for a battery.

You can push a sequence of buttons on the “keypad,” and the mechanics inside the lock release when the correct sequence is pushed. You can even push two buttons at once to make it more complicated.

Are Simplex locks secure?

It is worth talking more on this point, as you will find quickly that the Simplex lock can only handle 1084 combinations. With some thought (and quick math), you will realize that it would take a little while for someone to gain access to the safe by just starting from the first combo and going to the last.

Because of this, many people will say these locks aren’t secure. However, I’m afraid I personally have to disagree with this assumption.

Yes, with enough time, people may gain access. However, as I say a lot on this site, when you buy a gun safe, you are buying time. And if you are worried about someone breaking in to the safe in this way, you’re buying yourself a lot of time. That is a good investment.

These safes will help with smash grabs and quick in-and-out thieves. Just make sure you are securing these safes in some other way. Like bolting it down or taking it on the go, think about adding a security cable.

Conclusion

So there you have it; these are the pistol safes that use the Simplex locking mechanism. It is by no means the best lock for everyone, but it brings the best of all the locks into one. It is a bummer that it has few combination possibilities. Still, most people will be able to get by that.

If I had to buy one of these safes, all of this said. The Fort Knox PB1 Original Pistol Safe would be my choice. You can’t beat the quality, backed by one of my favorite companies.