Viking Security Safe VS-12LSX Mechanical Simplex Two-Gun Safe | Heavy Duty, 2-Handgun Pistol Capacity with Security Cable Lock

Vikings safe with the Simplex lock, 10 inches by 10 inches by 14 in wide. The door opens out with the hinge on the right. It easily holds six handguns, pistols and revolvers, three on the shelf and three below the shelf. Love it!Some concerns:The safe arrived locked and no immediate instructions on how to unlock it. After reading the fold out instructions, page 5 gives the default code to unlock it and then to set your own combination code.Some concerns:Comes with a battery powered light that comes on when the door opens and you have to install 2 AA batteries. First you'll need a Phillips screwdriver to unscrew the light and take it out to install the batteries. This is somewhat inconvenient, but won't be a frequent requirement.The flat black finish may show white marks, but is easily wiped off.The Shelf was upside down and backwards inside the safe and had to be removed. It's a very tight fit trying to take it out diagonally corner to corner. Eventually I figured out turning it sideways inside the safe allowed it to easily come through the door end first. You may need to hold the Shelf up while you install the four supports and then lower the Shelf onto the supports. There was no instructions on removing or installing the Shelf.

This is built like a tank. It's very heavy for its size, and the lid, light, pneumatic piston and most importantly the Simplex lock seem to work as designed. (I still have trouble with a different *American* made simplex sliding drawer lock I have.)I bolted it to a nightstand I made (it's made out of solid 2×8's.) and it seems to work amazingly.I did have some trouble programming a code. For those of you unaware, these are mechanical (no batteries or fingerprint pad) and they can be a little finicky until you get used to them. To program, there's a button/lever you press in conjunction with the handle that "clears" the factory code. Once your new code is typed in, the button/lever and handle move back over to "set" your combination.This one wasn't taking the new combination, so I had to remove the steel plate over the Simplex lock (two screws- one on each side of the housing-easy peasy) and make sure the reset button/lever was moving over the correct way. It took a couple tries, but ended up working as designed. A little frustrating, but nothing to be upset about, or lower the star count.The padding is sufficient to cover the bolts, and the lid appears to be about 3/16 of an inch think. So definitely "beefier" than I thought it was. With nice rolled over, shaped and formed edges.The only think I'd change, is maybe build in an "L" shaped over hang to cover up the opening hinge. (you can see in the photos.) As that seems to be the weakest point, but still very pry-resistant (in my opinion.)Overall I'm more impressed than I thought I'd be. It appears to be a good, really solid safe with an actual Simplex lock. (it's. stamped under the steel cover plate.)I'll definitely recommend this safe to friends and family. (I'm both a USCCA certified instructor and NRA range safety officer. But I tend to avoid "professional" recommendations unless specifically asked.)And I'll look at this company for other safes or for future personal needs.Buy it, you won't be disappointed.

Excellent size safe for two small guns (380 auto and revolver). The assist for opening the top is a great feature. In fact, I wish the assist was even stronger so that it would open on its own when it is unlocked. As it is, only a slight upward pressure on the rim is all that is needed. We primarily bought this safe because it had a Simplex lock. No need for fingerprints, electronics or batteries! Punch in the code, then the knob, and it opens each and every time. Opens quietly with very little noise and closes almost silently.Not impressed with the cable lock system included with the safe. We are both in our 70s and have hand problems. It is just impossible for us to set in a new code without assistance, or some type of tool. I suppose you could do it if you put the lock in a vise and then have someone push and hold the set button with the end of a ballpoint pen while another person dials in the code. Also, it was difficult to know where it how the cable fits into the safe. There is nothing in the directions about how or where it attaches.The Viking company is wonderful to work with. They responded to our emails in a timely manner. And they were wonderful to talk with, and took our suggestions to heart.We are using this heavy, well constructed, and easy to open gun safe by my handicapped husband's bedside. The lock mechanism is easy for him to use (nice large knob) and that is a big plus.

Great alternative to other similar more expensive lockboxes. I do wish there was a better way to attach a security cable.