I'm a little worried about the space taken up by the locking hardware inside the box but I'm hoping I can work around it for my application?
I'd prefer the lower box for the stealth benefit("Nothing to see here, folks, just move along...") this seems like a brilliant idea. Put some junk in the console on top of the concealment mat and everything is completely hidden. I don't lock up my truck much and don't leave anything valuable in either the glove compartment or console. Now, if you start opening up panels in the back there's where all the tools and other good stuff is, but most crime around here is just kids screwing around or junkies looking for a quick score. They're not going to spend a lot of time or do much work looking. I've lost some CD's out of the console and the change out of the ashtray to thieves over the last 25 years but that's about it. I recently changed jobs and now work in a place that's a whole lot less gun-friendly than my last gig, so I'm looking for a lock box to secure and conceal a pistol since I can't bring it along with me any more. I'm really hoping this box is it.
Aaand Joey? There is no commercially available snubnose
revolver made in .40, did you mean a semi-automatic pistol or was it a different caliber maybe? I'm not trying to be a terminology Nazi I'm just curious, since I'm following this closely and it seems like the box depth would preclude some of the larger caliber revolver cylinders from fitting. S&W did make a few .40 revolvers in the past but they were all pretty large guns on their L-frame so I was wondering. Some of the 5 shot .44 and possibly .45 revolver cylinders should fit but I don't believe any of the 6-shot large caliber ones would by the time the padding and all was added in. Tredwards pics above don't take either that or the space needed for the swing of the locking tab into account so I don't believe either his Sig or Ruger will fit but the Seecamp and Walther should. Looks like most subcompacts and snubnose revolvers should fit just fine. Compact autos will be tight, some will and some won't by the look of things, and full size pistols will be pretty much out. That works for me.
There's also the folded lip on the lock side that we're not seeing here yet and that will also have an effect on fitment. Also, which end is the lock on? I'm assuming the front end when it's mounted? Will the key in the lock hit the console cover and how much will that restrict line of sight and access? The spring hinges should keep things from flopping closed if you can't get a 'past-90 degree' lid opening and that is a great touch. It's obviously not a fast-draw counter-carjacking arrangement but it should be very low profile and sneakily stealthy. I'm really liking the concept and can't wait to try it out!
You also need a cooler name like the 'console ninja 9000' or some such, y'know, for reasons involving the marketplace....
EDIT: Huh! Apparently there
are a few .40 revolvers out there, Chiappa has made some and Charter Arms is supposed to have a .40 model as well. My apologies! Geez, you get away from the culture for a couple years and look what happens when you're not paying attention...