Images by the author and from stopboxusa.com
Shooters today are blessed to have available to them many ways of storing and protecting their guns. From huge safes that can withstand a house fire to small, portable boxes, there have never been as many ways to keep a gun secure.
A while back, I ran across an ad for a product that aroused my interest. Having a dozen grandkids makes me probably more safety-conscious than many others, although that’s an area that all gun owners need to address.
Enter StopBox.
I was a bit intrigued by the concept of a reinforced-plastic box with a mechanical lock. I have three levels of security set up: high, which would include safes and other steel locking boxes; mid, meaning portable boxes made from steel or other substances and that still include a lock of some sort; and low, where the firearm is stored in such a way that young arms can’t reach it.
Again, this is just my way of thinking, but it’s worked for me for years. I have used all three levels over the years, although I never use my low-level solutions, unless there is no other alternative… mid or high is way better.
We have here two of what I would call mid-level boxes for firearm storage and transport.
In a nutshell, these boxes are made of high-impact resistant glass-reinforced polycarbonate-ABS and steel-reinforced. They use five mechanical finger-press buttons and need no batteries. They come in different shapes, sizes, and designs. There you have it.
Stopbox – The Company
The company has an interesting history. Allow me to cut to the chase… it was founded by one family in 2016 in order to provide a unique product for shooters. They are located in the state of Washington, in Spokane Valley. It is interesting to note that, under their “Meet The Team” banner, there are photos of 34 people. That’s a big team!
What Do They Make?
Here is a listing of their products. Before we start, I found it interesting that they have been issued several patents for their technology, with newer ones pending. You can see those here.
For handguns, you have these boxes:
- StopBox Pro, $149, three designs available (Rustic Flag, Skull Camo, and Bedtime Stories)
- StopBox Compact, $129, with the design options above
- StopBox Wall Mount (“WALL-ANCHORED RETENTION DEVICE”), $159
- BOGO Pro Bundle offer, $149.
- StopBox U-Can, bundle, $249
Here are some dimensions…
StopBox Pro Full-Size
- Interior: 9.25” x 7.15” x 1.75”
- Exterior: 11.5” x 8.5” x 2.25”
StopBox Pro Compact
- Interior: 7.5″ x 5.5″ x 1.75”
- Exterior: 10″ x 7″ x 2.25″
StopBox Wall Mount
- Interior: 8.25″x 6.5″x 1.75
- Exterior: 11.5” x 8.5” x 2.25”
The U-Can
- Exterior: 10.0″ × 7.3″ × 9.6″
- Interior: 9″ × 4.5″ × 8″
- Weight (empty): 4 lbs
*With all products, you get a 30-day trial period.
Long Guns
Don’t think they forgot about rifles and shotguns. For those, you have the aluminum Chamber Lock Pro, $149:
There are the usual five buttons that unlock the unit. Think of it as an orange chamber flags on steroids.
They also sell a wide range of accessories, from ammo cans to lights.
Let’s look at a couple of specific products they sent…
Stopbox Pro
I put my LifeCard folding single-shot .22 with a Griffin Armament suppressor, and a box of ammo in the box to show one possible use. If you have a semi-auto or a revolver that you would like to access quickly, this box should work. If you have a compact, you might want to look at a compact box. It’s a bit smaller and cheaper.
Below, we see the Rustic Flag motif on the lid. There are three designs available for the pistol boxes.
Next, here’s the U-Can.
Below, with the tray in place. There is a generous handle (top) that allows quick removal of the tray.
And, with the tray gone:
You have storage for a pistol, magazines, ammo… whatever you can cram into it. The photo at the top gives you an idea of what will fit in the U-Can. I will use it as a sort of range box for those times when I only need a few items that won’t fit in a pocket.
Observations
I certainly see the utility of these boxes. I kept having to remind myself that they were not meant to be gun safes, as they are not steel and use a mechanical lock. Once I got that point, I viewed them a bit differently.
I see these boxes as a way to keep a gun out of unauthorized hands, but they are not meant to be gun safes. These are a way to temporarily store guns and gear while you are using that equipment, on the way to or from the range. I see the gun then, once home, being put in more permanent storage. For what they are, they work well.
A fellow TTAG writer pointed out to me that the button codes could be guessed and the box opened, which is something to think about. Consequently, you may want to change the code on your box. To customize your finger press code, extra keys are included to let you change things up a bit. There are 81 permutations that all the included keys allow, so hopefully you can come up with a unique code. One other point… the keys are plastic, so be careful. I could see them breaking if the box falls and it lands on the key side. The hinges do seem strong, which is good.
The plastic is bare, with no lining, but that shouldn’t be an issue, as it won’t scratch a gun.
I had only one issue with both of the boxes… I had a tough time holding the box steady while trying to press the correct finger and thumb buttons. It kept sliding around. You will need to hold the boxes firmly while opening them. I thought a piece of flat rubber sheeting glued to the bottom of the boxes might help them stay put while being opened. I see the wall-mount box as a good solution if you have a spot where you can leave it screwed to a wall.
Summing Up
If you are looking for a way to safely, temporarily store a gun and ammo, you might want to give these StopBoxes a look. Know that they are not meant to be gun safes, but think of them more as a way to securely transport your guns when they’re out of the safe. I will definitely find uses for these two boxes… as I showed above, I already have one employed. Safe gun storage is not something to disregard… StopBoxes may be one solution for you.
