RPNB RP311E Electronic Handgun Safe
Pros
- Full Steel Construction
- Two Entry Methods - Electronic Code & Key Override
- All Accessories Included
- Quality 1 Year Warranty
Cons
- Tubular Key Override Can Be Opened with a BIC Pen
RPNB has absolutely taken over the handgun safe category on Amazon. They took the success of GunVault and Vaultek handgun safes and made near exact copies of each model at much lower price points. Overall, they are a Chinese company that sells factory direct at unbelievable prices. In this review, I’ll go over why the RPNB RP311E Electronic Auto-Open Handgun Safe has a fatal security flaw.
Lock – RPNB RP311E Electronic Auto-Open Handgun Safe
First and always most important for any safe is its lock. The RPNB RP311E Electronic Auto-Open Handgun Safe uses a 4 digit backlit LED keypad electronic lock. A proximity sensor illuminates the keypad in low light situations making it easy to see at night.
The lock is powered by four AAA batteries easily replaceable from the inside of the safe. Finally, the key override is a major weak spot for this safe. RPNB uses a tubular key override that can picked open in seconds by a tubular lock pick commonly sold on Amazon or a BIC pen. This fatal flaw in the security renders all the rest of the security and locking mechanism in the safe essentially useless.
Security – RPNB RP311E Electronic Auto-Open Handgun Safe
The RPNB RP311E Electronic Auto-Open Handgun Safe is built with full solid steel construction. In addition, security features include anti-pry bars, interior hinges and interior shielding that prevent tools from entering the safe and poking around at the release mechanism or programming buttons. This is a huge upgrade from the traditional handgun safes that leave exposed holes and easily accessible reset buttons.
This handgun safe is tested for CA DOJ Approval as a firearm safety device. This means it has passed the standard break-in methods and is suitable for storing handguns from children. This handgun safe does not list its steel thickness either. By estimating by the weight, I would assume it is 16 gauge steel construction. For this pop-out design, nearly all handgun safes are built with 16 gauge steel. For reference 16 gauge steel is the thickness of a penny.
Style and Function
The RPNB Handgun Safes are styled in the standard textured black powder coat.
Unique to the Auto-Open series is it pops out the inner compartment presenting your handgun at the ready. The pop out compartment utilizes high density foam and the manner in which it opens prevents scratches to your handgun. Finally, it’s capable of storing up to full size handguns.
Warranty
RPNB offers a 1 year parts and labor warranty on all of their products. They will pay for all shipping cost, repair cost or replacement costs at absolutely no cost to the customer. This is much better than the standard Chinese factories that only offer 90 day warranties. Finally, RPNB has great reviews online from customers who have had issues with their products.
The Bottom Line
Would I buy the RPNB RP311E Electronic Auto-Open Handgun Safe to store my handgun? No, unfortunately I would not. While it has decent construction with solid steel, a decent locking mechanism and all the accessories included, I can’t bring myself to recommend any product that uses a tubular key override.
Personally, I would opt to spend the extra money and get the absolute best handgun safe available, the Stealth ShadowVault SV1. What makes the ShadowVault SV1 better is it uses a UL rated Type 1 High Security Electronic Lock made by S&G, a significantly thicker 3/16″ steel door, 10 gauge steel body and multiple hard plates throughout the safe. It is a different style though, so if you really like the pop out, quick access feature, the Vaultek Slider series would be the best option in this style.
