Pangolin Vehicle Safe
A SOUTH AFRICAN manufacturer has come up with an ingenious design to stow your handguns when you travel. The small safe allows for a practical and secure method to keep handguns safe in vehicles, while also affording easy access.
The Pangolin H series handgun safe is the brainchild of security specialist company Biagi Saga Technologies. It has been independently tested and verified to comply with SANS 9531:2018 for type B3 motor vehicle and caravan firearm safes (for temporary storage). This means that you are fully compliant with the Firearms Control Act when using this safe. The safe is available in two sizes, for a single handgun or for two handguns, and comes in a fixed or dockable configuaration. The fixed versions are permanently bolted in position while the docked versions enable the safe to be moved between vehicles or wherever else you want to install an additional docking station. To comply with the regulations, an independent installer must complete an installation certificate (supplied with the safe) with the prescribed details.
The clamshell, all-steel design has strategically located internal hardened steel reinforced plates. The body lifts to 80 degrees to ensure easy access, and the mechanical lock offers more than 800 000 combinations. The lock conpurpose-designed, sists of dual locking bolts with re-lockers. This is a high security lock and should you happen to lose both keys, the manufacturer can provide replacements, if you have the key number.
The exterior is durable Armorkote, with an optional black rubber coat. The interior has convoluted foam padyour ding to protect weapon.
For additional security, the docking model cannot be closed unless the safe is exactly in the secure position on the baseplate. To remove the safe from the baseplate you have to first work a lever inside the safe, then the safe can be moved slightly backwards before being lifted free. The smaller safe has an outside diameter of 190mm x 305mm x 60mm (width x length x height ), and the double
handgun safe measures 220mm x 305mm x 60mm. (The single handgun model has enough space for a full-sized pistol plus a spare magazine and other small items.)
The fixed version weighs 4.9kg for the ingle handgun model and 5.8kg for the double handgun model. The dockable versions are 5.4kg and respectively. I would probably t or a dockable version, as this u d allow me to take the safe my vehicle and dock it in the (the building is a gun free , but due to the nature of my ,I’m allowed to bring in a handf con cealed in a carry case, or in nstance, a safe). The docking staisagre at idea, and although toting 6kg steel safe (plus another 1.2kg of andgun, mags and ammo) around is not ideal, it beats any other alternative I’ve got.
I TESTED THE dockable single handgun model. I decided to go through the installation process myself and for practical purposes fixed the test unit to a loose steel plate I had on hand. Apart from the baseplate, two smaller plates are supplied that go at the bottom of the fixture. Fitment entails drilling four holes and tightening everything in place with four supplied bolts and nuts. It is an extremely simple procedure and can be done in 30 minutes.
Gerald Kuisis, technical director, explained that the safe can be installed wherever the owner wants. An ideal position is behind the seats of an extended cab bakkie, or behind the back seats of a double cab, but installation can be done anywhere that it can be fixed to a permanent part of the vehicle. In my opinion, there is no need to fit it so that the handgun can be quickly extracted from the safe in an emergency because the handgun should be on you while you are driving. I recently had to go to SARS and on entering the building, realised that I had my handgun on me. All I could do was to tackle the 30-minute drive back home to lock my pistol in the safe before heading back to get into the long queue. If I had had a Pangolin safe installed in my vehicle, this inconvenience could have been avoided.
I’M IMPRESSED WITH the safe, every small detail is professionally finished. The interior and exterior are impeccable and the small gas strut, that automatically raises the lid when unlocking the safe, adds convenience.
This is an outstanding locally-manufactured product, and although I dislike the idea of leaving my firearm in my vehicle in a country where cars are regularly stolen, I have no choice but to invest in a Pangolin safe. In my line of work there are times when I want to drive with my handgun but cannot always have it with me when entering some buildings. Another practical example is driving from the farm to go and watch a rugby match, only to return after dark to your home. Leaving your firearm at home is not an option, but nor is taking it into the sporting venue. This safe is the answer.
The manufacturer states that there are several fitment centres across the country and more will follow. If there is no fitment centre near where you live, the work can be done by a qualified local technician or mechanic.
The company also manufactures a stylish laptop safe which doubles as a briefcase. A docking station which clips into Isofix seat mounts of most vehicles makes it possible to securely fit the case within seconds, making it impossible for someone to remove it. To remove the safe/briefcase, you simply open the case and press a mechanism that unlocks it from the baseplate.
A nice add-on is that the manufacturer supports the protection and conservation of pangolins in Africa. Pangolins are widely trafficked and therefore the manufacturer have partnered with the Johannesburg Wildlife Veterinary Hospital to protect these precious animals. When buying any Pangolin product, a percentage of your purchase will be donated to the veterinary hospital.
I found Pangolin products for sale online. The single handgun safe started at about R5 000 and R5 500 for the laptop case.
For stockists contact Andrew on 065-131-9266 or sales@ pangolin.global or visit www.pangolin.global