NEW from VARA- The RACT Rifle & Shotgun Lock : SHOT Show 2022
If you've wanted a smart way to secure your long gun and still have quick access, check out the newest product from VARA.
Today at SHOT Show, I spent some time at the VARA booth speaking to Stacia about the company's new product. I first came across the company at SHOT show in 2019 when they released a fantastic biometric handgun “safe.”
VARA Reach Handgun “Safe” —
I reviewed the original product called Reach and the updated Reach 2. The product allows fast access to your handgun while keeping it secure from those who shouldn't have access. Reach uses a biometric fingerprint reader that unlocks the unit.
The Reach product is in its 3rd-generation and is called Reach 2S.
I was impressed with the speed and accuracy of the fingerprint reading capabilities of Reach 2. However, the upgraded fingerprint reader technology in the 2S version is even faster and more accurate. The reader unlocks the unit in around .2 seconds and can read the print no matter what orientation the finger lands on the reader.
Follow this link to see my review of the Reach 2 handgun “safe.”
VARA RACT for Rifles and Shotguns —
People really liked the VARA's Reach for their handguns, so it only made sense to develop a similar product for long guns.
So I finally got to take a look at this product for long-guns called RACT. No RACT isn't an acronym. It's just a name that captured the spirit of the product- a long-gun rack that is tactical.
RACT is a modular gun lock system with the ability to be configured for nearly any long-gun set-up someone might have. From what I saw, the product's major parts are a mounting rail, trigger guard, locking mechanism, and an end piece to secure the stock.
Each component mounts to the rail, so you can configure it to work with a rifle or shotgun of any length. The rail mounts either vertically or horizontally.
There is no way to access the trigger or move the gun when locked in the RACT locking device.
The product makes it easy to securely stage your long gun and still gives you fast access.
It looks like the system is versatile enough to work even with an AR equipped with a sling or various accessories mounted to the handguard.
Stacia showed me a locking device that looks the same but uses keypresses instead of a fingerprint reader.
VARA is Innovating —
I see the RACT as a practical solution for a home defense gun and law enforcement applications. Not only could someone mount RACT to a wall, but also inside a vehicle.
RACT is currently in beta testing but will be available soon.
Learn more about VARA and get notified when RACT hits the market.
RACT from VARA is one of the coolest products I've seen at SHOT Show 2022.
I’m sure there is a market for those kinds of products, but they won’t be of any value to anyone who is serious about home defense.
They are marketed as “quick access” devices, but should only be used for storage. As a matter of fact, the “Reach” product manual used to tell purchasers to not insert a loaded firearm into the device – not sure if they still do…but, if so, that’s a non-starter.
Purchasers should realize that if they use these devices as a “quick access” method to obtain a defensive firearm in a timely manner to respond to a possible life/death threat, they should probably look elsewhere. I would not trust my life on a high-tech gizmo that may not work when I need it.
Just my 2 cents.
I would say that there is a very fine line between “quick access” and having your firearms “safely secured” in an area where there are other people, adults or kids. And especially if they are to be kept near to where they may be needed. This (maybe even with a mechanical lock) would at least be a backup to your EDC, which actually should be on you all the time, not just when you leave the house. With all of this in mind, I am pretty excited about seeing this when it is available to the public.
I would say that there is a very fine line between “quick access” and having your firearms “safely secured” in an area where there are other people, adults or kids. And especially if they are to be kept near to where they may be needed. This (maybe even with a mechanical lock) would at least be a backup to your EDC, which actually should be on you all the time, not just when you leave the house. With all of this in mind, I am pretty excited about seeing this when it is available to the public.
Man, I could watch that video at the end all day. 🙂
Seriously, there is a real need for this product in the marketplace. I’ve looked at a lot of different options out there, and none of them seem to quite live up to the potential I see here. Here, take my money!
Do you know how long two seconds is? in a life or death encounter it is literally life or death time: YOUR DEATH and the PREP’S life! That said the products look like a great idea for safe storage.
it unlocks in 0.2 seconds, not 2 seconds