FSDC MLC5200 Steel Lock Box Review: Compact Keyed Case, Honest Limits
The FSDC MLC5200 is a small keyed steel case, not a safe. It is meant for people who want a cheap, portable way to lock up a compact handgun, a few valuables or travel documents, and who understand the limits of a key-locked box. If you want fast one-handed bedside access, electronic entry or serious theft resistance, look elsewhere. If you need a travel-friendly lock case that fits in a drawer or under a seat, it makes sense on paper.
Bottom line:
- A compact, keyed, foam-lined steel case that suits travel, drawers and car seats.
- The manufacturer itself says it is not a substitute for a safe, and we agree with that framing.
- It is a low-cost option, but it has a key lock only, with no quick-access feature and no tie-down cable listed.
This review is based on the Amazon listing, the seller bullets and general knowledge of how small lock cases work. We did not find an owner-feedback summary on the page when we wrote this, so the owner section below is about what to check, not about invented themes. You can open the Amazon listing to compare details as you read, and our best gun safe overview shows where a case like this fits among bigger options.
Specs at a glance
| Item | What the listing shows |
|---|---|
| Type | Keyed steel lockable case and security box |
| Material | 20 gauge powder-coated steel with foam lining |
| External size | 9.5″ x 6.5″ x 2.25″ |
| Internal size | 9″ x 6″ |
| Keys | 2 included |
| Travel | Listing says it can be locked and placed in checked baggage per TSA requirements |
| Interior depth, weight, fire rating | Not listed in the facts reviewed |
Access and lock
This is a keyed case with two keys in the box. There is no keypad, no fingerprint reader and no battery to worry about, which keeps the design simple and removes electronics as a failure point. The trade-off is speed. Finding a key, inserting it and turning it is slower than pressing a button code, so this is better suited to storing items between uses than to keeping something ready for an emergency at 3 a.m. If bedside speed matters to you, a push-button or electronic model such as the V-Line Slide-Away or the Hornady RAPiD Safe Night Guard is a different category worth reading about.
The practical advice for any keyed case is about the keys. Keep one set on you or in a separate secure location, and do not leave the spare in an unlocked drawer next to the case. A lock only protects what is inside if the key is controlled. In a household with children or visitors, that matters more than the case itself. Laws on storage and child access vary by state, so check the rules where you live.
Build and security features
The listing describes the body as heavy-duty powder-coated 20 gauge steel and lined with convoluted and flat foam. Its standout claim is an internal hinge, which the seller says prevents someone from knocking out a hinge pin and opening the case when it is locked. That is a design point worth having on a small box, because exposed hinge pins are a common weak spot on cheap cases.
Even so, the seller is unusually blunt, and that honesty is useful. The listing warns that a locked case may be defeated by a determined person with time and the right tools and states that it is not a substitute for a safe. Take that at face value. A 20 gauge steel box with a single key lock should be viewed as a deterrent against casual access and a way to keep items out of reach of children, not as burglary protection. The listing mentions no tie-down cable, anchor points or pry-resistant band, so unlike some alternatives it offers no way to secure itself to furniture or a vehicle from what we can see.
Interior and fit
With an internal footprint of 9 by 6 inches, this case is small. The seller suggests it can hold firearms plus cash, jewelry, passports, credit cards, watches and checkbooks. Depth is the missing number, because the external height is 2.25 inches and foam takes up part of it. That strongly suggests a very compact pistol or small items, not a full-size handgun with a weapon light or a stack of paperwork. Before you rely on it, compare your item’s length and thickness with the 9-inch interior and the limited height, and leave room for the foam.
The foam is convoluted on one side and flat on the other, which helps cushion contents and stops them rattling, though it does not make a pistol stay put in any specific position. Do not cut or modify the case beyond what the manufacturer allows; if the foam does not suit your item, choose a larger case instead of forcing a fit.
Mounting and placement
There is no mounting hardware mentioned. The seller instead emphasizes that it is compact enough for a drawer or under a car seat. That makes it portable, but also means someone can carry the whole box away. If you leave it in a vehicle, that is a real consideration, and in many places leaving valuables unattended in a car carries its own risks. For home use, a drawer that itself locks is a better home than an open shelf. If you want something anchored, look at products with cables or bolt-down holes, such as the Hornady Lockbox, whose listing describes a steel lock-down cable.
Power and batteries
None required. The case uses a key lock. That means nothing to recharge, no low-battery chirp and no lockout from a dead cell, which is a real advantage for storage that sits untouched for months. It also means no alarm, no backup entry and no access log.
Travel use
The seller states the case can be locked and placed in checked baggage according to TSA requirements, and advises checking with the airline and the TSA website before transporting a firearm and case to the airport. We would go further: airline and destination rules differ, and rules for transport vary by state and city, so confirm every step before you fly or drive across a state line. The case itself is only one piece of that process. The compact size is helpful for fitting inside a suitcase.
What owners say
No owner-feedback summary was available for this model, and no recorded themes exist in the data we reviewed, so we will not describe what owners praise or complain about. When you read the customer comments on the listing, look for these points:
- Whether the key lock feels smooth or sticky after repeated use.
- How owners describe the real interior height with the foam in place.
- Whether the finish chips or the latch loosens over time.
- What contents people report fitting, and whether the 9 by 6 inch interior matches their expectations.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Low price band, under $50 at the time of writing.
- No batteries or electronics.
- Internal hinge design described by the seller.
- Foam-lined and small enough for drawers, suitcases and car seats.
- Two keys included.
Cons
- Key lock only, so access is slow compared with push-button or electronic boxes.
- Small interior with limited height.
- No cable or mounting points are listed.
- The seller states it is not a substitute for a safe, and no fire rating is listed.
How it compares
The Hornady Lockbox is a step up in described security. Its listing mentions a 16 gauge steel housing, a pry-resistant security band, a barrel key lock, a dual crossbar latch and a heavy-duty steel lock-down cable. If you want something that can be tethered, it is the more relevant comparison.
The Hornady RAPiD Safe Night Guard is a nightstand safe with RFID entry, a clock and USB ports, built from 14 gauge steel with a security cable. It is aimed at fast bedside access, a job the FSDC does not try to do.
The V-Line Slide-Away is a 12 gauge steel case with a Simplex lock, a pull-out drawer and pick-and-pluck foam, so it is arranged for quicker access than a plain keyed case.
The V-Line Top Draw is described as a locking gun storage box, but the data we have is thin, so check the listing for dimensions and lock details. Browse everything in one place on the gun safe reviews A to Z page.
Price and deals
At the time of writing the FSDC MLC5200 sat in the under $50 range. Prices change, so check today’s price before you buy. Our FSDC MLC5200 Steel Lock Box promo code page explains how to watch for clip coupons and sale events, and you can check today’s price on Amazon directly.
Final verdict
The FSDC MLC5200 is a modest, honest product: a compact keyed steel case with a hinge design the seller promotes, a foam lining, two keys and a travel-friendly size. It is a reasonable low-cost choice for locking away a small item between uses, for keeping things from children or guests, or for packing in checked luggage under the airline’s rules. It is not a quick-access bedside safe, it is not anchored, and the seller itself says it is not a replacement for a safe.
If your main goal is secure home storage, start with our best gun safes pillar page and consider a bolt-down model. If your goal is a small, cheap, portable lock case, this one earns a look. Always check that your contents actually fit before you rely on it, and follow your state’s storage rules.
FSDC MLC5200 Steel Lock Box FAQ
What size is the FSDC MLC5200 lock box inside?
The listing gives an internal size of 9 by 6 inches and an external size of 9.5 by 6.5 by 2.25 inches. Interior depth is not stated, and foam takes some of it, so check that your items fit before relying on it.
Does the FSDC MLC5200 need batteries?
No. It uses a key lock and the listing says two keys are included. There is nothing to charge or replace, but there is also no electronic backup entry or alarm. Keep one key stored securely away from the case.
Can I put the FSDC MLC5200 in checked luggage?
The seller says it can be locked and placed in checked baggage per TSA requirements, and advises checking your airline and the TSA website first. Rules differ by airline and destination, so confirm them before you travel.
Can the FSDC MLC5200 be bolted down?
The listing mentions no mounting holes or tie-down cable. It is described as compact for a drawer or under a car seat. If you need an anchored product, look at models that list a cable or bolt-down points.
Is the FSDC MLC5200 a real safe?
No. The seller warns that a locked case can be defeated by a determined person with time and tools, and says it is not a substitute for a safe. It is best viewed as basic locked storage and a deterrent to casual access.
FindsCheaper is reader-supported: as an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you. We research listings, manuals and owner feedback; we do not accept payment for placement. Prices, coupons and availability change, so check Amazon for the current details. Store firearms safely and follow your state’s storage laws.
