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Gun gun safe locked - can't find combination
#7557868
07/16/19 07:39 PM
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 792
Jon
OP
Tracker
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OP
Tracker
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 792 |
Sad deal, but my good friend had a stroke. His degree of recovery is unknown at this point.
He can't remember the combination to his gun safe and we can't find where he thought he had it written down. He thinks he remembers the first of the 4 numbers but that's all we have to go on.
The safe is a Browning Sterling ProSteel with an old school dial type lock. It's small - 22" W x 50" H x 15" D, not very heavy and not bolted down. I can easily tip it over and rock it back and forth. I've been told the options available seem to be pay a locksmith to get it open - maybe by drilling the lock? or, take it out in the yard and somehow cut it open maybe from the back - I'm guessing probably with abrasive wheels.
Any ideas?
I've looked online and can't find any info on that particular safe. one question is what a safe like that is worth which would probably help decide to go with plan A locksmith or Plan B, cut it open. And if it would be cost effective to have it repaired in the event locksmith was able to drill it out which would destroy the lock but maybe still be repairable by putting a new lock back into it.
Bill is 68 and going to need a miracle to ever get back to anything close to where he was but miracles do happen so praying for the best.
Thanks all.
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Re: Gun gun safe locked - can't find combination
[Re: Jon]
#7557874
07/16/19 07:44 PM
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Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 19,189
TCM3
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 19,189 |
Prayers for your friends speedy recovery.
I would go with the lock smith since more than likely you could put a new lock in it...but then how much does the correct lock cost... My 2 cents
(R-TX)
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Re: Gun gun safe locked - can't find combination
[Re: Jon]
#7557878
07/16/19 07:49 PM
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 13,232
CCBIRDDOGMAN
Bird Herder
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Bird Herder
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 13,232 |
Sorry, no help but I do have a story. Dad was sick and had lost the keys to the gun closet (actual hidden room built into the house) after several weeks I decided to have the local locksmith meet me over at mom and dads place to pick the locks, my wife and I were over there a few minutes early waiting on him when my wife finds the keys hidden in a little golf ball desk top thingy. I quickly called the locksmith to cancel but he was already pulling in the drive. I paid his his service call fee and had him make me 2 more keys while he was there. Good luck and I hope your friend gets better.
Haven't had it in years but never spit any out. I am a sucker for happy endings and strapped cowboys.
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Re: Gun gun safe locked - can't find combination
[Re: Jon]
#7557885
07/16/19 07:52 PM
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 22,501
Superduty
"The Regulator"
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"The Regulator"
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 22,501 |
What is he sense of urgency to get it opened?
Maybe he will remember in time.
'It's Only Treason if You Lose."
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Re: Gun gun safe locked - can't find combination
[Re: Jon]
#7557888
07/16/19 07:53 PM
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 6,116
pdr55
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 6,116 |
Locksmith is the only logical option IMO.
If you`re running down my country, man, You`re walking on the fighting side of me. (Merle)
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Re: Gun gun safe locked - can't find combination
[Re: Jon]
#7557927
07/16/19 08:22 PM
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Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 5,402
PKnTX
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 5,402 |
Contact the manufacturer for advice. Especially if he is the original owner and registered it they may be a help.
Otherwise locksmith.
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Re: Gun gun safe locked - can't find combination
[Re: Superduty]
#7557966
07/16/19 09:09 PM
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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 12,251
wp75169
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 12,251 |
What is he sense of urgency to get it opened?. If anyone other than him wants it open then I would question their motive. There are thieves among us.
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Re: Gun gun safe locked - can't find combination
[Re: Jon]
#7557975
07/16/19 09:23 PM
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 7,638
Nathan at Fork
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 7,638 |
When you buy a safe, it comes with paperwork that has the serial number on it. That paperwork states to keep it in a separate spot, not in the safe. IF you lose your combo, you can get the combo from the company with that number. If he bought the safe new, might want to check through the filing cabinet and paperwork to see if he still has it. Also if he registered his purchase they should have it.
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Re: Gun gun safe locked - can't find combination
[Re: Nathan at Fork]
#7557981
07/16/19 09:29 PM
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Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 2,259
Hunt Dog
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 2,259 |
When you buy a safe, it comes with paperwork that has the serial number on it. That paperwork states to keep it in a separate spot, not in the safe. IF you lose your combo, you can get the combo from the company with that number. If he bought the safe new, might want to check through the filing cabinet and paperwork to see if he still has it. Also if he registered his purchase they should have it. If you go this route odds are that the manufacturer will also ask you to provide a police report and a signed and notarized affidavit stating who wants the information and why. Been there, done that after Dad died and Mom had a TIA.
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Re: Gun gun safe locked - can't find combination
[Re: Jon]
#7557999
07/16/19 09:53 PM
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 3,805
Big_Country01
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 3,805 |
Try YouTube. Honestly. You would be surprised what you can find on there and accomplish on your own.
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Re: Gun gun safe locked - can't find combination
[Re: Jon]
#7558029
07/16/19 10:30 PM
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 3,909
leswad
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 3,909 |
A locksmith will destroy it, so you might as well do this: Bolt your safes down! Prayers up
FJB
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Re: Gun gun safe locked - can't find combination
[Re: wp75169]
#7558047
07/16/19 10:56 PM
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Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 14,958
don k
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 14,958 |
What is he sense of urgency to get it opened?. If anyone other than him wants it open then I would question their motive. There are thieves among us. I agree.
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Re: Gun gun safe locked - can't find combination
[Re: Jon]
#7558134
07/17/19 12:27 AM
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Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 11,961
Simple Searcher
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 11,961 |
My brother's SIL has a safe that looks brand new, you would never know that it has a hole in the bottom. He forget his new really combo number so we flipped it over and in 15 minutes my brother and a sawsall made a hole big enough they could easily reach in and pull out the guns. Then they remembered the combo. My brother always joked that he could cut the top off of gun safe in 30 minutes with a sawall, I bet he could. I wonder if a thief has ever flipped over a safe to see if he can get in through the bottom?
"Man is still a hunter, still a simple searcher after meat..." Robert C. Ruark
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Re: Gun gun safe locked - can't find combination
[Re: Jon]
#7558223
07/17/19 01:48 AM
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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,504
seacam
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,504 |
I watched a surveillance video once of a couple of guys stealing a safe. They used a sledge hammer, pry bar and a dolly. One guy did all the work while the other played on his phone. Took them about 42 seconds to bust the safe loose from the concrete floor it was attached to and wheel it out. Granted it wasnt a huge safe but it was a decent size.
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Re: Gun gun safe locked - can't find combination
[Re: Jon]
#7558233
07/17/19 01:58 AM
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 4,581
Gumbeaux
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 4,581 |
There should be a label/sticker somewhere on the safe that will have the serial number. Call the manufacturer with that and see what requirements they have to give you the combo. It should work if you can provide the documentation unless he had the combo changed at some point.
I had to go thru this with a friend who passed away unexpectedly. Only he knew the combo and he took it with him.
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Re: Gun gun safe locked - can't find combination
[Re: Jon]
#7558385
07/17/19 11:26 AM
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Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 5,585
hetman
"Trash Master"
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"Trash Master"
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 5,585 |
Where is the serial number on a Browning safe? Your safe's serial number is located on the upper right-hand corner of the rear of the safe.
"Lesser mortals are pitied for the misfortune in not being born Texan."
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Re: Gun gun safe locked - can't find combination
[Re: Jon]
#7558628
07/17/19 05:18 PM
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 792
Jon
OP
Tracker
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OP
Tracker
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 792 |
Thanks for the info guys!
As far as sense of urgency with that safe, it's not immediate at this point. He is the one that wanted us to try and get it open.
His first stroke was memorial day weekend and after hospital stay he was discharged to rehab.
Then on July 4th he had another stroke and back to the hospital. That set him back some more of course but he's improved enough they'll probably be discharging him to skilled nursing/rehab maybe end of this week. We're praying for a significant recovery and maybe he'll remember that combination! I wish i was closer, but I'm back home now and 300 miles away.
Thanks again for the info and options available.
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Re: Gun gun safe locked - can't find combination
[Re: Jon]
#7559382
07/18/19 03:46 PM
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,472
bassfishinglawyer
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,472 |
FWIW I had a digital lock fail on me. Called a locksmith. He drilled it out and put in a new (manual this time!!) lock. No damage - all was good.
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