Can Not Get Into Safe

I cannot get into my dial safe. What should I try before calling a locksmith.

Find the code card and make sure you didn't get Alzheimer's

I got it open by shifting all the numbers one digit down.

Should I have someone look at it before it gets worse?

Only if you want in it.

Your safe's memory is slipping

That is one of the downsides of having a safe. I'm surprised my digital hasn't locked me out.

I always thought the mechanical dial was the ultimate in reliability.

Buy a used GSA approved lock off of eBay and use it on you safe. I have the tools to pull the dial and thatis usually the only hang-up in the install. Most so-called safes are not really safes and are considered residential security containers and the locks that come on them are garbage.

Next one I buy will be a jewelers safe. Used, of course.

I had the hookup on thoses for a while but the guy I got them from moved to Florida. You can still find them from time to time because a whole bunch of older houses in Highland Park have them and the people don't use them. When the houses trade hands the new owner is usually wanting to get rid of the safe and I got my last one for free simply because I was able to haul it off.

I went with digital pad,much much much easier.

Agree. Get a digital pad.

This happened to me years ago. On the day I was moving from one house to another, I couldn't unlock the gun safe. Locksmith did the same thing you did. Then he replaced the pins (tumblers?) once he got it open.

My dial safe numbered have drifted slightly. If a combination number used to be 25, now it’s a teeny bit past that. From what I’ve read, it comes from spinning the dial too briskly, and I did used to do that. For a short time, I couldn’t get into the safe, but read that article, added a teeny bit to the numbers, and it opened right up (not on the first try).

This, I had the same issue. Seems like what I did was wrote my combination down at the top of the sheet of paper, then wrote out combinations below it adding or subtracting one to each number and started working through it. Didn't take long to figure out which number had drifted.

I went from a digital to mechanical lock. Don't have to worry about batteries, emp, shorts, etc.

Since that I have quit spinning the dial and not had any more issues.

Never doing that again. My digital (Cabela's Outfitter was the model FWIW) failed on me as I went to get guns out to leave for a hunting trip to Kansas. Had to borrow guns that trip. Thankfully the manufacturer paid for the locksmith to get into the safe and replace the lock, but it was a huge pain at the time.

I'll take my chances with the combination, but obviously they can have issues as well..

I've had 3 digitals drilled out on Canons. No thanks.

Digitals easier for ATF

Dials are the way to go and never spin them fast.

For those of you that went digital, did you retrofit from a dial, or just buy it as digital. I have a dial that I want to convert to digital, but I don't know what ballpark I'm even looking at, or whether it would be cheaper to get a new safe. It's a 10 or 12 gun safe, so I'm not talking about some $5000, 50 gun safe.

Thanks,
Rich

One of my numbers is off by about a 1/2 number. If you stop directly on the number, it won't open. You have to go past it 1/2 a number for it to open. I also spin my dial quickly, which I guess I will stop doing now!

my grandpa owned a jewelry store. He gave me the combo to his safe and bet I'd never get it open. He was right.

Yep, spinning is the worst thing for the mechanism.

I use digital now but I have an extra unit to change out if the main ever goes out.


Think Im done with the heavy safes now. Two friends with fires and nothing survived inside anyways. My next few will be https://www.secureitgunstorage.com/gun-storage/gun-safes/

Are the combos that complicated?

I used to like to look online where people would hide their guns. Folks can get real creative. False walls, drawers, hiding it in plain sight, ect... It's fascinating what people can engineer or come up with.

They are that precise.

For the good of the group, what were the two safe brands/models?

Couple of years ago the son of some folks nearby asked me to make him a bed head that would conceal firearms. It was an interesting project and he still uses it. While in the bed, open the push button lock mechanism from the bottom and it opens upward, giving access to the guns. I wonder if a lady friend ever accidentally ever opened it during uuuuuh…energetic spooning or whatever.

I’ve seen a lot of guns that were in fire rated safes after a house fire. They were all ruined. They all contain spring steel springs. The heat treatment gets lost and that’s just the spring aspect of it. Fire safes are a waste of money in my opinion.

Combos suxs, especially if you use you safe alot. I wouldn't have a combo on mine, it's out dated and thing of the past, and just a pain if you use them alot.

All my doors on my house are electronic and well as my garage doors, and my cars are all push buttons.

Got to move into the present

The sargent and greanleaf group II dial locks are pretty indestructible. That is what I have on mine. Never had an issue.

one was liberty, other browning. I know of another guy that lost 4 safes in a fire at his ranch in Okla but I don't know what he had, he was a sponsored beretta shooter and owns a gun range, he told me but I cant remember for the life of me His where same away, everything was toast from internal heat and or steamed to death when water hit it

I just think you are paying a premium for a false sense of security

If it's a Liberty just contact the FBI.

15pt post!!! well played

It was 5 numbers with a precise number of turns clockwise and counterclockwise between. He could do it in his sleep.

My dexterity and eyesight is not what it used to be. Not bad, but it might complicate my opening up one that requires precise and accurate movements. Might not be so good in a situation where you might be in a hurry, as well. I will rethink the matter.

I have a Liberty and like it. The local locksmith company has a guy who gets called when there is a problem with the big bank safes. Nice guy who explains things to new owners down on the stupid level.

I wouldn't ever consider Alexa, a Ring door bell, electronic locks on the house or safe, or a push button start vehicle. I am very much a mechanical person.

Hence the fan of GMC.



Back to topic, I have a digital old glory safe that if the digital lock ever fails it has a long skeletal key to open it behind the digital lock.That key is stored in an old concrete bank/floor safe that weighs over 800 lbs.

I hear you, I also think it depends where the safe is in a building and how hot it will get there. I do love my 3200 lb AmSec

Jeez, that almost weights as much as a small car.

Fat fingers got me and I didn't realize it till you said something. It's only 2200 lbs, not quite as impressive

Oh, that's still impressive.

My safe is about 1/2 number off on the second number. That is after 20 years.
I

when Scott had in his barn(lithium/chemical fire) when it went up, he had dozens of OU that the sodering between barrels melted and the stocks charred, thats before they got hit with water and became instant rust coating, etc. Nothing was salvageable. I know he had atleast 4 safes but might if been more. He had a SXS and couple 4wheelers in there also

Think up graded insurance is probably a better piece of mind

Liberty, bastards. I specifically paid extra $$ because it said made in the USA. Well if it was made in China they would have told the FBI to F off. I do what I can though.

Ya know, this thread reminds me to check the batteries in mine.

Mine will start giving me beeping noises when my batteries start to get low, I can go 2 plus years on one 9 volt battery

Some people stay stuck in the past, and some people progress with change

I love modern technology it makes my life easier

Until it doesn't operate. I work with others' technology all day and don't need it in my life.


No, see above. Exact opposite.

I'm with Gas. There is a level of privacy/DIY compromise that comes with some modern tech that I won't touch. However, admitting my wife's car is push button start and the safe has an electronic lock.

Here is a different safe question.
Is it safer to keep paper money in the safe or in a can in the freezer in case of a fire ?.

Lots of thoughts here and I’ve always questioned the safe. I have too many guns, important legal and personal documents, wills, and huge coin collection that I started over 60 years ago.

https://www.amazon.com/fire-resistant-bags/s?k=fire+resistant+bags

Never knew there was such a thing. Not surprised though. Thanks.

Thank you sir

Until an EMP smokes all of it.

Ditto.

All but one safe is old-school mechanical. I have our old company safe in the garage. 'Grandfather bought it used in 1931. PITA (and expensive) to move.