Gun Safe Questions

Geezer

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One of the first things that I plan to do when I get to Texas is buy a gun safe. I have read on here about the pros and cons of the dial lock and the electronic lock. Almost every safe that I see has the electronic lock. They are advertised to have back up keys to bypass the lock. How do they work?
 
You take off the faceplate (retention clips just snap off with pressure) and there is a hole for one of the big keys that looks like it’s for the doors inside of a fictional castle in Zelda.


Easy peezy. Didn’t bring your current safes with you?
 
I have had dial safes and currently own one keypad safe. I definitely vote for the keypad safe.


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I have two dial and one keypad.
I'd also vote for the keypad . I don't know how many times I turned the dial a little to far and had to start all over again, frustrating when you're in a hurry
 
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If you want to disable a keypad safe, just knock the keypad off, pull the ribbon cable out as far as it will go and cut. Now the owner has to call a safe locksmith.

That would be one weird criminal.
 
If you want to disable a keypad safe, just knock the keypad off, pull the ribbon cable out as far as it will go and cut. Now the owner has to call a safe locksmith.
But if someone wanted to go that route, wouldn't a BFH to a dial do the same thing?
 
You know they make a keypad that also is a dial backup?
 
I had to order my safe last year because they didn’t stock a dial safe. My brother in law is a locksmith and says dial are harder to break into them a keypad. Plus on mine the dial actually has a key lock on it as well. So you have to unlock the dial before you can even turn it. It’s not a quick access safe.
 
I have had both. If you visit your safe frequently I would go with electronic. If you only frequent it once in awhile I would go dial. I now have electronic and love the easy access.
 
I had to order my safe last year because they didn’t stock a dial safe. My brother in law is a locksmith and says dial are harder to break into them a keypad. Plus on mine the dial actually has a key lock on it as well. So you have to unlock the dial before you can even turn it. It’s not a quick access safe.


I had a small safe given to me that has a dial and a key. You have to dial the combo first and then use the key to unlock. Always thought that one with a dial and a key was for back up in case you forget the combo but not on this one.
 
I suppose the pros and cons of each type might cancel each other out.
Im old school and personally I just prefer mechanical anything instead of electronic. But sometimes, that isn't an option.
My S&G dial type has a key function but you don't have to use it. Actually think it functions a couple different ways...have to look into that.20200306_081715.jpg
What I need to get to in a hurry isn't behind that door. But I can get it open rather quickly most of the time if the situation arises.

Edit: See Geezer? What we were talkin about the other day about how threads wander?
I didn't have an answer to yer question, but I fell right in line 'splainin what I prefer!!:rolleyes:
 
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I bought a used American Security safe last summer that had an electronic lock. I changed it out to a mechanical dial. The electronic one that was on mine just looked and felt cheap. I guess I'm old school too.
 
The only downside of the backup key is losing them.

I keep them inside the safe so I always know right where they are. :cool:
I have three electronic lock security cabinets. Keys for the other two and kept in the third.
 
I had to order my safe last year because they didn’t stock a dial safe. My brother in law is a locksmith and says dial are harder to break into them a keypad. Plus on mine the dial actually has a key lock on it as well. So you have to unlock the dial before you can even turn it. It’s not a quick access safe.

The problem with the locks on the dial is they're of the same quality as your standard office desk lock. Very easily picked. Very easily. I can usually do it in under a minute with a bent up paperclip.
 
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I have a dial with no key backup. I like it well enough. It is not quick access. The only thing that I really didn't like is that they (Liberty Safes) don't have a process for me to choose my own combination.
 
The problem with the locks on the dial is they're of the same quality as your standard office desk lock. Very easily picked. Very easily. I can usually do it in under a minute with a bent up paperclip.

that’s true. But for some it’s like great another obstacle. Either way not going to be easy to get into it al all
 
I have a dial with no key backup. I like it well enough. It is not quick access. The only thing that I really didn't like is that they (Liberty Safes) don't have a process for me to choose my own combination.

If it is a S&G lock, you can go in and change the combination.
 
If you're looking for a new safe, invest in a safe, not paint, pinstriping, gold plating, electronics, or big spinning handles.

Get a safe that protects your guns. I'm a happy customer of sturdysafe.com. Check out the video section for videos of the founder attacking his own safes.
 
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