Lock for gun safe. Key pad or dial??

Slalom.45 · Aug 6, 2015

I am in the market for a safe. I have found what I want, but am not sure about the lock. The convenience of an electronic key pad would be nice, but I have that nagging concern about it being over ridden and/or the always looming EMP. A dial would be a bit less cost and would have not battery or EMP issues, but might be more of a hassle to use.

Any thoughts on this appreciated. I don't think I will be in the safe that often. Our carry/house guns are normally out and available to use. Those are the ones normally going to the range as well. Safe will be more storage than daily use.

Thanks..

3fifty7 · Aug 6, 2015

I've had a SG electric keypad on my RSC for 7-8 years without an issue. It has a 9v battery that I change every year Jan 1st.
I have several friends that have dial locks that now wish they went electric, none the other way around. Now I wouldn't buying the cheapest thing I could possibly find but that's another discussion for another day.
I understand that people believe electronics have a greater tendency to fail than mechanical devices but both are man made and neither will last forever.

Now about that EMP ...

Sent via telegraph with the same fingers I use to sip whiskey.

JHenley17 · Aug 6, 2015

Do the electronic locks have a keyed backup or anything like that?

mike84z28 · Aug 6, 2015

Mine has a dial with no issues, Have some smaller boxes with key pads and they work ok, changing batteries hasnt been a big deal on those. If you go with a keypad I would definetly consider getting one with a keyed overide.

pyreaux · Aug 6, 2015

Many of the electronic locks are now supposedly shielded from emp attack may want to research or ask your vendor to be sure if you choose to go the E lock route. There are also options to have both e lock and dial.

Hattrick 22 · Aug 6, 2015

If you go electronic get lithium ion batteries for it I bought a pack of 4 and 3 years later I still have the same one I put it in the first time.

noob · Aug 6, 2015

I have electronic key pads on mine, 1 uses a 9v, and the other uses 4-6 AA batteries I think. The AA battery one, had an issue once where a battery blew, So now I only use lithium Ion batteries for it now.

beauxdog · Aug 6, 2015

A friend had two with electronic locks and had to have both replaced. They went within 2 months of each other. Put dial locks on both. For what it's worth, I have 3 safes, all with dials.

Beauxdog

DBMJR1 · Aug 6, 2015

Electronic lock keypads rarely ever go bad. It's always the solenoid that goes first. It'll only cost you a few hundred bucks to get a locksmith to open it for you and install a dial lock once it goes. Of course, there will be that awkward hole in the door of your safe when he's done.

Get a dial safe.

petingrass · Aug 6, 2015

EMP. LOL.

Sent from my SGH-T399 using Tapatalk

alpinehyperlite · Aug 6, 2015

I went through the same thing a few months ago. After reading about so many failures on the keypads on the internet, and how people couldnt get into their safe for extended periods at a time, i went with the dial. It takes 10-15 seconds to open it, and i know it will open every time unless its a failure on my part.

Blackhawk · Aug 7, 2015

Not that I was looking for it when I bought the safe, but mine has a key override. The keyhole is behind the battery compartment in the keypad. You might investigate the brands you are considering. I didn't find out about it until I brought the safe home.

Slalom.45 · Aug 7, 2015

Appreciate the feedback. Between what you guys are saying and some internet research I am likely going with a S&G dial. Simple is good.

BigP623 · Aug 7, 2015

I have an S&G dial on mine and after some time it becomes muscle memory. Wont even need to count the turns you will just know. I can go through the unlocking sequence on mine in about 6 seconds or so now. Needless to say I practiced it a lot because like a dummy I locked the combo tag in the safe after buying it and couldn't remember one of the numbers and took me a while to get it open again.
Now if you feel the need to splurge companys like Fort Knox offer both dial and digtal pads on the same safe as a redundant system. That way it the keypad fails you have a dial backup.....just a thought.

AustinBR · Aug 7, 2015

alpinehyperlite said:
I went through the same thing a few months ago. After reading about so many failures on the keypads on the internet, and how people couldnt get into their safe for extended periods at a time, i went with the dial. It takes 10-15 seconds to open it, and i know it will open every time unless its a failure on my part.

Bingo.

Dial for the win.

dirty_sanchez · Aug 8, 2015

I'd go with what the cowboys used to use waay back wild west stagecoach days. They never used those electronic combination locks we have today. 9 Volt and AA batteries were scarce and hard to come by out on the frontier.

Tried and true.

That's what's on our safe.

Dirty

DWT · Aug 12, 2015

I had a Sentry/Winchester safe w. an electronic keypad (no key backup). The mechanism failed 2 months after the warranty expired. $700.00 and two locksmiths later, I got it fixed. I'll never own another safe w. anything but a dial, non-electronic, lock mechanism.

thunt · Aug 12, 2015

I zapped my touch pad with static electricity when I walked across the room and went to open it. They way 200 just for the part and all my receipts to prove its mine before they send me the part. Never again. Only dials for me.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

hseII · Aug 14, 2015

My Cannon American Eagle is on its 2nd tumbler, which is a few uses away from non working: whatever you get, spend the $ 1 time.

The cost savings will more than be spent on a locksmith getting into your safe because of subpar equipment.

enutees · Aug 14, 2015

I saw a locksmith on FB posted a box of keypads that he had removed and replaced. He said it's a very good business for him. But there will be quite a few people that will chime in that there lock is trouble free. I've heard of enough problems to keep me away.

Lock for gun safe. Key pad or dial??

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