Henry Rifle Forums

I am not facing this problem but a thought came to my mind about the possibility of a combination lock failure on a gun safe.

I have a Liberty safe with some age on it and it has a SG (Sergeant & Greenleaf?) rotary combination lock. Although it has never given me any trouble, I wondered about such locks on gun safes. Should it somehow fail, can a locksmith still open the safe without damaging the safe? Are there instances of S&G combination locks failing?

What about electronic locks? Same question.

Just curious about something I have no knowledge of.

I have the combination type, don't like the electronic ones myself.

RP

My safe has an electronic lock, but I also have a key. If the electronic lock fails I can remove the electronic key panel and insert the key to open the safe. The key is the craziest looking thing about 4" long. It's good to have a back-up.

Paul

If the combination fails, YES the locksmith can open the safe. I bought a safe at auction with no combination for the safe. I took the safe, with the bill of sale from the Estate Auction, to the locksmith, and he opened the safe, then reset the combination. I knew from the auctioneer the safe was going to be empty, but it actually had some artwork, a couple comics, and some misc paperwork in it. The comics weren't rare, but enough value that it covered my costs to have the safe opened and the combination reset.

Bought a combination safe with no combination. I had a locksmith drill it and reset it for about $150 ten years ago.

If you know the combination and it fails try using the number 1 higher or lower. I had a brand new safe that wouldn’t open. The factory rep told me to use a digit higher and it popped open.

I have the electronic key pad type. It has never given me a problem and it's a lot faster to get into.
I know that doesn't address your question but just thought I'd throw that out there. I do feel confident that if there ever was a problem that there would also be a solution.

Ernie wrote: ↑

Fri Dec 22, 2023 8:07 pm

Bought a combination safe with no combination. I had a locksmith drill it and reset it for about $150 ten years ago.

BrokenolMarine wrote: ↑

Fri Dec 22, 2023 6:46 pm

If the combination fails, YES the locksmith can open the safe. I bought a safe at auction with no combination for the safe. I took the safe, with the bill of sale from the Estate Auction, to the locksmith, and he opened the safe, then reset the combination. I knew from the auctioneer the safe was going to be empty, but it actually had some artwork, a couple comics, and some misc paperwork in it. The comics weren't rare, but enough value that it covered my costs to have the safe opened and the combination reset.

I also have a rotary dial combination. Good to know that they can be opened by a locksmith but bad to know that anyone with locksmith training and the proper tools can open your safe. Not all locksmiths are necessarily honest.

Long ago I knew a guy, (can't speak to his honesty, he was just a friend of a friend) he could open a padlock with his pick as fast as with a key.

HenryFan wrote: ↑

Fri Dec 22, 2023 12:51 pm

I am not facing this problem but a thought came to my mind about the possibility of a combination lock failure on a gun safe.

I have a Liberty safe with some age on it and it has a SG (Sergeant & Greenleaf?) rotary combination lock. Although it has never given me any trouble, I wondered about such locks on gun safes. Should it somehow fail, can a locksmith still open the safe without damaging the safe? Are there instances of S&G combination locks failing?

What about electronic locks? Same question.

Just curious about something I have no knowledge of.

My step dad and my son's father in law both have rotary combo lock gun safes that are decades old. They've never had a problem.

Mine is a Bighorn Classic gun safe with electronic keypad and controller board. It is an older model and doesn't have a key option. I do have some long term concerns. I think the most likely failure scenarios are eventual touch key failure due to wear-out and dendrite growth that shorts out the controller board. The keyboard is currently replaceable. The controller board is inside the door and not accessible from the outside. I'm hoping the controller board is epoxy encapsulated. Someday I'll remove the inside door panel to see what's there and determine if an after market key is an option.

Mags -

I would explore the possibility or replacing the electronic lock with a combination lock. I don't know if this is possible or not.

My safe is over 20 years old and has the old fashion numbered dial along with a key. I have never had any issue with it.

BigAl52 wrote: ↑

Sun Dec 24, 2023 10:15 am

My safe is over 20 years old and has the old fashion numbered dial along with a key. I have never had any issue with it.

I like that I can lock the dial so it can’t be spun. It’s another step for a thief to deal with plus it prevents me from locking it when I only want to close it.

My electronic one does not lock when I close it unless I turn the spoke handles.

Well, I'm glad I chose the dial combination style, I wouldn't like that it locks itself upon rotating the handles.
Besides I just don't trust electronics, guess I'm just too old school.

RP

HenryFan wrote: ↑

Sun Dec 24, 2023 5:15 am

Mags -

I would explore the possibility or replacing the electronic lock with a combination lock. I don't know if this is possible or not.

There are kits to do that. Some are more drop in than others depending on the safe internal mechanics.

markiver54 wrote: ↑

Sun Dec 24, 2023 10:44 am

My electronic one does not lock when I close it unless I turn the spoke handles.

Same here.

Now as far as unlocking, once the code is entered I have to turn the spoke wheel slightly left until it stops and then turn the spoke wheel to the right to disengage the locking rods.

If I could go back and buy a safe again, I would still get the electronic version. As I said before, it's much faster to get into. All my guns reside in the safe except for my EDC. If I ever wanted a different gun quickly the keypad is SO much easier and faster, especially in the dark. I have a small dial type that I keep valuables in. I've had it for decades, yet it still frustrates me at times going back and forth with that dial. JMO.

Like Vaquero, I too prefer the old-style combination lock because of my distrust of electronics.

Yep…l think the electronic ones are very reliable.
I bought mine at Tractor Supply.
No issues what so ever.
However, I do change the batteries out at the start of each year.

pennsylvaniapete wrote: ↑

Sun Dec 24, 2023 1:12 pm

Yep…l think the electronic ones are very reliable.
I bought mine at Tractor Supply.
No issues what so ever.
However, I do change the batteries out at the start of each year.

Got mine at Tractor supply as well. The only tragic thing that's ever happened is that 9 volt battery going dead. Had to go all the way around the corner to buy a new one.
Now I keep a couple on hand.