Killing Time
Gold $$ Contributor
The safe I have has an electronic lock with a backup key if needed.
Mechanical vs. Electronic lock on gun safe?
- Thread starter Jacks Grampa
- Start date
DumpHollow
Silver $$ Contributor
I bought a new safe from a locksmith guy. He set the tumbler to single number, which makes it very convenient and fast. My wife finds it must easier to operate. She wanted the electronic keypad.
I cant even keep the batteries in the lights in my safes alive I cant imagine id survive a "electronic" gun safe
Thanks group. Combo lock it is.
As a former registered and bonded safe technician, I have really hesitated to post.
I will say electronic failures are abrupt, whereas the common s&g 6730 and lagard design movable fly locks more often give a warning ... UNLESS.... You insist on spinning the dial like the bad guys spun revolver cylinders in the old westerns. Break a fly, hard lock out. Unlocked wheel, long maybe painful recovery.
If you want a good 20 hour rated mechanical get a mosler 302r. Even there the second and third numbers drift over time with wear on flys. If you want one that will never be manipulated open get a mas Hamilton xo-7 from a decommissioned GSA drawer head. That lock has been replaced by the x-10 on GSA containers. Thus you can find xo-7 in drawer heads in the surplus market. The x-10 is strictly limited to government sales.
Now, after that long winded answer, the deal is the lock, as far as security goes, is not the weak point in the vast majority of gun 'safes' available at Big box and beyond outlets. The reason we focus on the lock is 1: it is easier to replace than destroying the container. 2: the design is known, unlike bolt work, lock handing, and relocker placement on a myriad of cabinet designs.
And don't ever set a one number combo on a change key lock. A blind squirrel could stumble it open.... As a fact, the very first run of a manipulation sequence would open it in a minute.
I will say electronic failures are abrupt, whereas the common s&g 6730 and lagard design movable fly locks more often give a warning ... UNLESS.... You insist on spinning the dial like the bad guys spun revolver cylinders in the old westerns. Break a fly, hard lock out. Unlocked wheel, long maybe painful recovery.
If you want a good 20 hour rated mechanical get a mosler 302r. Even there the second and third numbers drift over time with wear on flys. If you want one that will never be manipulated open get a mas Hamilton xo-7 from a decommissioned GSA drawer head. That lock has been replaced by the x-10 on GSA containers. Thus you can find xo-7 in drawer heads in the surplus market. The x-10 is strictly limited to government sales.
Now, after that long winded answer, the deal is the lock, as far as security goes, is not the weak point in the vast majority of gun 'safes' available at Big box and beyond outlets. The reason we focus on the lock is 1: it is easier to replace than destroying the container. 2: the design is known, unlike bolt work, lock handing, and relocker placement on a myriad of cabinet designs.
And don't ever set a one number combo on a change key lock. A blind squirrel could stumble it open.... As a fact, the very first run of a manipulation sequence would open it in a minute.
Last edited:
Mine too.
Similar threads
Upgrades & Donations
This Forum's expenses are primarily paid by member contributions. You can upgrade your Forum membership in seconds. Gold and Silver members get unlimited FREE classifieds for one year. Gold members can upload custom avatars.
Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.
You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.
To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.
Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.
You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.
To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.