Well I'm over 60 and have a dial on my safe and don't give it a second thought. I had and elock and yes it was fast and convienent but I was always afraid that if it failed there is big money involved getting it opened again. One day if the world falls apart you may not be able to get that battery and you're locked out or have no safe to use then. I'm sticking with the mechanical too.
I can't even open my safe in 15 seconds! and I practice. I agree with you a hundred percent. Electronics are cool, just not as dependable as the classics.
Don't think for one moment a manual lock can't fail because they do. Linkage breaks, dials wear out causing the numbers for the combo to drift, and other issues requiring a lock smith to unlock it. The biggest headache for any safe is if the relocker fires. It'll have to be drilled open I don't care what type of lock you put on it.
Agree 100% on having a dial combination lock and I also keep 3 pistols in my house that are readily available. No fiddling with locks for me! By the way, I have no kids.
Another point to consider...say a thief gets frustrated and smashes the electric-panel with something...where are you now? I am with you on the conventional mechanical system.
All very good points! There is one thing I like about dial locks I forgot to mention. They look so CLASSY! Thank you for watching and pointing out some very good points.
Most modern lock use standard fits. So many times you can interchange an electronic, mechanical and in some cases a keyed one with each other. So as long as the lock is standard I'm not that worried about replacement when it wear - as long as you can open the safe. But I get your point. For most cases I'd prefer a mechanical one too. Also part of the fun keeping that well lubed and maintained from time to time. It'd then last virtually forever - very little wear.
Also... I saw this guy here on RUclips that opens E-locks with a rare earth powerful magnet in less that 2 seconds. So good point protect your investment. Keep your safe defense guns out of the safe and the rest in the safe.
In my opinion you made a wise choice on the dial lock. 99.9 times out it will work many years from now when the electro wonder has long since passed away...And it will eventually die. Just Google the horrors many have thru with these five second fast opening wonders..I can open my UL rated Group II dial lock in 15 seconds and I am 60 y/o.
Agreed a nice looking dial is the icing on the cake. Also a pro for the mechanical one. The electronics as the keypad wear you can get an idea of which numbers are used and in what relative amount. Then add if someone accidentally hears the beeps and then knows how many - extremely eases guessing the number. I'm casually looking for a smaller safe myself. Most of them are electronics but I'll get one where I can replace lock with a mechanical for just about same reasons as you.
I keep my ammo in the house in that locked case, I'm glad you said something cause I was debating on moving my ammo case out there next to the safe. That idea has been canceled.
To be honest with you I have never had a safe with a Simplex lock (button lock) but I have used them many time in other applications. Doors at work, Key boxes, security gates. They all seemed to hold up in the weather and abuse. Simple and fast and not dependent on batteries 3 things that I like in a lock. I think it would be ok.
I'm with ya, manual locks all the way on my main safe. I have a quick push button combo lock on my pistol safe in the bedroom, but I'm not worrying about getting into that one should the mechanism one day fail.
SMart brother. I do the same thing for the most part. But I open my safe when I am home so if i need a back up to a back up gun I can get in fast. that's just me. One thing you did say that I picked up on was this. If the temp is going up and down a lot that's real hard on ammo I hope you do not keep it out there. God Bless Brother.
I have the same safe as yours except in wide body manual lock a tip is becareful what ya clean the outside with my wife sprayed something on top and front of my safe and the paint started to peel off I don't remember what it was maybe furniture polish or window cleaner nothing you would think was harsh so we just wipe it with a damp rag!
Any lock will fail at some point ;) You have a point about a gun safe. My point was about safes in general. It's true that for some uses you have to have quick access and there a mechanical lock is not optimal. For other uses an electronic is not optimal - especially I can imagine not an insignificant amount of people have a code which can be guessed just by looking at which buttons are worn and/or have the most fingerprints - on a dial not so.
Big Bub The key backup to the electronic lock is useful unless the wife decides to redecorate and loses the keys...and the batteries fall out of their holder into the safe. Yes this does happen, believe me! I now have a combo lock safe.
Also ever think of nuclear blast or EMP? these could also have adverse side effects on a E-lock In your true time of need. Any one trying to sell you an E lock is doing there job and rasing the price of the safe and making more $. An E lock costs less to make but they charge more on the retail end. Any one who knows better and works on them know that E-locks fail 10 to 1 or more over the good old dial. Gun Safe Lock Electronic VS Combination Dial
While these electronic locks are very simple, I work on failed electronic components every day. There is no way I would trust an electronic lock on my safe. Just remember K.I.S.S. ( keep it simple stupid)
Electronic locks are great. Mechanical locks will eventually fail as well, it will just take longer. Keypads are easily replaced. In case of an EMP (which comes up on a lot of forums, you can get into most RSC in less that 5 minutes with a saw, if you have it planed ahead of time.) You wouldn't/shouldn't put your main carry/defense gun in such a safe. Your 1/4 steel container is only a deterrent to smash and grab thieves, not a defense against anyone serious.
I really like your thoughts. You give very logical reasoning but there is something you left out. Once you are over forty you may need reading glasses. Do you really want to depend on you readers to get into your safe? Just my 2 cents.
James Lester Very good points. I can only give my perspective. I don't have poor eyesight (yet) so I haven't had to consider that issue. Although I have different protocol for firearms in use for defense situations that don't involve my safe.
"because thats the way we have done it for hundreds of years" I hate when I hear those similiar words. No real reason except your not use to this great new device
Thank you! From personal experience & the loss of my favorite, unreplaceable, 16 gauge, Remington, pump shotgun..and my personal handgun of over 35years.., I will NEVER use a digital safe again. Give me a good ol' Combination anytime! AND the Good Lord help the thief who has my guns!! I will find you
You would have to pay a locksmith to open most likely. I would assume it would be a 50/50 chance that even a dial lock would have issues after a long high heat exposure. It's normally a lose/lose situation when it comes to a house fire anyways.
No it is not, I don't trust very many things that run on batteries especially when it comes to my life and safety. (does that make me too old fashioned?)
A mechanical will last forever,... and a E-Lock lasts as long as plastic last's,....I say go to amazon and get a mechanical,..........a S&G Model 6730-100 for $89.95 or a La Gard Style (Lexam (1548) 3 Wheel Deadbolt Lock $68.85) And change it before an emergency occurs. (If a person gets your combination then you put a key in and change it)
HighDesertTactical Yeah that's true it's usually a good $250 - $350 option but again it pays off when you don't have to pay a locksmith in the case that you do get locked out of your safe though. But again if I had to pick one or the other I would go with a dial for the reasons you stated.
Great points. Dial technology is tried, tested, and true.
Well I'm over 60 and have a dial on my safe and don't give it a second thought. I had and elock and yes it was fast and convienent but I was always afraid that if it failed there is big money involved getting it opened again. One day if the world falls apart you may not be able to get that battery and you're locked out or have no safe to use then. I'm sticking with the mechanical too.
I can't even open my safe in 15 seconds! and I practice. I agree with you a hundred percent. Electronics are cool, just not as dependable as the classics.
Don't think for one moment a manual lock can't fail because they do. Linkage breaks, dials wear out causing the numbers for the combo to drift, and other issues requiring a lock smith to unlock it. The biggest headache for any safe is if the relocker fires. It'll have to be drilled open I don't care what type of lock you put on it.
Most dial locks you can pre-dial the first two numbers and then only have to turn to the third to open. Faster than punching in numbers on a pad.
That’s very true!
Agree 100% on having a dial combination lock and I also keep 3 pistols in my house that are readily available. No fiddling with locks for me! By the way, I have no kids.
Another point to consider...say a thief gets frustrated and smashes the electric-panel with something...where are you now? I am with you on the conventional mechanical system.
You still got your stuff!
They can also bust the dial off also. At least your stuff is still secure
All very good points! There is one thing I like about dial locks I forgot to mention. They look so CLASSY! Thank you for watching and pointing out some very good points.
Most modern lock use standard fits. So many times you can interchange an electronic, mechanical and in some cases a keyed one with each other. So as long as the lock is standard I'm not that worried about replacement when it wear - as long as you can open the safe. But I get your point. For most cases I'd prefer a mechanical one too. Also part of the fun keeping that well lubed and maintained from time to time. It'd then last virtually forever - very little wear.
Also... I saw this guy here on RUclips that opens E-locks with a rare earth powerful magnet in less that 2 seconds. So good point protect your investment. Keep your safe defense guns out of the safe and the rest in the safe.
100% agree with you brother! I just made up my mind to go old school with my purchase.
Ya man good call. big temp swings is so hard on ammo. God Bless Brother.
In my opinion you made a wise choice on the dial lock.
99.9 times out it will work many years from now when the electro wonder has long since passed away...And it will eventually die.
Just Google the horrors many have thru with these five second fast opening wonders..I can open my UL rated Group II dial lock in 15 seconds and I am 60 y/o.
Agreed a nice looking dial is the icing on the cake. Also a pro for the mechanical one. The electronics as the keypad wear you can get an idea of which numbers are used and in what relative amount. Then add if someone accidentally hears the beeps and then knows how many - extremely eases guessing the number.
I'm casually looking for a smaller safe myself. Most of them are electronics but I'll get one where I can replace lock with a mechanical for just about same reasons as you.
I keep my ammo in the house in that locked case, I'm glad you said something cause I was debating on moving my ammo case out there next to the safe. That idea has been canceled.
Great points. I agree
did you bolt your safe to the floor?
I like your conclusion
What do you think about simplex safes?
To be honest with you I have never had a safe with a Simplex lock (button lock) but I have used them many time in other applications. Doors at work, Key boxes, security gates. They all seemed to hold up in the weather and abuse. Simple and fast and not dependent on batteries 3 things that I like in a lock. I think it would be ok.
I'm with ya, manual locks all the way on my main safe. I have a quick push button combo lock on my pistol safe in the bedroom, but I'm not worrying about getting into that one should the mechanism one day fail.
SMart brother. I do the same thing for the most part. But I open my safe when I am home so if i need a back up to a back up gun I can get in fast. that's just me. One thing you did say that I picked up on was this. If the temp is going up and down a lot that's real hard on ammo I hope you do not keep it out there. God Bless Brother.
I have the same safe as yours except in wide body manual lock a tip is becareful what ya clean the outside with my wife sprayed something on top and front of my safe and the paint started to peel off I don't remember what it was maybe furniture polish or window cleaner nothing you would think was harsh so we just wipe it with a damp rag!
Any lock will fail at some point ;) You have a point about a gun safe. My point was about safes in general. It's true that for some uses you have to have quick access and there a mechanical lock is not optimal. For other uses an electronic is not optimal - especially I can imagine not an insignificant amount of people have a code which can be guessed just by looking at which buttons are worn and/or have the most fingerprints - on a dial not so.
Most "e" locks have a key override so getting locked out isn't really a concern, but I still prefer a manual lock myself.😆
I will have to disagree. All the safes at my store with e-locks do not have a key override. Browning, Centenial, higher end StackOn (still crap)
HighDesertTactical buy cheep get cheep, I don't see how the wires are going to break
barstoolguru There are a lot more than wires to fail in a E-lock. Do a little more research.
Big Bub The key backup to the electronic lock is useful unless the wife decides to redecorate and loses the keys...and the batteries fall out of their holder into the safe. Yes this does happen, believe me! I now have a combo lock safe.
how would u get in your safe if you had the e lock and you had a house fire and burned it off
Also ever think of nuclear blast or EMP? these could also have adverse side effects on a E-lock In your true time of need. Any one trying to sell you an E lock is doing there job and rasing the price of the safe and making more $. An E lock costs less to make but they charge more on the retail end. Any one who knows better and works on them know that E-locks fail 10 to 1 or more over the good old dial.
Gun Safe Lock Electronic VS Combination Dial
While these electronic locks are very simple, I work on failed electronic components every day. There is no way I would trust an electronic lock on my safe. Just remember K.I.S.S. ( keep it simple stupid)
Electronic locks are great. Mechanical locks will eventually fail as well, it will just take longer. Keypads are easily replaced. In case of an EMP (which comes up on a lot of forums, you can get into most RSC in less that 5 minutes with a saw, if you have it planed ahead of time.) You wouldn't/shouldn't put your main carry/defense gun in such a safe. Your 1/4 steel container is only a deterrent to smash and grab thieves, not a defense against anyone serious.
Safes like you buddy!
I went with combo with a key
You and I think the same way.
Thank you! It’s nice to know I’m not alone.
always set up one or two numbers in comb preset..
Did you know you can set your Dial to be a single # and open your safe even faster. No back and forth 4,3,2,1, just one single #.
Yes I did, it was a pane in the butt! I had to barrow a drill and buy a $40 mason bit to do it. But it's done.
dial is the way to go
Sturdy Safe if you want a true safe.
I don't have $1000 bucks laying around for a Safe that is a 3rd smaller than my safe. I have a lot of stuff I need to fit in mine.
Always wondered a a gun safe couldnt have both...one for rapid access and one for ultra reliable opening/closing.
I thin they might exist
Fort Knox has a dual lock system.
I really like your thoughts. You give very logical reasoning but there is something you left out. Once you are over forty you may need reading glasses. Do you really want to depend on you readers to get into your safe? Just my 2 cents.
James Lester Very good points. I can only give my perspective. I don't have poor eyesight (yet) so I haven't had to consider that issue. Although I have different protocol for firearms in use for defense situations that don't involve my safe.
"because thats the way we have done it for hundreds of years" I hate when I hear those similiar words. No real reason except your not use to this great new device
Thank you! From personal experience & the loss of my favorite, unreplaceable, 16 gauge, Remington, pump shotgun..and my personal handgun of over 35years.., I will NEVER use a digital safe again. Give me a good ol' Combination anytime! AND the Good Lord help the thief who has my guns!! I will find you
You would have to pay a locksmith to open most likely. I would assume it would be a 50/50 chance that even a dial lock would have issues after a long high heat exposure. It's normally a lose/lose situation when it comes to a house fire anyways.
ive got a electric fly swatter lol
You forgot to mention EMP
Wisdom
No sheet. Me too!
I never thought of that. Who is up for yelling at Trevor! anyone?anyone?
The easiest way to get the safe open is to put a gun to the owners head and make them open it. In that case, both locks fail.
No it is not, I don't trust very many things that run on batteries especially when it comes to my life and safety. (does that make me too old fashioned?)
A mechanical will last forever,... and a E-Lock lasts as long as plastic last's,....I say go to amazon and get a mechanical,..........a S&G Model 6730-100 for $89.95 or a La Gard Style (Lexam (1548) 3 Wheel Deadbolt Lock $68.85)
And change it before an emergency occurs.
(If a person gets your combination then you put a key in and change it)
Why not a redundant lock, you get the best of both worlds, electronic access and if that fails you have a dial to still be able to get in.
+Jon Homrich They tend to be expensive and I don't have the money for that.
HighDesertTactical Yeah that's true it's usually a good $250 - $350 option but again it pays off when you don't have to pay a locksmith in the case that you do get locked out of your safe though. But again if I had to pick one or the other I would go with a dial for the reasons you stated.
Well, if the battery does then you have a funeral for it.
Anything electronic can be extorted
"We are pretty much mature individuals" xD
Hey John Rambo how much is fort knox paying you to post shit on all these videos
+Tec 9 Go Superior!
I dont like safes
....ugh
Care to elaborate?😀👍