This is the lock on my gun safe:



I hate it. I've always hated it. Yesterday it happened again that it took me three tries to get into my safe. I don't know if it's the lock, me, or both, but this has got to stop.

So, first up: Given that my eyesight ain't all that great any more (that may be part of the problem), I'm seriously considering electronic. I don't know as I entirely trust 'em, but...

Reading here and there, it looks like perhaps the best electronic safe lock currently on the market is the Sargent and Greenleaf Titan. Specifically the Model 2006 (PIVOTBOLT), with a one-battery keypad. (Two-battery keypads don't come lighted.)

Good choice or bad? What are the odds it'll be a drop-in replacement for the LG mechanical lock I currently have?

The other electronic lock that seems to get high grades from safe people is the La Gard Basic. Again, I'd go with a swingbolt locking system, as those are alleged to be more reliable.

Are those still a good choice? If I went that way: Soft or foil keypad for reliability?

Would that lock more likely be a drop-in replacement for my current La Gard lock, as they're the same manufacturer?

Another I saw mentioned in another forum is a La Gard 33E2, but I can't seem to find anything out about those. Discontinued?

Or I guess I could stick with mechanical. The one I see most often recommended is the S&G 6730. Perhaps a 6730-112, spy-proof, key-locking, black & white would be more readable than the lock I have? The dial on the lock I have isn't nearly as readable as the photo I took makes it out to be. Thin black markings on a shiny gold background wash-out real badly.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: ensigmatic,

Do you spin the dial real fast?

quote:

Originally posted by Excam_Man:
Do you spin the dial real fast?

Not when I'm dialing-in the combination. I do turn it somewhat briskly when I'm clearing it in preparation to do so.

That's one of the things that annoys me. I can see bungling it on the first try occasionally. But sometimes I'll miss the combo, clear it, do it again more attentively, and still miss. I've no idea how I'm missing the second time, going more slowly and carefully. I've occasionally had it take me as many as four tries. Not often, but it has happened.

I've actually considered temporarily relocating one of our surveillance camera to point to the dial just to find out if it's me or the verkakte lock. The main thing that's stopped me is an unwillingness to drill holes in the ceiling to place the camera. I kid you not.

Maybe there is excessive play between the dial and the shaft it rides on and that the numbers are off by + or - a number or two.

I can't comment on locks. Mine has a manual dial S+G. But usually safe locks start doing what yours is doing right before they fail. I'd recommend changing the lock sooner, rather than later or you may be drilling holes in the safe to open it and not the ceiling. A member here has a screen name of something along the lines of A1B1 and is the sigforum safe expert, I'm surprised he hasn't chimed in yet. S+G generally makes very good locks.

Could it be the mechanism just needs service or maintenance if eyesight or convenience isn't a growing issue?

a1abdj is the man. Certain to chime in and offer great advice.

We have a couple safes with solid dial mechanisms and a crappy little wall safe with a keypad. I think I'd like to go to a pad on the Amsec we have in the house. The older Mosler I think will have to remain a dial.

Following, as I'm curious to know if you can do this yourself.

Damn! Eyesight! I’m in the market for a safe and I got so damn focused on the EMP that I forgot my middle aged eyes have to read a dial.

No sarcasm. I feel like a dummy. I can barely read the Specials (menu) without my phone. How am I supposed to read a dial.

Glasses, a stool if needed, go slow.

You could always partially unlock it, then just dial to the last position to open, should you want easier access.

I have two manual S&G locks, one easier than the other. Any problems come from trying to go to fast, or talking while unlocking.

Occasionally I try some lighter, spray lubricant into the crevices, seems to help turning.

I have to be near 20 years with mine.

How is the lighting on the dial when you're standing in front of it?

I use one of these.
https://www.libertysafe.com/ac...ight-ps-2-pg-92.html

I switched my Browning safes from manual to electronic S&G about 10 years ago. I keep up on the batteries and have never had a single problem. Yes, I know. Murphy, batteries, EMP, etc. Those remote possibilities are offset for me by the fact that I (or my wife) can open one of the electronic combinations in a fraction of the time of a mechanical.

You also might want to consider what I found to be the problem with the mechanical lock on my safe. It would only open about every third try and I KNEW that I was entering the correct combination. Then a lightbulb came on and I tried adding and subtracting 1/2 digit to the numbers. Subtracting 1/2 turned out to be the correct answer. So instead of (for example) 10-20-30, the combination 9.5-19.5-29.5 makes it open every time. Apparently when it was originally setup the alignment wasn’t exactly correct.

Anyway, that’s what I found with mine. Just a thought.

quote:

Originally posted by tsmccull:
You also might want to consider what I found to be the problem with the mechanical lock on my safe. It would only open about every third try and I KNEW that I was entering the correct combination. Then a lightbulb came on and I tried adding and subtracting 1/2 digit to the numbers. Subtracting 1/2 turned out to be the correct answer. So instead of (for example) 10-20-30, the combination 9.5-19.5-29.5 makes it open every time. Apparently when it was originally setup the alignment wasn’t exactly correct.

Anyway, that’s what I found with mine. Just a thought.

I was having a similar problem with mine, opens every 3rd or 4th try. Did it since new.

I did the same thing as above, added a number to the three numbers of the combination (I did 1 instead of .5). Plus one when turning counter clockwise, subtract one when clockwise. Works every time now.

Don't have any electronic locks, so can't comment on those, but I'd give the above a try before replacing the lock.

My house is usually continuously occupied unless we are out of town.

I put in the first two digits of the combination and then just let the third one be the lock.

This allows me and my wife quick access but keeps little hands out of it while we're home.

When we are going out, I'll spin it to full lock for added protection.

So it's basically a security cabinet while I'm home but a safe when I'm not.

Most safes are just there to keep honest people out anyway. Any motivated person can get into any safe that didn't cost thousands of dollars pretty quickly.

I am not a lock expert but have seen it mentioned before that the lock mechanicals should be cleaned and lubed occasionally

I would imagine every 10-20 years would be about right

A magnetic light on the door over the dial may help some also

My S&G has always had what feels like a little "slop". I ride the dial with my left thumb while dialing in the combination after I clear it. If I don't ride it it usually moves just enough when I stop at a number to throw it off.

My safe also has a "gold" dial. Even with a flashlight it is hard at times to get all 3 numbers exact without missing by a little bit on one of them. I would like to have the dial changed to "silver" but think it might not be cost effective.

I have a magnet mounted red led that points down on the dial. Makes it easier to read with aging eyes.

One of the safe companies make them - Liberty?

Worth a try.

Mask the safe off and carefully rattle can the dial white. Then get some reading glasses and spend an hour or so carefully painting the tic's and numbers with black paint. You only really need to do the ring where the markings are located. If this does not alleviate the problem THEN look into the replacement kit.

quote:

Originally posted by gearhounds:
Mask the safe off and carefully rattle can the dial white. Then get some reading glasses and spend an hour or so carefully painting the tic's and numbers with black paint. You only really need to do the ring where the markings are located. If this does not alleviate the problem THEN look into the replacement kit.

Make it easy on him. After the dial's white, just paint the tics and numbers that are the combination. Problem solved!

quote:

Originally posted by tsmccull:

quote:

Originally posted by gearhounds:
Mask the safe off and carefully rattle can the dial white. Then get some reading glasses and spend an hour or so carefully painting the tic's and numbers with black paint. You only really need to do the ring where the markings are located. If this does not alleviate the problem THEN look into the replacement kit.

Make it easy on him. After the dial's white, just paint the tics and numbers that are the combination. Problem solved!

Actually, not a bad idea; it would be nearly impossible for a thief to figure out the combination in any reasonable amount of time even if you knew the four numbers- brilliant!