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gun safe question: mechanical or electric lock

HWT FIREARMSHWT FIREARMS Member Posts: 605 ✭✭✭✭
edited April 2015 in General Discussion
I think I finally decided to invest in a good safe to have around in case I recover the guns I lost in that tragic boating accident. What I haven't decided yet is if I should go with a mechanical or electric combination.

What your guys opinion?
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Comments

  • montanajoemontanajoe Forums Admins, Member, Moderator Posts: 60,240 ******
    edited November -1
    I have electronic right now and have had no issues with it. However,when the government hits an EMP I won't have access to the guns in the safe,that I too hope to recover from my boating accident. [;)][;)][;)]
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  • mstrblastermstrblaster Member Posts: 253 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I've got one of each (just to keep paper work in, birth certificates, insurance, pictures - you understand)

    The electric is so much faster to get into, I wouldn't get another mechanical.....

    just sayin....
    To my mind it is wholly irresponsible to go out into the world incapable of preventing violence, injury, crime, and death. How feeble is the mindset to accept defenselessness, how cheap, how cowardly, how pathetic. Ted Nugent.
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  • 800fthi800fthi Member Posts: 196 ✭
    edited November -1
    I have a Canon with a mechanical that is 19 years old no problems. I have an electronic safe at work that is 4 years old and I have had to replace batteries twice.and chage code twice. So I like mechanical dial.
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  • NeoBlackdogNeoBlackdog Member Posts: 17,273 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    We have a Patriot that has a combination of mechanical and electronic. You punch in a code, then insert and turn a key, then spin the wheel. If the electronics fail there is a second key that you put in a concealed keyhole. There's also a remote power pack that you can plug in in case your batteries go dead.
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  • searcher5searcher5 Member Posts: 13,511 ✭
    edited November -1
    As a rule, electronics fail more than mechanicals do.
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  • Toolman286Toolman286 Member Posts: 3,251 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I prefer mechanical. Electronic are too easy & the wife can't work a dial (to save her life.)
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  • AlpineAlpine Member Posts: 15,092 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by searcher5
    As a rule, electronics fail more than mechanicals do.


    I disagree. I have had both. Mechanical ones failed and I switched them over to electronic and never had another problem. The fact that the electronics are inside a steel case should guard against any indirect EMP.
    ?The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money.?
    Margaret Thatcher

    "There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies and statistics."
    Mark Twain
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  • Mk 19Mk 19 Member Posts: 8,170
    edited November -1
    We did a bunch of business in safes at my old store and usually kept 20 different models on display with a mix of electronic and mechanical locks. These safes were abused like you wouldn't believe buy the crazy customer base we had, it was so bad the 90% of the time we would be unable to open the electronic locks. They would be broken in one way or another, broken key pads and cut wires, it was just nuts. But on the other hand we never once had a issue with a mechanical lock, they opened every time, there was just nothing to break like the others. Guess what type I have in my home?
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  • cbxjeffcbxjeff Member Posts: 17,637 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I have 3 mechanical and 1 electric safes. I would say that mechanical locks are more dependable. (though I'm a M.E.)! My electric has an over-ride with a key entry. I need an electric because my wife has thing in that one and any failure to open would result to yelling and other ugly things.
    It's too late for me, save yourself.
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  • mango tangomango tango Member Posts: 3,833 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Mechanical
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  • Mr. PerfectMr. Perfect Member, Moderator Posts: 66,437 ******
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by Alpine
    quote:Originally posted by searcher5
    As a rule, electronics fail more than mechanicals do.


    I disagree. I have had both. Mechanical ones failed and I switched them over to electronic and never had another problem. The fact that the electronics are inside a steel case should guard against any indirect EMP.




    Hah! Hardly. The safe would have to be designed specifically for it, and I'd be willing to put money on it not being EMP hardened.
    Some will die in hot pursuit
    And fiery auto crashes
    Some will die in hot pursuit
    While sifting through my ashes
    Some will fall in love with life
    And drink it from a fountain
    That is pouring like an avalanche
    Coming down the mountain
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  • westernMDhunterwesternMDhunter Member Posts: 2,938 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I've bypassed the gun safes and store everything in faraday cages just to be safe.
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  • Dads3040Dads3040 Member Posts: 13,552 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I have an S&G mechanical on my safe. I can get into it in very little time, and I don't need to get into it any more quickly. The safe holds stuff I can use if I get bored using the stuff I have at the ready.
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  • mark christianmark christian Member Posts: 24,443 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Electronic locks are much faster so if you plan to open and close the safe dozens of times a day then I can see a possible advantage. I'm never in a big hurry to get my safes door's open and once they are open, they tend to stay that way for a while. It's like digital verses mechanical scales: Digital scales are certainly faster, but are no more accurate (often they are much less accurate) than a mechanical triple-beam.
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  • shilowarshilowar Member Posts: 38,811 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by mango tango
    Mechanical



    Yep, Liberty with S&G mechical
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  • babunbabun Member Posts: 11,038 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Either or....doesn't matter.

    professions-banks-combinations-lock_combinations-safe_codes-safe-68137806_low.jpg
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  • perry shooterperry shooter Member Posts: 17,105 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    If you have more than one you can set them to all be the same if electric and also change them if for some reason they were say in a place of business and an employee quit or was fired with bad feelings
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  • JorgeJorge Member Posts: 10,656 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I have both.

    The battery holder as part of the box has corroded to the point of rendering the electronics useless. I can only rely on the key to open such box.

    I'd advise you to stay away from them.
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  • reload999reload999 Member Posts: 3,080 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I have 4, all mechanical.
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  • discusdaddiscusdad Member Posts: 11,427 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    safe scmafe I gots me a memory foam pad between the box springs and the mattress. it only gets lumpy once in a while[:D]
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  • jev1969jev1969 Member Posts: 2,691
    edited November -1
    Chalk up another for mechanical. Electronic may be faster to get into but I have nothing in there that I will need 15 seconds faster but there are things in there I may need after an EMP attack.
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  • RobOzRobOz Member Posts: 9,523 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I like mechanical. I keep a pair of cheaters and a small flashlight on top of the safe so I can see what I'm dialing[:D]
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  • WulfmannWulfmann Member Posts: 4,906 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Considering the eventual zombie apocalypse (I read it is happening on the internet and you can't post things that aren't true)one day your battery will be dead so beware of all new fangled gadgets.

    My electronic pad died and I had to have a locksmith come out, no fun and I put in a mechanical but please note. All mechanical locks are not equal. If you are going mechanical go with a top rated device.

    If I needed a third safe I would likely go with the dual electronic/mechanical others mentioned but I would not go with a battery operated one again
    3YUCmbB.jpg
    "Fools learn from their own mistakes. I learn from the mistakes of others"
    Otto von Bismarck
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  • Smitty500magSmitty500mag Member Posts: 13,623 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Mechanical for me but if I needed to get into one multiple times a day I might consider an electronic safe since they're so much easier to open.
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  • ZinderblocZinderbloc Member Posts: 925 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Electrical is faster, but my S&G electrical lock failed and it cost me $200+ for a locksmith to open the safe and replace the failed lock.

    My next safe will be mechanical.
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  • IAMAHUSKERIAMAHUSKER Member Posts: 2,479 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    The only thing that will protect against a EMP attack is a faraday cage
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  • buddybbuddyb Member Posts: 5,393 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    The S&G mechanical failed the night before I was going on a hunting trip that I had been planning for months.I finally managed to get it to open for what I presume was the last time.I locked the safe door with the safe open and the lock would never unlock again.I had it replaced with an electronic and it has worked fine for the last 10 years.The locksmith that worked on mine said all mechanical locks will eventually "lose their combination" which I assume means to fail.I don't know how much water that holds because I have seen old safe 100+ years old that still work unless the old safe locks were of better quality than the newer locks.
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  • OakieOakie Member Posts: 40,565 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Have both on my four liberty safes. I prefer the electronic one because it it easier to get into. I need a light to see the numbers on the mechanical one and should invest in a light for it. I keep my Winchester model 88 collection in there and all my handguns. Oakie
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  • searcher5searcher5 Member Posts: 13,511 ✭
    edited November -1
    I will say this for sure. Electronic, or mechanical, they both require a degree of maintenance to function properly. IN MY OPINION(and we all know what that's worth) A GOOD, well maintained mechanical lock is more dependable than an electronic lock.

    Dan
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  • pickenuppickenup Member Posts: 22,844 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Mechanical here.

    A friend got an electronic and had the locksmith out within the first year.
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  • bpostbpost Member Posts: 32,669 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    My first safe was mechanical, it lost its set points and a lock smith had to be called under warranty. My Ohio safe is electronic, I change the 9 volt battery every year in the fall. Never had a problem with it.
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  • pulsarncpulsarnc Member Posts: 6,558 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Mine is an old Mosler secure documents safe repurposed into a gun safe .S&G lock son of gun weighs a ton Pure plate steel 5/16 thick Never had a problem with it must be 30 years old.
    cry Havoc and let slip  the dogs of war..... 
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  • Smitty500magSmitty500mag Member Posts: 13,623 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by buddyb
    The locksmith that worked on mine said all mechanical locks will eventually "lose their combination" which I assume means to fail.


    I really don't think that's true for all "mechanical locks". My Dad's safe spent the first 75 years of it's life in a jewelry store and it's been in his basement now the past 38 years and I don't think it'll be failing anytime soon. In fact I'd be willing to bet it'll never fail unless it gets a direct hit by a nuclear bomb! It's so big and heavy he had to hire a wrecker company to pull the safe out of the old jewelry store and then haul it to his house and install in the basement.
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  • JnRockwallJnRockwall Member Posts: 16,352 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    bass pro has stopped all digital combo sales. All their safes are now manual.

    Cabelas only has digital in the more expensive safes.

    I have a manual that needs something done to it. Not sure what, but when you dial in the combo and turn back to last digit to open, it doesn't always stop. You have to race the dial back and fourth a few times before it locks up and allows you to open the safe.

    I need to fix it, anyone know what causes that?
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  • searcher5searcher5 Member Posts: 13,511 ✭
    edited November -1
    [:p]quote:Originally posted by JnRockwall
    bass pro has stopped all digital combo sales. All their safes are now manual.

    Cabelas only has digital in the more expensive safes.

    I have a manual that needs something done to it. Not sure what, but when you dial in the combo and turn back to last digit to open, it doesn't always stop. You have to race the dial back and fourth a few times before it locks up and allows you to open the safe.

    I need to fix it, anyone know what causes that?


    Needs cleaned, and the PROPER lubricant in the RIGHT places. In the wrong paces, It will ruin a lock. Maintenance. by a professional. Save you money in the long run.
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  • WarbirdsWarbirds Member Posts: 16,937 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Electronic. I'm in there all the time.
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  • GuvamintCheeseGuvamintCheese Member Posts: 38,932 ✭
    edited November -1
    Mechanical, when batteries fail you need more batteries to get in.
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  • Dads3040Dads3040 Member Posts: 13,552 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by searcher5
    [:p]quote:Originally posted by JnRockwall
    bass pro has stopped all digital combo sales. All their safes are now manual.

    Cabelas only has digital in the more expensive safes.

    I have a manual that needs something done to it. Not sure what, but when you dial in the combo and turn back to last digit to open, it doesn't always stop. You have to race the dial back and fourth a few times before it locks up and allows you to open the safe.

    I need to fix it, anyone know what causes that?


    Needs cleaned, and the PROPER lubricant in the RIGHT places. In the wrong paces, It will ruin a lock. Maintenance. by a professional. Save you money in the long run.

    Dan, how often does this need to be done? Does it go by flat time, number of openings, Earth-Wind Currents? [;)]

    Are there any indicators to watch for? My S&G has never given a hiccup, seems to function as good as new.

    Thanks.
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  • searcher5searcher5 Member Posts: 13,511 ✭
    edited November -1
    Your car may run fine forever without maintenance, same as you safe. Or, it may not. I would advise, about every 3 years or so, have it maintained by a qualified safe locksmith. I am not a safe professional, but I have opened a lot of safes, where nothing but neglect was the cause of the problem. Nothing mechanical works forever, without some maintenance.
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  • 78FJ4078FJ40 Member Posts: 368 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    "...I have a manual that needs something done to it..." JnRockwall
    1) Check the dial ring (outer ring) to see it has not shifted; index still at top center position. The S/G lock used has a tolerance of +/- 1/2 number; one series has a tolerance of +/- 1 1/4 number. Any shift and your dialing will cause the internal number to be slightly off actual combo number 2) Try dialing each of first numbers by +/- 1; use full combo and alter only one number per try to find if one is off slightly 3) Lock is a key change type. If you have a change key and instructions with safe, try changing combo.

    As to dial vs elock. Get a mechanical; S/G and LaGard are both quality group 2 locks. There are some import copies that are junk. I have changed many electronic to mechanical; but have not replaced a single mechanical with a electronic. Have opened a several when the electronic lock failed; I keep one of each finish mechanical lock in stock at all time. It is not cheap to have a safe opened when the lock fails.
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