Problem With The Lock on My Gun Safe

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09-05-2020, 10:19
Bailey Guns

Problem With The Lock on My Gun Safe

Had to make a 10 day trip back to Idaho to tie up some loose ends. Before leaving I put all my extra house keys, property keys, important documents, etc..., into my safe. Never had even a hint of a problem with the manual combination lock.

Got home last night and tried to open the safe this morning. Went thru the normal unlocking procedure but the lock didn't open. Tried again, same results. Double-checked the combo...correct. Spun it slowly several times to "clear" it. Nothing. It was acting as though I was entering the wrong combo. It finally opened on about the 5th or 6th try. I didn't really do anything special other than a little slower and stop precisely on the numbers...but I'd really done that a couple of times.

Any idea what might be wrong? I bought it used from a forum member many years ago and it's always been trouble free.

Do lock mechanisms need to be cleaned or do the need some special service? If so I've completely neglected to do that. I'm afraid to lock it now.

It's an American Security BF6030 made in 2007...I don't see a brand name on the lock.
09-05-2020, 11:46
ray1970

Problem With The Lock on My Gun Safe

There are some adjustments to the mechanical linkage that could be made.

I had a similar situation with one of my safes and the part of the linkage that actually enters the slots in the lock was ever so slightly out of adjustment. A few minutes with a wrench and all was right again.

Might try pulling the panel off and see what?s going on.
09-05-2020, 20:43
NukeRJ

Combo dials should be maintained on regular intervals. Even if it is just opening the back plate and cleaning out any debris. My S&G has greasing instructions for maintenance. You should not take the tumbler stack apart unless you are a professional. The stack should not need any lubrication. Take the back panel off the door and then the back plate off the lock and dial the combo while watching the lever, you may be able to spot the problem easily.
09-05-2020, 20:48
Bailey Guns

How would I watch the tumblers in the lock while dialing the combination? Or do you mean just rotate the dial?

I'll take the inside panel/plate off tomorrow and see what I can see.

Thanks for the suggestions.
09-06-2020, 07:08
battlemidget

Call a safe shop. That dial can probably be swapped for a numpad.
09-06-2020, 07:14
ray1970

Quote:

Originally Posted by battlemidget

Call a safe shop. That dial can probably be swapped for a numpad.

Maybe he?s like me and doesn?t want any more stuff that takes batteries than he has to have.

Between garage door openers, remote controls, optics, clocks, cars, trucks, motorcycles and ATVs I feel I?m changing some sort of battery just about every day.

Which reminds me, I need to get a new battery for the riding mower.
09-06-2020, 10:23
MrPrena

The sell both mechanical and digital c ok no now for people who fear EMP.
09-06-2020, 10:45
Bailey Guns

Quote:

Originally Posted by battlemidget

Call a safe shop. That dial can probably be swapped for a numpad.

I plan to call one Monday but just for advice on the lock. I prefer the mechanical locks.
09-06-2020, 11:34
battlemidget

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bailey Guns

I plan to call one Monday but just for advice on the lock. I prefer the mechanical locks.

Might not hurt to drop a line to the manufacturer too, see if the comments are comparable.
09-06-2020, 15:54
colorider

My S&G has the exact same problem. Had opie look at it and ended up swapping it out with the securam keypad w dial backup.
09-06-2020, 18:39
feal

I actually had one where it slipped one digit. Went through +- 1 and got the safe open- it was probably fine to use but I had opie swap out locks
09-07-2020, 13:48
Bailey Guns

Quote:

Originally Posted by colorider

My S&G has the exact same problem. Had opie look at it and ended up swapping it out with the securam keypad w dial backup.

Wish that was still an option for me.

I opened up the inside of the lock today and fiddle-farted around with it, looking at how it works, etc. I couldn't see any obvious problems, ran it thru the lock/unlock cycle a few times and it works fine now. I don't know if that's good or bad. I still don't trust it so I may see about just getting it swapped out for a new lock.
09-07-2020, 15:06
Gman

If it's difficult for you to get into with the combo, imagine how extra secure it is for anybody trying to break into it. [hahhah-no]
09-07-2020, 16:06
Bailey Guns

See? Behind every dark cloud...
09-07-2020, 22:20
MrPrena

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrPrena

The sell both mechanical and digital c ok no now for people who fear EMP.

Wtf happened to my post? Auto correct?

c ok no now = combo
09-08-2020, 01:24
Brian

Quote:

Originally Posted by feal

I actually had one where it slipped one digit. Went through +- 1 and got the safe open- it was probably fine to use but I had opie swap out locks

Same here...
09-08-2020, 12:54
Martinjmpr

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrPrena

The sell both mechanical and digital c ok no now for people who fear EMP.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bailey Guns

I plan to call one Monday but just for advice on the lock. I prefer the mechanical locks.

+1 on this. I had mine replaced with one of those electric/mechanical locks a few years ago when my electronic S&G started acting wonky. Has worked great for the past 3 years and if it fails, as a backup I can spin it mechanically.

Forgot to add that the guy who did my lock replacement is a member here but I can't seem to find my old PMs. Of course, you're in OK so that would be a long distance house call...
09-21-2020, 09:29
SuperiorDG

My safe is starting to do the same as OP. Do you guys have a number to call?
09-21-2020, 10:09
Bailey Guns

I couldn't get anyone to come to the house (too far) so I just took everything apart, sprayed it out with air and used some dry lube on it. Seems to be working fine now.
09-22-2020, 07:45
SuperiorDG

Now I'm locked out of my safe. Any help out there?
09-22-2020, 08:22
Bailey Guns

Will your dial still spin? If so, rotate it several times...like a lot...to clear it. Then very slowly and precisely run thru the combo. That's what finally worked for me. Then I took it apart and lubed it. Seems to be working fine now. Until it doesn't. I still may swap with a new lock.
09-22-2020, 09:31
Not_A_Llama

If you head to ebay, you can buy one of the Securam SafeLogic Xtreme units Opie used to sell, for not as great of a price.

My understanding is that safe locks at this point are fairly standard, and it's a bolt-off and bolt-on type of affair.

I have never done this.
09-22-2020, 09:46
00tec

Quote:

Originally Posted by Not_A_Llama

If you head to ebay, you can buy one of the Securam SafeLogic Xtreme units Opie used to sell, for not as great of a price.

My understanding is that safe locks at this point are fairly standard, and it's a bolt-off and bolt-on type of affair.

I have never done this.

If you can get in touch with him, I bet he would ship you one.
09-25-2020, 13:08
SuperiorDG

Couldn't get it open so I called Stephen at Golden Lock and Key and he hooked me up. http://goldenlockandkey.com
09-25-2020, 16:02
Bailey Guns

Did you get a new lock installed or did he just get the old lock to work?
09-26-2020, 04:58
SuperiorDG

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bailey Guns

Did you get a new lock installed or did he just get the old lock to work?

Cleared up and reset the old lock. It I guess was off a bit and I didn't understand what was going on with the internals.
09-26-2020, 06:41
Bailey Guns

Hmmm....OK. I wonder if that's what was wrong with mine. It's a pretty awful feeling when that thing doesn't open. It was for me, anyway. Glad you got that cleared up.
09-26-2020, 18:00
opie011

Quote:

Originally Posted by 00tec

If you can get in touch with him, I bet he would ship you one.

True story [Awesom]