Mechanical or Electronic Lock (for safes)

[kwando]

What is your preference?

Electronic keypad or mechanical combo for safes?

And Why...

[smchop]

Depends on your situation. I have small children so main safe is mech. combo out of preference but pistola safe in bedroom is electronic keypad for quick access.

[TFOGGER]

Mine has an electronic lock, and I'm very happy with it. Pros: Easy to change combo, locks out everyone after 3 missed attempts (15 minutes), easy to operate, even in the dark (as long as you know where the buttons are). Cons: dependent on a 9 volt battery (which will literally last for years, unless you're into the safe a dozen times a day), virtually impossible for a locksmith to open if you forget the combo or something goes wrong with the electronics.

I guess it's down to personal preference, but I find the electronic to be convenient, fast, and reliable.

[Troublco]

I don't like the idea of having to change a battery in a safe lock. Murphy will make sure that when I absolutely have to get something out the battery will be dead and I won't have a spare around the house. I also have the touchpad access pistol safe in my MB closet, but it has a key access for backup. At least with a manual lock on my main safe all I have to do is remember the combo and if I forget it, I have the combo saved elsewhere.

[Irving]

I've only got the electronic pistol safe for bedside. However, it took like 6 AA batteries, but I've had the same ones in there for over two years now and I'm in the safe at least twice every day.

[sniper7]

I have only had electronic. If you have kids don't tell them the combo. If you are in need of a gun in a hurry (not going to keep one bedside--probably because of kids), then electronic is the way to go. I can be in my safe within 2 seconds. a mechanical would take probably 3-5 times that at a minimum.

[sniper7]

I don't like the idea of having to change a battery in a safe lock. Murphy will make sure that when I absolutely have to get something out the battery will be dead and I won't have a spare around the house. I also have the touchpad access pistol safe in my MB closet, but it has a key access for backup. At least with a manual lock on my main safe all I have to do is remember the combo and if I forget it, I have the combo saved elsewhere.

the 2 safes I have all the big ones and electronic. both powered by a 9v. they pop out super easy from the bottom. If you are concerned about it being dead, you can tape or attach or lay an extra battery on the top of the safe. in the event the battery is dead, then you can swap it within 10 seconds piece of cake. it will take you that much time just to open a mechanical lock.
plus the ones I have let you know when they are starting to go dead so you can change them out easily.

[Elhuero]

awesome thread, I was wondering about this the other day.

[Ridge]

I dont own a safe, but I'd prefer a mechanical lock (combo or key) over an electronic, because batteries fail when you need them most.

[SA Friday]

I have um, er... more than two safes. The electronic safes all have key back-ups. I won't own a spin combo safe ever again. If it doesn't have a touch pad, I got it for free.

Years and years of experience here. You want uber difficult safe to get into, go ahead and get a spin dial safe. You want something you are going to get into regularly, get something with a key pad.

I cannot comment on just how many spin dial safes were cut open when I was in the Air Force, cough, cough (hundreds), cough.