[Chuck R.]

Greetings from Kabul Afghanistan, I’m currently having a house built with a vault added in for both gun storage and a tornado shelter. I’ve already had the rough opening made for the Browning Vault Door dimensions, but am having trouble find out IF their vault door can be locked from the inside.

Does anybody have any experience with the Browning or Prosteel Vault doors?

http://www.prosteel.us/prosteel-security-doors/doors/ultra-vault-door

Thanks,

Chuck

[ColtPythonElite]

The adverstise it as a door that can be used for a panic room. I would guess it can be locked from the inside.

[Chuck R.]

I’d have thought so too, but one dealer I’ve been corresponding with says it can’t be locked from the inside. It makes absolutely no sense to me. I’ve sent emails to both Browning and Prosteel (manufacturer) and am waiting for their responses. I've been unable to find any directions or manuals on line, except for the installation instructions.

I'm hoping to find an owner that has some experience with it. I rotate back home in a week, but I'd like to get it on order if it will meet my requirements.

Thanks,

Chuck

[a1abdj]

There are two issues at hand. The first being if the door's boltwork can exended to the "locked" position from the back of the door. The second is if the door's lock will secure that boltwork once extended.

The answer for most doors made by gun safe manufacturers is no. The doors are designed to open if locked, but not designed to lock from within.

[Chuck R.]

This is pretty much what I was told. Do you know of any that will?

I imagine it would be pretty simple to rig a cross bar type deal to keep the door from being opened from the outside, once you’re inside.

Any ideas?

I’ve been on your site BTW, very cool looking safes/doors.

Thanks,

Chuck

[CB900F]

ChuckR;

I've installed the Browning branded ProSteel door in a custom home within the past few years. After that experience, I don't suggest them to my customers as an alternate to the Graffunder brand I sell. Graffunder is a custom manufacturer, and I'm sure that what you desire can be incorporated in a door at relatively low cost. However, Graffunder does not build a low-cost door. Feel free to PM me if you wish to.

900F

[utbrowningman]

PM me the vault door model number. Prosteel is just a few miles from me. I can call them tomorrow and ask for you.

[Chuck R.]

Update:

Got this reply from the Prosteel guys, makers of Browning safes, and Vault doors:

“I spoke with my engineers today. You can put a mechanical lock on the
vault door, however, in order for the door to be locked, the bolts in
the door must be extended and the dial on the lock has to be turned.
Simple answer, no, you cannot lock the vault door from the inside when
using a mechanical lock.”

Since they advertise this as a potential panic room/storm shelter door, it’s kind of puzzling that you can lock it from the inside. From the ProSteel site:

“Designed for both commercial and residential applications, the ProSteel Ultra Vault Door provides the ultimate in security and protection. With the Ultra Vault Door, you can turn a room into a vault, security room, home safe or panic room.”

I did some research and figured out exactly what I was looking for, which is primarily a storm/tornado door that would double as a vault door. I’ve already got a large safe that will be inside the vault for the high-dollar guns.

I decided to go with a vault door from the Sturdy Safe company:

http://www.sturdysafe.com/vaultdoor.htm

with some upgrades such as fire lining, panic button, in-swing opening, stainless steel upgrade and keyed lock. Should be delivered in about 5 weeks and I’ll post an update once it’s installed. Between this, the 8” poured concrete with rebar reinforcement, secondary safe, and alarm system, we should be “OK”.

Chuck

[a1abdj]

A Sturdy would be fairlly easy to add the ability to lock it from inside of the room. The way the boltwork is set up gives you some simple options.

If you didn't bring this up with them, you may want to. It wouldn't take much for them to set it up for you during the building process, and would be easier than retrofitting it afterword.

[Chuck R.]

a1abdj,

They do, it’s their “Panic Button” option for $100:

“This will allow you to lock yourself inside the vault with the push of a palm button, such as you would need for a panic room. Pulling the button unlocks. With the push button engaged, it is impossible to spin the dial from the outside, thus preventing anyone from locking you inside.”

Which is pretty much what I was looking for since it works with a mechanical dial, Vs. electronic.

Thanks,

Chuck

[Chuck R.]

Update:

Sturdy Door being installed and what it looks like in the partially finish vault/man cave:

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a5/CFRHunter/New%20House%20Construction/DSC00426_zps05f10ccc.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a5/CFRHunter/New%20House%20Construction/DSC00451_zps3edf609b.jpg

So far, I’ve been impressed with the Sturdy Safe folks, door arrived as promised and on schedule. Installation was a breeze due to their directions. Door works as advertised, the panic button locks the door and dial from the inside, and more importantly unlocks.

Although, not the coolest paint job, it still looks pretty good IMHO.

I'm now in the process of framing, insulating, dry walling, then organizing….

Chuck

[Walkalong]

Nice. My final home will have something like that, with any luck. Gotta get moving on that soon.

[simonjester]

That is cool, I would love to see the final product. I too think my final home will include one of these!