liberty safe issue

[thefamcnaj]

I have had a Liberty Centurion safe for three years, that has been trouble free.
That is until today. It has manual dial lock on it. I had to enter the combination a dozen times or more before it would open.
Thinking it was just a freak thing, I locked it back and tried to reopen it. It took another dozen times. I am now scared to lock it for fear of it locking for good.
I do my combination left, right, left right, however on that last clock wise turn just keeps spinning instead of stopping so I can turn the handle.
I'm thinking I need a lock Smith and I think I need to leave it unlocked, correct? It's easier for someone to work on it open an unlocked. Is this common problem with a common fix?
I'm uneasy about leaving it unlocked but I really don't want it to have to be drilled into.

 

[1911Tuner]

Mine does that randomly, most often when it's cold or when it's been a few weeks since I've opened it. I found that bumping the safe near the dial with my fist when I get to the last number before turning the dial to the opening position usually does the trick.

 

[a1abdj]

A common problem with gun safe manufacturers, especially with the volume they have been pumping out, is sloppy combination setting.

I would try adding and subtracting one number, one at a time, to see if one of them is off a bit. For example, if your combination is 80-50-20, try 79-50-20, then 81-50-20, then 80-51-20, etc. When I hear this complaint, this is the cure about 90% of the time.

Lock the door in the open position when doing this. This way if it is not the problem, and the safe does end up refusing to unlock, it's not locked closed.

 

[bainter1212]

I have the same safe with the same combo lock. I have had it for several years and it has never done this. You might want to call Liberty to see if they will do anything for you.

 

[HighExpert]

You can also replace the lock with a digital one. Remove the panel on inside of the door and remove the old lock and bolt the new one in. I bought the replacement online for $110. I have a 20year old Ft. Knox which had the same issues. Love the new digital.

 

[thefamcnaj]

What's the cost difference between having it worked on with it open vs if I get locked out.
When I spin the dial I hear nothing "catching". Its like all the spinning left or right is just free spinning.

 

[HighExpert]

You would be MUCH better off if the safe was open. You can also buy another standard lock set and install it. It really is not that hard. Took me about 35 minutes.

 

[rockhopper46038]

A lot, I would wager. As long as the door is open you can always access the back of the lock case and either visually line up the wheels or just remove the lock entirely.

a1abdj is an expert, the rest of us know comparatively little; but as he said it is most likely that one of your wheels isn't lined up precisely enough with the nose of the lever which prevents it from dropping into the notch/gate allowing you to retract the bolt with that last turn of the dial. I picked up a copy of a document named "Logical Lock Diagnosis" and it spends quite a few pages detailing out exactly what a1abdj posted. It's most likely that one (or more) of the wheels is 1/2 to 1 number "off" from the combination you were given, either from sloppy setting at the factory, or from "snapping" the dial enough times that the wheel has moved just a bit on the spindle.

 

[wild willy]

Make sure you are not accidently bumping the dial back the other way when turning the dial.Mine can be hard to open sometimes. I know some times when I move my fingers I bump the dial I have two Libertys it happens on both if I just slow down a little don't seem to have as much trouble

 

[thefamcnaj]

The trick 1911 tuner talked about works. Bumping the dial after the last number before I open it works.
I'm wondering is that a permanent solution or will bumping the dial over time cause more trouble down the road?

 

[Longhorn 76]

Take the liner off, to expose the mechanism. Oil or grease it up.

 

[ultra45]

In some cases, we are our own worst enemy. To the OP, after closing your safe do you "SPIN" the dial quickly? If so, it's a big NO NO! Spinning it fast upsets the tumblers or some thing and causes misalignment. As stated by another forum member, going one digit off can fix the problem it's a trial and error method.

Worst case you will need a locksmith. Call Liberty before going off the deep end. Let us know how it works out.

 

[a1abdj]

If it's only three years old, and what I described in my previous post doesn't work, don't touch the safe. The mechanical lock should still be covered under warranty, and they'll deny a claim if the locksmith arrives and finds that the safe has already been "worked on".

Liberty has pretty good customer service, and if it's still under warranty, they'll gladly get somebody out there to either adjust or replace whatever is wrong.

 

[thefamcnaj]

Liberty has the best customer service I've ever dealt with in any matter, with Ruger being a close second.
They are sending me a new lock, which will arrive Thursday.
When I receive the lock, all I have to do is call them and set up a time for a lock smith to come and install it.
All on their dime. I'm really impressed. I figured with me having cheap version of a liberty, they wouldn't be concerned.
+1 for them, when I get the money to buy a bigger rsc, it will be a Liberty.

 

[Walkalong]

Follow a1abdj's advise about trying different numbers. If that doesn't work, they have "set" the combo really sloppily (Like in between numbers) and a call to Liberty would likely be in order.

A locksmith can reset the combo (To whatever you want) and make sure it is done more precisely.

Whoops, should have read the last post.