Retrofit your GunVault with a better lock!

[Andrew Rothman]

For those who don't know, Kryptonite locks with circular keys can be picked with no skill and an ordinary Bic pen.
(http://www.bikeforums.net/showthrea...28&page=1&pp=25)

GunVault quick-access gun "safes" use a similar lock and have been found to be similarly vulnerable.
(http://sigforum.com/eve/ubb.x?a=tpc...1935&m=21310197)
(http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=102672)


GunVault is not answering their phone or email and appears to have gone out of business.

I am in the process of getting a source for replacement locksets and working out a practical way to swap them out quickly and reliably.

So here's what I need to know. If you have a GunVault...

1. What would it be worth to you to get the vulnerable lock replaced (exclusive of shipping costs)? $10? $20? $30?

2. Would you prefer to:
a) Send the whole thing to me for replacement,
b) Order a replacement kit (lock, hardware, instruction sheet) from me, or
c) Bring it to a local locksmith who could order the parts from me?

3. What am I missing?


This effort comes from my desire to fix a faulty product that I own. I figured as long as I was doing it, if I could provide a service to fellow gunnies, keep a whole lotta guns safer, and make a few bucks at the same time, why not?

I appreciate any helpful comments.

(On the other hand, comments like, "It's not a safe" or "get a real safe" or "GunVaults suck" will not be much appreciated. I know that this thing ain't Fort Knox, but it's a pretty good deterrent to curious kids and smash-and-grab burglars.)

Thanks!

 

[roscoe]

I would prefer to be sent a replacement kit, like Stack-On did with their locks. I would pay $20 no problem.

 

[bogie]

I'd prefer to just drill and fit a nice hardened and protected hasp and monster padlock...

 

[Andrew Rothman]

Hmmm. Elegant and attractive.

 

[joab]

I'm not familiar with GunVault.
Is the lock similar to Sentenel's

 

[RKCheung]

Wow, that is pretty sad that GunVault isn't answering their phone or emails.

I no longer use mine anymore because of the security flaw (got everything in the big safe now), but I would like to get it fixed so I can have a quick access safe again.

I think a $10-$20 kit would be ideal.

 

[HABU]

Not being familiar with Gun Vault, are they a low budget safe? I mean, picked with a bic pen?!

 

[Zonamo]

It would be well worth $ 20 to fix the vulnerable lock on the Gunvault. If a kit could be installed easily without specialized tools, that would be preferable, but if there is more to it than that, I would be willing to ship it for repair.

A new Doskocil safe is at least $ 100.00 and the Simplex safes available range from $ 140.00-$ 180.00.

So $ 20-30 to fix the one I have would still be a bargain.

 

[Black_Talon]

I'd certainly pay $20-30 to upgrade mine. I'd want to install it myself though.

 

[Sisco]

A new lock will not keep a determined thief out of a StackOn gun cabinet.
I have two of them, I'll just leave them as-is.

 

[CGofMP]

I'd pay 10 bucks for a DIY kit.

I'm PISSED at GunVault for not addressing this problem.

Have sent them a few emails and tried their phone.

Great customer service. - NOT!

 

[bogie]

Hey, I'm not worried about elegant and attractive.

I'm worried about ugly and deterrence.

 

[roscoe]

Adding the hasp and padlock sort of defeats the purpose of having a box that opens in the dark with your fingertips. You might as wll not have the GunVault.

 

[dav]

I have a gunvault. To me it is about securing the weapon away from casual exposure. If I want it safe from theft, it goes in the safe.

I would only retrofit a new lock on the gunvault if it were easy, and cheap. Like 10 dollars or less cheap. $20 and up I just couldn't justify it.

 

[mpthole]

Matt - did this go anywhere? I'm with dav (above), if it could be done for $10 or so, I'd probably do it. Any more than that and its not worth it for me.

 

[Ohen Cepel]

Why not just jam the lock shut with JB weld?

Won't let you use the key anymore. However, I don't know why it has a key option anyway.

 

[DMF]

$20 for kit and instructions.

 

[Zonamo]

I don't know why it has a key option anyway.

Guess you have either never owned one, never messed up your access code, or never had the batteries go bad on you. Feel free to weld yours shut if it isn't worth $ 20-30 to you to fix it. It's your safe and your gun.

But being less perfect than those who can confidently JB weld the lock closed and never forget their access code or to change batteries, I personally would be happy to buy a kit to fix the lock, and appreciate Matt's efforts to help.

 

[motoman]

what brand cylinder would it be

if it was Medeco or abloy I would be interested in a DIY setup.

 

[Diggler]

Interested for DIY under $20.

 

[Sven]

Interested for DIY at or under $20, for two safes (friends).

 

[Andrew Rothman]

Let me get this straight:

Some of you who have paid over $100 for this thing would rather give up on it or leave it vulnerable if it cost more than $10?

I'm just trying to understand...

 

[bogie]

I want 3-4 of the Gunvault dealies. I'll pay $20 each.

Matt, I'll pay $20/each for 3-4 kits...

(but I think that just putting a hasp over the lock would be inelegant but effective...)

 

[Series 70]

I'd go $20 on a kit I could install myself.

 

[FJC]

Same here, I'd go $20 for a DIY kit.