sportlock gunbox

[akodo]

I purchased a sportlock gunbox

http://www.gunaccessories.com/SportLock/index.asp the 18277 model on that page.

It is a standard box 4 buttons on top for the combo. the reason i selected this one is that it was only 13 inches long, and that meant it woudl fit in my nightstand.

I took the one in the box, not the display model. I got it home, read instructions and inserted batteries.

if I turn the key the box door springs open with vigor. However, if I type in the code, the box does nothing. I can hear the latch mechanism working, but aparently not enough to open. If the door is open and I punch in the code, I can see the latch pull in.



The second problem, which I didn't notice right away, is after holding down the reset/program button until it flashed (meaning ready to input new code) it wasn't accepting the new code. I at first thought it was failing to accept the new code because I was putting in the same number multiple times as part of my code (example 77721) so then to test I tried 43214, no go. I thought hum, maybe i wasn't careful enough programming it in. So I tried 12341, and it seemed to accept that code, or so it seemed.

Turns out I cannot get it to accept any new code, after typing in a new code it flashes 3 times like it was a bad attempt, not 2 times like a new code. It keeps on remembering the old code of 12341.

Now I guess I get to try and return it.

has anyone any experience with this model or manufacturer?

 

[kermit315]

i would try new batteries before i returned it. if the batteries are old they might not have enough juice in them to do everything. they may only have a surface charge left.

 

[strat81]

The more I hear about electronic locks, the more I dislike them. All the more reason to save your pennies and get a good mechanical Simplex style lockbox.

+1 for changing batteries.

 

[akodo]

fresh batteries out of the pack, just bought the pack

I suppose I could spot-test a few in a flashlight

 

[akodo]

update on the situation.

Took the box back, gunsmith came out and looked at it, said he would mess with it. Came back the next day and he had lubed it up and polished the latch a bit. he said that the key in the lock can cause some resistance, so when using the combo make sure the key is out (as in, when testing)

took it home, test it twice, success. In addition to gun I have a small flashlight in there. Lo and behold, the power went out due to I don't know what, no storm, whole set of blocks went out. I was going to grab the little flashlight inside, and I could hear it trying to open but not succeeding.

I took it back. This time one of the countermen was there. Nice guy, said he had these problems before. Looked at it carefully and then grabbed a pliers and bent the latch mechanism a little bit.

Took it home. Now I am a bit suscpisious of it. Tested it 10 times in the living room, worked fine. Loaded it up and stuck it in bedroom. That night, no power out, but I tried it a few times before going to sleep. Worked. Next night I reach over and try it once. Worked. Next night I reach over and tried it once, FAIL. Tried again, worked. Tried more, worked.

So, I am looking at a 1-5% failure rate. Of course, this is unacceptable. I will be spending a little bit more to get a gunvault like I should have in the first place (shop had a gunvault but it was a bigger model and wouldn't have fit, will internet order I guess)

now i have decided to put this one at his computer desk, as I am here a fair amount, with one of my guns in it. I will put the key on my keychain, and when I sit down I can manually open it up.

 

[a1abdj]

You can only expect so much out of an inexpensive Chinese product.

You can also only expect so much locksmithing expertise from a gunsmith.

 

[akodo]

he wasn't messing with the lock per say

He was looking at the latch. The lock worked, the bolt was retracted, and the door would not spring open.

If your front door is a tight fit and you come home on a humid day, insert you key, unlock the door, and then it won't open I suggest talking to a carpenter who will tell you to sand it in the tight spots as it has swollen due to moisture, not a locksmith.