Storage Safe Feature - type of lock

[PennsyPlinker]

Greetings all

I am about to upgrade my safe from a cheesy metal locker to a genuine safe. I have narrowed it down to two that are within my budget, both made by Cannon. The price is the same, and most of the features are the same. The big difference is this. One has an electronic lock, the other a mechanical combination dial. If you had a choice, which one would you pick and why?

Thanks.

 

[DoubleTapDrew]

I'd say mechanical if opening it in a hurry isn't a concern (like you plan to have a weapon outside of the safe in case of emergency). The electronic ones seem more prone to malfunction and that could be an expensive and inconvenient problem if the door is locked when it happens.

 

[JohnBT]

I like a good mechanical lock with a key. The key allows you to keep it semi-secure while you're home, yet you don't have to dial the numbers if you're in and out of it a lot.

I've heard too many bad things about the long-term reliability of electronic locks.

John

 

[CypherNinja]

For the low-end gun cabinets (<1000lbs) I like the convenience of the push button electronic locks.

If I were to get an ACTUAL safe, I would probably want a good S&G or a KABA MAS X-09 or something....

EDIT: I voted for the keypad lock since my definition of a real safe is kinda rare in homes.

 

[BigSoundRacing]

I have a small safe made by Cannon, with a digital lock that takes two 9v batteries. I change out the batteries ever new year. Had the safe now for over ten years - I like the digital pad because I can open the safe and reach my pistol in total darkness. Though a perp might hear me entering the six digit code, that would be the last thing they ever heard.

Be safe, BSR

 

[Guy B. Meredith]

I don't know how the electric locks work, but if the computer portion is behind the face on the lock, it is only necessary to rip the face off and apply a battery to the wires going to the lock. Same as a "smart" gun.

Basically, I can't see why anyone who is against a "smart" gun would want an electric lock.

 

[CypherNinja]

Thats a legitimate concern, Guy. Its a problem in the cheaper cabinets, but the better ones will have better locks.

A good lock will have the power and electronics inside the door, with only the keypad on the outside. If you tear up one of those, the only thing you get is a bunch of wires, sticking out through a tiny hole, that correspond to each of the keys on the pad.

 

[Elza]

I personally don’t care for electronic locks. (My Fort Knox has a S&G mechanical.) If someone breaks in and tears off the keypad they still can’t get into your safe. But then you won’t be able to either! Getting it fixed after being damaged could be difficult and pricey.

 

[PennsyPlinker]

Thanks for the comments and votes for those who took the time! I appreciate the input.

 

[MAKster]

dial is best

S&G mechanical locks will basically last forever, but the digital locks will eventually die like all computers, cell phones, dvd players, etc. I would only get the digital lock if my 2 a.m. go-to gun was in the safe. Once you get used to the mechanical lock it only takes about 20 seconds to open it.

 

[Beau93]

I have the keypad

On a Treadlok safe, for speed of entry. It is fast, but the battery died on me a week ago. Had to go to the local kwiki-mart late at night for a new 9 volt. I should have kept a stock of extras, and been changing it out regularly. Now I know better.