Best Electronic Gun Safe Lock

[benny p]

I am in the market for a new safe. I would prefer the speed of the electronic key pad and I know about the reliability of the classic dial.

My question is which safe company makes the best electronic key pad. I saw the new emp lock by cannon which looks like it might be worth taking a look at. Any input would be nice. Thanks

 

[Boostedtwo]

I read up alot on electronic locks, I just converted my safe to electronic, I found that sargent and greenleaf is a great brand, I ended up buying a S&G 6123. It has alot of good features.

 

[heeler]

Some are better than others but they will almost certainly fail sooner or later.
Keep the safe and vault companies name handy.

 

[jaguarxk120]

The classic dial has no battery's that go flat.

How fast will a electronic lock open with flat/dead battery's?

 

[MarshallDodge]

The S&G on my Heritage is at least 10 years old (purchased the safe used) and I have never had a problem.

I replace the batteries every five years whether they need it or not.

 

[Boostedtwo]

Mine notifies me when my batteries are getting low

 

[Teachu2]

I solved this dilemma by adding a smaller biometric lockbox for my HD guns. My main safe is across the house anyway.

 

[benny p]

I was also thinking about the new GunVault TacVault for an HD pistol, an AR, and a shotgun.
Sounds like over kill when I read it.

Does the S&G come standard on any brand of safe or does it require an add on?...


Thanks for the replies.

 

[a1abdj]

People tend to confuse safe manufacturers and lock manufacturers. AMSEC is the only safe manufacturer that makes their own UL rated electronic lock. "Cannon's" EMP lock is not Cannon's lock at all.

Different people have had different experiences, but all of the major manufacturers build fairly reliable locks. S&G, LaGard (Kaba), LP, and AMSEC are all locks that I use on a regular basis, and with pretty good results.

For gun safes, the locks with fewer features tend to work just fine. I install a lot of LaGard Basics. I'm not a fan of the S&G 6120, but do like their new Pivot Bolt which is similar in design to the LaGard.

If your safe uses a UL rated lock, then it has a "standard" footprint shared by most of the other UL rated electronic, mechanical, and high security key locks. Just because a manufacturer doesn't offer what you want doesn't mean you can't have it. They are easily swapped.

 

[CB900F]

Fella's;

Like Frank, I prefer the LaGard basic to the S&G 6120 series. However, if you want what I consider to be the better choice, it's the LaGard 33E2. For one thing, it does not rely on a servo-motor to retract the bolt, you do that manually.

900F

 

[Elkins45]

If your safe uses a UL rated lock, then it has a "standard" footprint shared by most of the other UL rated electronic, mechanical, and high security key locks. Just because a manufacturer doesn't offer what you want doesn't mean you can't have it. They are easily swapped.

So you're saying that I could pay a locksmith to replace the combination lock in my safe with a key lock? How secure are these key locks? For some reason I like the idea of having a key over having a dial lock.

What are the advantages/disadvantages of the key lock?

 

[a1abdj]

So you're saying that I could pay a locksmith to replace the combination lock in my safe with a key lock? How secure are these key locks? For some reason I like the idea of having a key over having a dial lock.

What are the advantages/disadvantages of the key lock?

Yes. They are UL listed, high security, pick resistant locks. Although they are usually used as a secondary lock on a high security safe, they can be used as a stand alone unit.

The disadvantages would be that the key is large, and not something that you would fit into your pocket easily. Lost keys would also present a problem.

 

[Vector]

I am in the market for a new safe. I would prefer the speed of the electronic key pad and I know about the reliability of the classic dial.

My question is which safe company makes the best electronic key pad. I saw the new emp lock by cannon which looks like it might be worth taking a look at. Any input would be nice. Thanks

I saw that combo lock and called Cannon about it to see it they sold the lock separately. They said no, and furthermore it was not an add on, but instead only available on a select few of their models.

I still wonder if a current safe could be easily retro-fitted with a different lock, especially if you wanted to go from electronic to combo?

 

[CB900F]

Vector;

See A1abdj's reply, post #9. If the safe was initially built with a U.L. spec lock it uses a standard footprint. Therefore, given common footprints, it's entirely possible for locks to be swapped from manual dial to electronic and vice-versa.

Since the OP did not state any specific safe, I'll also say this: A U.S. branded safe will usually have a lock with a U.L. footprint. I'm talking Cannon, Liberty, etc, etc. OTOH, there are some low cost things being imported into the country that I wouldn't bet that the locks adhered to any U.L. specification, including size & bolt spacing, ie, footprint.

900F

 

[Vector]

Vector;

See A1abdj's reply, post #9.

Ok, thanks.

People tend to confuse safe manufacturers and lock manufacturers. AMSEC is the only safe manufacturer that makes their own UL rated electronic lock. "Cannon's" EMP lock is not Cannon's lock at all.


If your safe uses a UL rated lock, then it has a "standard" footprint shared by most of the other UL rated electronic, mechanical, and high security key locks. Just because a manufacturer doesn't offer what you want doesn't mean you can't have it. They are easily swapped.

A few questions.

First what do you think about "Cannons" EMP lock? Their obvious marketing strategy is to say you have a backup if the electronic portion fails. They also imply it's benefit in the event of an EMP, hence the name.

Second, if someone has a S&G electronic lock on a safe, say a Rhino/Bighorn, can the EMP be swapped and function properly? If so, what is the approximate cost of an EMP type lock, and the labor cost to swap them?

`

 

[CB900F]

Vector;

If you have doubts as to the reliability or suitability of an electronic lock, don't get one. I had an S&G 6120 series on a safe. I swapped it for the lock I mentioned in my post #10.

900F

 

[Vector]

^ I am happy with my current S&G lock and it has not failed in any way. However as with all things electronic, I do wonder if I am sacrificing access for the sake of convenience.
So a lock that incorporates both might give me less worries, if you understand my meaning.

 

[AggiePhil]

So you're saying that I could pay a locksmith to replace the combination lock in my safe with a key lock? How secure are these key locks? For some reason I like the idea of having a key over having a dial lock.

If you're interested in a new safe with reliable key locks, check out Security Products (http://www.securityproducts1.com). They make commercial outdoor ATM enclosures and RSCs that are very similar.

 

[jaguarxk120]

There are high security locks made such as the Medeco, S & G, or a Kirk lock.

All are key operated locks and very high security.

 

[Vector]

Which are more reliable, and what is the price difference between installing a combo key lock vs. the Canon labeled EMP which is dial and electronic combo?