Replace Your GunVault Battery

[Magload]

How old (or new) is the one you opened in 6 seconds Magload? Which method did you use to open it? I have a 2014 model gunvault and after watching some of the videos on U-Tube I tried the things they showed and they didn't work to get mine open. And no, I'm not mechanically inept either, FWIW I'm actually an engineer and I've been a hobbiest auto mechanic / fabricator for over 40 years.

I can see where there is a concern - especially with the older units that are out there still in service. Although I have no evidence to support this, I strongly suspect that a lot of these design flaws have already been addressed. After all, the article linked above is over 3 years old.

I just can't imagine these companies ignoring this for that long. Knowing about the issues and doing nothing would be considered willful disregard and they'd be crucified the first time they were taken to court over it. I haven't heard of that happening and with this info all over the internet I can't see how they could have avoided being put out of business by lawsuits by now if these problems were on-going.

I bought one of them about 3 years ago the other I bought this year. The new one came from Amazon. I used the paper clip on both and also cut a piece of old credit card both worked. After taking apart the insides they both have the same key lock.

 

[Magload]

This was debunked a few years ago. And if you bolt them down, it's not quite so easy.

They may have debunked the three year old doing it but this 68 year old had to do it or I wasn't getting in. Emailed Stack On and they would sell me new keys if I had the receipts and a notarized letter. If you don't think it can't be done then you sure didn't watch any of the many videos. Don

 

[Kanewpadle]

They may have debunked the three year old doing it but this 68 year old had to do it or I wasn't getting in. Emailed Stack On and they would sell me new keys if I had the receipts and a notarized letter. If you don't think it can't be done then you sure didn't watch any of the many videos. Don

If you're truly 68 years old, you should know not to believe everything you see or read on the net let alone assume anything.

I'm a locksmith. It's what I do and have done for a long time.

Many of these videos are staged.

 

[Magload]

If you're truly 68 years old, you should know not to believe everything you see or read on the net let alone assume anything.

I'm a locksmith. It's what I do and have done for a long time.

Many of these videos are staged.

I am 68 and I watched myself use the paper clip just like the guy in the video did. I don't think it would work with a good key lock but it sure does with these. You don't even have to pick at it just slide the bent over paper clip in and up against one side jiggle the clip wile turning. Once you get the feel for it it is easy and I did it a half dozen times. Don

 

[Kanewpadle]

I am 68 and I watched myself use the paper clip just like the guy in the video did. I don't think it would work with a good key lock but it sure does with these. You don't even have to pick at it just slide the bent over paper clip in and up against one side jiggle the clip wile turning. Once you get the feel for it it is easy and I did it a half dozen times. Don

Don't leave paper clips laying around your house and nobody will mess with it.

 

[Engineer1911]

What key ? ?

 

[BC38]

I am 68 and I watched myself use the paper clip just like the guy in the video did. I don't think it would work with a good key lock but it sure does with these. You don't even have to pick at it just slide the bent over paper clip in and up against one side jiggle the clip wile turning. Once you get the feel for it it is easy and I did it a half dozen times. Don

Which brand and model did you do this with? And what kind of lock? The type of lock that takes a flat key - or the type with a cylinder-shaped key?

 

[Double-O-Dave]

I change the 9v battery in my safe twice a year - daylight savings time in the spring, and then when we reset again in the fall. Cheap and simple - just like me.

Regards,

Dave

 

[Magload]

Which brand and model did you do this with? And what kind of lock? The type of lock that takes a flat key - or the type with a cylinder-shaped key?

It is the Stack On Mini Safe it has the digital keypad and a plastic cover that hides the key lock. The keys are those cheap flat ones. There is also another way into the safe by busting the lower right corner off the keypad and running a stiff wire through the slot where the ribbon wire from the keypad goes into the safe. You push down on the solenoid and that releases the lock. That is a destructive method so I didn't try it. The solenoid is why you could slam the safe down to release the lock as it is mounted vertical and has a petty weak spring. My safe is sitting on top of a 6 drawer heavy wood dressed bolted down to it and then the back of the safes are bolted to the wall studs. Both are now locked with heavy duty hasp and Master Lock mechanical digital paddocks. I am sure a good lock smith could open those to but then they can open most any safe. Don

 

[Magload]

I change the 9v battery in my safe twice a year - daylight savings time in the spring, and then when we reset again in the fall. Cheap and simple - just like me.

Regards,

Dave

Dave I change mine also but the older safe was loosing battery power with a new battery. A contact problem but every time I thought I had it fixed the next day it failed and I had to break out the paper clip that is how I got so good at it. Don

 

[BC38]

Dave I change mine also but the older safe was loosing battery power with a new battery. A contact problem but every time I thought I had it fixed the next day it failed and I had to break out the paper clip that is how I got so good at it. Don

AHA! So you not only took the time to look it up on the internet, you have also practiced it. Does that explain why you could do it in 6 seconds - because you've been practicing? How long did it take you the first time?

This is important only because 999 of 1000 thieves who break into your house aren't going to have practiced their safe cracking skills beforehand and are going to be in a SERIOUS hurry to get in, grab what they can and get out. Unless they already know what they are doing they aren't getting into most safes in 6 seconds, and probably aren't going to take the time to even try.

Like others have said, a lot of these videos on the internet are staged. I believe they are made with one thing in mind. Convincing people that having a gun is unsafe - EVEN if you lock it up in a gun safe. More propaganda by the "anti's"...

 

[Magload]

AHA! So you not only took the time to look it up on the internet, you have also practiced it. Does that explain why you could do it in 6 seconds - because you've been practicing? How long did it take you the first time?

This is important only because 999 of 1000 thieves who break into your house aren't going to have practiced their safe cracking skills beforehand and are going to be in a SERIOUS hurry to get in, grab what they can and get out. Unless they already know what they are doing they aren't getting into most safes in 6 seconds, and probably aren't going to take the time to even try.

Like others have said, a lot of these videos on the internet are staged. I believe they are made with one thing in mind. Convincing people that having a gun is unsafe - EVEN if you lock it up in a gun safe. More propaganda by the "anti's"...

Dave you are right a thief is not going to take the time I am more concerned about Grandkids that sometimes come over to borrow a fishing pole when I am not home. Do they know better, yes, but would that stop them? Probably not as it would be a challenge.

Yep the first time I tried it I had to go back and watch the video again and it took a couple of minutes and a lot of bending the paper clip to get it right. Would a crook watch a YouTube video before going out to steal guns. I am not going to take that chance either I like my S&Ws a lot and there are 5 in just one safe. Hopefully my 2 100 pounds will discourage them.

BTW I couldn't do it in 6 seconds now it would take me a heck of a lot longer then that to find the paper clip. Don

 

[FAS1]

I have both. My GunVault is easy to unlock in the dark. The other has thumb wheels to select the combination, which cannot be done in the dark, plus it is slower. No perfect solution I guess.

Ft Knox (and others) doesn't make a quick access handgun safe that uses a thumb wheel combination lock. They all use mechanical push button "Simplex" locks that are every bit as easy to operate in the dark. With the "Simplex" lock you can pre-punch all or part of your combination before going to sleep if you wanted and I think that will make it the faster safe to access.