OK! How long does it take to open your gun safe?

[DRoberts12345]

I have a friend (smart and very mechanical) that said it takes him 10 minutes to an hour to open his dial combo lock. If he is going hunting or shooting in the morning he will pull that gun out tonight. He gets nervous and intimidated by the left right left thing.
I told him that I could open mine in 10 or 15 seconds. When I came home that night I timed myself with my cell phone and actually did it in about 8 or 9 seconds. I have had the same combo for 20 years or so. I don't even think about the numbers I just do it.

I guess my question is. Is it normal to have a problem with mechanical dial locks?

[Subotai]

5 seconds or less. But it's electronic.

[TeddyBallgame]

5 seconds or less. But it's electronic.

yup, 5 digit keypad

[EspoMan]

Less than 2 seconds. Electrical lock, under no stress. With stress, who knows. That's why I always keep my pistol on my nightstand

[DRoberts12345]

That's kind of cheating, but cool

[DRoberts12345]

Nothing wrong with the lock. He's just freaked out about it. I told him we need to switch him to digital.

[Rottentofu]

I take as long as I like when opening my gun safe, because I never go to my gun safe during an emergency. My HD pistol is always within reach.

[Soginator]

when I was looking for my safe, I realized that all the people who told me combo locks were better were old people. I see no reason not to get a digital lock, especially if quick access is something you are considering. But about 10-15 seconds for me

[Barang]

Nothing wrong with the lock. He's just freaked out about it. I told him we need to switch him to digital.

How long has he owned the safe? He'll get better in time.

[SonofWWIIDI]

Tell him to make sure he keeps something handy...just in case.

[hunterb]

I don't understand the freaked out about it part. Is that a correct description? Is he handicapped or have Obsessive tendencies our anxiety problems?
How hard is it to open a combo lock?

[mycrstuff]

I went through that with mine for about 5 years. At first it was 10 minutes and after a few years 30 minutes. Then it wouldn't open at all unless I was lucky. I went and looked for new locks. They were cheaper online than local . This includes locks made in Southern California. I ended up installing an electrical lock that works great. When I installed the new lock I found out the old lock had a worn out shim on the spindle that allowed for too much play. By pressing on the dial the combo lock would work correctly most of the time unfortunately when I removed the pressed in retaining pin I destroyed the spindle. See if you can replace the shims and get the lock to work otherwise the electronic locks are easy to install. I think I got mine on Amazon.

[dyson]

rather not have digital, dial doesn't take long at all

[DRoberts12345]

when I was looking for my safe, I realized that all the people who told me combo locks were better were old people. I see no reason not to get a digital lock, especially if quick access is something you are considering. But about 10-15 seconds for me

My brother is a locksmith and cracks safes. He repairs a lot of digital locks. He will tell you that mechanical locks are much better and more reliable. There aren't many old digital locks out there but there are a ton of 100 year old mechanical ones that are still in great shape.

P.s. He's old

[Whiskey_Tango]

He probably watches the numbers go by and counts the passes. You can free spin the dial and hear/feel the clicks as you go through the process. I.e. If you have to pass # 50 twice you can blindly fly past it the first and second time then slow down for the approach to reverse direction.