Simplex Mechanic Locks on Safes Recommendation, Feedback, Tips & Problems

[ohsmily]

I love simplex locks. I don't even bother to write down gate codes for buildings with Simplex locks.

Hit the four shiny ones or the four dirty ones. Order doesn't matter.

Not sure what kind of simplex locks you're used to dealing with, but the one on my Ft. Knox doesn't work that way. They need to be pressed in a particular order and number of buttons at the same time.

[FAS1]

I love simplex locks. I don't even bother to write down gate codes for buildings with Simplex locks.

Hit the four shiny ones or the four dirty ones. Order doesn't matter.

I don't think these are Simplex locks. All Simplex locks have 5 buttons.

Some of the pushbutton locks out there will accept the code in any order, like those little 10 button key lock boxes.

[FAS1]

@FAS1: Thanks for sharing the resource and your previous comments. Does your company manufacture a larger Simplex Mechanical locking safe that can fit two ARs and two handguns? Kindly share the url if one exists. Thank you.

I do not currently. A single AR safe is one of the most requested items I get. I have started to develop one, but with Covid19 and a recent health diagnosis, it is on hold for a little while.

To give you an idea, this is all 7GA steel like my handgun safes, so it's quite heavy. The lock would probably end up in the middle so the mounting options would be more universal. It could be mounted in any orientation like my other models.

[czakita]

@FAS1: Wish you a healthy recovery from what ails you. The picture looks quite promising. Thank you for sharing. Does this or other types in development allow storage of more than one long gun? Ideally a shotgun and a AR? How about extra space to accomodate a loaded magazine, or ideally, a handgun or two? Are these features customers request? Thanks.

[FAS1]

@czakita - Thanks, time will tell if the treatments are effective.

The idea behind this model/size is it's the most requested. It's size would accommodate an AR with a 30 round magazine (or drum mag) and an optic.

Once all the features are in place and working as planned, additional sizes could be added very easily. A 30" long model, for example would work great for AR type pistols, PCC's, etc. For a typical shotgun it might need to be longer, but not as deep, so several models could come out of the design. Also, there would be plenty of room for a couple handguns, magazines, etc.

For two long guns it might be a little cramped on the width. This prototype is 40"L x 5.5"W x 13"H. I don't have anything else in the works for long guns right now.

[champu]

I love simplex locks. I don't even bother to write down gate codes for buildings with Simplex locks.

Hit the four shiny ones or the four dirty ones. Order doesn't matter.

[FAS1]

[bazineta]

I use a Fort Knox pistol box with a Simplex; it's nice, and I like it.

Downside to a Simplex is that given enough time, you can run through all the possible combinations. Thus, you want to think about who you're keeping out and ensure that it's the right choice in that scenario. For example, someone doing a smash and grab on your home, it's perfect; they don't have that kind of time. My father wanting to keep his loaded pistol away from 10-year old me, not a great choice.

[FAS1]

Downside to a Simplex is that given enough time, you can run through all the possible combinations.

You would think it would be that easy, but over the past 12 years I have provided a list of all possible combinations to quite a few customers that forgot their combinations. Only one has opened it with the list. He took it as a challenge when I told him no one I know has got in that way. And these people would at least have an idea what the combination is.

[1022rimfire]

I don't post much but I want to share my experience.

I had a battery operated portable gunsafe and over time it failed due to a metal braided wire wearing out. The motor would function but the door stopped opening. The operation was simple and the unit had a key backup to the battery operated mechanism. But once the wire failed, I knew that this overall design could not be depended on for the intended purpose I had for it, which was rapid access in a home defense situation.

Since then, I've gone to a simplex lock "quick access" gunsafe such as the Ft Knox or Amsec equivalent. It is true that the number of combinations is limited and a dedicated person with time and knowledge could defeat it. But it has been reliable and trouble free over years of use. I actually wish there was a model with an additional button to increase the number of combinations, but I am not aware of such a Simplex model.

So, in summary, if you don't have children or those who may have a lot of time to defeat the Simplex, it can be a solution to a robust quick access safe (thicker metal safe such as Ft Knox or Amsec) but not without drawbacks which is really a limited number of combinations. But in my situation, this is preferable to a more unreliable electronic or cable based system. Thanks for listening to my feedback based on personal experience.

[FAS1]

[czakita]

That’s exactly what led me to offer my keyed deadbolt option. I heard from a few customers that said that was their only concern with the Simplex lock. One customer said he feared his teenage son and his friends could probably do that on a rainy Saturday.

Wondering how difficult is it for a manufacturer to add one more Simplex Mechanical button?

[FAS1]

Wondering how difficult is it for a manufacturer to add one more Simplex Mechanical button?

[czakita]

@ FAS1: Good information. Thank you. To your knowledge are there any Simplex Mechanical safes that have fire rating? Also it seems most Simplex Mechanical safes do not fit more than one long gun as the larger sized safes are largely designed to fit just one or two smaller handguns. Can you share any insights why the limitations? Thank you.

[BrokerB]

Yes I can. Simplex is for quicker access. You will never need more than 1 gun in a quick access need. How many hands do you have?



I have 1 simplex that holds a single glock and 1 simplex that holds an 870 12ga

I can fit two pistols in the handgun one but have no good reason to stuff it. I have full size safes for the rest ...if I had any guns at all : )