Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Electronic gun safe nightmare with Electronic Lock

Hi,
Maybe this will help someone out there. I have a Ft. Knox Titan with the S&G Electronic lock. I've had it for 15 years WITH NO PROBLEM UNTIL 2 DAYS AGO!. Getting the code to release the bolts became balky. It was working about 50% of the time. The company said to put pressure counterclockwise (as if closing it) and try that. Well, I tried that with them on the phone and it didn't work, tried again and it opened. I said I would try that from now on. BIG MISTAKE. I should have never closed the door cause for 2 days now I've been trying all their tricks and suggestions to get it open . IMO, never get an electronic lock and if you have one, switch it out NOW for a traditional tumbler lock. My .02


ps. if you doubt what I've said, do a search on Gun safe electronic lock problems and make your own decision. YMMV

Assuming that you want help, folks will probably want more information about what - exactly - the problem might be.

First suggestion would be to call the company or companies involved.

we are to assume the electronic lock is messed up?

Yeah, sorry, I hit enter before I finished the post. It is now done.

I've talked to the company and went thru all their suggestions to no avail. I think maybe a (the) pin that the solonoid activates has become dislodged or something. They will send someone out but I want to try again today before that happens. Drilling will be the last resort. Thanks

Nearly all locksmiths will tell you that its not a matter of "if" an electronic lock will fail but when. I'll never own a safe with an e-lock.

Yep.

Silly question, I know, but are you sure you have a good battery in that lock? I change mine about every 3-4 years and so far (20+ years) no problems..

But my other safe is a manual lock, just in case..

The batteries that initially were in it were 6 months old. Replaced them and it still didn't unlock. Even tried a new second set. All Durasils . Thanks

Gotcha..

Never heard of a problem with them before, but I've always thought it's the kind of thing I want no part of...this just confirmed it. I'll stick to the old turn-the-dial style.

Is sit actually possible to purchase a mechanical replacement for the electric entry?

Cannon told me 'NO'.

She did say that a lot of people requested them, but still 'NO'

I never heard of problems either - that is until I had had mine. Then I find out about horror stories. When this gets opened, it'll be a combo lock that will be put on. I will use the electronic dial on this one as target practice.

Electronic locks - a bad solution to a nonexistent problem..

If I have no success today, I will call Ft Knox about my next step. I will ask them to send out another keypad FWIW. Then about retrofit when it opens. Thanks.

TR, you're not the first fire member to have trouble with an electronic lock on a gun safe. So dont beat yourself up, too bad.

Hope you get it open, without having to mess up the safe.

Thanks,

All electronic stuff fails. It's just a matter of when. I would never use one on my vaults.

My safe came with both electronic & tumbler. I see the electronic lock inside on the shelf every time I open mine.

Same here.

L.W.

Twinray: My safes locks are all manual tumbler types.
I have a close friend who is a 1,000 yard Bench Rest competitor.
The day before he was to begin travel to a distant match his electronic safe would NOT open.
Luckily it was a Thursday. He literally was on the phone all afternoon and ALL NIGHT with the safe company.
Luckily they somehow got it to work (re-programed the combination IIRC?) anyway he was able to get his 1,000 yard BR Rifle out of the safe finally and get on his sleepy way to the competition.
This was the second "problem" one of my friends has had with their electronic locking safes.
I have had one of my mechanical tumbler locking safes for 30+ years and never had any problems with any of them.
Best of luck to you.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy