SAFE LOCKS 101

Safe Locks

When you shop for a safe, you are likely to have questions about what type of safe lock is best. You are probably wondering how reliable safe locks are and what happens if yours breaks or you lose your combination. And finally, whatever safe lock you choose, you want to be sure that if something goes wrong with it, it's covered by a warranty. This guide will help answer any questions you might have about combination safe locks and help you make an informed decision. Here we have answers to the most common questions you might have about safe locks.

Should You Choose a Mechanical or Electronic Safe Lock?

Most combination safe locks come in one of two types: mechanical or electronic. The type of lock you choose should be based on how you will use your safe and your personal preference.

Mechanical locks are great and probably the type of lock that first comes to mind when you think about safes. To open a mechanical safe lock, you turn the dial to the right to the first number of the combination, then to the left for the second number and then back to the right for the final number, just like opening your locker in high school. This type of lock is tried and true and normally has a long lifespan. In fact, this type of lock has been around since the 1800s.

The problem with mechanical locks? There have been few changes in their technology since the 1800s, which means they're easier for an experienced thief to crack the combination - sometimes they can crack it in 15 minutes or less. The other issue comes with entering your combination; if you make a mistake, you need to start all over again. And if you ever need to change your combination, you have to hire a locksmith to do it for you.

Many people opt for electronic safe lock instead. There are numerous reasons for this:

• Electronic safe locks are rated as a Group 1 lock with high manipulation resistance, which means it has 999,999 possible full combinations.
• You can choose your own combination and change it any time you want.
• You have the ability to program in multiple combinations for more than one user.
• They offer fast and easy access, even in the dark.
• Your safe remains secure even if keypad is removed.
• The lock's memory retains your combination when you change its battery, or the battery fails.

The benefits of an electronic safe lock clearly outweigh its minimal downsides, such as being temporarily locked out of your safe if your batteries die.

Find out more about purchasing an electronic safe lock from your local Liberty Safe dealer.

Is an Electronic Safe Lock Reliable?

When it comes to electronic safe locks, there are poor-quality locks and high-quality locks. Choosing a high-quality electronic lock is always your best option for having the most reliable lock possible, because it's made with heavy-duty components. When speed counts, an electronic safe lock is more reliable than a mechanical lock in an emergency.

An electronic safe lock requires very little maintenance, if any, except for changing its 9-volt battery every 6 to 12 months. Plus you can simply change your code and create or delete codes as needed without having to call a locksmith to do it for you.

Your local Liberty Safe dealer offers a variety of high-quality electronic safe locks.

Which Electronic Safe Locks Are Top-Rated?

Liberty only recommends and installs high-quality combination safe locks on the safes we sell because we believe our customers deserve only the best. Even though SecuRam is a relative newcomer to the safe lock industry, their innovation and commitment to using the latest technology makes their electronic safe locks stand out from the rest. Liberty Safe features the following top-rated SecuRam electronic safe locks:

• SecuRam TopLit: Installed on Liberty Safe's entry-level USA series safes, this easy-to-use lock features:
  • A bright LED TopLight
  • Easy programming for six-digit codes for a manager and one user
  • Easy to change, slide-out battery compartment
  • Provides 10,000+ openings on single 9-volt battery
  • Temporarily locks out after four incorrect code entries for increased protection
• SecuRam BackLit: Featured on Liberty Safe's mid-level Colonial and Fatboy Jr. safes, this electronic safe lock features:
  • An LED BackLit EntryPad that lights up when any button is pressed
  • Easy programming for six-digit codes for a manager and one user
  • Easy to change, slide-out battery compartment
  • Provides 10,000+ openings on a single 9-volt battery
  • Temporarily locks out after four incorrect code entries
• SecuRam ProLogic: This superior electronic lock is used with Liberty Safe's high-end Franklin, Lincoln, National, and Presidential safes. It features:
  • An OLED screen
  • Super, manager and user codes
  • Rugged stainless steel construction

Your local Liberty Safe dealer can help you with deciding which lock best suits your needs.

Well What About Solenoid Locks?

If you have researched safe locks online, you might have come across solenoid locks, which are a less expensive lock. Not just cheaper in price, but cheaper in quality. This makes it easier to break into your safe because it is made with flimsy sheet metal rather than the stainless steel used in the locks Liberty Safe sells. This type of lock is usually manufactured in China or Israel and usually does not have replaceable parts. Even worse, these locks do not have recognizable templates, which makes it difficult to swap your lock out for a new one or to upgrade your existing safe with a better lock. Retrofits will need to be done by a locksmith to replace a foreign solenoid lock with an American lock.

Discuss your options for upgrading your safe lock with a Liberty Safe dealer.

Is a Biometric Lock Worth the Extra Money?

Biometric safe locks are gaining in popularity among gun safe owners. This type of lock can be a little bit more expensive than typical mechanical or electronic safe locks. The advantage of having a biometric safe lock is that you only need to swipe your finger over the lock's sensor to open your safe instead of keying or dialing a combination code. A finger swipe can be a faster way to get your gun safe open in an emergency. So, if speed is an issue, a biometric lock might be something to consider.

However, biometric technology, unless it is military grade, is not fool proof, especially if the lock does not have a high-quality sensor. The biometric safe locks Liberty Safe uses feature the ScanLogic Swipe Safe Lock system using semiconductor swipe fingerprint authentication technology. Liberty Safe also sells biometric smart vaults that have been rated as the #1 most reliable biometric smart vault.

Learn more about your biometric safe lock options from your local Liberty Safe dealer.

What Common Problems Do Electronic Safe Locks Have?

One of the best things about an electronic safe lock is that almost any problem can be resolved by its owner without the need to hire a locksmith. While electronic safe locks are reliable, it is possible that you might encounter one or more of these four common problems:

1. Low or dead battery. If the nine-volt battery is running out of juice, your lock may not operate as it normally should. If the battery is completely dead, the lock might not operate at all. Replacing the battery should restore the full function of your lock.
2. Being temporarily locked out. If you incorrectly enter your code several times in a row, your electronic lock will temporarily lock you out. You will need to wait several minutes before re-entering your code to open your safe. While this might seem like an annoyance, it is a protective feature.
3. Safe relocks before you open it. If you do not turn the handle of your safe within a few seconds of keying in your code, your electronic lock will relock itself. All you need to do is re-enter your code and immediately turn the handle to open your safe.
4. Handle is jammed. If the handle has been moved too far in either direction, it might seem that it is jammed. This problem can be resolved by jiggling the handle to find some play in the handle, re-entering the code and then attempting to turn the handle again.

If your combination safe lock ever requires a repair, do not forget to contact your local Liberty Safe dealer to arrange for a locksmith.

Will I Be Able to Change My Lock's Combination?

It is possible to change your lock's combination whether it is a mechanical or electronic safe lock. If you have an electronic safe lock, it is very easy to change your lock's combination without the need for a locksmith. However, if you have a mechanical safe lock, the process to change your combination is trickier. You will need to have the lock's change key that initially came with it. But even still, it is a good idea to have a locksmith change your manual lock's combination.

Contact your local Liberty Safe dealer for a locksmith recommendation.

What Happens If I Lose My Combination or Key?

It is important to register your safe after accepting delivery of your safe. This ensures that if you lose your combination or key that Liberty Safe will be able to verify who you say you are. If you have done this, you will need to go through the process of filling out a Combination/Duplicate Key Request Form.

If you need immediate access to your safe, you will need a locksmith, but you will need to contact Liberty Safe first.

Will My Lock Work During or After an EMP Attack?

An electromagnetic pulse event could be a nuclear attack or a solar flare that could disable and/or damage electronic equipment. A concern that some safe owners have is whether they will be able to open their safe if an EMP event were to happen if they have an electronic safe lock. In such an emergency, you want to be able to get to your firearms or cash quickly, if needed. Liberty Safe's SecuRam Xtreme electronic lock is designed to stand up against EMP. However, all the SecuRam locks sold by Liberty Safe have been tested and certified for being EMP-resistant by Dayton T. Brown Laboratories.

Your local Liberty Safe dealer can help you determine which safe lock is best for your safe.

What Kind of Warranty Will My Safe Lock Have?

It is important to read the fine print of your safe lock's warranty. Some lock manufacturers start their warranties at the moment the lock leaves their factory. By the time a safe sells, that lock warranty could almost be over. Liberty Safe covers the locks they sell with an extra five years to protect their customers.

Contact Liberty Safe if you have any warranty questions about your lock.