Typically, the handle of your gun safe is hard to turn because the safe has been overfilled. It could be that an item (or items) have fallen into the door jamb, items are extended beyond your shelves and gun rack or your ‘slip clutch’ has been engaged.

In the case of UL-listed locks, the answer is no. These locks retain memory and will continue to function normally when power is re-supplied to the lock. In most cases, a safe lock with a battery on the outside of the safe, and no secondary access/backup key, will be a UL-listed lock. Non UL-listed safe locks usually do need to be reprogrammed, but the battery on non-UL listed locks is almost always located inside the safe.

The vast majority of the safes sold at NW Safe do not have a key backup (officially known as a Key Bypass), even on electronic safes. All the safes we sell have UL-listed locks. To meet UL guidelines, the locks have to reach a certain level of security that cannot be reached if they have a key backup. In short, a Key Bypass is a security threat.

No, it does not. The key in the dial offers an extra layer of security by locking down the dial so it cannot be rotated. It does not serve as a bypass to the combination.

No, this is an indication the lock has seen excessive turning speed which has caused the combination gearing to slip to the new combination. The lock should be examined and replaced if there are signs of aluminum, metal, or brass shavings in the lock body. In some cases, the numbers can continue to move or drift, which in turn may make it extremely difficult to get the safe open.

Yes. All safes should be inspected on roughly a 4-year schedule. The technician needs to examine all the main components and systems on the safe for proper operation and to address any problems that may be developing that could lead to the safe lock or mechanism failing and locking the customer out.

A voltage meter will not tell us how the battery performs under load. The amperage output of the battery is what really determines how well the battery can operate a lock. If you have yet to install a Duracell brand battery with an expiration date of at least 4-5 years out from the date of purchase, we will always request you try that before giving us a call for help.

The amperage output of the battery is what really determines how well the battery can operate a lock. If you have yet to install a Duracell brand battery with an expiration date of at least 4-5 years out from the date of purchase, we will always request you try that before giving us a call for help. From years of experience, a fresh Duracell battery will rectify 75% of what seems to be electronic lock problems on safes.

Yes. You can check/set door tension, lightly lube the locking bolts with a silicone-based grease, and tighten down the handle hub set screw/bolt in most cases. However, a safe technician should still look at your safe at least every 4 years. To help you determine what you can do on your own and what you should hire a certified gun safe technician to do, we put together a Gun Safe Maintenance Checklist.

Typically, the handle of your gun safe is hard to turn because the safe has been overfilled. It could be that an item (or items) have fallen into the door jamb, items are extended beyond your shelves and gun rack or your ‘slip clutch’ has been engaged.

In the case of UL-listed locks, the answer is no. These locks retain memory and will continue to function normally when power is re-supplied to the lock. In most cases, a safe lock with a battery on the outside of the safe, and no secondary access/backup key, will be a UL-listed lock. Non UL-listed safe locks usually do need to be reprogrammed, but the battery on non-UL listed locks is almost always located inside the safe.

The vast majority of the safes sold at NW Safe do not have a key backup (officially known as a Key Bypass), even on electronic safes. All the safes we sell have UL-listed locks. To meet UL guidelines, the locks have to reach a certain level of security that cannot be reached if they have a key backup. In short, a Key Bypass is a security threat.

No, it does not. The key in the dial offers an extra layer of security by locking down the dial so it cannot be rotated. It does not serve as a bypass to the combination.

No, this is an indication the lock has seen excessive turning speed which has caused the combination gearing to slip to the new combination. The lock should be examined and replaced if there are signs of aluminum, metal, or brass shavings in the lock body. In some cases, the numbers can continue to move or drift, which in turn may make it extremely difficult to get the safe open.

Yes. All safes should be inspected on roughly a 4-year schedule. The technician needs to examine all the main components and systems on the safe for proper operation and to address any problems that may be developing that could lead to the safe lock or mechanism failing and locking the customer out.

A voltage meter will not tell us how the battery performs under load. The amperage output of the battery is what really determines how well the battery can operate a lock. If you have yet to install a Duracell brand battery with an expiration date of at least 4-5 years out from the date of purchase, we will always request you try that before giving us a call for help.

The amperage output of the battery is what really determines how well the battery can operate a lock. If you have yet to install a Duracell brand battery with an expiration date of at least 4-5 years out from the date of purchase, we will always request you try that before giving us a call for help. From years of experience, a fresh Duracell battery will rectify 75% of what seems to be electronic lock problems on safes.

Yes. You can check/set door tension, lightly lube the locking bolts with a silicone-based grease, and tighten down the handle hub set screw/bolt in most cases. However, a safe technician should still look at your safe at least every 4 years. To help you determine what you can do on your own and what you should hire a certified gun safe technician to do, we put together a Gun Safe Maintenance Checklist.