Gun safe- lost key-pls help

F

fred krause

Inactive
True story- A friend who used to shoot has a safe. Called me and said I can have whatever is in his safe if I can get it opened. He knows there are at least 2 shotguns in it. The safe company has been sold, the new company doesn't make replacement keys for that model anymore. A locksmith said they can drill it out... for a minimum of $350. They told me they look up the "drill points" and go at it. Here's the question- Where do you suggest I look to find the "drill points"? And, if I miss them when I drill, is it forever locked? And, what kind of drill bit would you suggest?
I really appreciate any help you can offer.
-Kirk
 
The weak point on most safes is the rear. I'd suggest an angle grinder on the rear edges & re-weld after you get the goodies.:)
 
Drilling the safe will ruin it....so, since you don't care about the safe I have a simple suggestion..









Sawzall the top off the puppy. Unless its a real safe you'll go through it in short order.
 
Please post more specifics on the safe. Make and model?

I'd expect a decent locksmith to be able to pick the lock for $50-75.
 
Is it a "safe", or more of the metal locker type? I have one of the locker types, I could easily cut the top off. An actual "safe" is gonna need the expertise of locksmith to open. Could drilling it wrong for ever lock it? I have no idea, I suppose that if you drill it wrong and somehow bind the lock it could. I would think that the lock could be picked, but then again im not a lock smith. I think that a second opinion from another locksmith would be wise.
 
my local locksmith can make keys just by bringing lock to him or having him come over....Its what they do....he charged me 20$ to make a key for a lock that had no key...he had some special tool to do it....but there is a fee for traveling with most locksmiths
 
I agree with what the others have said. Unless the safe has a high security keyway (like Medeco, or UL listed safe lock), the chances are good that it could be picked, or that a key could be replicated.

Knowing a bit more about it, or seeing some photos, would narrow it down quite a bit.

Those of us in the business would never discuss things like "drill points" with others who are not in the business. How secure would your safe be if everybody on the internet knew how to break into it?

When I drill a gun safe, the typical charge to open (no repair) is in the $300 +/- range. Included in that is the $100,000 worth of truck and equipment parked in your driveway, a few million dollars worth of liability insurance, 20 years worth of experience, and thousands and thousands of dollars worth of classes and training. How much should I charge?
 
If it's just a cabinet and the locking mechanism can be replaced, just drill out the lock, then once open buy a replacement tumbler and keys and replace the one you drilled out..
 
Do you know if the dial is locked or just the "Day-Lock"? It's easier to get into them if only the Day-Lock is locked. A friend of mine , who sold gun safes, says that if only the day-lock is used, you can just drill out the tumblers in the key lock and turn the outside dial to be able to open the door. At this point, you might not know if only the Day-Lock is in use. If your dial is set on zero, then that might be a clue that only the day-lock is set and not the tumblers. Sadly, most owners only use the day-lock and later regret their actions. Now, understand that I am not aware of the quality of safe you have. ..... :confused:


My safe is one of a high-end safes and it came with two keys. A few years back, I lost one of them and when I tried to get a spare from a reputable lock smith, he said he could not legally duplicate it and he did not have that base pattern. Now, I also know that most gun safe manufactureres do not make the lock itself but instead, buy them from an outside source, in lots. ... ;)


By my measure, A" locksmith is still your best bet. .... :)


Be Safe !!!
 
Thanks for the help. Good idea on cabinet versus safe? I just assume it's a safe but I'll check. Also, I'll shop around for another locksmith. I appreciate the info.
 
Fred, I was given a safe about 600lbs and dial combo type lock a couple yrs ago and the charge was 85.00 to pick the safe he had in done in mins gave me the #'s and off he went.
 
Locks are for honest people, and are very easy to defeat if you know what you are doing!
A locksmith should be able to help you without damage, or, he or she isnt a very good locksmith!
 
Locks are for honest people, and are very easy to defeat if you know what you are doing!
A locksmith should be able to help you without damage, or, he or she isnt a very good locksmith!
Click to expand...


^^^^
This!


A friend of mine is a forensic locksmith.... he taught me, in about 10 minutes, how to open ALMOST any lock with the correct tools. Any "locksmith" worth the name should be able to have that thing open in... seconds, practically.



Although.... I've always hated the "locks are for honest people" cliche.... I'm an honest people, you don't need locks to keep me out of your stuff.... that's what it means to be "honest".

Locks are for DISHONEST people who aren't very MOTIVATED!
 
Yeah, but really honest people respect closed doors. ;)
Open doors too, for that matter.

To the OP: Any updates??? I'd like to hear what was in there.
 
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