The Down Range Forum
Member Section => Handguns => Topic started by: DeltaM on June 14, 2009, 08:22:48 PM
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I keep 2 of my CC guns, when not in my pocket, in a drawer safe beside my bed. It is one of those "Stack-On" brand that has a electronic digital combination with a key behind a cover for backup to open it. The batteries must have died all of a sudden without warning. I can't find where I hid the key. Really tics me off.
Has anyone had a similar problem? The locksmiths around here us a Black & Decker pic to open such things. I really don't want steel filings raining down on my pistols.
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If it's "Stack On a good pry bar will do the job. They are not very rugged.
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http://stack-on.com/securityplus/instructions/pdf/GC-908-5-900-5_9017-0707.pdf
here's a form to get a new key, if it isn't urgent. what kind of key is it? should be able to pick it even if it's a round, barrel type. (they have special picks). anyway, good luck, and next time remember where you left the darn keys! ;)
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We keep looking at the smaller safes but haven't chosen one. I was comparing two today, both electronic. One had key backup the other did not. Made me wonder what you'd do if the batteries ran out on the one without key backup.
Probably be in the same situation as DeltaM
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We keep looking at the smaller safes but haven't chosen one. I was comparing two today, both electronic. One had key backup the other did not. Made me wonder what you'd do if the batteries ran out on the one without key backup.
Probably be in the same situation as DeltaM
GMG...I have a small GunVault for two or three handguns and mags/speedloaders. It has a touch pad AND a key to open it. It takes about one to two seconds to open and my key is with me, or my car keys, always. My daughter carries the other key with her. They have a new micro vault for a single handgun, I think I'm going to buy one for the trunk of my car.
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Some of the better safes have a set of contacts on the side to touch a battery against to open the safe in the event the batteries go dead.
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My small safe Has the ability to be plugged in. Might be a good option
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Thanks for all the advice. I'm gonna try the stack on sight first, then cut it open. The safe came from Dick's for about $50.00. A locksmith would cost more than the safe is worth. I very briefly, thought about cutting the hinges off with my cutting torch ;D but realized it would be like using a match to see how much gas is in a tank . I keep a couple speed loaders in there too.
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thought about cutting the hinges off with my cutting torch Grin but realized it would be like using a match to see how much gas is in a tank
Great call, the loudest sound when using a cutting torch to get into a safe is BANG!
I hope the destruction of the safe is a last resort.... Post some pics though, as ya know a learning experience.
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Thanks for all the advice. I'm gonna try the stack on sight first, then cut it open. The safe came from Dick's for about $50.00. A locksmith would cost more than the safe is worth. I very briefly, thought about cutting the hinges off with my cutting torch ;D but realized it would be like using a match to see how much gas is in a tank . I keep a couple speed loaders in there too.
If you have to cut it, find a body shop that has a plasma cutter. You'll get some sparks but not nearly the heat input you would from an oxy-fuel torch. Cut out a side from the top down and use some wet cloth to minimize heat retention. It should take less than 10 seconds. I've got the same type of box and cogitated what I might do in your situation. Doubtless, though, getting a replacement key is the best option.
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The Stack Ons that I have looked at, torch would be major overkill. They are only made out of .060 sheet metal, use a Sawz All with a hack saw blade and you can take the end right off. But to keep from hitting the guns inside I would still suggest using a pry bar to pop open the door.
Large screw driver should be enough.
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Just to follow up on my predicament. I got my stuff out and will attach a picture if I can figure out how. I also figured out why the batteries were dead. The safe was in my underwear drawer. I had a couple pair of socks stuffed in there on top of the safe. When I pushed down on the socks to get the drawer closed it probable pushed on the buttons holding one or more down.
I had 2 guns my wallet a Glock clip and a S&W speed loader in there. I ended up using my Saws-all and a drill to pry open the places where the locking rods fit. The steel is convoluted around in such a way that it is very stiff. I couldn't believe how tough the little box was. Prying it open was out. It was to big for my vise and to little and slick to adequately clamp down. It was hard enough to hold it still while I cut it. If I find the key I'll weld the tabs I cut out back on and re-paint it.
There was another piece of the same metal across the inside from top to bottom that is not showing as I had to cut it out. It would be the equivalent of door stop so when the door is closed you can't get a pry bar past the door. You can see a short piece at the upper left of the safe on pic 10.
Mike
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Just to follow up on my predicament. I got my stuff out and will attach a picture if I can figure out how. I also figured out why the batteries were dead. The safe was in my underwear drawer. I had a couple pair of socks stuffed in there on top of the safe. When I pushed down on the socks to get the drawer closed it probable pushed on the buttons holding one or more down.
I had 2 guns my wallet a Glock clip and a S&W speed loader in there. I ended up using my Saws-all and a drill to pry open the places where the locking rods fit. The steel is convoluted around in such a way that it is very stiff. I couldn't believe how tough the little box was. Prying it open was out. It was to big for my vise and to little and slick to adequately clamp down. It was hard enough to hold it still while I cut it. If I find the key I'll weld the tabs I cut out back on and re-paint it.
There was another piece of the same metal across the inside from top to bottom that is not showing as I had to cut it out. It would be the equivalent of door stop so when the door is closed you can't get a pry bar past the door. You can see a short piece at the upper left of the safe on pic 10.
Mike
Mike glad you solved yer problem BUT>>>>>>
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p78/hazcater/Fun%20Stuff/clipmag1.jpg)
;) ;D
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Yeh, but I can spell clips. ;) By the way, I hope someone doesn't try to shoot the "clip" on the bottom ;D.
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Yeh, but I can spell clips. ;) By the way, I hope someone doesn't try to shoot the "clip" on the bottom ;D.
You know, as many times as Haz has put that picture up, I had never noticed that those .45's had no primers ;D
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Delta-
Great "range report" ??? How long did it take to break?
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You know, as many times as Haz has put that picture up, I had never noticed that those .45's had no primers "CAPS" ;D
Aint nothing but a G-thang, baby.
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Delta-
Great "range report" ??? How long did it take to break?
About 45 minutes. Most spent taping to keep out metal filings and looking with a penlight to make sure nothing vibrated into range of the saw.
Something else funny, the Kahr was clean but the Glock seemed like a magnet. Stuff was stuck to the point they were hard to brush off. Had to strip it to get them all out.
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Shame, just came upon the thread. You can get a lock pick kit for about $17 bucks. Takes about 5 to 15 minutes to get through most locks your first time or two... But no damage! Sorry. I've used mine several times just playing around on car locks, door locks, pad locks, my gun safe lock. After your first time or two you can pop most locks in about 1 - 3 minutes.
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Can one be bought online? I asked my local locksmith about selling me one and he gave me a line like you need to be qualified, or trained or some such.
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No joke! He's not going to tell everyone how to put him out of business!
http://www.southord.com/Lock-Picking-Tools/Lock-Pick-Sets.html
They're all over online. Thats where I got mine. You can spend $7 bucks, or $70 depending how many peices you want. You honestly wont need more than a 7 tool kit for most locks. Unless your doing it as a profession... The huge expensive kits are a total waste. I bought a 20 tool kit, and after learning how to use them all I only ever use the same three picks each time. Usually just two unless its a lock with a double sided key. Those ARE harder to do for sure, but not to much. The ones I havet figured out yet (for lack of trying honestly) are the round keys used on vending machines and my tool chest.
If you've got a little money to spend get a "gun pick" those are almost as good as having the key! They do tend to beat the locks up a little inside though, and you may have trouble with that lock after using the gun pick on it.
By far the best kit in my opinion, and from my experience (comftorble handles DO make a difference!)
http://www.southord.com/Lock-Picking-Tools/Lock-Pick-Set-14-Piece-PXS-14.html Wish I had just bought that one!
If nothing else, its just fun to learn to use! Dont bother trying to pick a car door lock, their to hard to turn for this reason. Buy a "repo kit" for about 8 bucks for that (comes with a couple different slim jim's, and some other cool stuff). Get one at a truck stop.
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Not sure, but I think lock picks and slim jim possession may be illegal in some locations.
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Yes they can considered as Burglars tools, if you don't have a valid locksmith job, or a good excuse like me for automotive, but check your local laws.
Lock manipulation is a very fun and useful skill, I started at 12 and it got me into trouble, nothing that sticks though, I highly recommend learning it, it will come in useful at some point, and yes I can pick tubular locks, like on a vending machine, unless you buy the expensive, collet pick, it will take time, as most of them are double locks, which means, you pick it and it makes 180 degrees, and relocks, and you start over, took me 45 minutes to pick my 1st, but satisfying in the end. A good skill to learn ;D
You never know when it will come in handy. The real locksmith picks are much better, than the cheap stuff, but we have a local guy making kits that are like a swiss army knife, cheap, and very small that work.
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Yes they can considered as Burglars tools, if you don't have a valid locksmith job, or a good excuse like me for automotive, but check your local laws.
Lock manipulation is a very fun and useful skill, I started at 12 and it got me into trouble, nothing that sticks though, I highly recommend learning it, it will come in useful at some point, and yes I can pick tubular locks, like on a vending machine, unless you buy the expensive, collet pick, it will take time, as most of them are double locks, which means, you pick it and it makes 180 degrees, and relocks, and you start over, took me 45 minutes to pick my 1st, but satisfying in the end. A good skill to learn ;D
You never know when it will come in handy. The real locksmith picks are much better, than the cheap stuff, but we have a local guy making kits that are like a swiss army knife, cheap, and very small that work.
Back in college a female friend of mine had lost or misplaced her dorm keys. The college policy was pretty harsh about key loss and she asked me for help as she didn't want to deal with the college as she figured the keys would show up. I by accidental circumstances just happened to have a master key that opened all dorm rooms and most other campus doors. I got her into her room and she then asked if I got get her locked desk open, she was almost frantic about it. I had never picked a lock, but told her I could. It was a simple lock and I think it had two tumblers. After a few minutes of fumbling around with a couple of bobby pins I got the lock and desk drawer open. She took out the dispenser with those little daily pills in it and popped one, then turned towards me and smiled. Like they say, the rest was history. ;D
I also had a homemade slimjimfrom a piece of banding material that I used often to help people get in there locked out cars. One day there were a couple of cops fumbling around with a coat hanger trying to help a young gal get in her car. I watched them for a few minutes then pulled out my slimjim from under the truck seat and pooped the lock in about 5 seconds. You should have seen the look on the cops' faces.
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Back in college a female friend of mine had lost or misplaced her dorm keys. The college policy was pretty harsh about key loss and she asked me for help as she didn't want to deal with the college as she figured the keys would show up. I by accidental circumstances just happened to have a master key that opened all dorm rooms and most other campus doors. I got her into her room and she then asked if I got get her locked desk open, she was almost frantic about it. I had never picked a lock, but told her I could. It was a simple lock and I think it had two tumblers. After a few minutes of fumbling around with a couple of bobby pins I got the lock and desk drawer open. She took out the dispenser with those little daily pills in it and popped one, then turned towards me and smiled. Like they say, the rest was history. ;D
I also had a homemade slimjimfrom a piece of banding material that I used often to help people get in there locked out cars. One day there were a couple of cops fumbling around with a coat hanger trying to help a young gal get in her car. I watched them for a few minutes then pulled out my slimjim from under the truck seat and pooped the lock in about 5 seconds. You should have seen the look on the cops' faces.
Two fine examples of conceiled carry. ;D Never leave home without them as never know when something might come up and you might need to pull it out for use..... ;D ;D
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back a bunch of years ago I worked as a diesel fleet mechanic, had a young kid that was a real smartass know it all. I was messing around one day with a large "Master" pad lock that didn't have a key. He came over and asked what I was doing and I told him I was trying to open the lock by picking it. He said That's a "Master" lock they cant be picked. I told him there were very few locks that couldn't be picked and his reply was "if you get that open by picking it I'll give you $20" The words were no sooner out of his mouth when I popped the lock open and handed it to him and said I'll take that $20 now. ;D ;D He never did get it through his head that old age and treachery will always overcome youth and skill
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No joke! He's not going to tell everyone how to put him out of business!
http://www.southord.com/Lock-Picking-Tools/Lock-Pick-Sets.html
They're all over online. Thats where I got mine. You can spend $7 bucks, or $70 depending how many peices you want. You honestly wont need more than a 7 tool kit for most locks. Unless your doing it as a profession... The huge expensive kits are a total waste. I bought a 20 tool kit, and after learning how to use them all I only ever use the same three picks each time. Usually just two unless its a lock with a double sided key. Those ARE harder to do for sure, but not to much. The ones I havet figured out yet (for lack of trying honestly) are the round keys used on vending machines and my tool chest.
If you've got a little money to spend get a "gun pick" those are almost as good as having the key! They do tend to beat the locks up a little inside though, and you may have trouble with that lock after using the gun pick on it.
By far the best kit in my opinion, and from my experience (comftorble handles DO make a difference!)
http://www.southord.com/Lock-Picking-Tools/Lock-Pick-Set-14-Piece-PXS-14.html Wish I had just bought that one!If nothing else, its just fun to learn to use! Dont bother trying to pick a car door lock, their to hard to turn for this reason. Buy a "repo kit" for about 8 bucks for that (comes with a couple different slim jim's, and some other cool stuff). Get one at a truck stop.
Thanks, Badgersmilk. I ordered the set that you recommended. Can't wait to play with it and learn how to use it.
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I dont imagin you'll be disapointed.
Best way to start learning if you ask me (again, I dont do any of this as a profession, just for fun and to add another skill to my "bag of tricks"), get yourself a couple old pad locks and play with them while watching the news, or other tv in the evenings. That way you dont overthink what your doing and get frustrated (both lead to bending up your picks if your not carefull!).
Dont try to start out with a lock that uses a double sided key either. Pain in the butt compared to single sided which are a breeze!