No matter what kind of firearms you have, you will want to do the safe and intelligent thing and placed them in a safe when you were not using them. This not only gives you peace of mind that someone isn’t going to walk away with your guns, but also assures you that they are not going to wind up in the hands of your kids, causing an incident that would be beyond words.
One of the most important decisions you will make in regards to your safe is what kind of locking mechanism you wish to use: electronic or mechanical. Each has its benefits, and this article will provide you not only with how each of these locks works, but also about the advantages and disadvantages of using either.
The Electronic Lock Gun Safe
An electronic lock uses a digital keypad or biomechanical sensor to assist in the opening and unlocking of the safe. Through use of either a numeric keypad or a sensor that electronically verifies that your fingerprinting gives authorization to open the safe, this mechanism can be one of the safest and most efficient on the market today.
Unless a perfect match is supplied, either in the digital code or in the fingerprint analysis, the safe will not unlock. This makes it one of the most secure options out there, and one of the quickest to use as well.
The Advantages of the Electronic Safe
A person can enter a code in three or four seconds or gain access using their fingerprint and a matter of a second, and is why it has become so popular, however, there are a number of other advantages. Here are some of the more common ones.
- Provides the quickest access into a safe.
- The LED light provided makes it easier for you to enter the digital code when it is dark.
- Larger sized fonts make it easy to read, especially when you are in an emergency.
- The ability to change a code is extremely easy, requiring no technical support to do so.
- If you are using the fingerprint sensor, no one would ever be able to use their print to gain access into your safe.
- If using a digital code, only those who know the code could gain access.
The Disadvantages of the Electronic Safe
While there are great advantages in using this kind of safe, it does have its challenges as well. Here is a list of some of the more common disadvantages of using the electronic safe:
- The fact that it is battery powered means that you can automatically be locked out if the power in the safe is dead.
- If an electrical shortage happens in the safe you have lost access to all of your materials and valuables located in the safe.
- If there is no emergency key provided, you have no way to get into the safe unless you drill into it or higher a technician to assist you.
- At some point, the circuit board in the safe is going to die. This means you are either have to replace the circuit board altogether or find a new safe.
A Quick Note to Know About the Electronic Safe
Many are enjoying the technological advances that come with using electronic locked safe. The ability to be able to enter your own unique code in a matter of a few seconds makes this a fantastic option, and many of these saves come with a security function that if someone has tried to open the safe and been wrong after a number of attempts, usually somewhere between five and seven, the safe is locked permanently. That’s great to keep burglars out, but can create a bad situation for you as well.
Fortunately, the penalties for an incorrect number of code entries is usually about five minutes. This means that after you have given your safe a few minutes, you are able to try again if you simply were having challenges entering your code. This is why it may be to your advantage to purchase a safe that comes with an emergency key option as well.
The Mechanical Lock Gun Safe
Most of us are quite familiar with the mechanical safe. This option has been used for centuries, and uses a three disc system to enable you to create your own unique code. Each disc holds a specific number and, used together, you create the three digit code that gives access to the safe by unlocking it.
The unlocking of the safe is usually accomplished by first turning clockwise to the first digit within your code. Then, going counterclockwise, you would spend past the number once and then stop on the second digit on the second pass by. Finally, going clockwise, you would enter the third number, pulled the handle and you are in.
The Advantages of the Mechanical Safe
While this is an antiquated locking system to many, there are a huge number of benefits that come from using this type of safe. They include:
- Much longer lifespan because these types of saves rarely ever break down.
- The parts included in the safe have a longer lifespan and greater durability.
- You are able to get into the safe at any time, no matter whether you have power are not.
- These saves never deny you access because of too many attempts to get in.
The Disadvantages of the Mechanical Safe
The mechanical safe also has some challenges to it. There are some disadvantages, which include:
- Unless you turn the dial once you are done using the safe, it is still unlocked.
- Tumblers can become misaligned over time, meaning that your numbers may change even if you did not change them.
- Some safes can be a bit finicky because of the way that the discs are designed.
- If you are going to change the code on this type of safe it can sometimes mean you have to contact the technician or a locksmith to be able to do so.
- Some safes come with a combination code that you have to use, not giving you the ability to create your own code.
