Best way to open a safe????

[abunaitoo]

I may have a gun safe to try and open.
Owner passed away.
There are firearms inside, and who knows what else.
I don't know what brand it is yet. Will find out on Wed.
Would be nice to open it without to much damage. But I don't think that's going to happen.
I have a torch, plasma cutter, grinder with cutting wheel, BFH.
Someone said locksmith would charge $500.
Any suggestions.

[tomme boy]

Tip it on its back and get out some very big pry bars. Most safes are not that well built. Pry on the openings and pop the bars. Or, Contact the maker and get a death cert. and serial #. They usually will give it to you that way.

[labradigger1]

Some people intentionally store black powder in gun safes just for sparks from plasma, grinder or torches. I will advise against sparks.

[dragon813gt]

Pay a locksmith.

[Smoke4320]

If one of the name brand safes browning , cannon ect there will be a stamped code on the back of the safe. Get that code
Call the mfg for their recovery procedure.
Usually the cops will need to come out confirm the code and certificate of death.
Cops will then write letter on police letterhead confirming code and their contact info.
You fax that to safe company they call you with the combo

[JoeG52]

If one of the name brand safes browning , cannon ect there will be a stamped code on the back of the safe. Get that code
Call the mfg for their recovery procedure.
Usually the cops will need to come out confirm the code and certificate of death.
Cops will then write letter on police letterhead confirming code and their contact info.
You fax that to safe company they call you with the combo
+1
Been there, done that.

[rush1886]

For FUTURE reference--

I wrote down the combination to my safe, put it into a zip lok bag, then the first bag and paper into a 2nd zip lok bag. Pulled the cover off of my electrical circuit breaker box, stashed the "baggie" in a corner of the box, and replaced the cover.

Informed my wife, sister, and one very trusted friend, of the location. Inside the breaker box is one place common burglars will seldom visit. Most of my friends and acquaintances would have little or no reservation about taking the cover off and retrieving the baggie. Worst case, a local electrician shouldn't charge any more than $25 for the service, if he would charge at all, given the circumstances.


A little thought could come up with a few other hidey holes around the house, then, when necessary, entry can be made without time and other factors getting in the way.

[bob208]

first got to a locksmith and ask him. then you will know. don't believe what "some one tells you". it only cost me $400 to open and repair mine after some one tried to break into it. the money spent will be recouped when you sell the safe in good working condition. plus you will not damage anything in the safe.

[DerekP Houston]

I would agree, depends on the type of safe. Any of the higher end I would contact the manufacturer. If its a cheap one from a local big box store, the bottom will be the weakest point. Depends if the safe is worth more than what the locksmith is going to charge.

[Petrol & Powder]

".....Depends if the safe is worth more than what the locksmith is going to charge. "

That's the winning answer. If it's a cheap safe I would just lay it on its back and pry it open. You'll destroy the safe but paying $400 dollars to save a $400 safe is not cost effective.
If a locksmith can open a $800 safe without damage and only charge you $400, you'll be money ahead.

If the manufacturer can give you the combination and you're not in a hurry to get it open; that is another option.

[lightman]

I would start by calling a lock smith. I would call several, as you might find one that is cheaper for some reason. Calling the manufacture is another starting point.

This is no help to you, but I have the combo to a few friends safes and at least one trusted one has mine. We are all going to be gone someday, and we may not know exactly when it will be.

[castalott]

Find a 5 year old kid...they can get into anything... Jus kidding... I have seen good ideas on the net that you could try. One involved drilling 2 holes in the right place....

[Hardcast416taylor]

Almost all combination safes come from the plant with a combination of all zeros. It is amazing how many safe owners never change that combination.Robert

[tomme boy]

Never ever seen a safe with all 0's

[w5pv]

The price of the items that are stored in the safe would more than pay for the price of a locksmith.Take your pick.

[AK Caster]

95% of the safes I seen on display opened with all 0's or 123456 if they had a digital dial

[ole 5 hole group]

Calling the manufacture is the best bet, as most don't change the combination upon purchasing the safe. Otherwise, if you think the individual did change the combination, try opening with his birth date, spouse's birth date, his home address etc, as a person usually changes a combination to something easily remembered. If all fails, then you either pay or get your tools out and see just how bad you can ***** that safe.;)

[country gent]

A locksmith is the really viable answer to this he can normally open one fairly quickly and if licensed can be a go between with the manufacturer to get the actual combination. Or you can Call manufacturer and fax or send required info to get factory combination. Keep in mind better safes allow the combination to be reset to the owners desire so factory may not have it per say. Most decent safes have 8-10 free rotating locking bolts of a material that dosnt crind or tourch cut easily. DAmage to contents is high with the home brew opening method. SOme really good safes have glass links in the mechanisim when they break from forced opening the bolts are in place with now means of retracting them.Also chck in the owners manual for the safe if still there it ay be noted in it.

[Alexn20]

Dont cut it unless you know what is inside. I would think that is a last resort. Is it a Combination or key safe? I would agree with contacting the manufacturer first.

[lefty o]

dont tip it on its back, unless you want to damage everything thats in it! first contact a locksmith, that is the easiest way to get in, just has some cash outlay. failing that cut it open, either cut the top off or cut out one of the sides. cutting them open works better if the safe is fire rated, as the layer of sheetrock inside will keep the sparks from actually getting at the contents.

[DerekP Houston]

95% of the safes I seen on display opened with all 0's or 123456 if they had a digital dial

****** how did you get my secret code =/ they told me it was secure.

[triggerhappy243]

you could also utilize a hole saw around the safe overlapping each hole and cut the top out that way.

[Blanco]

^^^^^ This is true I know of at least 2 people that have never changed the factory ship out combo

[abunaitoo]

All good info. Thanks.
I haven't even seen it yet.
Don't know how good or what brand it is.
I'll talk with the family and see what they want to do.

[fouronesix]

If you have power of attorney over the contents and getting into the safe the only answer that makes any sense is: call a locksmith. If you don't have power of attorney over the contents and getting into the safe have whomever does make the decision about how to get into it.

[Petrol & Powder]

Destructive means would be my last option if it was a high quality safe but likely my first option if it was a cheap safe.
As for tipping it over to attack the door of a cheap safe, i wouldn't just shove it over. I would lower it down on its back slowly. Yes, the contents will shift but they'll be OK. The doors of cheap safes are far easier to defeat if the safe is on its back.

[mold maker]

When my combo failed, I called a pro. $350. included a new combo lock, and the service. Safe was a second-hand unit that I paid less for, but I still have a serviceable safe, and no damage to the contents. And it came with a guarantee.

[MUSTANG]

Call a Marine Lance Corporal and tell him to open the safe.


Many years ago in Korea we had a safe that the combination lock failed on for some reason. Tried finding a locksmith from the Army to open it, but there was no way to get them to our location in a timely manner. We had an encrypted communications link that had to have the encryption updated in a few hours, and it was locked in the safe. Had a Lance Corporal who kept saying: "I can open it sir. I can open it sir". Finally after we exhausted all the options I gave Lance Corporal BeeKnots permission to open the safe. He took a pick from the jeep and with one swing took off the Combo Dial and manipulated the dial interface and popped open the safe. Always made me far more cautious of additional security on Classified and sensitive materials stored in government safes after that. GSA claimed it took four hours to defeat the Sergeant Green Leaf Combo/Safes we used. The LCPL did it in less than 3 minutes, including time to go get the pick from the jeep.







Seriously, Call a locksmith and get a quote.

[Tackleberry41]

Call a Marine Lance Corporal and tell him to open the safe.


Many years ago in Korea we had a safe that the combination lock failed on for some reason. Tried finding a locksmith from the Army to open it, but there was no way to get them to our location in a timely manner. We had an encrypted communications link that had to have the encryption updated in a few hours, and it was locked in the safe. Had a Lance Corporal who kept saying: "I can open it sir. I can open it sir". Finally after we exhausted all the options I gave Lance Corporal BeeKnots permission to open the safe. He took a pick from the jeep and with one swing took off the Combo Dial and manipulated the dial and popped one the safe. Always made me far more cautious of additional security on Classified and sensitive materials stored in government safes after that. GSA claimed it took four hours to defeat the Sergeant Green Leaf Combo/Safes we used. The LCPL did it in less than 3 minutes, including time to go get the pick from the jeep.



Seriously, Call a locksmith and get a quote.


Yea but marines are specialists in destroying things. We used to joke that you could put a marine in a room w no windows or doors, a rubber ball and an anvil, turn around real quick the anvil would be broke and the ball lost. They quit using the prong flash hider on the M16 due to its use for everything but a flash hider, or that they put that thicker barrel on as we tended to use them as pry bars.

[castalott]

Just like a rig crew joke...the pusher always bought tools in sets of 4....the rig hands would break one, steal one , lose one, and have one to work with...

[Lance Boyle]

Call a Marine Lance Corporal and tell him to open the safe.


Many years ago in Korea we had a safe that the combination lock failed on for some reason. Tried finding a locksmith from the Army to open it, but there was no way to get them to our location in a timely manner. We had an encrypted communications link that had to have the encryption updated in a few hours, and it was locked in the safe. Had a Lance Corporal who kept saying: "I can open it sir. I can open it sir". Finally after we exhausted all the options I gave Lance Corporal BeeKnots permission to open the safe. He took a pick from the jeep and with one swing took off the Combo Dial and manipulated the dial interface and popped open the safe. Always made me far more cautious of additional security on Classified and sensitive materials stored in government safes after that. GSA claimed it took four hours to defeat the Sergeant Green Leaf Combo/Safes we used. The LCPL did it in less than 3 minutes, including time to go get the pick from the jeep.



Seriously, Call a locksmith and get a quote.



LOL, sounds like Lance Corporal BeeKnots got in with a waiver.

[WILCO]

Any suggestions.

Don't get involved. No good deed goes unpunished. Provide a list of Locksmiths and leave it at that.

[Duckiller]

Get a locksmith! They know what they are doing and can open the safe without damaging it. Neighbour got a safe from his father in law, kept the combination in a china cabinet. FIL died, wife cleaned the china cabinet. Locksmith wasn't that expensive and the safe was undamaged.

[hunterldh]

I was the executor for my friend's estate. He left two large high-end upright gun safes that were packed full of firearms. One was his and I found the combination in a safety deposit box. The other had belonged to his father who had recently passed away. I had to pay several hundred dollars to a locksmith to get it opened. He drilled above the combination dial at about a 45° downward angle. I remember him talking about a hardened steel plate being in there to prevent drilling and the angle had to be exact to miss it. He went through a couple of expensive carbide bits during the hour that it took him. After the safe was open the drill chips had to be cleaned out of the mechanism. Part of the service was filling the drilled hole with what looked like auto body filler. Later I sanded that small area smooth and used the factory touch-up paint that I found inside of the safe. It was hard to tell that the drilling had happened, even if you knew the story. Hunter

[wv109323]

If a locksmith is out of the question,check out the web. You can find how to open some safes from the Internet. Usually there is a place to drill where you can can defeat the lock or locking mechanism.
My father bought an old safe box from a church that the combination had been lost. He found out where to drill and opened it. Nothing important inside.

[waarp8nt]

I would say it would depend on the manufacture of the safe. I know the small Century safes sold everywhere from Bills Hardware to Wal-Mart all that is required is serial number off of the safe and a letter signed by a Notary. The letter can be downloaded from the manufactures website...its all going to depend on the manufactures policy.

[GOPHER SLAYER]

I have opened two safes by simply cutting the back out with a torch. They were cheapies. Once I was inside I took the back off the combination and turned the dial until the first wheel was in place , then turned the dial to the right to line up the next wheel. I then turned to the left and so on. I turned the handle and the safe door opened. There was nothing in either safe but old receipts. I could have welded new backs on the safes but they were not worth the trouble. Many safes or more for fire protection than security. I had one small high dollar wall safe made of very thick steel but I didn't want to try and cut into it so I asked a lock & safe dealer if he could call the MFG and get the combination. I have known him for many years so he called them and got the numbers but they didn't work. I guess the combo had been changed. The man told me the safe sold for about $800. I gave it to a scrape metal man.

[OS OK]

Yea but marines are specialists in destroying things. We used to joke that you could put a marine in a room w no windows or doors, a rubber ball and an anvil, turn around real quick the anvil would be broke and the ball lost. They quit using the prong flash hider on the M16 due to its use for everything but a flash hider, or that they put that thicker barrel on as we tended to use them as pry bars.

A smart Marine would have written his combination on the front next to the dial…"always prepared"...didn't they teach you dummies anything?
It's so you won't forget it and have to suffer through problems like this situation!

Semper Fi…'this side and the other'…charlie

[leeggen]

We had a big safe at work that had not been open in about 30 years. It just sat in the corner and was not used. Boss contacted the mfg. and the faxed the papers to them as requested. We got the combo. but it didn't work we tried a few different combo.First # then changed last # and so on, the last number had been changed and none of the rest. When it opend we found the origanal warrenty and the old combo plus someone was nice enough to leave the changed combo written down on the warrenty. Most mfg will work with you or atleast thru a locksmith to give you the combo.
CD

[Doggonekid]

The safe value should be more than the locksmith. Pay the locksmith and you won't have any damage to the stuff in side and you could keep the safe for yourself. I could easy cost you $1,000 to replace the damaged safe. Not to mention the damage that could happen to what is in side.

[fg-machine]

Just to spit ball an idea out there .

Why not just get couple carbide drill bits and a cheap endoscope from harbor freight or someplace
and have a look inside the safe first .

[dragonrider]

^^^+1^^^

[map55b]

Locksmith. They will have a template to place over the pulled dial and can drill it open with a minimal holes. This will also make it easier to repair the safe door, replace the lock and put it back in service.

[minmax]

Find someone with an explosive license. Problem solved no safe.

[maxreloader]

Take your pick.

I see what you did there! :mrgreen:

[6bg6ga]

If its a digital lock most have a front that will come off exposing the inners. The manufacturer can be called and a replacement can be purchased and plugged in and the default code be used. If its rotating combination lock simply call the locksmith. A decent locksmith will have it open in less than 1 hr and you'll be charged for an hr plus the travel time. Stupidity needs to be avoided here at all costs. ANY safe is worth the cost of 1 hr locksmith time plus his travel time. There is no need to go guber and do things the redneck way.

[abunaitoo]

I'm washing my hand of it.
The sister is being a royal B****.
You try to help, and it's more of a PITA than it's worth.
I just don't understand some people. You offer to help for free, and they think they own you.

[jonp]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHXK2t50S-8

[funnyjim014]

Is the safe worth the 400 bucks? If so facto you pay to get it open you keep the safe. Sure beets cutting into it and making scrap metal and hopefully not damaging what's inside or blowing up if it's got powder in it. That's what I would do. And first dibs on what's in it lol

[JWFilips]

A small amount of C4 near each hinge & primacord ( wear ear protection:razz:)

[hardy]

Thunderbolt and Lightfoot springs to mind............Cheers,Mike

[lksmith]

You'd be surprised what a sawzall can do (even a $20 Harbor Freight special), especially with a carbide grit blade.
Drill a pilot hole for the blade, few if any sparks. No need to tip it over since in doing that you'll likely damage anything in there in addition to yourself. That is of course if you have no intention of salvaging the safe itself

[JSnover]

I'd call a 'smith. I've never opened an actual safe but I was asked to open a 'secure file cabinet' which featured an electronic combination lock and alternate layers of concrete and steel, after our armament shop was relocated.
Two days. Carbide drills, an oxyacetylene torch, hammers, pry bars, chisels, grinders… I tried the bottom, the top, the sides, the back, attacking the locking bolts, the mechanism itself, peeling the layers...
If the safe is of any real quality and you're not experienced, you won't get in without a fight.

[williamwaco]

Call a safe dealer.

If you are determined to do it yourself DO NOT attack the door. Go through the side or back. Most are nothing more than 12 ga sheet.