Do you prefer an electronic lock or dial lock on your gun safe?

[Greenhorn]

I am looking at buying a new gun safe and most of the new ones have electronic locks on them.  What are the pros and cons of electronic?  My other safe is an American Security with a dial lock, I like it because it seems a little more old school but am a little slow with it.  On another note, do you share your combination with the whole family?

[300rum]

If you expect your wife to get into it, go with the electronic.   

[turkeyfeather]

Electronic, if I need to get into it quickly I don't wanna mess with a dial.

[lostbackpacker]

electric lock

[Sliverslinger]

I went with a manual lock because I reasoned that it would be more reliable, last longer, and be less difficult to damage. I still think those are some pros, but the cons would be that it takes quite a while to open, especially when I'm in a hurry and get the combo wrong. My wife can't ever remember how to open it and the combo can never be changed. Just some food for thought while you are making your decision.

[deltaops]

Dial Lock. I hope it never happens but if the Digital safe is in a fire, may have to call a locksmith to get the rifles out. Depends all on the safe. Dial Lock, it will open right up. Pros and Cons for them both. I will be installing a wall safe for easy access and maybe even a floor safe later on down the road.

[pianoman9701]

I have a digital, but there's a master key if it fails.

[twinners]

The small safe in my room is electronic. I can open it in pitch black if need be ie middle of the night intruder.  My rifle safe is just a cheapo with a key.

[Greenhorn]

This safe is intended for long guns in the basement, not necessarily for home invasion.  My family does have a hard time getting the combo right the first time if at all on my other large safe.  My personal protection is not locked and in my bedroom.  I did hear that the cheaper electronic locks have a key to open when the battery goes dead but a Lagard electronic lock uses an external 9 volt jumper to power the lock if the internal battery dies and they are a group 2 lock.

[Ridgeratt]

If it says SG on the dial you can't go wrong!!
Sargent Greenlee

[JackOfAllTrades]

DIAL!
 
-Steve

[scoyoc5]

 

[gasman]

Dial and here is why.

This last summer a buddy of mine came home from work to find some broke in to his house and stole both his safe's. One was in his bed room and the other was in the garage. He could not get the big safe in the house so he left it in his attached garage. We figured they pulled a truck in teh garage and pushed it over in to a truck
When he was making his police report the officer told him that the thief's would have it open in less then 15 min 

There is some thing about the locking mechanism that they can take apart and hook up a 9V batteries and open the safe 

I guess you can find out how to do this on You Tube, at least that is what the cop told him.
 

[ghosthunter]

A lot of safes are stolen, that's why they should be bolted down. Bad guys cut out the bottoms where on many safes the metal is thinner.

[Caseyd]

http://youtu.be/D33T4GOtB-U

[Boss .300 winmag]

http://youtu.be/D33T4GOtB-U

Ouch, that sucks for all the people who have bought them. 

[Greenhorn]

It looks like for the most part you get what you pay for.  But buying a cheap safe may just be a waste of money.