How to Break Into a Gun Safe Without a Key

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The ever-growing need for gun safety has lead to the rise of personal gun safes. However, many people do not know how to break into a gun safe. And they also don’t know how much time or money it takes to break into a properly installed gun safe.

So, what can you do when you forgot the code of your gun safe? How will you break in to get your valuables and guns back?

If you are looking for breaking into a gun safe, this blog post will help you if you forgot the code of the gun safe. For example, if your unit has a locking mechanism, you need to replace the lock with a new one.

There are a few ways for how to break into a gun safe without damaging anything. Of course, you might have to break the lock system for it to work, and also it may require repairing afterward that might cost you higher. To avoid these expenses there are still other options available.

How to Break Into a Gun Safe Without a Key

There are many ways to break into a gun safe, but remember breaking the lock will cost more time and money, depending on what type of lock your safety box has. There may be some other way that doesn’t involve damaging anything so let’s look at those first!

Man prying safe with crowbar

This article explores five different tested methods for opening up your gun safe without losing any components or spending too much cash repairing it later.

1. Calling a Locksmith

If you’re unable to open your gun safe, don’t worry, You can take help from a locksmith, and it won’t cost too much. Go with that professional locksmith who has experience unlocking any lock mechanism without causing damage to the gun safe.

You do not have to hit your safe with different tools, and it will be too late if you damage the lock mechanism while trying to get in. They have many tools like borescope to trace out any weaknesses they might find on your lock mechanism which will help to open the safety box without damaging anything.

A professional locksmith should find any weak points on your safe quickly so that you can save time from having them in the future.

2. Prying Technique

Gun units are not airtight; they have little space for air intake to keep your guns dry. To open the lock, you have to find out that hole or any prying space to place the rod inside, which could break through the lock of your door.

This will cause significant damage to the gun safe. Remember using this technique you won’t be able to use locking again once it’s broken.

Now to use the prying technique:

  • Use a rod and prying hole to push up and downward until the lock mechanism releases its hold.
  • Using this technique will give you full control over your action there are a lot of chances to be attacked with spring power that appears in the lock mechanism.

3. Drilling the Locking Mechanism

Another tested method is drilling. It is one of the oldest and most common methods for breaking into a gun safe. All you have to do is drill the locking system, which will not damage the whole unit; only the locking mechanism will be completely damaged to unlock the safe.

Screw and cordless drill

Now take a drill machine and point it on the locking plate and start drilling until all the screws start getting unscrewed and leave the door of the gun safe to unlock. While using a drill machine, make sure you don’t cut the electric wires of your unit if it’s an electric gun safe.

After successfully opening the door, you will not be able to relock it as the screws will no longer be of any use. But still, if you want to use it, buy the new one and lock the gun safe.

4. Using a Magnet

Now it finds funny to you but using the magnet has unlocked the gun safe with an almost 90% success rate. Neodymium magnets are readily available, and some people use them for unlocking safes without the key combination! All you need is a neodymium magnet which is easily available offline or even in e-stores like Amazon.

First, take a magnet and fabric cloth to hold onto it when you are trying to unlock the door. The process gets easier once you successfully locate your solenoids on both sides by using a powerful magnet. Remember, most of the safes model solenoids are located at the backside of the locking mechanism.

Now move the magnets all over until you feel metal on the other side of the gun safe box, and when you find it, it will be easier for you to unlock the unit.

Loose screws being attracted to a magnet

When the lock is opened, you can easily reset the code without damaging your gun-safe locking mechanism. After successfully opening the unit, put the magnet in a safe and proper place to avoid damaging any electrical equipment.

5. Using a Wire Clip

This old-fashioned method is still possible for how to open gun safes. You can say this trick is a favorite among criminals and movie directors. Applying this method requires some small objects that are thin enough, like paper clips, wire, or plastic straws.

It works only on old traditional model gun safes that are not digital or biometric units. Also, it’s the safest method and does not damage the safety box in any form. You cannot rely on this method as it has a 50-50 chance that this trick will work or not.

Locate the hole in your gun safes and take a thin wire. Now make a little hook at one end and insert inside the unit and move it horizontally or in an upward or downward direction. While moving the wire, put your ear near the lock and detect any sound is coming from the locking mechanism.

If you hear any sound, then keep on doing it until you find the key combination. After numerous tries, you will be successful in opening the gun safe. This method will surely save you from spending lots of money on locksmiths.

Final Words

I hope you like my information on how to break into a gun safe without a combination key. Also, remember that while opening the gun safe you should keep the damage to your unit as minimum as possible. Still, if you used some type of force on your locking mechanism then you might not be able to use the safety box again.

James Forrester is a lifelong gun and firearms owner, and an even bigger advocate for gun safety. He created KeepGunsSafe.com with the purpose of sharing helpful tips and educating others on how to keep guns and weapons safe and secure.