How to properly dial a safe lock

Many of us have a safe at home. Whether it's a gun safe, a fire safe, or a burglary safe doesn't matter. Most modern locks, like S&G, Lagard, Diebold, and Mosler all dial the same way. They are what I call 1-2-3 Ree locks.

But first, some slightly inside baseball. Most modern locks (from the 1930's forward) are three number locks. They have three wheels with each wheel holding one number. They also dial L-R-L. When you dial left for a full turn (it doesn't matter where you start) the drive pin on that wheel will pick up the next wheel. Now you are turning two wheels together. Go around another full turn and you are then turning all three wheels. This is known as "all wheels". If you are turning left, then it is known as "All wheels left". You'll see why this is important next.

To properly dial a standard three wheel lock, (see the lock in green below) you will start left and fully turn the dial at least three times. Because it is important to get it all wheels left, the R in Ree means recommended. I have found that four or five turns is even better. It really doesn't matter how many turns left as long as you stop on the first number. The other part of Ree, the two E's mean exact.

Once you have stopped on the first number, then you dial right, past the first number TWO times and stop on the second number, then left past the second number ONCE and stop on the third number. Dial right and the dial should come to a stop. That means the bolt retracted and the lock is open. If the dial doesn't stop then you either didn't dial it correctly, or the lock has an issue.

If you have a group one lock (also known as manipulation proof) (see the black lock below) then after dialing the combination and stopping on the last number, you will dial right to zero, push in and release the dial (it's spring loaded) then continue right until the dial stops.

As I said in another post, most commercial locks are set at the factory to all wheels left 50. For a standard lock, you would dial at least three times left then stop on 50. Then dial right until the dial stops.

For a group one lock, you would dial left at least three times, then stop on 50, then dial right to zero, push and release the dial, then continue right until the dial stops.

For government and military locks, the default combination is 50-25-50. So to open that lock you would dial at least three times left then stop on 50, then dial right past 50 TWICE, then stop on 25. The dial left past 25 ONCE, and stop on 50. Then dial right until the dial stops.

If it is a Group one lock, then after dialing the above, you would dial right to zero, press the dial and release, then continue right until the dial stops.

The little silver metal looking key in front of the locks is known as a change key. We'll talk about that in another post. I know this post is long, but I wanted to be specific and thorough. If you have any questions, feel free to respond.