The GunVault Mini GV1000 is broken.
Mechanical lock still works, but the actual electronic mechanism is toast. When I enter in the correct code, an electric rotor inside “whirls.” It’s either a known weak point, or it happens quite a bit because it’s asked in GunVault’s, FAQ; the answer provided is less than desired.
A look inside reveals a cable used to wrap around the rotor’s rod, unlocking the latch, is severed.
I bought this GunVault sometime in 2006; I estimate a rough estimate of 300 activations per year since. It’s definitely outside warranty. According to another GunVault owner, factory repairs are possible, but the cost is the about equivalent to purchasing a brand new safe.
I’ve identified a few screws to unmount the mechanism cover. I may play around with it, might consider tossing it, or giving it away since the lock still works and wasn’t a bad box to begin with.
I’ve had this EXACT same problem and experience. I think mine was outside warranty too, but I still contacted them and they still replaced it — free, even gave me a shipping label to return my broken one.
So I’d say to still contact them… because yes, it’s a known fault of the design.
http://blog.hsoi.com/2011/01/26/gunvault-fail-gunvault-win/
http://blog.hsoi.com/2011/02/17/gunvault-part-deux/
The thing is, the design/location of the door is what makes it appeal to me, and I haven’t been able to find a model that could adequately replace that. I think the VLine stuff is good
http://www.vlineind.com/
but it doesn’t quite fit my needs. I’m still seeking a better solution. If you find something, please share.
I’ll give them a buzz this coming Monday. Maybe they’ll repeat the service.
I’m actually surprised it lasted this long after looking at the mechanism! It appears to be the same twisted steel wire used for heavy frame hanging.
Yup. It doesn’t instill much faith in the mechanism.
I’d say to lobby to get a replacement, to buy yourself some time to find a real replacement.
I mean, there are lots of quick access safes out there, but the door design, the capacity, there’s no one else that can match what GunVault offers in this area. But if you can’t get to it when you need it… well, that won’t work. But the reality is, anything mechanical can and will fail… heck, during a demonstration of one such safe in a class a couple months ago, I couldn’t get the darn thing to work. The demo gods weren’t with me, but it shows that all things eventually fail. Nothing will be perfect.