How to open a combination safe with 4 numbers

There are many different types of combination locks so there are also many different dialing sequences. The first step is to determine which type of lock you have. Go to the Safe Lock Identification page to help figure out what you have, then come back to this section and look for the correct dialing procedure. Procedures for very high security locks like Group 2M, Group 1 and Group 1M are too complicated to show. If you have this type of lock, call us while you are standing next to your safe for additional instructions.

Dialing Procedure Checklist for Mechanical Combination Safe Locks

• Dial to the indicator mark which is at the 12:00 position, not the one at 11:00.
• It does not matter where you start from; it makes no difference which number is at the indicator mark when you start.
• You do not go past the number 4 or 3 or 2 times, you go to the number 4, 3 or 2 times.
• When you come to the number you are dialing to, you must be accurate – plus or minus one half of the space to the next mark. If you go farther than that, start over. (Older locks are typically a little more forgiving.)
• If you go slightly past the number you are dialing to, it is not ok to just back up those few numbers. If you go past that number, you need to start the dialing procedure over.
• Old lock technology was not as good as it is now, and your lock may be worn out. They might make lots of noise and they might not turn smoothly. They may not have been serviced in 50 years, during which time the lubrication can turn sticky. When dialing old locks, slow is best.
• If you think you have the combo but cannot get it to work, especially with an old safe, try the numbers you have 10 times. When you get to the last number, try jiggling the dial back & forth. It sometimes helps to tap on the safe door while dialing. Do not force the dial.

How Do I Open My Combination Lock Safe?

Group 2 Locks with 3 Wheels

98% of all Group 2 locks have three “wheels” inside. This procedure will work for all of them:

• Left to 1st #, 4 times
• Right to 2nd #, 3 times
• Left to 3rd #, 2 times
• Right to Stop
• Turn safe handle

More detailed instructions:

• Turn the dial Left (counter clockwise) to the first number 4 times
• Turn the dial Right (clockwise) to the second number 3 times
• Turn the dial Left to the third number 2 times
• Turn the dial Right until the dial stops. If you dialed correctly, the dial will stop in less than one full turn. You will feel the lock “engage” about eight numbers before it stops.
• Manufacturer’s combination cards often show a fourth number – this is the same number at which the dial will stop.

Group 2 Locks with 4 Wheels

These locks are rare; it is very unlikely you have one of these.

• Right to 1st #, 5 times
• Left to 2nd #, 4 times
• Right to 3rd #, 3 times
• Left to 4th #, 2 times
• Right to stop
• Turn safe handle

Sentry Brand Safe Locks

Sentry safes are the most common safes on the market. A small number of these have Group 2 locks, but most have direct entry lock systems which use the following procedure. A very small number start to the right, then left, then right.

• Left to 1st #, 3 times
• Right to 2nd #, two times
• Left to 3rd #, one time
• Turn safe handle. If there is no safe handle, then turning the dial back to the Right again will unlock the safe.

Gardall Brand Microwave Safes & Other Recent Korean and Chinese Low-End Fire Safes

In addition to the dial, these usually have a thumb turn or key that draws back the safe bolts. If the sequence below does not work, reverse the directions so that you start to the left. On these safes the dial won’t automatically come to a stop on the last movement – you need to dial to the number and stop.

• Right to 1st #, 4 times
• Left to 2nd #, 3 times
• Right to 3rd #, 2 times
• Left to 4th #, 1 time
• Draw bolts back with key or thumb turn

Victor Brand Safes

Victor brand safes are a common brand of antique safes. Most have no turn handle, just the dial. Original factory instructions showed the first sequence shown below, possibly to give the illusion that these units are more secure than they are. Locksmiths often re-wrote the combinations to a simpler procedure, the second version shown.
Version 1:

• Right to 1st #, 4 times
• Left to 2nd #, 3 times
• Right to 3rd #, 2 times
• Left to 4th #, 1 time
• Turn right to draw back the safe bolts to unlock the safe. If there is a safe handle, turn it after going to the last number.

Version 2:

• Right to 1st #, 3 times
• Left to 2nd #, times
• Right to stop. The last move to the right draws back the bolts to unlock the safe.

Antique Safes by Cary Safe, Detroit Safe and J. Baum Safe

Cary, Detroit, and J. Baum brand antique safes most often use the same sequence as Group 2 locks, even though they are not Group 2:

• Left to 1st #, 4 times
• Right to 2nd #, 3 times
• Left to 3rd #, 2 times
• Right to Stop
• Turn safe handle

Antique Safes by National Safe and Hall Safe

Antique National brand safes normally use the following procedure, while antique Hall units normally use the reverse of it. If you try one sequence and it does not work, try the other.

• Right to 1st #, 4 times
• Left to 2nd #, 3 times
• Right to 3rd #, 2 times
• Left to 4th #, 1 time
• Turn safe opening handle

Reverse Instructions:

• Left to 1st #, 4 times
• Right to 2nd #, 3 times
• Left to 3rd #, 2 times
• Right to 4th #, 1 time
• Turn safe opening handle

Top-Opening Fire Box Safes

Top-opening fire boxes by Hercules, Meilink, and others were very common until about the 1960’s. Usually they are green or brown with handles on both ends. The ones with combination locks normally have dials ranging from 25 to 50 numbers. With some of these you start by going Right first and with some you go Left first, so try both ways.

• Left to 1st #, 3 times
• Right to 2nd #, 2 times
• Left to 3rd #, 1 time
• Lift cover. With some models the latch is under spring pressure, so when you get to the last number, keep turning pressure on the dial while lifting the cover.

Small Antique Safes

Very small antique safes (12” to 22“ tall) without opening handles, manufactured by Meilink and others, frequently use the following sequence. If this does not work, try the reverse. If a little safe like this has a T-handle, turn the handle after dialing to the last number. Some of these T-handles are actually turning a big screw that tightens the door. If that is the case you will need to turn it about four full turns.

• Right to 1st #, 3 times
• Left to 2nd #, 2 times
• Right to stop. The last move draws back the bolts to open the safe – or if you have one of those with the screw mechanism, it allows the screw to turn.

McNeal & Urban Safes

McNeal & Urban safes used letters rather than numbers on the dial. They usually work as follows:

• Right to 1st letter, 4 times
• Left to 2nd letter, 3 times
• Right to 3rd letter, 2 times
• Left to 4th letter, 1 time
• Right to stop.

Other Antique Safes

Antique safes are sometimes found with the following procedure, or the reverse of it. This is usually the result of something done in the field by a locksmith. Worth trying if nothing else works. The dial may come to a stop by itself, or you might need to turn to it.

• Left to 1st #, 5 times
• Right to 2nd #, 3 times
• Left to 3rd #, 2 times
• Right to 4th #, 1 time

I Still Can’t Open My Safe

If you still cannot get your safe open after trying the different methods above, you will probably need to bring the safe to our shop or have us come to your location. Call us while you are standing by your safe and we will assist you. Our schedule is normally quite full, so don’t wait until you are in an emergency situation. For instance, if you are going on vacation tonight and you cannot get to your passport because you cannot open your safe, you may not be going on vacation after all!