How do I open my mechanical spin dial lock?

If you have self-installed this lock you may need to try the combination of 50 or 41. If this lock came installed on your safe, check your owners manual for a preset combination, or try 50-25-50.

To open a lock set on 50, turn the dial left until 50 aligns with the opening index the fourth time. Now turn the dial right. It should stop before reaching 80, indicating the lock bolt has been retracted. The process is the same for the combination of 41.

  1. Turn the dial left until your first number appears under the opening index (arrow at the 12 o’clock position) counting this as your first turn. Continue to turn the dial left, aligning that number with the opening index three more times, for a total of 4 turns, and stop.

    Turn counterclockwise 

  2. Turn dial right until your second number comes under the index (it will not be a full turn) and count that as your first turn. Continue to turn the dial right, aligning that number with the opening index two more times, for a total of 3 turns, and stop.

    Turn clockwise

  3. Turn dial left until your third number comes under the index (it will not be a full turn) and count that as your first turn. Continue to turn the dial left, aligning third number with the opening index just one time, for a total of 2 turns, and stop.


    Turn counterclockwise
  4. Last, turn the dial right until dial comes to a complete stop. It will stop on its own and not stop at a specific number, just turn until it stops. It will not be a full revolution of the wheel.

    Turn clockwise
  5. To relock and secure the combination lock, turn the dial to the left at least four full revolutions.

     

If this process does not work for you, make certain you have a 3-wheel lock and the correct combination. A very few locks are 4-wheel and some are Group 1 locks. Mechanical Group 1 locks include the 8400, 8500 and 2937. There is also a spin dial lock that beeps when turned, this is used in government applications, called the 2740.