# Electronic locks and a safe

**URL:** <https://njgunforums.net/t/electronic-locks-and-a-safe/2559>\
**Category:** Equipment, Accessories, Hacks & DIY\
**Created:** [July 26, 2025, 12:01pm UTC](https://njgunforums.net/t/electronic-locks-and-a-safe/2559 "2025-07-26T12:01:09Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Redeye65](https://njgunforums.net/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/r/8baadc/32.png) [@Redeye65](https://njgunforums.net/u/Redeye65)\
**Post date:** [July 26, 2025, 12:01pm UTC](https://njgunforums.net/t/electronic-locks-and-a-safe/2559/1 "2025-07-26T12:01:09Z")

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Bought a Winchester 36 rifle safe from Tractor supply 2 years back on a Christmas sale, very happy with my purchase, not an expensive safe but also not a cabinet, perfect for my needs. Then the electronic lock stopped working, has a backup key so all was not lost, called Winchester and the girl on the phone could only read off a screen and was a bit rude which was a big turn off, followed her instructions, called back with my findings and still the same rude attitude, that was all I could take.

Off to the Internet I went, in 20 minutes I found the replacement electronic lock for $56 shipped, I didn’t need the selonoid, just the motherboard but I also changed the key pad, the only thing you need to know is what type selonoid you need if it is being replaced, with backup key or without, with key has a manual release when you turn the key it engages the selonoid. If you have a flat head and phillips head screwdriver you can replace one yourself in 20 minutes. From what I see these things are pretty much universal, mountings were identical, wiring was identical. Only difference was the new lock had a button you attached that you pressed to program the code which is attached to the motherboard, no big deal, the safe is open anyway.

My god are safes made cheap, yes I bought a cheap safe, but really, these things are nothing but some tac welded sheet metal, the locking mechanism I wasn’t expecting to be bolted locking bolts on a piece of angle iron, not sure what I expected but that surely wasn’t it. Loose your key, just buy a new lock, all they are is a file cabinet lock. There are options out there to convert to a dial lock, those are not what I expected either, also cheap. I’ll just replace this again if it dies, for $56. You can replace your electronic lock before your cup of coffee goes cold.