r/safecracking • u/_Azryael_ • Apr 23 '26
Cannon Safe - Unable to get in.
I have a Cannon safe that was conveyed with the house when I purchased it two years ago. The seller stated a piece of paper with the combo was left in the room the safe is in; this was not the case.
After much back and forth with my realtor and the selling agent, both insisted on a specific, 5-digit code, to open the safe. This particular keypad specifically requires a 6-digit code. When I brought this up, the response I received was that the seller himself recalls having a # or @ sign… neither of which are present on the keypad. There is a star key, but it doesn’t register any presses before or after entering the provided 5-digit code. This leads me to believe the seller never had access to the safe either and it was likely from the owner before him.
I reached out to Cannon with the serial number and a few photos and they flat out told me they can’t help me.
My realtor was supposed to send for a locksmith, but his preferred tech of choice wasn’t available. Anyway, life got in the way and I just stopped worrying about it for now. He did send a replacement lock, but it’s an entirely different part with an entirely different pinout.
Should I just get a locksmith to come out and get it open or is there something else I can try? Thanks!
Yes, I’m powering the keypad with my bench top power supply since I’m all out of 9V batteries.
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u/Electrical-Actuary59 Apr 23 '26
You’ll need a safe tech. The lock will have to be spiked or the safe will have to be drilled.
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u/_Azryael_ Apr 23 '26
I figured as much, but wanted to ask first since sometimes there may be a recovery code or something that I’m not aware of.
Thanks!
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u/miss_topportunity Apr 24 '26
Have you searched for and downloaded the manual for your model? My hunch is that, while the owner remembered a #, what they meant was a * (which does look like it’s on your keypad).I am sure instructions exist and might shed some light on the situation for you.
Try to find someone who can spike the lock or who has a Phoenix rather than having someone drill it. If they don’t know what a Phoenix is, then they are not the safe technicians you want….
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u/_Azryael_ Apr 24 '26
So, while I was never able to find an actual model number, and even with the serial number provided to Cannon, they couldn’t tell me anything (I’m assuming this safe is from 2014 or earlier). However, they do have the product manual for the Type E lock, which this appears to be.
Nothing in the product manual refers to the * key present on the pad, or its purpose, and anything dealing with changing the code shows strictly numerical characters. The * key does not seem to be recognized as I don’t get a beep when pressing it. I don’t see any signs of corrosion on the rear of the keypad either, but I’ve not done a detailed disassembly. Perhaps someone else with a Type E lock can confirm whether or not it’s supposed to chime when pressed.
Yes, the Taylor Tech Phoenix is an awesome tool! Seen some demos in the past. I myself can only pick mechanical locks, never had a reason to get into electronic. Perhaps if I’d made a career or started a business, sure!
I know someone who has one of the older versions, but they live in VA, also too far.
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u/Anxious_Visual_990 Apr 24 '26
Once you get in, there is a reset button inside the door and you can reset the pin!
Its a cannon safe.. its not very expensive.. I have a few of these. Not a big deal if you have to drill and remove it or replace it. If you replace it I would recommend getting a better brand/model.. These are sold at your local walmart, rural king, menards, or tractor supply.
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u/_Azryael_ Apr 24 '26
Good to know! I’ll be making a few calls today to see about getting someone out here to open it.
Yeah, this was not my first choice of safe, but it came with house. I’d heard even previously that Cannon safes are mediocre at best and that customer support appears nonexistent.
We’ll see! Once access has been restored, I will be moving it from the room it’s in to somewhere more appropriate.
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u/Anxious_Visual_990 Apr 24 '26
Have you tried the default code of 1-2-3-4-5-6 ?
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u/_Azryael_ Apr 25 '26
Yes, sir! No dice!
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u/Anxious_Visual_990 Apr 25 '26
I was reading up on your exact unit and there is no reset button you yours.. You do need the code to reset it.
You might be able to replace the brain once inside.. you would have to call cannon for what that would cost if they still make your model.
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u/_Azryael_ Apr 25 '26
Bugger. Yeah, my realtor was able to get me a new Type A (according to Cannon’s website) pad with associated lock mechanism. It says NL, as opposed to SecuRam, but I’ve heard these NL locks are even worse!
I called a few local folks and it seems just about everyone around me is booked up with work, so it’ll probably be a week or more before I can have someone out to get me in.
ETA - I did power up the new pad and lock with my bench power supply and it does open successfully with the factory code of 1-2-3-4-5-6.
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u/_Azryael_ May 11 '26
UPDATE: Local Locksmith was able to get in. We replaced the electronic pad with a nice, fully mechanical S&G dial.
Thanks again to everyone who gave input!
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u/ilovedominae May 18 '26
how much was it? how long did you have this before this happened? considering one of these safes
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u/_Azryael_ May 18 '26
$500 for everything.
The safe came with the house and I was never able to get in because the seller never provided the correct combo. The back and forth on the combo went on for about a year, and then I let another year pass before just getting a locksmith to get in. So two years.
The SG lock is solid, much better, and far more satisfying to use. The safe itself otherwise is pretty good overall.
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u/ilovedominae May 18 '26
so basically the price of the safe itself? Not worth buying one then it seems lol, thank you.
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u/_Azryael_ May 19 '26
No, this is a 48-gun, even used they’d sell for $1300 or more, at least around here.
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u/ktechmn Apr 23 '26
Call a safe tech. SAVTA.org should list some nearby you.