About Sturdy's Linkage Design

Damage-Resistant Linkage. Built To Take a Beating.

At Sturdy Safe, we built a locking system that’s completely different from most safes and vault doors. Our competitors have small parts called clutches and shear pins that are actually designed to break if someone tries to force the handle bar to get the safe to open. That means normal accidents, like slamming the door, bumping the handle, or clamping down on a rifle strap, can leave you locked out and calling a locksmith. Not with a Sturdy. We removed those weak parts entirely. Our lock and linkage system is so strong that everyday mishaps won’t damage it, and the only time you’d ever need a locksmith is if you lose your combination or hit the dial hard enough to break it. We also made our system simpler, with up to 80% fewer moving parts than other safes, which means fewer things that can fail. The result? A locking system that’s over four times stronger than it needs to be, giving you peace of mind that your safe will work every single time.

Diagram comparing unsupported and supported gun safe deadbolts with close-up details.

8 Inflexible, Fully Supported Deadbolts

At Sturdy, we designed the part that holds our deadbolts—what we call the deadbolt housing—to be rock-solid because it's welded directly to the thick steel doorplate. It allows each deadbolt to be supported on both ends for the ultimate support. Think of it like the backbone that keeps all eight locking bolts in their place, no matter what’s going on inside the safe. Even if someone tries to pry the door open, our 7/8" solid steel bolts won’t bend, shift, or get out of alignment. Together, they can resist about 30,000 pounds of force, making it nearly impossible for a thief to pry the safe open. Most other safes only hold one end of their locking bolts in place, which is why the bolts can bend or fail when someone tries to pry the door open.

It’s not just about having eight bolts, it’s about how well those bolts are held in place. With a sold steel housing, thick steel construction, and supported deadbolts, Sturdy Gun Safe gives you all the locking strength you need, without gimmicks or fake claims.

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How Sturdy Does Linkage

Close-up of a gun safe lock mechanism with labeled parts

1st Added Lock Reinforcement: Deadbolt Support

Unlike other safe makers who rely solely on the lock’s built-in strength, Sturdy goes a step further. We reinforce the lock itself to withstand over 16,000 pounds of resistance pressure on its deadbolt, making forced entry exponentially more difficult. This is achieved with a specially designed steel cradle that supports and stabilizes the deadbolt while in the locked position, preventing fractures or shattering under extreme force.

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Before and after comparison of a gun safe lock punch plate with visible branding.

2nd Added Lock Reinforcement: Punch Plate

In addition the Deadbolt Support, at the back of every combination box, we add a 10-gauge steel punch plate that provides an extra barrier against attacks attempting to punch out the back of the original lock plate. This reinforcement prevents manipulation of the lock to gain entry. Together, these defenses form one of the toughest, most abuse-resistant locking systems available anywhere.

Drill Resistant Hardplate

Our 1/4" thick hardened hardplate is engineered to stop drill, punch, and manipulation attacks aimed at the combination box and relockers. Unlike welded on hardplates that can fracture at the seam, our hardplate floats in place, eliminating weak weld points and greatly increasing resistance to forced entry. Its oversized design protects the combination box in its entirety and then some, so attackers can’t reach the mechanism even when they try to bore through the door. For customers who want maximum delay against locksmith-style attacks, we offer an Additional Hardplate Upgrade that doubles entry time. It's only recommended for those who believe burglars are so smart they know locksmith entries, which we have never seen in our whole history.

Two types of locks, a combination lock and a digital keypad lock for gun safes on a white background.

Premium Sargent & Greenleaf Locks

Every Sturdy Safe and Vault Door comes standard with a UL-rated, Group II commercial combination lock by Sargent & Greenleaf (Model 6730-009)—a trusted name in high-security locking systems. For customers who prefer electronic access, we offer S&G Type 1 Titan D-Drive locks, a hybrid design that combines mechanical durability with electronic convenience for long-term reliability. While not all S&G locks are created equal, we only use their premium models—locks that most manufacturers skip to cut costs. For added convenience, owners can change their own combination—no locksmith required.

gun safe relocker collapses like a car on impact

2 Independent Relock Systems — Smart Protection That Responds To Real Threats

Sturdy Gun Safe’s patented pressure-activated relocker is engineered to engage intelligently, making it incredibly difficult to defeat. Just as modern cars are designed to crumple in a controlled way during a crash, our relock system is designed to trigger only under the right amount of force—not from minor bumps or everyday use. Unlike sensitive spring or glass relockers used by other manufacturers, ours won’t accidentally lock you out over a simple mishap that would otherwise require a locksmith. When a real attack occurs, the relocker fires instantly and securely, locking the system down. And because it’s protected behind hardened steel, once engaged, it’s extremely difficult to bypass. A second independent relock is located in the Sargent & Greenleaf combination box, adding yet another layer of security.

Linkage Design Showdown: Sturdy Safe vs. TL Safe vs. Competitor

Watch how quickly certain 10-gauge imported safes can be compromised.

show an image of a 5ft tall gun safe and and it's owner trying to get in by pulling hard on the door. They even have their foot braced against the jamb to try to open it while pulling on the handle.

Real Strength Backed by a Real Warranty

Sturdy Safe’s linkage system is engineered to perform flawlessly for life—no servicing, no repairs, no surprises. The only upkeep you’ll ever need is a quick oiling of the deadbolts and hinges, or an occasional electronic lock replacement after many years of use. That’s it. When we say “built to last,” we mean it. We’re so confident in the durability of our design that we back it with a lifetime linkage warranty—something you’ll rarely find elsewhere in the industry.

By contrast, many competitors quietly admit the weaknesses in their linkage systems within their own warranties. Read the fine print and you’ll often see warnings like:

“Do not slam the door. Extreme shock can damage the lock or jam the bolt work.”
“Do not shut the door with the bolt work in the locked position. Damage to the bolt work may occur.”
“Do not stack contents so the door must be forced shut. Jamming of the bolt work may result.”

These aren’t just disclaimers—they’re admissions that their systems can’t handle normal, everyday use. In fact, customer forums are full of reports of linkage failures occurring within days of purchase.