To the member who sent me the IM about the Browning Safe...
For some damn reason, this site will not let me send IMs reliably. 3 mofo damn times I typed out a reply, sent it, and it wasn't sent because the 6 digit captha code bullshit
erroneously claiming it was entered incorrectly. I quadruple checked it each time, it was correct. And it deleted my reply in the process.
So I retyped it...same shit. Not sent, deleted.
Tried again.. Again it failed.
Sorry man. I quit trying after 3.
Ever since my paid membership expired and I didn't renew it, it's been this way. Maybe, if I'm lucky, 1 of 10 tried messages will be sent.
To answer your question ( you know who you are) you're probably dealing with a bolt hold-open device that prevents the door bolts from extending to locked position until door is closed. The purpose is so the door frame doesn't get all marred up by someone accidentally trying to close the door with the lock bolts extended. You cannot scramble the combo lock until door bolts extended as lock's bolt isn't aligned with the bolt linkage.
The hold open will have a "trigger" on the door edge, either hinge side, or on the bottom. It will be pushed in by contacting the safe body or door frame when the door is pushed closed. Push it in with your finger, and the bolts should pop right out, as it's spring loaded. To test the combo with door open (very smart move) find the the hold-open trigger and push it in manually with door open. Bolts will spring into locked position and you can now spin the dial to scramble the combo and test it with the door open, but in locked position.
Sorry for the delay, I just saw your message about an hour ago. Spent that hour trying unsuccessfully to reply.