How to Use a Cable Gun Lock

Co-authored by Hannah Madden

Last Updated: October 25, 2022

Using a cable lock to lock your gun prevents it from being loaded and fired. Plus, it’s an easy, relatively cheap way to keep your guns safe while in storage. In this article, we’ll tell you exactly how to use a cable gun lock on pistols, shotguns, rifles, and revolvers. Keep reading to lock up your firearm to keep yourself and your family safe.

Things You Should Know

Always unload your firearm and put the safety on before locking it up.
For pistols, thread the cable lock through the ejection port and out the empty magazine slot. For shotguns and rifles, thread the cable lock through the ejection port and out the loading port.
To lock a revolver, thread the cable lock through the barrel, if you can. If not, thread the cable lock through 2 chambers in the cylinder.
Store the key to the cable lock separately from your firearm.

1

Unload the gun and put the safety on.

Make sure the gun is empty before locking it up. Take out the magazine if it has one, then double check that the chamber is empty. If your gun has a safety, put that on as well.^{[1]
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- To follow gun safety rules, always treat every gun like it’s loaded, even if you know it isn’t. Never point a gun at someone else, and keep your firearms away from children at all times.

2

Unlock the cable lock.

Twist the key in the cable lock to open it up. Your cable lock will most likely come in the “locked” position with the key inside the lock. Turn the key to unlock the cable from the locking mechanism, and set the key aside.^{[2]
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3

Thread the cable through the ejection port of the gun.

Push the cable through the gun so it can’t be fired accidentally. If you’re locking up a pistol, rack the slide to keep the chamber open. Then, slide the end of the cable through the ejection port of the gun.^{[3]
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- For a shotgun or a rifle, thread the cable lock through the ejection port and out of the loading port.
- If you’re locking up a revolver, thread the cable through the barrel if possible. If not, thread the cable through 2 chambers in the cylinder instead. You can also thread the cable around the frame.

4

Bring the cable out of the empty magazine slot.

Thread the end of the cable out of the bottom of the gun. Guide the cable out through the magazine slot, which is still empty. Your gun now cannot be loaded or fired without taking the cable lock off.^{[4]
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5

Connect the cable lock and lock it with the key.

Insert the cable into the lock mechanism to lock your gun. Grab the end of the cable lock that you pushed through your gun and connect it to the locking mechanism of the cable lock. Take the cable lock key and twist it clockwise to lock the cable lock to itself.^{[5]
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- Make sure that the cable lock is secure by tugging on the locking mechanism after you lock it. If the cable releases and opens up, try locking it again.
- Some cable locks have a 3-digit combo instead of a key. If yours has a combination lock, simply scramble the numbers to lock it.

6

Store the key separately from your firearms.

Keep the key to the lock elsewhere to store your guns safely. Now that your gun is locked with a cable lock, you can store it safely in a gun safe away from children. Store the key to your cable lock in a separate spot to keep it away from your firearms and any ammunition.^{[6]
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7

Unlock the cable lock with the key when needed.

Quickly access your firearm by unlocking the cable lock. Whenever you want to use your gun, simply grab the key and twist it in the locking mechanism to unlock it. Then, pull the cable lock out of the gun. You can now load and fire your gun like normal.^{[7]
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Warnings

Always store your ammunition and keys away from your firearms.^{[8]
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Cable locks will deter small children, but they are easy to remove with only a little bit of effort. Always lock your firearms in a gun safe to follow gun safety rules.

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