I have had a larger Cannon for about 20 years with no problems (knocking on wood)! One thing for certain though is you have to have the star that opens the safe in a neutral position. If it is all of the way against the stop either clockwise or counterclockwise, it will not unlatch. When I brought it home I couldn't get it to open. Of course the handles were locked inside so all I had to turn was the knob. I took a large bolt but smaller than the handles, stuck it in one of the holes, got the knob in a neutral position, and she opened right up. No more issues except changing the batter(ies) every few years.