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How to open Safes in Red Dead Redemption 2

How to open Safes in Red Dead Redemption 2

Safes are a great way to get a lot of money and resources in Red Dead Redemption 2. But you might have gotten frustrated trying to get them all to open. Because some of these safes simply do not budge. You’ll need something with more firepower. In this guide, we’ll discuss how you can open any safe in Red Dead Redemption 2.

To open safes in Red Dead Redemption 2 you will need to purchase Dynamite from a Fence. Attach the dynamite to the safe, ignite it, and run 10 paces away to avoid taking damage. After the explosion, you should be able to take all the contents within the safe.

If you’re a first-time Red Dead Redemption 2 player then you might not have realized that there was such an un-elegant solution to the opening safes. But if you want to find out all you need to know about how to use dynamite to open safes then keep reading this article!

Related: All Gold Bar Locations In Red Dead Redemption 2

Opening Safes in Red Dead Redemption 2

Opening Safes - Red Dead Redemption 2
Opening Safes – Red Dead Redemption 2

Safes can be pretty hard to track down, and any decent player would want that effort to be rewarded with copious amounts of cash, emeralds, ammunition, and more. This is a reasonable assumption, which is why it’s baffling that opening safes is a pretty easy process. All you need is a little dynamite.

Buying dynamite, however, is not a completely easy task to accomplish. This is because to purchase these explosively you will have to track down at least one of the four Fences.

These Fences can be located all around the country in Red Dead Redemption 2. So it can be a hassle to find. The general locations are:

  • Emerald Ranch
  • Rhodes
  • Saint-Denis
  • Van Horn Trading Post

Alternatively, you can purchase the dynamite from the camp. However, you will need to upgrade the cap to a sufficient level before you can begin purchasing dynamite from it. Dynamites can be extremely dangerous after all.

If Arthur is not a safe distance away from the safe before it detonates then you can easily find yourself staring at a You Died screen.

Related: Can You Save Lenny In Red Dead Redemption 2?

How to Use Dynamite To Open Safes?

Dynamite - Red Dead Redemption 2
Dynamite – Red Dead Redemption 2

After you’ve found a safe that you wish to open, and have landed yourself some Dynamite, you can open the safe.

To begin first you need to set up all the Dynamite that you have close to the location of the pesky safe. You can do this by pulling down the Right Trigger. You can then follow the prompt to plant your dynamite.

Once the dynamite has been planted all you need to do is Press Triangle or Y (depending on the type of console you are using) to light the fuse.

Once the fuse is activated, you will hear an audible sound that acts as a countdown till when the dynamite will explore. At this point, I suggest dashing 10-15 feet away from the safe.

After the dynamite explodes, the safe should have opened up and all the loot should be exposed. Safes are perhaps the most difficult containers to open in Red Dead Redemption 2.

So it makes sense why you might need a few sticks of Dynamite to successfully open one. Make sure you always have some handy when you might need it in the open world.

It’s also important to know that some lockboxes are much weaker than a safe, and can be opened by just using a knife or tomahawk. Try not to waste your precious dynamite on such lockboxes and try to keep them solely for when you might need to open a safe.

Related: How To Get Perfect Pelts In Red Dead Redemption 2

How to Unlock Fences in Red Dead Redemption 2?

Screenshot The Spines of America Quest - Red Dead Redemption 2
Screenshot The Spines of America Quest – Red Dead Redemption 2

If you’ve been trying to locate Fences where you can buy dynamite, but can’t seem to find it then you might want to unlock them first. Fences can be unlocked after completing the Main Story Mission called The Spines of America.

If you want to open any safes on trains then you will need to complete the mission because they unlock the Fences that will sell the necessary dynamite required. Otherwise, you will not be able to access the contents of these safes. Either way doing the Main Story Mission is important.

The Spines of America is a Main Story Mission that is necessary for the Gold Medal Requirements of Red Dead Redemption 2. After you’ve completed the mission you will gain access to Fences that will sell Gold Bars to you, stolen coaches, wagons, and other goods.


If you’re looking to find out how to open safes then the answer is simple. Just use dynamite. It’s the least elegant, but also the most effective solution. After all, who doesn’t like blowing things up and getting paid for it?