Gun safe stuck

E

espald01

Inactive
This is my first and only post here, please correct me if I do anything wrong

I have a sentry gun safe model no. R2210 serial no. 514728, it is a key safe with horizontal locking bolts. It has been a little hard to open the past year or two, but as long as I could get it open with a little weight applied to the door I was ok with it. But a few days ago when trying to open it, the handle only turned so far. The key is now stuck in it and the safe wont open. I have noticed the bolts sagged a little bit off center of the holes before. Now I can feel them attempting to unlock, but the top bolt seems to be snagging. I have thought about flipping it upside down so gravity would release the snag, but I don't want to damage the guns.

I have emailed the customer service at sentry, but they are no help. I need some advice from someone who cares a little more. Please help me as much as u can, as I need it open before turkey season this weekend. Thanks :)
 
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You might consider calling a lock smith to open the safe. If you let us know where you are located maybe someone can offer a specific recommendation.
 
Bigger hammer on the handle? :(
That is not a good condition.
Does not speak well for Sentry. :mad:
Locksmith is all I can think of. If you are still in warranty send the bill to Sentry.
 
Interestingly I had a similar problem last week. In my case I think a rifle sling was blocking the movement of the locking bars. I ended up ramming the door with my shoulder while turning the key. It took a number of hits but it did work. Good luck with it.
 
I've heard of similar issues where something gets stuck in the door and puts enough pressure on the system that it simply won't open.

You might try a long woodworker's bar clamp to put pressure on the door.
 
I have taken a 2x4 block and applied pressure to it with a ratchet strap on the door of the safe. No result. If it helps, the handle won't completely turn shut either.
 
I have taken a 2x4 block and applied pressure to it with a ratchet strap on the door of the safe. No result. If it helps, the handle won't completely turn shut either.
Click to expand...

If the handle is wedged between the open and closed position, there is likely something broken within the boltwork of the safe itself.

If it's under warranty, the manufacturer may replace the safe, or send replacement parts. If it out of warranty, don't hold your breath. They design these safes to be disposable. You use it until it breaks, throw it away, and go buy another.
 
I have no idea on how to open your safe, but I will say that after your call or calls to Sentry, no help from them doesn't say much about their customer service. If I was you I definitely would not buy another Sentry safe. Their customer service should have at least tried to help you with this problem, offered some suggestions or options.
 
The warranty is out, and I think we will sell it and buy a new (not sentry) safe. Or just buy new parts if they are available. But how do we get into it to change these parts?
 
^^^ I'm a professional, and I vote for prybar.

Once you pry it open yourself, and you realize how easy it is, it may impact your future purchase. Great educational opportunity.
 
I would start with a 3ft pipe and have a friend bang on the door hard as you use the pipe for extra force. take a few photos or video of your attempts then just get out your 4" angle grinder and cut that sucker open and go hunting. Next attach your video and photos to an e-mail to sentry and let them know that if they do not make you whole regarding this issue it is going on the world wide web. Good luck and good hunting.
 
Before you break into it, try a free experiment. Take a flat pry bar or similar implement of destruction and lift one front corner just a hair. With it lifted try to open the handle. If that doesn't work, try the other front corner.

What I'm after here is to remove the effect of one side being slightly lower than the other and binding up the mechanism.
 
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