Gun safe stuck

espald01 · April 9, 2013, 04:03 PM

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

BarryLee · April 9, 2013, 04:15 PM

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.

Rifleman1776 · April 10, 2013, 08:30 AM

Bigger hammer on the handle?

That is not a good condition.
Does not speak well for Sentry.

Locksmith is all I can think of. If you are still in warranty send the bill to Sentry.

HJ857 · April 10, 2013, 09:26 AM

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.

**Mike Irwin** · April 10, 2013, 10:46 AM

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.

espald01 · April 10, 2013, 11:19 AM

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.

stumper1300 · April 10, 2013, 11:50 AM

Is the door sagging and causing the binding? Would prying up on the bottom of the door help?

a1abdj · April 10, 2013, 01:24 PM

Quote:

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.

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.

rebs · April 10, 2013, 02:36 PM

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.

espald01 · April 10, 2013, 03:54 PM

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?

southjk · April 10, 2013, 04:26 PM

Quote:

But how do we get into it to change these parts?

A. Locksmith
B. Crobar and sledge hammer
C. Sawzall

a1abdj · April 10, 2013, 05:26 PM

^^^ 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.

**Mike Irwin** · April 10, 2013, 05:48 PM

no safe will hold up long to a circular saw and a stack of carbide cut off blades.

southjk · April 10, 2013, 06:01 PM

C. Meant to say angle grinder. Course a sawzall may get you in too.

HJ857 · April 10, 2013, 06:23 PM

Have you tried just spraying the inside of the lock with oil?

gundog5 · April 10, 2013, 08:00 PM

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.

espald01 · April 10, 2013, 08:15 PM

ok, thanks guys. Looks like I'm breaking into a safe! Should be fun

FAS1 · April 11, 2013, 07:25 AM

Please post some pics of the result. I think it will open easily with just a prybar.

Doyle · April 11, 2013, 09:59 AM

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.

April 9, 2013, 04:03 PM	#1
espald01 Junior Member Join Date: April 9, 2013 Posts: 4	Gun safe stuck 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 Last edited by espald01; April 9, 2013 at 04:13 PM.

April 9, 2013, 04:15 PM	#2
BarryLee Senior Member Join Date: July 29, 2010 Location: The ATL (OTP) Posts: 3,946	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. __________________ A major source of objection to a free economy is precisely that it ... gives people what they want instead of what a particular group thinks they ought to want. Underlying most arguments against the free market is a lack of belief in freedom itself. - Milton Friedman

April 10, 2013, 10:46 AM	#5
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,380	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. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

April 10, 2013, 05:26 PM	#12
a1abdj Senior Member Join Date: November 28, 2005 Location: St. Charles, MO Posts: 496	^^^ 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. __________________ www.zykansafe.com

April 10, 2013, 05:48 PM	#13
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,380	no safe will hold up long to a circular saw and a stack of carbide cut off blades. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

April 10, 2013, 08:30 AM	#3
Rifleman1776 Senior Member Join Date: April 25, 2010 Location: Arkansas Posts: 3,309	Bigger hammer on the handle? That is not a good condition. Does not speak well for Sentry. Locksmith is all I can think of. If you are still in warranty send the bill to Sentry.

April 10, 2013, 09:26 AM	#4
HJ857 Senior Member Join Date: January 9, 2007 Posts: 447	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.

April 10, 2013, 11:19 AM	#6
espald01 Junior Member Join Date: April 9, 2013 Posts: 4	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.

April 10, 2013, 11:50 AM	#7
stumper1300 Member Join Date: June 18, 2012 Posts: 55	Is the door sagging and causing the binding? Would prying up on the bottom of the door help?

April 10, 2013, 02:36 PM	#9
rebs Senior Member Join Date: January 10, 2012 Posts: 3,881	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.

April 10, 2013, 03:54 PM	#10
espald01 Junior Member Join Date: April 9, 2013 Posts: 4	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?

April 10, 2013, 06:01 PM	#14
southjk Senior Member Join Date: December 5, 2012 Location: Memphis Posts: 468	Gun safe stuck C. Meant to say angle grinder. Course a sawzall may get you in too.

April 10, 2013, 06:23 PM	#15
HJ857 Senior Member Join Date: January 9, 2007 Posts: 447	Have you tried just spraying the inside of the lock with oil?

April 10, 2013, 08:00 PM	#16
gundog5 Senior Member Join Date: January 27, 2013 Posts: 116	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.

April 10, 2013, 08:15 PM	#17
espald01 Junior Member Join Date: April 9, 2013 Posts: 4	ok, thanks guys. Looks like I'm breaking into a safe! Should be fun

April 11, 2013, 07:25 AM	#18
FAS1 Senior Member Join Date: December 9, 2010 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 541	Please post some pics of the result. I think it will open easily with just a prybar. __________________ *Glenn* *FAS1 SAFE*

April 11, 2013, 09:59 AM	#19
Doyle Senior Member Join Date: June 20, 2007 Location: Rainbow City, Alabama Posts: 7,167	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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