sentry safe bad review

[beeenbag]

I currently own a sentry safe and have just started hearing bad things about them. A co-worker of mine was telling me today that he knows someone that had a house fire and the safe didn't burn up but everything inside it was ruined by the heat. Supposivly the fire did not exceed the rated burn time or temp. I was wondering if anyone else has heard anything like this, and if I should consider a different safe.

 

[al123]

Sentry makes a number of boxes. If you could give a specific model number, there are very knowledgeable members here (not me) who maybe able to help you.

In general, if you are really concerned about fire, get a UL fire rated safe. Also, what are you trying to protect, guns, documents, jewelry etc.?

 

[a1abdj]

Supposivly the fire did not exceed the rated burn time or temp.

Did he have scientific instruments located in his house that recorded the event?

Sentry makes a lower end product, and most of it is not suitable for valuables. However, their UL rated fire safes will perform as advertised.

 

[billdeserthills]

+1 to Sentry, they do take pains to have UL carefully and completely test their products. Of course anyone with a screwdriver and a hammer can open most of their safes, but they do work as advertised. One detail that is often overlooked is the use of a fire safe for computer media. No fire safe is rated for computer media, you need a media safe for that.
On the plus side, if your friend really did have a Sentry product fail I would think their deep pockets should take care of any monetary issue, might be time for him to "lawyer up"

 

[beeenbag]

well Im sure he didn't have a science lab setup that recorded the whole event but alot of times fire dept. and or police dept. have people that specialize in mapping out a house fire. Also he did say there were guns inside the safe. This guy could be full of crap for all I know, I just thought it was worth asking the opinion of a well educated forum.

 

[Kingofthehill]

nice "Review" of a friend of a guy that he know's that went to school with your sister.... blah blah blah..

It is what it is... it works for some, and not for others . Take it for what it is.

 

[beeenbag]

look... I own a sentry safe and yes if I hear bad stuff about the brand of something I own im going to ask around and see what the majority says. Im not bashing sentry I happen to love the one I own, but it also has never been in a house fire. I was just trying to see if anyone else knew of a similar situation ever happening.

 

[Mags]

Provide more information Beeenbag if you want some serious advice not this I heard from a monkey's uncle crap. Was the safe UL listed? Is your safe UL listed? I have a Sentry safe it is not a fire safe and I do not expect it to withstand a fire. I also put 4 sheets of sheetrock around my safe to help improve it's chances in a fire. All my Sentry safe is, is a inconvenience to a common crook. It is hidden and bolted down so unless the guy knows what he is doing he will take too much time to get in it. Now all my documents are in a real Sentry fire safe in a convenient suitcase size so the burglar can just grab it and go. But that is well hidden as well. So don't get an attitude for people not taking you seriously when you provide half hazard information. You know how many half to no truths start with I heard from a...., I mean really? How do you expect us to take you seriously?

 

[a1abdj]

Very few of Sentry's gun safes are fire lined. Those that are do not carry a UL rating.

This isn't a Sentry issue. This is an issue with every gun safe manufacturer using gyspum board or other materials not designed to keep a safe cool during a fire. These safes all tend to perform poorly in fires.

 

[sgte5]

fire safes

I really don't take much stock in the fire rating on any of the safes. As a former firefighter, I think if a safe is in a serious home fire, the contents, especially a firearm, would be in deep trouble. The heat inside any safe would be intense enough to damage the furnture, in the least. There are a number of documented tests that show that even as a theft deterant, thay are limited. A pair of professional theives can get into some of the best rated safes in just minutes. They are what they are. They keep honest people more honest, and keep the kids hands off of your guns.

 

[greg531mi]

I have looked and examined Senty safes in various stores, and what scares me, is when they are closed and locked, the doors tended to be loose....That means an air gap, and room to pry the door off.....