Sentry Safes

[flying_gage]

I know there are alot of threads on here in regards to safes. Just wanted to share my experience with the above manufacturer. I am not sure if they even make a "gun safe" but my safe could have been used for handguns.

My safe was around 5 years old and was used predominantly for papers and jewelry. I did not open it much at all; maybe 6-10 a year.

Recently when I went to get a vehicle title out of it, the handle would not work. It felt as though something had failed in the mechanism. When I went online, I found that this was a common problem with these safes as they use a use both metal and plastic in the operation of the mechanism, (sorry I am vague on these details, I was disgusted when I saw this and just closed out the browser).

The unofficial fix suggested by Sentry is to tap the sides with a mallet while trying to operate the handle. That didn't work. Long story short, I ended up having to cut the safe open. Sadly cutting it open was very easy and would have taken only a couple minutes were I not concerned about the paperwork that was stored in the door pocket. I will try and attach pics here so that you can see the results.

Very frustrating! Not necessarily from a monetary point, but more from a time point. I don't have the time to mess around with this stuff as the family gets bigger and life gets more hectic. Add to that the fact that all our birth certificates, vehicle titles, jewelry and whatnot are now unprotected and the stress associated with that; I will never purchase another sentry product.

Just my thoughts and hopefully they will help others in their decisions.

 

[jasper275]

Could you tell me what the exact make and model were? Also, did it have an electronic or mechanical lock.

Pathetic that we have to buy plastic safes from China, only insomuch as the quality American-made offerings are quite limited. I bought a Sturdy Safe about a year ago and paid 2K for it, but it was American, thick, and had no plastic. I'd guess about 75-80% of safes being sold in the US are of Chinese origin.

Instead of the government rigidly controlling an Amendment, why aren't they protecting consumers?

Waiting for your photos...

 

[a1abdj]

Could you tell me what the exact make and model were? Also, did it have an electronic or mechanical lock.

Sentry does have few models with UL listed locks, but the vast majority of their product line uses non rated, chinese, as cheap as they can make it, electronic and direct entry dial locks.

Most consumers don't know any better, as they see these "safes" at the big box store, and assume that they are a "safe". Sentry makes a very good fire rated box with a privacy latch for a good price, but short of their recent acquisition of Schwab, don't really make safes.

You shouldn't expect much from a Sentry, and that should be obvious from the price.