I recently moved and my Sentry safe will not unlock now. The Key won't insert all the way.. any suggestions?

Shoot the lock off...

2/7Marine0311 said:

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I recently moved and my Sentry safe will not unlock now. The Key won't insert all the way.. any suggestions?

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What model safe?

c1208

9mm won't go through that.... also my big guns are locked inside.....

2/7Marine0311 said:

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also my big guns are locked inside.....

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Call a locksmith or just drill a hole in the side and cut it open.

Drill into the key entrance?

You could brute force your way into it in a matter of minutes if you are ok with getting a new safe.

2/7Marine0311 said:

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Drill into the key entrance?

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No, into the side. You obviously would need to replace the safe after.

2/7Marine0311 said:

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Drill into the key entrance?

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Drill into the key entrance, find the thinnest side and cut into it with a circular saw with the right blade, or brute force and try to bend the door with a sledge hammer, wedge, and/or crowbar.

Any way to get in without destroying the safe..... I still have the keys but the key won't turn all the way to the left

2/7Marine0311 said:

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Any way to get in without destroying the safe..... I still have the keys but the key won't turn all the way to the left.

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• Shake it to try to dislodge anything that might be impacting the locking mechanism in any way from the inside.
• Try putting it on its back or side to potentially relieve any pressure that gravity is causing it to put on your key.
• Find a way to get the maximum leverage on your key to turn it without breaking the key.
• Maybe even see if you can get some oil up in there somehow to help it unlock more smoothly.

ETA: Don't shake it vigorously to the point you would damage whatever guns are in there. Doesn't seem like a super expensive safe and would be better to destroy it rather than damage the more valuable guns it houses.

2/7Marine0311 said:

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I recently moved and my Sentry safe will not unlock now. The Key won't insert all the way.. any suggestions?

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Quote:

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9mm won't go through that.... also my big guns are locked inside.....

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Wait....

You moved your "safe" (gun cabinet) with the guns still inside?

No, my pregnant wife had movers move it to our new place while I was in California....

2/7Marine0311 said:

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No, my pregnant wife had movers move it to our new place while I was in California....

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Any chance the "movers" tried to get in without the key? Maybe something broke off in the lock?

There doesn't appear to be any damage to the exterior

2/7Marine0311 said:

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There doesn't appear to be any damage to the exterior

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Does your key fully insert and then just have trouble turning, or will it only partially insert? Movers could have shoved something in there and tried to open it with that and had it break off in there and then freaked out and stopped trying to open it.

2/7Marine0311 said:

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No, my pregnant wife had movers move it to our new place while I was in California....

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Ahhh okay this makes more sense. Sorry to hear.

I'd suggest gently trying to shake the safe like GE suggested. I'm not sure of the inside door design but possibly something fell forward and is blocking things. That really shouldn't interfere with the key but maybe you will get lucky and something will fall back into place.

If that doesn't work then you are in a tough spot. It would likely cost as much as you paid for the safe to have a locksmith come out to open things up. At that point I would try forcing the key with a little gentle persuasion. Light taps from a rubber mallet might be enough to (cause what I'm assuming may be) a stuck pin to fall in the lock. If that still isn't enough I would probably try inserting the key as far as it goes and then gently tapping the backside with a small hammer to see if it can't go the rest of the way in.

If all of the above still doesn't work then I would cut the side of safe open, retrieve your guns and then buy a new safe/cabinet.

It partially inserts.

I'm not a lock smith, but I work in locks very often.
Sounds like stuck pins if the key won't insert all the way.

Could be some dust/dirt/or other is stuck.
I use a "key extractor", but anything thin enough to enter the keyway and work the pins up and down will work.

Get some dry PTFE (teflon) lube spray, spray a little in the cylinder, and work the pins up and down.
Try with the key if something thin yet fairly ridged can't be had.

If the key fully inserts but can't turn all the way then something internal of the lock is stuck/jammed and gentle shaking or banging on the door while trying to turn might work


If you still can't open it, then you need to call a lock smith.

(img)

These are the type of keys it uses..

I recommend a little lube. Usually works when I can't stick something in all the way.

Have you checked with these guys? I hear they're pretty good.

If the key won't go all the way in, it's probably the pins. I would start there.
Take a paper clip or something and push them in. If you can see down, make sure nothing is jammed in there.
Still spray some dry lube.
If the key goes in and doesn't turn, then lickely something is jammed/applying pressure to something else (CAMA, latch bolts, etc).
But I would start with lubrication and working the pins. Even with the key. I've taken a screwdriver and lightly tapped on keys to make them go in.
Just don't force things.

Of course this is a stupid suggestion....but we have a number of things that have that kind of key. Here comes the stupid part....Are you sure you are using the right key?

Very slim chance that the movers didn't shake things up during the move. Likely something may be putting pressure on the door. Can you tilt it backwards, causing anything leaned against the door to fall away.

Good luck.

Powdered graphite.

Does the safe have a glass relocker?

Have you tried a few drops of liquid wrench?

With the round keys, I would shoot some wd40 in the lock then get my hammer and force the key in as long as the vertical notch on the lock still lines up with the key.

With these locks there is a spring against the back plate that could have gotten stuck or out of alignment from maybe being bounced around during transport

Any chance this could be covered by warranty?

Did you try jiggling the handle?

What about turning it off then back on again?