I have a Sentry Safe that I purchased from Sam’s a year or two ago (too lazy to look it up).  My wife recently tried to open it and, even though it agreed with the combination that was entered, the electronic opener refused to release the lock.  Since this safe can only be opened with an electronic code, this is a BAD situation!

I first tested all four batteries with my handy-dandy battery tester and they all passed with flying colors.  I could hear the actuator trying to work each time I entered the code.  I even tried the “master” code.  No go.  Being somewhat mechanically inclined, I decided to whack on the front of the safe with my fist (didn’t think I would hurt it) after entering the code.  Viola!  The actuator fired up and it opened.

I then started looking on the web and found this post by lighthouse.  Exactly my problem!  All you need is a Rubber Mallet (or a hard fist), some WD-40 and a screwdriver. 

Needless to say, I’ll be taking it back to Sam’s and getting my money back, regardless of whether it’s in or out of warranty.  I think Sentry Safe has sold many of us a bill of goods…what do you think?  POS!

2010-07-10 Update

So my son purchased a Sentry safe today and I warned him about the sticking problem.  Since I never did anything about my safe since I opened it last, I decided to pry the plastic cover off so I could see the innards and determine what to lube.  Looks like the actuator in the upper left is the source of the problem.  So, if you need to whack your safe, you can see that the upper right (as you’re facing it) would be the place to smack.

When I pried the back off, there was all kinds of plastic slag and crap sitting at the bottom on the ledge.  Such quality…

One of the comments to lighthouse’s post was by a guy who used his “saws-all” to cut through the pins.  As you can see, these are all just cast parts, which means they are probably very soft metal.  I guess if this safe is ever involved in a fire it will open automatically as all the parts melt!

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