Gun Safe Issue

[epic1856]

Not sure if this is the right place, but I'm having issues with my gun safe. It's starting to be a pain in the *** to lock. I have a 14 gun Sentry Safe with a regular dial. I believe its this model: http://www.walmart.com/ip/Sentry-14-...-Safe/22142857

Here is what is happening:
1. Turn the dial and enter combination.
2. Turn handle unlocks doors and open.
Here is the issue
3. Close Door and I get a lot of resistance turning the handle so the bolts close. In not hearing any noises or anything out of the ordinary.
4. Turn dial and lock safe.

It's step 3 that's getting me worried. There is no resistance unlocking the bolts or turning the dial. Have any of you had this issue? Any tips?

[Fern]

Maybe it's getting too full and pushing on the door.

[wweigle]

How does it behave if you leave the door open and rotate the lock. If it acts normal I would look for interference with the bolts when the door is closed. May not be closing all the way by a fraction. I know this sounds simple but I had a similar issue with my safe and discovered that my safe had a small plastic threaded spacer that was designed to keep the door tight when closed and it needed adjustment so the door would close enough so that there was no interference with the bolts, yet keep the door from moving even slightly when it was shut.

[epic1856]

Maybe it's getting too full and pushing on the door.

I wish. the safe is empty.

How does it behave if you leave the door open and rotate the lock. If it acts normal I would look for interference with the bolts when the door is closed. May not be closing all the way by a fraction. I know this sounds simple but I had a similar issue with my safe and discovered that my safe had a small plastic threaded spacer that was designed to keep the door tight when closed and it needed adjustment so the door would close enough so that there was no interference with the bolts, yet keep the door from moving even slightly when it was shut.

I did what you said. it appears one of the bolts is getting "stuck", but its just as hard to lock when door is open.

[kmca]

Can you pull the interior panel off the door and lube the locking mechanism, (not the lock itself)? Could be some corrosion, or the factory grease is hardening.

[calixt0]

on my old 14 gun sentry there was a small plastic piece in the corner of the door that wore and made closing difficult at times.. something to check.

[Jeepergeo]

Sounds like the mechanism needs to be lubricated. While these are generally "low maintenance" items, they are not "no maintenance" items.

Get'er done before the mechanism fails/jams and you need to pay for a forced entry and then buy yourself a new vault.

[Country Woodpecker]

If it gives same trouble locking whether the door is closed or open it must be the door side that needs to be worked on. I would lock it with the door open and try to find the bolt that is giving issues. Perhaps feel each while they're moving and see if you can identify it. You could also look for any rubbing on any of the pin/bolts and possibly find it. If no go I would try to access inside of door and try to find where the issue is. Lubricate or adjust something. Good luck!

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

[Country Woodpecker]

A request more so but if you open it up and access the inside of door please do take pictures. I for one would love to see how they designed their doors.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

[NytWolf]

If it's still under warranty, call the manufacturer.

If not, open the inside panel and see if you can lube it.

Then come back when you have more info.

[atdski07]

I have the same problem but the reason mine does it is cause it's to full, I need a bigger safe

[paratroop]

I have the same problem but the reason mine does it is cause it's to full, I need a bigger safe

Everytime i go shooting, it's like a game of tetris trying to get everything back in just right.

[epic1856]

Finally got around to opening the safe, it was factory grease that was deteriorating/hardening. Once I opened up the back cover of the door I wiped away all of the old grease with some kroil and applied a new layer of synthetic gun grease. It opens and closes like it was new again. Thanks all.

[Florida]

Finally!

I'm new to C Guns and actually new to posting anything, anywhere. New gun owner, new all the way around. Question is this: I need a safe and was recently told by a dealer in LA that the toughest safe is a Jewely safe. Any other ideas on this? Have any of you guys ever heard of a jewelry safe being used as a gun safe? He said they aren't even bolted to the floor because they are sufficiently heavy all on their own?

[Twystd1]

True Jewelry safes are some of the best out there.

That is the kind of safe a Jewelry shop would have to protect from Bugalary and fire.

They are VERY pricey. Very fire proof. And heavy as hell. I have one.
Dimensions. 34 X 28 X 72. Not a very big safe.
And it weighs.....

Are you ready.............

1742 Lbs according to the metal tag on it. The sucker has steel and concrete walls. We took the door off to move it. I had to use my floor jack to get it offf it's hinges. Thats what a true jewelry safe is like.

T