Sentry Safe has been around for a very long time and specializes in low cost fire safes. You’ll find them in nearly every Home Depot, Lowes, Costco and every other big box store. They have dabbled in both gun safes and handgun safes over the years with mediocre results. In these Sentry handgun safe reviews, I will explain why they are not a very good product and their fatal weakness .
Lock – Sentry Handgun Safe Reviews
First and always most important for any safe is its lock. The Sentry Handgun Safes use an electronic lock with 4 button keypad that features a 1-8 digit code.
In addition, some models feature an upgraded biometric scanner that uses your fingerprint to unlock. This new scanner can store up to 10 fingerprints, has improved accuracy and only takes one second to open.
The mechanism operates with a latch and solenoid that is very typical of handgun safes imported from China.
Unfortunately, they kept the same tubular key override as the original version which is far too easy to pick open. Check for videos on Youtube and you’ll see how easily they are opened with Bic Pens, Tubular lock picks and a variety of other household items. What is the point of using a decent quality electronic lock if the override key is so easily picked? Sentry should know better than this.
Security – Sentry Handgun Safe Reviews
The Sentry Handgun Safes are built with up to 12 gauge solid steel construction and a single latch closure. The older models are built with just 16 gauge. For reference, this is the thickness of a penny.
Lastly, this handgun safe is listed on the CA DOJ roster as a firearm safety device meaning it is adequate for keeping handguns out of the hands of children. Despite the CA DOJ Approval, I would not recommend this safe as secure with the tubular override key.
Style and Function
The Sentry Handgun Safes come in a textured powder coat black paint with illuminated keypad. The interior is lined with foam to protect your handgun from scratches. The lid pops open with a piston-assist for quick access. Newer versions feature a new and improved piston designed to last longer than the previous model. The interior light is also included on some models.
Warranty
According to Sentry, they are committed to helping you for the life of the product. However, when you actually read the product warranty, they only cover it for 1 year. Remember to always read the fine print.
The Bottom Line
Would I buy a Sentry handgun safe to store my handgun? No, I would not. With the tubular override key, this safe is just too easily broken into for me to recommend. There are far better options that have higher security features and I would go with a reliable long term lock.
My top recommendation for a handgun safe is the Stealth ShadowVault SV1. What makes it better is that it takes all the security features found in a high quality gun safe and shrinks them down to a pistol box. Finally, it comes with a UL Rated high security S&G lock, two hard plates, thick 3/16″ steel door, thick 10 gauge steel body, steel hooks on the hinge side and is overall a significantly more secure safe.
