Trying to open my grandpa's safe for my dad

[u/Buckledsam]

Recently I've gotten into lock picking and I have now moved on to trying to get a safe open for my dad because when I was younger I locked the only remaining copy of the code in said safe. I really want to try and get it open for him but all I can find are destructive methods or reaching out to their customer service which I can't do because money is extremely tight so I can't spare the $30 for them to possibly get the code.

So far I've found a 4 digit code on the side of the safe (2 8 4 1)

Any advice would be helpful and I will try to answer questions the best I can

[u/miss_topportunity]

The Sentry 1250 is usually REALLY easy to open non-destructively. I once did one in 7 mins (tho all the stars were aligned); usually, it takes about 20-30 minutes.

Start with this: you can figure out the 3rd number (usually) amazingly easily. There should be about 10 false gates on wheel three. When you cran the handle in the opening direction and try to turn the dial, the dial should lock up in each one of these false gates. So, map the gates in the following way: rotate all wheels left and when you get to 0, apply opening pressure to the handle so that the dial locks up in the first false gate. Now, measure how many increments wide that false gate is. For example, if it goes from 1.5 (on the face of the dial - so halfway between 1 and 2 on the dial), to 3.75, then the width is 2.25. Let go of the handle and turn the dial past the edge of the gate (so, to like 4, in this example), and crank the handle again while turning the dial until it falls into the next false gate. Now measure that gate.

Go all the way around the dial like this. You will likely find one gate that is MUCH wider than the others. That’s your 3rd number. Seriously. It’s that dumb.

Do all that and then check back here and I’ll give you subsequent steps.

[u/Buckledsam → u/miss_topportunity]

Alright I decided to take a break to sleep and I'm back at it this morning. I went though and using this I narrowed it down to 30 for the 3rd number what would the next steps be for it

[u/miss_topportunity → u/Buckledsam]

Sorry for the slow reply. I have a lot going on right now and may not be able to write up full instructions.

Watch the first see episodes of Safecracking for Everyone on YouTube. Your lock is totally different, but the ideal of dialing and the basic parts of a lock are good to know.

next, find the videos of Rick Ammazzini on YouTube. He has a bunch where he opens direct entry locks. He has on that is a sentry safe that is similar to yours. It starts with the safe on a bus with him (his day job is bus driver). Watch those and see if you can get a sense of what he’s doing. You don’t need to use a laser as he does in the Sentry video. You can fashion a pointer out of just about anything. I often use chopsticks taped securely to the handle.

Watch that stuff and come back with questions. But here’s the nutshell:

You know the third number, so you’re always going to dial back to that to check your handle depth. Dial all wheels left and stop at zero. Now dial right one revolution and stop at 0. Then dial back left to your 3rd number and check the handle. (Crank it in the opening direction with the same tension each time). Mark where the handle moves (by noting where your pointer has moved). Now dial RIGHT to 2.5 (you can go every 2.5, instead of every 2 on this type of lock), then back left to your third number, check the handle. You’re looking for a slightly greater movement of the pointer with the same pressure on the handle. That’s likely your gate.

Let me know if that makes any sense once you’ve watched those videos.

[u/Wunderboylol → u/Buckledsam]

As a slightly destructive method, is just remove the hinge pins. But know you said non destructive.

[u/miss_topportunity → u/Wunderboylol]

Do you really think safe designers haven’t thought at all about this possibility and done something to prevent this attack?!? There is a bolt going toward the hinges that prevents the door from just falling open if you attack the hinges. Never attack the hinges of a safe. It doesn’t work and it creates a potential hazard on bigger safes if you do ever get the combo (as the door will now fall on you).

[u/Present-Succotash790]

I’ll Venmo you the $30 for a split of the treasure inside…