Last Updated on July 22, 2024
If the Safe is Open | Obtain Override Key | How to Get Into a Sentry Safe | Retrieve Your Safe’s Combination | Drill Safe | FAQ
ACME Locksmith opens safes, and one frequent question we get is, “How do I open my safe if I’ve lost the combination?“
The safe combination may have been lost or forgotten over time, the combination may be locked inside the safe (it happens more often than you’d think), you may have bought a property where you’ve discovered a safe that was left behind, or you’ve forgotten how to dial the safe’s combination.
To open a safe without the combination first look for an override key. A locksmith can make a key to open the safe. If there is no key, a locksmith can retrieve the safe’s original combination from the manufacturer. As a last resort, the safe can be professionally drilled and repaired so that it can continue to be used.
Customers calling have all sorts of images from the movies. Typically a safe-cracker using a stethoscope to get in, but that is largely the stuff of movies. A good safe is built with security features specifically aimed to keep people out and only the combination, or a few other things that your local locksmith can do, will get you in.
In this article, we discuss how safes work and what options you have available to get a key or combination so you can open the safe. If you have the combination but it’s not working, check out our post “How to Dial a Safe Combination.”
Obtain an Override Key for the Safe
Look all over the safe. Can you find a keyhole? It may be a regular key or a barrel key, but do you see a keyhole?
Sometimes the key may be hiding under a cover that slides off, so investigate thoroughly.
If you can find a key, in any location other than the dial of the safe, this is an override key for the safe and it is the weakest point of your safe. If the keyhole is in the dial of the safe, this is not an override key but, rather, a key that stops the dial from spinning. Making that key will not get you into the safe if the combination is not known.
Locksmiths can either pick the lock open, make you a replacement key or order you a new key.
For details on this process, see “How to Get a Replacement Safe Key.”
How to Get Into a Sentry Safe
When You Have the Model and Serial Number
Sentry has a program that will allow you to get a key to a sentry safe or retrieve the combination for a Sentry safe.
In order to do this you must be able to find the serial number and model number for the safe. You will also be required to verify your identity.
When You Don’t Have the Model and Serial Number
Sentry makes a few styles of safes. A few of their safes, particularly older safes, will need to be drilled and repaired. This will leave you with a functioning safe.
But in many cases, it is better to get into a sentry safe in other ways.
If there is a key override found on the Sentry safe, a locksmith will easily be able to make a key for it.
If there is no key override, it is usually better to simply break into the safe and replace it with a more robust safe. Safe crackers are expensive. To professionally drill most sentry safes, and repair them, exceeds the value of the safe. So it is more cost effective to break into the safe and replace it.
If you want to hire a locksmith to break in for you, they’ll come to your location to do it. Cheap home safes, like those sold by Sentry and Honeywell, should cost around $150 to break in if the locksmith needs to go to your location. If you are able to bring the safe to a locksmith shop, they’ll have you in for about 1/2 of that price.
However, many Sentry safes can also be opened DIY with a bit of muscle or using many of these safe opening methods.
If you simply break in, replace the safe with a good safe sold by ACME Locksmith.
Safe Combination Retrieval or Safe Override Code
You most likely will need to hire a locksmith to get the existing combination to a safe. This process is called a combination retrieval. Most safe manufacturers will not provide this data over the phone for security reasons. Try the manufacturer first to see if you get lucky. If they can’t help you, your local locksmith can.
Safe Dial Combination Retrieval
If the safe is a dial, the locksmith will most likely be able to retrieve the original combination to the safe. This is the combination that the safe shipped with from the manufacturer.
So long as the safe combination has never been changed, this will open the safe. The locksmith will then be able to set the safe combination to whatever numbers you desire. Or, if you’d like, the locksmith can replace the dial of the safe with an electronic safe lock.
Electronic Combination Override
If your safe has an electronic lock, the safe serial number or the serial number of the electronic safe lock itself, can be used to see if there is a master override code for the safe. Entering the override code will reset the electronic lock so that the lock’s default combination will work.
To perform a combination retrieval your local locksmith, we will need to go to your location and verify you are the owner of the property the safe is in.
Drilling the Safe Open – Your Last Resort
As a last resort, your safe can be opened by a professional when the combination has been lost. The safe can then be repaired and function like new.
With the model and serial number, the locksmith (aka safe cracker) should be able to get the drill points of the safe and this makes getting into the safe more affordable than if this information were not available. The locksmith will know exactly where to drill so as not to trigger any of the safe’s security measures.
Opening a safe via drilling requires we pull the existing lock off and drill in through the front of the safe to take out the components keeping the door closed.
If you have not been able to determine the model and serial number, a locksmith can still drill the safe to get in, and repair it after it is drilled, but it will be more costly. Typically a pilot hole will be drilled and the safe scoped to determine where the drill point is. Without a drill point, sometimes a security feature will be triggered on the safe, such as a re-locker, and more drilling will be required.
When opening a safe by drilling, the safe’s lock body is destroyed and the safe lock will need to be replaced. Additionally, a hole will be in the door of the safe. This hole is plugged with a steal rod and ground off flush. Because this hole is under the old safe dial / safe electronic lock, the repair will not be visible and the safe will not show any damage or repair.
Q & A
Can I Get Into My Safe When I Don't Have the Combination
In many cases, you can get in without drilling the safe. Some manufacturers will help you, but in most cases, you’ll need a local locksmith. A locksmith will either make you key, retrieve the safe combination or drill the safe you. Verification of ownership will be required to open a safe.
My Safe is Open, Can You Get the Combination
Yes, a locksmith can determine the combination of the safe for you or set a new combination for you.
Can a Locksmith Make Me The Key to My Safe
Yes. If you’ve lost your combination but your safe has an override key, that key can be gotten or made for you. Verification of ownership will be required.
More of Our Favorite Security Products
See our Amazon Store for Videos and Links to All of Our Favorite Security Products.
Door Armor: Reinforce your doors. This video on YouTube shows the installation of Door Armor, and you can buy this or similar products from Amazon at a great price.
Video Doorbells: This video doorbell offers great images and video and has NO monthly video storage fees. Watch our SkyBell Video Doorbell Review on YouTube and buy it on Amazon.
Smart Locks: Access Your Locks via Smart Phone. You’ll find some of our favorite smart locks that allow you to control home access and monitor entry in our Amazon Smart Lock Shop. Watch our Smart Lock Comparison Video on YouTube for reviews of the most popular Smart Locks.
High-Security Safes: When you want a safe that is designed to protect the valuables you put inside, you want a high-security safe found on ACME Locksmith’s Safes for Sale website.
Sliding Glass Door Lock: The best Arcadia door lock that stops your sliding glass door from being lifted out of its tracks and prevents little ones from opening the door and leaving the home. Check out the video on YouTube and Buy it on our website.
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