SentrySafe SFW123DSB Combination Fire-Safe

SentrySafe SFW123DSB Combination Fire-Safe

The SentrySafe SFW123DSB 1.23 Cubic Feet Combination Fire-Safe really has it all and is set to be another Sentrysafe bestseller.

For years the Sentrysafe DS3410 was king of the budget home safes. It had everything a person needed to keep almost anything protected and the best part was that it was very affordable. Even now the DS3410 still sells like hotcakes and will continue to do so.

Now, what we have could be called somewhat of a more modern and updated version of the DS. The SentrySafe SFW123DSB has everything many safes have in its price range and much more. Speaking of price range, at time of writing this post the list price has dropped 37% to just over $150. Considering that the safe was originally valued at $250 I would say that is a great deal.

Interior

The interior size is 13.8in x 12.6in x 11.9in with a capacity of 1.23 cubic feet. Depending on what you plan on storing in this safe it could be considered either large or medium sized. I personally think it has a medium sized interior which just happens to be just right for storing general items.

The interior of the safe may be smaller than you would expect due to the larger exterior dimensions, but don’t let that put you off as this is because of the thick protective layers that surround the inside of the unit. Generally speaking you probably won’t fit anything of considerable size because of the door insert which takes up a few inches when the door is closed. However, the interior is perfect for all the small to medium items you would normally find tucked away in your drawer or left in a bank safe deposit box.

The interior is very clean and well designed regarding having specific areas for storing certain items. You can keep your small irreplaceable valuables organized by placing them in the little tray just on the inside of the door. Directly below is a very handy key rack which is ideal for getting to your keys without having to fumble around deep inside the safe itself. Below the key rack is another deeper tray which is a good spot to store CD’s, DVD’s papers, documents, coins, etc.

Before you begin storing make sure you read the instructions that come with the safe. At the very top of the page read the “Warning” sections. As with many safes in this price range, this SentrySafe is designed to store certain items. The instructions state that, “items such as firearms, other weapons, combustible materials, or medication should NOT be stored in this unit”. Having said that if you read a number of the customer reviews you will notice that many store whatever items they wish; including firearms.

So, what you decide is entirely up to you but do take note that delicate items must be protected from the moisture that will eventually build up in the safe. Items such as jewelry, watches, stamps, photos or other delicates should be put, we recommend placed in an air-tight container or fireproof storage bag.

In order to be in control of any moisture I would suggest you invest in a desiccant pack and leave it in the safe. Sure it will take up some of the room but if you are planning on storing important delicates such as legal documents, paperwork, jewelry, Birth Certificates, SSN cards, Passports, Car Titles, etc then a desiccant such as the 900 Gram Silica Gel will protect them from moisture.

If you have a ton of paperwork and plan on using the SentrySafe SFW123DSB safe to hang your files then you will be pleased to know that there are a collection of set grooves on either side of the interior to allow for hanging file folders if you so wish. Once again, bear in mind that in this instance you will most definitely need some kind of moisture absorber to prevent any molding.

There is an adjustable shelf that comes with the safe but I must admit that it is pretty flimsy and of much lower quality compared to the rest of the safe. You can store a number of items on it but if they are heavy then expect the center of the shelf to bow slightly. It probably won’t break, unless the item you placed on it was very heavy, but the sagging in the plastic shelf is pretty unsightly.

If having shelves is important to you then I would suggest ordering others that are slightly stronger. If you have larger items then just remove the shelf altogether.

You will notice that the interior is formed of a type of molded plastic. This may be off putting for some people considering that this is a fire safe but rest assured SentrySafe have fully tested this SentrySafe SFW123DSB 1.23 Cubic Feet Fire-Safe to deal with fire and water issues. Most SentrySafe units have plastic moulding interiors and they are still very well rated by customers over the years.

Security

The locking mechanism is a mechanical combination lock which comes with a factory set combination and a key. The dual-combination lock and key will make it harder for anyone who tries to gain access to the safe. It is like having an extra locking system or additional layer of safety.

Locking the safe couldn’t be easier. You just close the door, spin the dial and the safe is locked. If you decide to use the keys as well, (recommended), then this will add to the security putting the key-lock into locked mode.

The correct factory combination that comes with the SentrySafe SFW123DSB Fire-Safe is found on the back of the user manual.  NOTE: This factory combination cannot be changed. It would be advisable to jot down and save the combination number in another room somewhere. This is just a precaution. Additionally you can secure your combination by registering your safe online at the www.sentrysafe.com website. It’s a secure online location for the entry and retrieval of your combination anytime you need it.

Dual combination safes are not known for their speed of opening so if you are looking for a fast access safe then this isn’t for you. You can improvise by mainly using only the keys to lock the safe but I wouldn’t advise this as you won’t have full use of the dual security system.

Many people choose combination locking systems because they just don’t like fiddling around with buttons and digital screens. A big plus here is that you will never have to spend money on batteries because the whole unit is mechanical. If you have never used a combination safe before it may take a few practice goes to get used to using the dial but other than that it is very simple to work with.

This is a very heavy safe and weighs around 100 pounds. To some this may be a disadvantage if you are the type of person that moves homes a lot but for most people this is another advantage. With this SentrySafe SFW123DSB being so heavy it makes things that much more difficult for a thief to pick the thing up and walk away with it.

This is especially so if you bolt the whole unit to the floor. It comes with two four-inch bolts and two shorter bolts. Just mark and drill the holes in the floor and bolt the whole unit to the ground. There is no way anyone is going to pry the safe from the floor unless they have lots of time and a ton of hardcore tools.

One of the top security features to this particular safe are the 4 large 1 inch bolts on the inside edge of the door. These are 60% bigger than traditional safes which will no doubt boost the level of security for your possessions. It will take a lot more time and a fairly powerful tool to cut through these bolts.

Another really great feature is the pry resistant hinge bar which is just on the inside of the closing edge of the door. T is pretty much like a long deadbolt which slots smoothly into the frame of the safe when the door is closed. If someone tries to pry open the door from the hinges this bar will almost certainly slow down or prevent entry.

The door hinges are solid and very thick leaving no room for prying apart with a tool. I think for added security having internal pry proof hinges is a better choice but then for the price this safe is selling at I guess you can’t complain.

The combination wheel is made of plastic which is not unusual for SentrySafe. However, don’t let that put you off because the dial works very smoothly and is surprisingly very solid.

The key lock is an extra safety precaution and does work smoothly but it doesn’t offer any form of solid click, to let you know that it is either locked or unlocked. Not a major issue but certainly worth mentioning.

Fire & Water Protection

This safe is UL classified/fire rated for temperatures up to 1700 degrees Fahrenheit for one-hour (CD’s, DVD’s, memory sticks and USB drives). It is also ETL verified for water-resistance in up to 8″ of water for up to 24 hours.

As mentioned at the start of this article you want to make sure you read the user manual before you start storing items. By doing this you will understand what options apply to you if the safe is ever damaged in a fire.

SentrySafe will send you a replacement safe for free if the safe is ever damaged in a fire while you own it. It also comes with some insurance coverage in the case items inside the safe are damaged. I think this in itself is enough to convince you to put your trust in the SentrySafe company and their years of experience with creating and building top quality budget safes.

Summary

I have to admit I can’t really find anything wrong with this safe. By far it is not perfect but you have to first consider its price range. This huge, heavy chunk of metal is being sold at a ridiculously low price and it has so many great features to offer. It is a huge improvement on the DS3410 regarding security and even aesthetics.

Granted, you can’t store a huge amount of large items but I don’t think the SentrySafe SFW123DSB 1.23 Cubic Feet Combination Fire-Safe was designed with that in mind anyway. It is a general storage safe for all those small valuable items we leave hiding around the house and don’t really know where the best place is to store them. Well, that problem is now solved.

specification

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