Do You Have A Favorite?

[AngryHatter]

I have a couple (three, actually) pick guns.

One really old no name. It moves the needle at an angle. Works okay when you understand the lock you are working on.

I also have a Sparrow double tap and a Brockage which is basically the same as the Sparrow.
They both lift the needle straight up with no angular component.

Any of them need practice just like SPP to be any good with it.
The two different forces applied dictate different use and so you tend prefer one over the other.
(At least I do)

If you use one, which and why?

[AngryHatter]

Brockhage even

[billdeserthills]

I have a few Majestic pick guns, I've only ever needed two, as they do break every once in awhile,
but a client offered to barter me his for $10 off his bill, so I had to get the third one

[Squelchtone]

I have, an sometimes use a Southord, works well for me. needle gets loose quickly though, and when you first buy them a god robot tightened the knurl nut at the factory and it takes pliers to loosen it up.

Squelchtone

[billdeserthills]

To keep the needle from getting loose I like to go to the local hardware store and find the largest screw that will fit into the needle, metric or sae along with a big nut and the extra force keeps the needle from loosening--the little screw they give with the pick gun usually strips out right away

[AngryHatter]

That is what I like about the newer ones, (Sparrow or Brockhage) They have a thumb wheel for the needle clamp.
Real easy to change out picks.

[AngryHatter]

I took both the Brockhage and the Sparrow apart and found they are identical.
No, I mean the same inside and out.

The same pressed metal body, Same brass colored aluminum tension wheel, even the thumb wheels to change the needles are the same.

Brockhage has a "PATENT PENDING" decal above the trigger and the trigger is covered in a rubber sleeve to reduce friction on your finger as you pull the trigger.
The Sparrow has a nicer case but a smaller assortment of picks and wrenches.

The dimples, the rivets, the screws are in the same place on both guns.

And given the favorable exchange rate, the Sparrow is cheaper.