Why are Bump Keys so Popular over Lock Pick Guns?

[TickTockMyLock]

Why are bump keys so fashionable and popular over lock pick guns?

Aren't they both using the same mechanism at work? Why own 30 different bump keys to owning 1 lock pick gun and tension wrench?

[datagram]

The differences are summarized here:

http://lockwiki.com/index.php/Bumping#B ... _Pick_Guns

Bumping vs. Pick Guns

Key bumping and pick guns are based on similar entry principles, but there are various pros and cons to using a bump key over a pick gun. Both are similar with respect to skill requirements, noise created during entry, and forensic evidence.

Pros:

* A bump key aligns in the keyway naturally. Pick guns may have difficulty being inserted due to warding or keyway shape.
* Bump keys can naturally include methods to bypass auxilliary locking mechanisms, such as the Schlage Everest side-pin.
* Keys are relatively inexpensive to obtain and modify compared to pick guns (especially electronic or vibrational pick guns).

Cons:

* Finding a key for the lock may be difficult due to patent laws or distribution restrictions.
* Bumping causes pronounced deformation to the face of the lock. May be mitigated with various techniques.
* Bump keys are not universal due to keyway restrictions.

dg

[thelockpickkid]

Why do you think bump keys are so popular? If you had the experience to know better you would know that people not interested in the picking sport are the people that mostly buy bump keys, these things are really hard on locks, they tear the crap out of things.

[thelockpickkid]

I just have one more thought, you have said before that you were just trying to get into the sport. Well, you have like 19 posts and all you want to talk about is bumping and pick guns, this is no sport, you should learn how to use picks, that is a sport and is alot more affective and non destructive. It seems more and more to me that you just want to break into things, you want to bump locks, and you think that a pick gun is going to get you into everything you see, well I work as a locksmith for a major bank and I am here to tell you that you are not going to learn much bumping locks and just using a pick gun all the time. I run into locks that don't bump and dont pick well with a gun. Also, I won't bump anybodys lock unless I have enough money in my pocket to buy them a new lock. Unlisted asked you a question and your response with sort of in your face, I suspect you will do the same for me as well, I am just trying to help you learn and maybe save you some grief. If you need help learning how to pick, get ahold of me anytime, I am here to help.

[mcm757207]

I personally use a pick gun over bump keys and have far more luck with it.

I think the reason that bump keys became popular is because it's a lot more "magical" to file down an existing key and use it to open any lock in the public's view.