Magnum Padlocks?

[dboeren]

I've just gotten into this hobby and my wife bought me two Magnum padlocks for practice. I've been googling trying to find out something about these locks but with no success, for example whether they have security pins, that sort of thing.

One is a model 240 (looks like any other brass padlock), the other is a 50MM (looks like a typical laminated padlock). Both are marked "China" as well.

Are these Masterlock knockoffs, and if so, what models? Any information would be appreciated.

I've only been picking a couple of days so far. I've managed to open Kwikset and Defiant deadbolts and a Defiant doorknob lock, but still have not succeeded on the Magnums.

Thanks!

[niksoft]

the 240 looks like a master 140 series lock, if so, then there should be no spool pins in it, and from what i can see in most of the videos, it does not seem to have any

the 50mm looks like a #3 or #5 master, from the videos also does not seem to have spool pins, because it gets raked in like seconds

dont take me up on it, i'll look further

[dboeren]

Hmm, good idea. I'll take a look at some of the youtube videos for hints.

I've only been single pin picking, haven't learned how to rake yet. I've tried a couple of times and I tend to set 2 pins or so, but haven't opened anything with raking alone. I guess it just takes more practice.

I thought the Masterlock 140 did have security pins though, it's listed that way in the pinned Masterlock thread up above.

[niksoft]

i guess a newer 140 may have a spool pin or two, i have one, and have had no problems opening it up a few times that i picked it, though as i said don't call me on it, i can't recal if it had spool pins in it or not (i recall it taking like no time to open though, and also i recall squelch opening it even faster, so i don't know, i didn't think it had security pins in it but it may, or they may have started putting in spool pins recently, or i might just have skillz (jk)... or luck... )

um on raking, i use a combination of raking and single pin picking, like i will rake the lock, until it either false sets, or opens, whichever comes first, or sets at least a few pins before i get bored with it, and then pull out a hook and go over all the pins to find the one or ones that are binding. I have only been successful at only raking a few locks, like the master pro series lock, but as i said, most i will rake and then give individual pin attention to, to finish last one or two pins Sometimes i will even rake with the hook tool, though in most cases it's not the best choice, its doable though... Raking is an art of minimal tension and proper force applied to the rake, as well as keeping your hand steady, using the wrist for a back and forth motion, and using the fingers for up/down motion. There are a lot more people better qualified then me to explain it to you, i've only been picking seriously again for a couple of weeks (since i picked up the hobby for the second time).

[dboeren]

OK, thanks for all your assistance, I really appreciate you taking the time.

I think I'll probably try to practice some raking the way I learned single-pin, to remove a few pins from a simple deadbolt and work my way back up to a full 5 pins.

Anyway, I went out over lunch and picked up a Masterlock #3. They seem to have a reputation for being very easy to open so that will give me a good starting point on padlocks. Maybe they just have a little different feel to them than deadbolts that I need to get used to. I've noticed that the plug has a lot of rotational give it in before even inserting a pick for example.

[dboeren]

I just got the Master #3 open! Apparently its reputation is well deserved

I'm going to work on this one a while longer until I can open it quickly and reliably, and then go back to the Magnums.

[niksoft]

Yeah, masters are made with very loose tolerances, from pin sizes in the pin holes, to cylinder and plug size, which is actually partly why they have a reputation (a rightful one at that) to be good locks to start with.

It's like this, you see, bigger openings in the lock make it so you are able to get the lock pins jammed at a higher angle when you put pressure on the plug, it makes it simpler for you to push the push pin up and catch where the sheer line is without the push pin crossing into the lock pin hole, because now there is more metal blocking the opening, hence making the lock with no security pins, such as a master #3 or #5, easier to pick

BTW correct me if i'm wrong, but i read somewhere Magnum is a subdivision of Master or a series or something to that extent? i may be wrong, i can't even find the source now \/0\/

[stran9er]

BTW correct me if i'm wrong, but i read somewhere Magnum is a subdivision of Master or a series or something to that extent? i may be wrong, i can't even find the source now \/0\/

Yeah Magnum is a 'subdivision' of masterlock and SAS also does some locks using the name Magnum. But SAS locks are for cars, motorcycles and things of that sort