Order of difficulty?

[dboeren]

I'm still working on improving my skills with more basic locks, and I've picked up a Masterlock 140 for when I've improved to try out security pins.

Once I get past that stage, I'm considering the following:

Brinks shrouded padlock
Schlage deadbolt
American 1105 padlock

If anyone can provide some opinions on their order of difficulty, I would appreciate it. I know this is somewhat long term, but I'm trying to put together a roadmap for my progress. Also, if you have any other suggestions or think there should be another step between the 140 and these let me know too.

Thanks!

[Eyes_Only]

I think those locks are in the right order. but after you've gotten used to them when you've re-pinned them numerous times already you can throw some serrated driver pins in the mix for the schlage lock to make life more interesting. After that I think it would be to re-pin the locks ignoring MACS.

[dboeren]

How can I find out the MACS for a lock? I thought that 5 was pretty much a common value, but it turns out my Masterlock #3 has two adjacent pins that are 7 steps apart.

[Trip Doctor]

http://web.archive.org/web/200512140315 ... pacing.htm

Here's a useful link.
MACS will differ for different manufacturers. You'll find it for various locks in that link.

[dboeren]

Thanks, that's a very useful reference.

[Gordon Airporte]

In my experience, least to most difficult: Schlage then Brinks, then American.

The Brinks and the American are pretty close though; I think they'll both give you a run for your money if that's when you pick them up. The Brinks shrouded is 6 pins where I think the American is only 5.