Hey there, wbatastyle. I was in your shoes not long ago. I wanted a cutaway lock just like you, but couldn't find a real one that I liked and could change up etc. What I ended up getting, I think, was a better choice in the long run. I bought the six pin Ultimate Practice lock.
http://learnlockpicking.comIt comes with a ton of extra pins and is really easy to re-pin. Don't get the five pin lock, get the six pin. It comes with spool drivers and regular driver pins, master pins and extra springs. As you mentioned, you want a real cylinder. This is a real cylinder and will really help you develop your skills. A cutaway lock is attractive because you want to see what is going on inside, but can be a crutch and you will eventually outgrow it. You want to not see with your eyes, but see with your "inner eye", by the feedback from your tools. I bought this lock instead of a cutaway and am very happy that I did. If you are trying to pick a cutaway and get stuck, all you are going to do is look at what is happening
every single time and not develop the ability to figure out what is going on inside. It is important to be able to figure out what is happening without looking with your eyes. I have even bought uncut key blanks, repined my lock and then hand filed working keys for it. I still use it to practice, and I know other pickers who do the same; and they are
way better than me!
I got mine when I could already pick the locks around my house and padlocks I had pretty well, but this sucker really challenged me! I took out all but two pins, then three, then four, etc. Then added the security pins in like manner.
This is just my 2 cents, but I am happy I didn't waste my money on a cutaway lock.
There is, after all, more than one way to skin a cat.