Master Lock - Tough Under Fire?

[Josh K]

I was curious. Reports on the Master Lock site indicate that it can withstand gun fire from various caliber firearms.





Whatever it was, it wasn't a 3" slug from a 12 gauge shotgun.

Next on the list are a Master Lock #15 and #930. We'll see how those fair if there's any interest.

You can see how the laminated plates were forced apart popping the rivets off of the top and bottom pins. This in turn causes the entire lock to separate and the shackle to be freed. I'm hoping that the larger sized #15 and the solid bodied #930 fair better.

[LocksmithArmy]

I think what master ment was that it stays locked... so can you unock it after you shot it...

nice pix though... looks fun.

[Josh K]

I think what master ment was that it stays locked... so can you unock it after you shot it...

nice pix though... looks fun.

I'm not following. The lock opened, and is obviously destroyed beyond any real use.

Though it was a *cough* blast.

[Squelchtone]

I think what master ment was that it stays locked... so can you unock it after you shot it...

nice pix though... looks fun.

I'm not following. The lock opened, and is obviously destroyed beyond any real use.

Though it was a *cough* blast.

Thank you for this post, I love it!

Back in the day (1980's I think) Master was putting and they still do, a small sticker on each padlock of a No3. with a bullet hitting it. And yes, it was to demonstrate that if you put their brand padlock on your shed, and someone walked by and shot it , it may put a big dent it in, but it would remain locked. This was brilliant advertizing, becaused every blue collar worker I know thinks Master lock is this totally awesome high security lock, because that's what they have been brainwashed to believe. I'm surprised Master doesnt have a NASCAR race car with a big padlock on the hood getting shot at.

The reality as we all know is that even though the laminated plates may be able to take a small caliber shot and remain locked, any teenager with paperclips or a very very basic pick set can pick the crappy cylinder in these locks in under 10 seconds.

Then Master clouds the water further by putting on the packaging that the lock has a pin tumbler cylinder for improved pick resistance, and somehow manages to convince their retail outlets that the Master Lock displays say things like High Security Padlocks, and when you look below the sign they have a bunch of hex schackle Magnum padlocks (new version of the No3)

It's irresponsible behavior on Master's part to continue with this type of marketing campaign. Maybe 25 years ago people didnt know any better, but these days some people in the general public actually know other brands such as ASSA, Abloy, Medeco , Mul-t-Lock, etc that DO offer REAL high security, as opposed to fancy packaging.

I wonder what Master is comparing against when they make the claim that certain models in their product line are high security. Until their cylinders are actually difficult to pick, their padlocks should all be sold as General Use, and maybe the Pro Series or the 930 TSR body could be called Medium or Commercial Security, but I'm thinking of suing them for selling things as High and Maximum Security.

Thanks for the photos, they made me smile.

Squelchtone

[Josh K]

I think what master ment was that it stays locked... so can you unock it after you shot it...

nice pix though... looks fun.

I'm not following. The lock opened, and is obviously destroyed beyond any real use.

Though it was a *cough* blast.

Thank you for this post, I love it!

Back in the day (1980's I think) Master was putting and they still do, a small sticker on each padlock of a No3. with a bullet hitting it. And yes, it was to demonstrate that if you put their brand padlock on your shed, and someone walked by and shot it , it may put a big dent it in, but it would remain locked. This was brilliant advertizing, becaused every blue collar worker I know thinks Master lock is this totally awesome high security lock, because that's what they have been brainwashed to believe. I'm surprised Master doesnt have a NASCAR race car with a big padlock on the hood getting shot at.

The reality as we all know is that even though the laminated plates may be able to take a small caliber shot and remain locked, any teenager with paperclips or a very very basic pick set can pick the crappy cylinder in these locks in under 10 seconds.

Then Master clouds the water further by putting on the packaging that the lock has a pin tumbler cylinder for improved pick resistance, and somehow manages to convince their retail outlets that the Master Lock displays say things like High Security Padlocks, and when you look below the sign they have a bunch of hex schackle Magnum padlocks (new version of the No3)

It's irresponsible behavior on Master's part to continue with this type of marketing campaign. Maybe 25 years ago people didnt know any better, but these days some people in the general public actually know other brands such as ASSA, Abloy, Medeco , Mul-t-Lock, etc that DO offer REAL high security, as opposed to fancy packaging.

I wonder what Master is comparing against when they make the claim that certain models in their product line are high security. Until their cylinders are actually difficult to pick, their padlocks should all be sold as General Use, and maybe the Pro Series or the 930 TSR body could be called Medium or Commercial Security, but I'm thinking of suing them for selling things as High and Maximum Security.

Thanks for the photos, they made me smile.

Squelchtone

I love it when I walk by people at Home Depot reaching for the $20 Master lock on the top shelf.

It would be interesting to know how my Mul-T-Lock padlock compared with a similar shot, but I'm not one to throw away $50 for the sake of curiosity.

Master offers the misleading idea the security can be cheap. It's shameful.

[nostromo]

Wouldn't this be a fun event at Locksport conventions?

Maybe a fundraiser!
Pick your lock (pun intended ),
Pick your weapon ,
And keep it as a great souvenier!!

BETTER YET!
Auction off some locks that got blasted by Barry Wels, accompanied by an Indiana Jones-like photo or video where Barry gets frustrated with picks (like Indy and the Scimitar-weilding villain) and fires off a .357 magnum (like Indy and the Scimitar-weilding villain)!

If Barry isn't up for it, how about Raimundo-Rambo?

[thelockpickkid]

I have never seen a Master Lock that I couldn't pick, I have picked almost every model they have, and I have very little trouble. As a young kid I used to shoot locks off of peoples gates on a regular basis, they would always fly open, no matter what caliber I used. Master has lots of false marketing, and you can see this on every package. Another false marketing ploy of thers is selling the Master Commercial paldocks, basically a different color plastic piece, the Master #3 for instance, the original is blue, the Commercial is grey, what is the difference in security? Nothing at all, the same exact padlock, other than the keyway has the little protector over it. Funny thing I see around here, some guy will lock up his property with two locks, so that somebody else can get in also, there will be a master #5 on one side, and a Best on the other, wow, talk about security!

[Josh K]

I have never seen a Master Lock that I couldn't pick, I have picked almost every model they have, and I have very little trouble. As a young kid I used to shoot locks off of peoples gates on a regular basis, they would always fly open, no matter what caliber I used. Master has lots of false marketing, and you can see this on every package. Another false marketing ploy of thers is selling the Master Commercial paldocks, basically a different color plastic piece, the Master #3 for instance, the original is blue, the Commercial is grey, what is the difference in security? Nothing at all, the same exact padlock, other than the keyway has the little protector over it. Funny thing I see around here, some guy will lock up his property with two locks, so that somebody else can get in also, there will be a master #5 on one side, and a Best on the other, wow, talk about security!

...

[thelockpickkid]

I have never seen a Master Lock that I couldn't pick, I have picked almost every model they have, and I have very little trouble. As a young kid I used to shoot locks off of peoples gates on a regular basis, they would always fly open, no matter what caliber I used. Master has lots of false marketing, and you can see this on every package. Another false marketing ploy of thers is selling the Master Commercial paldocks, basically a different color plastic piece, the Master #3 for instance, the original is blue, the Commercial is grey, what is the difference in security? Nothing at all, the same exact padlock, other than the keyway has the little protector over it. Funny thing I see around here, some guy will lock up his property with two locks, so that somebody else can get in also, there will be a master #5 on one side, and a Best on the other, wow, talk about security!

...

What? I said I used to, that was years ago. I don't do that stuff anymore.

[Squelchtone]

I have never seen a Master Lock that I couldn't pick, I have picked almost every model they have, and I have very little trouble. As a young kid I used to shoot locks off of peoples gates on a regular basis, they would always fly open, no matter what caliber I used. Master has lots of false marketing, and you can see this on every package. Another false marketing ploy of thers is selling the Master Commercial paldocks, basically a different color plastic piece, the Master #3 for instance, the original is blue, the Commercial is grey, what is the difference in security? Nothing at all, the same exact padlock, other than the keyway has the little protector over it. Funny thing I see around here, some guy will lock up his property with two locks, so that somebody else can get in also, there will be a master #5 on one side, and a Best on the other, wow, talk about security!

...

What? I said I used to, that was years ago. I don't do that stuff anymore.

Tell me about the Great Depression...

*Squelchtone sits Indian style with a pillow on his lap and waits for a story from Old Man LockPickKid*

[thelockpickkid]

LOL! this is going to take awhile. Grab a beer or two.........

[LocksmithArmy]

I think what master ment was that it stays locked... so can you unock it after you shot it...

nice pix though... looks fun.

I'm not following. The lock opened, and is obviously destroyed beyond any real use.

Though it was a *cough* blast.

oh sorry bro I couldnt tell from the pix if it had opened... lol

[Josh K]

I think what master ment was that it stays locked... so can you unock it after you shot it...

nice pix though... looks fun.

I'm not following. The lock opened, and is obviously destroyed beyond any real use.

Though it was a *cough* blast.

oh sorry bro I couldnt tell from the pix if it had opened... lol

No problems. Took five minutes of digging to find all the pieces. The shackle not only popped off but it also sheared. What you're seeing is the result of a half hour restacking the plates and making sure everything was there.

[LocksmithArmy]

Oh my.. thats bada$$ lol

like a 3d puzzle lol

[raimundo]

what master appears to mean is that you can shoot the cylinder out of one of these laminated stacks and the shackle will not become unhooked,

what they don't tell you is that if you shoot out the locking dogs just above the cylinder, the shackle will pop open.

loud, dangerous flying parts, not that much quicker than a pick.

ehn...