Gun vs manual picks?

[yng_pick]

I look at it the other way.
I keep a pick gun and some bump keys in my kit, but cannot remember the last time I used either on a lockout.

SPP can be quick with a good deal of practice, and if a lock is difficult, a lot of times it can give good feedback as to why (corrosion, jammed pin, etc).

[sailorjim]

My friend uses a gun and yes, it is rather loud. We are both novices and pick locks as hobby around the house together. I like his gun better than my manual set. I just ordered my first manual wallet set also. I'm not sure how efficient I will be with it though.

[xBMW M3 GTR]

My friend uses a gun and yes, it is rather loud. We are both novices and pick locks as hobby around the house together. I like his gun better than my manual set. I just ordered my first manual wallet set also. I'm not sure how efficient I will be with it though.

A big rule is to never pick locks in use...especially with a pick gun which can put a good wear on the locks. Buy some locks to practice on (yes it can get expensive, but no one said this hobby was a cheap one). By buying practice locks, if you ruin one from picking or using a pick gun, you aren't locked out of anything.

Anyways, I wouldnt be caught dead with a pick gun, let alone a bump key for that matter. Im not saying anyone using them should be put to shame (well maybe those who rely on a bump key) but everyone should know how to use manual picks. especially before getting a hold of a pick gun. Its possible people may use a pick gun as a crutch to avoid manual picking. I vote for manual picks since it upholds the skill and true art of picking, which is what I hope all of you wish to uphold. Not to say that using the pick gun here and there isnt being true to this art.

[n0n4m3]

Hi all!
For me manual picking is a mean for learning....pick gun is a mean to be quick.
So, it depend upon the thing that you want.
I wanna learn......I'm here to learn.......so.....for me....Manual picking!

[efahrenholz]

Everyone pretty much elaborated with what matters. If you are a locksmith, a pick gun or the quickest and most effective non destructive method to open a lock will be at the discretion of the person at work. I'd imagine manual picking of locks as a hobby in downtime but for actual jobs a gun or any other direct method will work better.

You should be proficient in whatever tools you use, regardless of how easy it is. I agree that manual picking should be learned first. A fundamental knowledge of the inner workings of a lock will promote which method you employ.

[Northwest1]

I nearly always have to manually pick once ive taken the lock to the anti-pick stage ( using the gun )

[mach1]

I would add one thing to Solomon's list, and that is:
if when using the pick gun the cylinder hasn't picked or gone into anti-pick after ten seconds , stop and start again.
I use the Wendt pick gun in work, and always remember the guy's from Wendt's telling us in no uncertain terms 10-15 secs max, with gun before releasing tension and trying again.
In uk if you are doing 'warrant' work time is important as you may have 10+ openings to do in aday. Hand picking's great when you've got the time, and definitely more satisfying

[cAAc]

If 'picking' is your hobby and passion then put away the gun and make some real picks.

Im with Raymond

[inquisitor35]

OK, a few things on this pick gun vs manual picks.

First, there was a comment a little while ago that you won't get paid if it takes you a while to pick a lock. I'm all for getting a job done fast, but if you show up, use a pick gun and get your $100 for a couple seconds of 'work' then it's likely going to leave a bad taste in the customer's mouth. They're paying you for your skill. While the pick gun is often quick and effective, no one likes to pay a guy that much money for something they could likely buy off the internet for less than they just paid you. I'll use a pick gun occasionally, but I much prefer to give it a go with the picks first unless I'm absolutely swamped. Service and a show, I figure.

Bump keys are even worse. They tend to mar the finish on the front of the knob or deadbolt easily and that turns the bad taste from above into bile. Again, I'll use them occasionally, but not often.

Further, some locks seem to fairly resistant to bumping and pick guns. The more pins in the stack the more the chance of the pins clearing the shear line is reduced. Add to that in a lock that is 'gummed up' and the pin stacks can sometimes act like an anti-bump stack, sticking together on the way up and down. Picks are better for this as the lateral force on either side of the shear line can break the pins apart. Sometimes the pick gun can do it, other times not so much. Obviously, there's a lot of conjecture here in this last paragraph but it is based on experience. Totally possible I've drawn the wrong conclusion from the data I had.

[deception]

Prefer Manual picks over the gun, I could see where a gun would be useful though.

[monkeE]

Well in the manual one's , the sound is said to be annoying

For me, the more noise I make, the more nervous the customer gets about lock damage. I was merely using a plug spinner once, and it began a huge discussion about what irreversible damage I was causing the system, and how much force I was putting on the poor lock.

[amlwchlocksmiths]

i would like to ask why no one as said that some locks do not open with a pick gun,and you have to pick them with picks,i do this as a job on a daily basis.
i have found that a handfull of locks will not open with the gun.

as anyone else noticed this ?

[monkeE]

Yeah, it happens. Kwikset and Schlage both have a "bump key resistant" version out. I'd imagine it would work against the pick gun as well.

Also, if you get a #9 or #6 depth pin, it makes it really easy to pop the bottom pin above the shear line when using the lock gun.

[Andrew21]

Every lock that can be opened by pick gun or bump key, can be opened also by picks.
Not all locks that can be opened by picks, can be opened by gun or bumpy.

So picks are the best

[cledry]

When using a pick gun it is good business practice to drop the top pins or pop the cap off and check for crushed springs. Otherwise you may end up going back to the customer for free to repair the damage done. Picking manually you won't have this problem. I used to have a pick gun but only used it as a last resort.