Upside down locks

[knowspicker537]

Hey guys kinda stupid noob question, but sometimes I see locks installed upside down now I've never tried to pick one(though I probably should), just want to know if why they do this and if it makes it more difficult to pick. Also the same applies to sideways keyways

-knowspicker537

[billdeserthills]

I have trouble because I usually use a pick gun and it isn't very easy to use properly when held upside down

[mcsteve]

It doesn't really make any difference. If anything, it's kinda nice to see and feel the pins stay down against the shearline once they're set, instead of falling back down to their usual resting position under gravity. Definitely does make it a little trickier to use a typical pick gun, though.

From what I've seen, Euro-style locks are pretty much always designed with the pins on the bottom of the keyway.

[knowspicker537]

Thanks for the reply mcsteve I'm gonna flip some locks and pick them like that to see what you mean

-knowspicker537

[cledry]

I think it makes the locks harder in some cases. For example a weak spring will really make things harder when the lock is upside down. I also think it is worse for the lock in that any dirt, water etc. will fall into the chambers instead of out of them.

[billdeserthills]

I think it makes the locks harder in some cases. For example a weak spring will really make things harder when the lock is upside down. I also think it is worse for the lock in that any dirt, water etc. will fall into the chambers instead of out of them.

I always think of it as The Mark of the Amateur when I find standard locks installed upside down

[kwoswalt99-]

I think it makes the locks harder in some cases. For example a weak spring will really make things harder when the lock is upside down. I also think it is worse for the lock in that any dirt, water etc. will fall into the chambers instead of out of them.

I always think of it as The Mark of the Amateur when I find standard locks installed upside down

Or when they forget to tighten the screw holding a mortise cylinder in. One time, I saw a medeco on the side of a building, used for emergency entry, but you could just unscrew it by hand.

[mcsteve]

I just got done dealing with an Adams Rite door lock where they clearly just torqued the cylinder in tight and ignored the setscrew. And it showed tool marks from the obvious technique being used at least once to gain entry.

I do see conventional KIKs and deadbolts installed upside down all the time. Apparently it's hard to change handing... Or some maintenance guys are just in a hurry.

[knowspicker537]

Been doing some picking upside down cylinders and you guys are right found no difference

Knowspicker537

[cj101]

In Germany, almost all locks are "upside down", so I got used to it. I find it a bit more challenging the other way round. However, after some trys its almost the same.

[Shifty1]

From a personal standpoint I don't consider a lock truly bested until it is picked by me in two different positions. Like the man said from Europe - everything in N.America is upside down and everything there is right side up.

[spuds]

Off Topic here But. There is only one stupid question in my mind and its the one question not asked !!!

[GWiens2001]

Off Topic here But. There is only one stupid question in my mind and its the one question not asked !!!

How many bottles of ketchup in a Twinkie? Is that the question? You are correct, it has not been asked yet.

Gordon

[spuds]

Off Topic here But. There is only one stupid question in my mind and its the one question not asked !!!

How many bottles of ketchup in a Twinkie? Is that the question? You are correct, it has not been asked yet.

Gordon

Lol Yes it is a question?

[kwoswalt99-]

What was your original point though?