NEWB Question MasterLock M530

[Budwizar]

So long story short I found a Southord PXS-14 at my sisters house which is basically a beginner set of picks and I got ahold of a MasterLock M530 which is a 4pin lock and from what I've heard it's a pretty easy little lock to pick.

Now I've only just started TRYING to pick locks for bout 3 days I've researched basic methods of picking and what tools do what but honestly I feel like a idiot for not being able to unlock it.

Sooo what I'm asking is if there are any tips other than what I've read from the frequently asked questions and such is there anything I should try or re-research.

Thanks in advance.

[mseifert]

I don't remember if those have security pins or not .. You may consider getting a lock you can remove the pins from and do a progress from 1pin stack to a full lock..

Consider these

http://www.hackerstickers.com/product/progressive-training-locks-for-lock-picking/

[ltdbjd]

As you've experienced, picking up a lock and a set of picks and going at it typically ends in frustration. You need to learn everything about how a lock works. You need to be able to picture what is happening inside the lock with every movement you make. In short, it takes a lot of knowledge to be successful.

One of my favorite books for beginners is Practical Lock Picking by Deviant Ollam. It takes you through step by step. You can find a lot of info on line, but it's hit or miss in terms of usefulness for beginners. You can hunt down some pretty good videos on YouTube, and some pretty good PowerPoint slides that are useful. The MIT Guide to Lockpicking is a pretty good free resource that's on line. It may go by a different name now, but if you google the MIT title, it will come up.

It takes a lot of knowledge, along with a lot of practice to be proficient. Having one without the other only sets you up for a very long learning curve, a lot of frustration, developing bad habits that will be difficult to break, and for many, giving up entirely. Focus on both, and you'll be off to a great start.

[mseifert]

Oh ya .. I forgot check out this guy on YouTube ...

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCp1orOGJwZvjLAvckyxC4Nw

Or
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBDpLXSbLHkPVocZgMuBTMw

If you search through there videos they have some good beginner stuff..

[Silverado]

mseifert has you covered for sure.

I would make the same recommendations; progressive practice lock, some books on lockpicking; bosnian bill's website has a free PDF of a really good book, and as stated the MIT guide to lockpicking is free.

Lots of practice and patience. If you're SPPing you have to adjust your tension until you can feel what's going on inside the lock, both through the pick and through the tension tool. I feel like that's the hardest part to teach someone since you can't gauge how much tension to use with a figurative number or description...You have to feel it out.

[GWiens2001]

IIRC, there are no security pins in a 530.

Gordon