: I have an American 5100 that is nothing but a pain in the rear to open. I know I am a noob, but I got an American 5200 open in about 2 min.this dang lock is the only one I own and haven't got open. This is a repost and I still cant get the dang thing open. Help please. The next "pick" I may use is a larger size , say 12ga!
And remember that you can always get screwed by the bitting even on a lock that you might otherwise be able to open. I remember when I was first learning I bought a bunch of Master 140s and 150s to start getting into security pins. After a little while I could open the 140's in a few seconds.....except for one of them. It had some extreme bitting and was much more challenging than the others I had. That one lock always took me a few minutes to open whereas the others I could get much much faster.
At the moment I have a cheap brass "Ace hardware" brand padlock. It's certainly nothing special as far as lock technology goes--Made in China, cost about $5, but it's a real bear to pick because of the bitting. I can't open it with a normal short hook, or my current go-to pick, the Sparrows "Tron"; I need a very steep hook to get that lock open. Same with the #140 I mentioned above. So perhaps try a different pick.
Also, is this perhaps an older lock? Some of the old locks I've found or bought online have been challenging to pick because they're dirty/sticky inside. Always clean and lube old or dirty locks before picking.
And one last thing I've seen with American locks that gave me some trouble: I bought a lot of various American models off Ebay a few months ago. There were many different ones--some brass, some aluminum, some steel. A small number of them (including 2 brass ones with US military markings) have very very strong springs on the core. Those require a lot more tension than I'd normally use on an American lock. If didn't have the keys to be able to feel how the lock opens normally I probably never would have gotten them open because I never would have known to apply THAT much tension.
I always advise new pickers to get a hold of a variety of locks because you never know when you might run into one that's a real pain to open. It's easy to get frustrated and give up when you encounter something like that. So if you've tried everything and it still won't budge then move on and try something else. And don't be afraid to go back and pick some Master #3's to get your confidence back. A couple days ago I was picking on an American I had opened before and I was getting very frustrated with it. I had been messing with it for over half an hour and gotten zero opens. I took a brief break, went back and tried again. Then got it open in under a minute.
Let me tell you about this WB I have on my desk that has, on several occasions, almost made a trip through my window..
Anyway don't give up.. I don't believe the 5100 has a strong spring, As confirmed by the video.. They are usually full of Spool/Serrated pins.. I bit difficult for a new picker.. The problem may be that you are unknowingly lifting pin or that you are using too much tension. .. American is basically a Master lock now, and I have a couple of master locks that have the very so slightest of movement when you set a pin.. too much tension and you will miss it..
Vary your tension, use a pick with a narrow shaft.. Not all lock open the same way .. You have to vary your attack, and learn what works best for each type. Breath, Be patience, walk away if you have too. Your not breaking into a Foreign Government facility under gun fire.. Take your time, learn from it
here is video so you can see what you are up against..
When I finally leave this world.. Will someone please tell my wife what I have REALLY spent on locks ...
