Question about Brinks Brass 40mm padlock

[TheRook]

Hello all, new picker here. I've been picking locks for about two or so weeks now, and figured it was time to up the ante a little. Having pretty well mastered my Master No. 3 and No. 140, I figured a Brinks 40mm would be a decent next lock to try, seeing as how it's essentially a better Master 140 from what I understand.

Man, that thing is giving me no end of trouble. It gives me zero feedback, but I imagine that's an issue with my tensioning technique. My question relates to the bitting of this particular lock: Both the package and the internet tell me it's a four pin lock, but when I count the pins I'm most certainly counting five. The key also looks to be bitted for a five-pin lock. So, how many pins are in the darn thing, and what's convincing me there are five?




The lock in question, with a AA battery for scale because I couldn't find my ruler.


Close-up of the key. Maybe I'm nuts, but I swear that thing has five cuts in it.

Any and all advice/suggestions are appreciated!

[stratmando]

I wouldn't let 4 or 5 worry me, place your hook next to the key, mark with a Sharpie on your pick maximum depth it needs to be inserted, then look a keys cuts and try to pick while noticing where and how the pins need to be picked. You're close

[TheRook]

I'll give that a shot! Thanks for the tip.

[stratmando]

I have too say, it does look like 5 pins, Maybe place hook next to each pin position, then draw the 5 lines so you know which pin you are working with. Can only help. Good Luck some more

[TheRook]

Just popped it! I have to say, I did not touch whatever that fifth and final pin was; it opened after I set 4-2-3-1. Your sharpie tip really helped, thanks a lot!

[stratmando]

Good Deal.