sargent & greenleaf 831b and Hi-shear lock

[LockEnthusiast634]

I have questions about two types of locks that were formerly used by the military to secure armories, the Sargent & Greenleaf 831b
and Hi-shear lock. I am wondering if it is possible for an average locksmith to open this type of lock and make a key for it. I also am wondering about whether if it is legal to have this done.

I have seen people picking these locks on youtube but I am wondering if the videos are even real since they almost never gut the Medeco cylinder on camera so any opinions about that would also be great

[GWiens2001]

The Medeco core can certainly be picked, though it is significantly harder than the average pin tumbler lock.

There is nothing illegal about having a locksmith or someone else pick the lock open and make a key. It is tough finding one skilled enough at picking to do so. There are some, and some of them are even members here.

The hard part will be finding a key to fit the military keyway. Then a locksmith can simply rekey the lock to match the key.

Gordon

[Squelchtone]

If anyone in your area could pick a Medeco it would be Dennis at Bay Area Locks. Tell him we sent ya

http://www.bayarealocks.com/

*if you just walk into some random locksmith shop they'll tell you the old "medeco locks are unpickable" line. Drilling a core out wont be fun either and ruins it. (ask me how I know =)

good luck,
Squelchtone

[GWiens2001]

If anyone in your area could pick a Medeco it would be Dennis at Bay Area Locks. Tell him we sent ya

http://www.bayarealocks.com/

*if you just walk into some random locksmith shop they'll tell you the old "medeco locks are unpickable" line. Drilling a core out wont be fun either and ruins it. (ask me how I know =)

good luck,
Squelchtone

There is a locksmith locally who has been selling Medeco since about 1990. He was floored when I brought in a picked core and asked if he could rekey it to match a key I had. (This was before I had the proper kit). He said he had never seen a picked Medeco before.

Gordon

[Pick180]

I have questions about two types of locks that were formerly used by the military to secure armories, the Sargent & Greenleaf 831b
and Hi-shear lock. I am wondering if it is possible for an average locksmith to open this type of lock and make a key for it. I also am wondering about whether if it is legal to have this done.

I have seen people picking these locks on youtube but I am wondering if the videos are even real since they almost never gut the Medeco cylinder on camera so any opinions about that would also be great

Unless you stole the lock from the government you will be fine. I wouldn't trust videos showing someone opening a medeco unless they gutted the lock in the same uncut video.