Pick gun help needed

by **starkweather** » 19 Apr 2005 14:16

I've just took up locking picking as a kind of hobby. I ordered a pick gun, which arrived this moring, and have ordered some manuel tools that'll be arriving shortly also.

I'm guessing that the pick gun is for basic door locks (yale type)? I'm having a few problems actually getting it to work however, and would appreciate some advice from people of experience. I get really close to getting it to work, and I can hear the pins rattling around, but the tension bar just won't budge.

Help appreciated lots.

Great forums by the way.

by **digital_blue** » 19 Apr 2005 14:29

Hi stark. It is important to understand that pick guns are not exactly a magic wand. You still need to have a solid understanding of how locks works and a good understanding of how a pick gun operates. Have a read through the MIT Guide if you have not yet, and if your Search-Fu is well tuned you may find a link to an article about pick guns that was quite superb. Having said all that, you will likely find far less enjoyment in the hobby of lockpicking using tools such as pick guns. They will not work on all locks, and what's more, when you have a stubborn lock there is less that you can do to try and overcome obstacles with a pick gun. Unfortunately, once you know the basics of how to use it, it either works, or it doesn't. And when it doesn't, it doesn't.

Contrast this with learning to pick with manual tools. This is a far more flexible and enjoyable skill to have. With manual picking you have an entire arsenal of techniques and tools to choose from to defeat a difficult lock.

Pick guns are ok, and sometimes quite effective if what you need is to open a lock quickly. I own one. I bought it when I was just getting started because I thought it was cool. I never really use it much these days. If I get asked to open a lock (usually occurs through the course of my job, not a locksmith, but totally legitimate) I bring the pick gun along just in case I'm getting stumped with manual picking, simply because it is yet another approach I might try. But in those situations I am not picking for the sport of it, I am picking because I need the lock picked. Different story.

All-in-all, I'd say spend your time with the manual picks. Much better skill to have.

Good luck, and happy picking!

db

by **quicklocks** » 19 Apr 2005 14:31

try light tension and puting it on and off while pulling the trigger.
the pick gun will work on yales and euros and padlocks alsorts realy but if you realy want to get into lockpicking then you realy sould cosantrate on the manual tools first they will help you get the basics

by **starkweather** » 19 Apr 2005 14:39

Interesting posts. Like I say, I have ordered some manuel tools (twenty-two piece set) and want to learn all I can. I don't suppose you can purchase books on lock picking in high street shops? I'm in the UK remember - I've only seen books and guides available online.

by **quicklocks** » 19 Apr 2005 14:52

check out the mit guide in the FAQ section its by far the best start for you and is free

by **starkweather** » 19 Apr 2005 14:58

quicklocks wrote:check out the mit guide in the FAQ section its by far the best start for you and is free

Could you provide a URL to this MIT GUIDE, I can't seem to find it. :oops:

by **quicklocks** » 19 Apr 2005 15:04

hi try this link
http://www.lysator.liu.se/mit-guide/mit-guide.html

by **Unlock-IT** » 19 Apr 2005 15:27

If you are looking for books on lockpicking, some publications can purchase some through Amazon.co.uk. A couple of good books are:-
Locks and Locksmithing by Bill Phillips. The Complete guide to Lockpicking by Eddie The Wire. Hope this helps?

by **starkweather** » 19 Apr 2005 17:47

Hey! Just stumbled upon this at HowStuffWorks and it's really good for beginners: http://home.howstuffworks.com/lock-picking6.htm

by **digital_blue** » 19 Apr 2005 17:59

Really? Cool. I'll check that out. Thanks!

db

by **Elijah** » 19 Apr 2005 18:24

Be careful with buying books about lockpicking. I've bought about a half dozen and realized after purchase that they were almost complete nonsense. Probably the only book on the subject that I find worthwhile is that infamous book on safe manipulation (forgot who from - some association or organization, maybe the National Locksmith?).

There are so many guides and essays online that are better than the $25, 40 page books you find on amazon. IMO, it is way better to spend your time surfing than shopping, especially since tools and hardware will cost you quite a bit. Leave books out of this!

-Elijah

by **starkweather** » 20 Apr 2005 4:51

OK, will do.

by **digital_blue** » 20 Apr 2005 7:27

Save your money on all the small books, but once you've saved that money Locks Safes and Security is a fantastic purchase.

db

Pick gun help needed

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