American Lock series 5200

by **Disgustipatedatu** » 14 Jun 2005 17:24

Anybody have any tips for this type of lock I know very little about them. Have no clue really. I tried searching but for some reason couldnt find anything out..

by **Disgustipatedatu** » 14 Jun 2005 21:43

The lock is a key retain type..a friend said somethig about a sidebar?
I'm just getting started so Im wondering is this lock a little over my head at the moment?

by **chopitup** » 14 Jun 2005 23:42

I'm going to say that if you're just getting started locks with sidebars aren't the best thing to be practicing on. Buy yourself a cheap schlague, start with 2 pins and work your way up. Then you can move on to security pins, sidebars, etc.

by **vector40** » 15 Jun 2005 1:03

I question your intelligence (no, not your *intelligence,* the other one). I didn't know American made any padlocks with sidebars.

by **lockedin** » 15 Jun 2005 4:03

Wouldn't surprise me... a lot of lock companies seem to be heading in that direction in their "upper-end" locks.

by **quickpicks** » 15 Jun 2005 9:17

I have a 5200 right in my pocket. No kidding. I can tell you that they have 5 standard serrated lower pins that are not rounded off at the top.
the upper pins are serrated and spool pins. Theese locks cane also be configured for 6 pins. I put a pin combo of 856852 on my key and I can tell you that it is really hard to pick. 8 pins are the lowest setting and 1 pins are the highest setting.

by **Disgustipatedatu** » 15 Jun 2005 14:51

I'm assumig this lock is a high-end lock..(army uses them on everything) dont know if my particular model is the government type though. Yes i did just get started I think i'm getting very good at basic pin- tumbler locks I know i need to do more research..Oh yeah..no im not trying to pick locks off of government equipment. I just happen to have a few spares that have been tossed becase they were "cut"

by **quickpicks** » 16 Jun 2005 14:04

There are no sidebars in theese locks. I have picked and collectd many americans and have never come across any sidebar in the locks. The SFIC padlocks have a sidebar, when disengaged it allows the removal of the core.

by **quickpicks** » 16 Jun 2005 14:05

BTW. Ameican lock was bought up by the Master lock company so I dont think they are high end anymore. :wink:

by **SFGOON** » 16 Jun 2005 14:28

The American Lock series are very difficult for basic pin tumblers. They almost invariably are keyed in an odd manner to thwart picking, in addition to having multiple security pins and restricted access to the plug. They are excellent padlocks, and the Army uses them extensvely. Master keyed systems tend to be rather easy to rock open, however, due to innherent weaknesses present in all master keyed systems. ALC tends to make the change key bitting excessively low.

by **Disgustipatedatu** » 16 Jun 2005 14:43

Thanks for all the help. I am determined to open this lock picked up the MIT lock picking guide found all the information incredibly useful I reccomend this to anyone starting out. The practical exercising contained in the manual are very helpful. I feel with this forums help and the MIT guide Ill have it cracked in no time :twisted:

by **disgruntled** » 21 Sep 2005 15:53

I have only been picking locks for about a month now, but have opened literally hundreds. I have a unique job that affords me the time to sit on my ----( I like to call that management). I spent about two straight weeks trying to figure out the best way to open a 5200 series. I have now opened about 50 of them, and can open most of them in less than 10 seconds. I just use a very thin, light tension bar placed on the pin side of the lock and wrake with a standard "W" rake (I plan on purchasing one of the Bogota's when i get a chance). I use very light tension and rake quickly from front to back starting with very light pressure (on the rake) and increasing slowly, always maintaining light tension. I repeat as needed. It did take me a long time to establish a raking motion that works for me, but i am very lucky with this method, haven't ran into a clean one that i couldn't open. Good Luck. (just a note from a newbie)

by **quickpicks** » 21 Sep 2005 17:43

An easy one eh? It sounds like it is master pinned or is a 4 pin master lock style cylinder. Do you have any pics because I have only come across the two above that I can open in seconds and I own a lot of american locks.

by **disgruntled** » 21 Sep 2005 22:24

Pics? do you want pics of the locks? The rake that I use is what I called a "W" but i believe that Southord calls it an "S". as for the types of locks, I literally have boxes full of 5200 series locks. I have noticed a differences in the locks though. The locks that are bright silver in color are more difficult for me to open, and I haven't ran into one of the 5200's that has a gold tint to them that are difficult. Curious as to the method that you use to open them. Raking is the only effective method that works for me. I can pick some of them open after a significant amount of time. I literally spend most of the day with a lock in my hand, (how embarrasing).

by **disgruntled** » 21 Sep 2005 22:27

Sorry, all are of the 5 pin variety

American Lock series 5200

American Lock series 5200

A little clarification

sidebars

American 5200 series

5200

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