GUNS/RLTD Can a lock on a gun safe be picked by someone who picks locks?

[Calhounshd]

given enough time and tools. any lock can be picked, you might destroy it . but it can be done,

like the round key locks on a pop machine, I have a tool made just for them, looks like a 3/8 inch hole saw, only thicker teeth, just center in lock, drill for half a min, then hit the lock with your hand, and all the pins fall on the floor, still do this for people who buy a pop machine for at home, and didnt get keys

takes about as long to do it as it took to type it!

I love that ^^^^^^

Had a friend lock his keys in his new Buick Reatta. I didn't have any picks with me (and besides, GM wafer/side bar locks are very difficult to pick) so I offered to use my Brick Pick. He didn't think too much of my solution.

 

[Shooter]

I watch so many cops on TV try to break out a car window with a night stick. just bounces off.. just find a BFR<

 

[Doc1]

All a safe can do is slow down a thief; none of them are absolutely pick-proof. Most gun safes are actually sheet metal cabinets with a fancy looking lock mechanism on the front.

There are a couple of things you can do to cheaply improve most safes. The first is to lay concrete in the bottom of the safe. This makes it much heavier and harder to move. The second is to install a couple of hasps and good padlocks on the safe's door and frame, in addition to its main lock. Be sure that the hasps and bolts holding them are not interfering with the levers and pins in the door. Again, the idea here is to slow the thief down.

One of the easiest methods of breaching a safe is one thieves have been using for decades; cut a hole in the side of the safe with an angle grinder. The main disadvantage to this method is that it makes a lot of noise.

Good luck to you in whatever you choose to do with your new guests.

Best
Doc

 

[NoDandy]

All a safe can do is slow down a thief; none of them are absolutely pick-proof. Most gun safes are actually sheet metal cabinets with a fancy looking lock mechanism on the front.

There are a couple of things you can do to cheaply improve most safes. The first is to lay concrete in the bottom of the safe. This makes it much heavier and harder to move. The second is to install a couple of hasps and good padlocks on the safe's door and frame, in addition to its main lock. Be sure that the hasps and bolts holding them are not interfering with the levers and pins in the door. Again, the idea here is to slow the thief down.

One of the easiest methods of breaching a safe is one thieves have been using for decades; cut a hole in the side of the safe with an angle grinder. The main disadvantage to this method is that it makes a lot of noise.

Good luck to you in whatever you choose to do with your new guests.

Best
Doc

I did not see this, but heard of it.

Guy bought a large gun safe of some brand, installed in his basement. Bolted it to the concrete floor. Then formed up, and encased the whole safe, other than door, in about 4" concrete.

 

[Profit of Doom]

I watch so many cops on TV try to break out a car window with a night stick. just bounces off.. just find a BFR<

Automatic center punch.

 

[Millwright]

One of the easiest methods of breaching a safe is one thieves have been using for decades; cut a hole in the side of the safe with an angle grinder. The main disadvantage to this method is that it makes a lot of noise.

I saw one opened with a sawzall.

The 4 corners were slit back a ways and the frame was popped off the locking lugs with a pry bar.

Passing thought, adding some strategic stainless would hamper that, but a grinder won't care.

 

[hiwall]

I found a safe in the desert once that someone had dumped there. It had been cut in half and was in two pieces. The door was still intact and had never been touched.

 

[Double_A]

I am misunderstood. MOST locks are pin and tumbler, including those circular coke machine type locks. Other locks such as the 'Smart Key" locks have wafers. Wafer locks, by and large, can not be picked, only drilled. (I have seen one or two cheap "Smart Key" knock offs that can be picked. Point here is the pins and wafers do the same job, just in different ways.

OK, I'm use to wafers being used as a cheaper substitute for pin tumbler locks, Schlage is a good example. The key moves through a cutout through each wafer. Each wafer = one Pin/driver. Back 25 years ago a Schlage Pin tumbler lock was a third more expensive than a Schlage wafer tumbler lock.

 

[Double_A]

You know that could be or car repos. I thought of. I just don't know where or why he gained that knowledge. Maybe I'll find out.

Oh you dont want to be a "Repo Man". Saw a movie about that once, called "RepoMan". Driving through the Desert and a motorcycle cop wants to see what's in the Trunk....smokin!

 

[day late]

OK, I'm use to wafers being used as a cheaper substitute for pin tumbler locks, Schlage is a good example. The key moves through a cutout through each wafer. Each wafer = one Pin/driver. Back 25 years ago a Schlage Pin tumbler lock was a third more expensive than a Schlage wafer tumbler lock.

Okay, I don't know when you might have been lock-smithing, but as with all things, things change. You were talking about 25 years ago. As far as I know, right now the Kwikset Smart Key locks are the ones with wafers instead of pins. Due to the way they are built, everyone wants to know how to pick them. Otherwise, drill.

Now Schlage locks have always been designed to tighter specks than other locks. It makes them a real problem to pick sometimes.

 

[flying screwdriver]

I was aware of that when we bought ours. In buying our safe it was difficult to find a dial lock as the sales people said there was little demand and fewer dials were stocked because of it. Many will be in for a rude awakening

That’s sad. Ruins a good safe.

But of course, so does losing combinations. I drilled a few safes decades ago robbing banks....no, working for Mosler and being paid by banks. Had my carbide bits, maps of drill points. Busted open three safes with $20 mil each inside for one bank headquarters that fired a bunch of managers.

I guess safecrackers with stethoscopes are just in the movies?
Fun times.

 

[Dystonic]

Oh you dont want to be a "Repo Man". Saw a movie about that once, called "RepoMan". Driving through the Desert and a motorcycle cop wants to see what's in the Trunk....smokin!

A Cult Classic

 

[db cooper]

all of the model year car keys,

I really do not see where a wad of car keys would be needed. Based on what I've learned from watching movies, keys are not needed to unlock the steering wheel, shift lever or to start the engine. Just reach under the dash and pull out two bare wires, touch them together, and off you are with a running engine and driveable car. It typically takes about 15 seconds. /s/

 

[Profit of Doom]

I really do not see where a wad of car keys would be needed. Based on what I've learned from watching movies, keys are not needed to unlock the steering wheel, shift lever or to start the engine. Just reach under the dash and pull out two bare wires, touch them together, and off you are with a running engine and driveable car. It typically takes about 15 seconds. /s/

How many miles can you drive straight?

 

[Double_A]

Okay, I don't know when you might have been lock-smithing, but as with all things, things change. You were talking about 25 years ago. As far as I know, right now the Kwikset Smart Key locks are the ones with wafers instead of pins. Due to the way they are built, everyone wants to know how to pick them. Otherwise, drill.

Now Schlage locks have always been designed to tighter specks than other locks. It makes them a real problem to pick sometimes.

Was never in the Locksmithing Bus' However I was in the Security Industry for decades. Time frame for me being the most involved would be about 30 years ago, so your guess @ 25yrs is close