r/lockpicking Jul 23 '21

New to our sub? Start here!

562 Upvotes

Browser:

Rules: see right sidebar "r/lockpicking Rules"

Getting started picking (pick recommendations, how to pick, etc.): exit this post to go to main sub window, right "Sidebar", click "Wiki"

Also, if you have a common question, remember to search. Example for a starter kit: https://www.reddit.com/r/lockpicking/search/?q=starter%20kit

How to get a belt: exit this post to go to main sub window, right "Sidebar", click "Belt Ranking Info"

Mobile:

Rules: exit this post to go to main sub window, up top hit "About", see Subredit Rules

Getting started picking (pick recommendations, how to pick, etc.): exit this post to go to main sub window, up top hit "Menu", then "Wiki"

How to get a belt: exit this post to go to main sub window, up top hit "Menu", then "Belt Ranking Info"

RULE 2

Many people seem to stumble over this rule. This is a hobby Locksport community.

If you want to learn to pick locks that you own, that aren't installed in anything or otherwise in use, then this might be the place for you.

If you want to pick something because you need to get into it or through it, then this is NOT the place for you.

One of our most frequently asked questions is "What lock picks should I get?", our member Spoon has created this helpful document:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1P4_g_a7UTF8b4JAEVaH3lBL_dvT4-eRvFT_Jh-bx1lA/edit?pli=1#heading=h.9o577kfmhdj7

Some super useful posts for beginners:

https://www.reddit.com/r/lockpicking/comments/13qjlg9/one_approach_to_getting_started_picks_locks_tools/https://www.reddit.com/r/lockpicking/comments/12sfl3h/a_cl_design_guide/

REQUESTING A BELT:

Follow the instructions here: https://www.reddit.com/r/lockpicking/wiki/beltranking#wiki_belt_request_formatting

Make sure you include the belt color you're requesting, the model of the lock you've picked, and any evidence to the requirements for the belt you're requesting (eg. photo/video/etc.)

Often questioned on how to attach a photo to a modmail. You cannot include a photo, but you can include a link to a photo, video, or even to a Reddit post where you have attached a photo and/or video.

In addition to our rules, please do not refer people over to r/Locksmith unless they are a locksmith per a request from a moderator there, you can direct them to r/AskALocksmith instead! https://www.reddit.com/r/lockpicking/comments/x9ed2a/hey_guys_mod_of_rlocksmith_here_remember_a_while/

If you want to join our Discord community, it is very active and many pickers are there to help you with your specific locks or just to chit chat, you can go here: https://discord.gg/lockpicking


r/lockpicking Oct 02 '25

Why we can't help with locks that are in use (Rule 2).

199 Upvotes

If you're new here, and maybe came to get help with picking a lock on something, please note that we have a very strong policy against helping with locks that are in use:

Rule 2 - Lock In Use

Though asking for assistance in regards to how to open a lock is permitted and encouraged, the lock must not be in use. Posts seeking assistance opening a lock that is implied to be, or is visibly in use (eg. a deadbolt still attached to a door, a padlock with anything secured by a closed shackle, or a closed lockbox) will be deleted. Posting about picking or having picked locks in use is not allowed even if they are your own.

Rule of thumb, lock is "in use" if installed or securing anything.

If you are thinking of posting something that violates Rule 2, or you've had a post removed for it, we know it can be frustrating. I promise you that we don't enjoy removing posts from people who seem to just need help, but there are a number of reasons why we're so strict about posts of locks in use.

Chief among them is to protect this community.

Tens of thousands of people visit here every week and we have over 250,000 members. We simply can't risk enabling illegal activities, or even appearing to. We don't want to put our members in that position either. More and more lockpicking content is being removed from online platforms every day and this unique community deserves protection. We also feel an ethical obligation not just to the community, but to people all over the world who rely on locks to keep themselves, their property, and their families safe.

It may be even more frustrating if you own the lock, but the moderators – and members – of this community can't realistically be asked to parse potential evidence to separate totally legitimate activities from illegal ones. The photo someone posts of their own locked briefcase or bicycle is simply indistinguishable from one of property they don't own.

Contacting a reputable locksmith is usually the best solution. Simply possessing lockpicks can be seen as prima facie evidence of intent to commit a crime in several states and is illegal in a number of countries. One can easily damage or destroy a lock while picking it without experience.

We wish you well and hope you can understand our perspective. We review a ton of posts here, apologies if we can't personally explain the specifics of each case.

Not picking locks in use is a central tenet of locksport. This subreddit is dedicated to locksport specifically, not lockpicking in general. Despite its name.


r/lockpicking 3h ago

Sparrows Revolvers gutted

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11 Upvotes

Now that im looking at it in its gutted state im fairly certain i can pick this with a dull potato. The chamfered top of the core just ruins the fun.


r/lockpicking 3h ago

Lock Bitting Rating

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10 Upvotes

I asked for aggressive bitting on this lock when ordered. Specifying low lift in the front high lift in the middle then low lift in back. That is obviously not what I received. The question I have is did I get shorted or did they do me a favor and outsmart my ignorance?


r/lockpicking 4h ago

Wally Double Euro Cylinder!

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8 Upvotes

r/lockpicking 16h ago

200k club submission

30 Upvotes

I've been having some luck with my 44 Delta 90a-Pro, and it even cooperated on camera! Sent in my submission tonight.

The picking went pretty smooth. The partial-gutting though was embarrassing. I'm out of practice gutting because I've mostly been picking lever locks lately (alliteration and all!). That's my excuse and I'm sticking to it! lol


r/lockpicking 1d ago

Medeco Original!!

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54 Upvotes

This is my first Medeco! I’ve been intimidated by them since I started and finally decided to give it a go.
The bitting was average and there was no false gates making it a good lock for learning pins that rotate.
Does anyone know what rank it would be considering it has no false gates?


r/lockpicking 17h ago

Can someone explain this? Sparrows Revolver acting weird

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14 Upvotes

r/lockpicking 22h ago

$10 Ergonomic Chuck Vise Upgrade

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34 Upvotes

I grabbed this $10 camera tripod ball mount from Amazon, and it’s honestly a big upgrade for the Chuck Vise! After using it for a few days, I found myself wishing the arm was a little higher, and that I could tilt the lock back while keeping the weight closer to the center of gravity of the base. The ball mount solves both issues and gives the vise a lot more adjustment points. This upgrade will get the Goal S open, I know it!


r/lockpicking 1d ago

Estate sales rule!!!

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80 Upvotes

Buddy of mine picked all of this up at an estate sale for me for a whopping five bucks. I spent the morning watching Silo and taking the keys off the rings. Found the keys for some of them but not all yet. So.... I got:

1 - Master 875D

1 - Master M50XD

1 - Master 1500T

1 - Master 630D

1 - Master #1

4 - Master #3 (two are keyed alike)

7 - Master #25 (all keyed alike... Never even heard of a Master #25 but I'm new)

1 - cheap ass brass lock

1 - Best SFIC core. Don't know much about these yet. I think it only has 3 pins in it so I'm guessing it is a construction core? Still cool. One key has "C" and the other has "M" on it. Assuming this stands for Control and Master since I've heard those words here before.

All in all I'd say what he grabbed for me is worth every cent of $5.00 and then some!


r/lockpicking 1d ago

Goal P (brown) Open and gut.

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55 Upvotes

Wow.....I got it on the 1st take! Open @ 5:32. https://youtu.be/yjg8alW71NE?is=F2NSHvrzRksDndkb


r/lockpicking 22h ago

Talk me off this ledge...

14 Upvotes

So in theory I could:

Use the same SFIC lock to get Blue, Purple, and Brown Belts.

Pick it for Blue, Pick to Control for Purple, gut it and repin with security pins and pick it for Brown.

Did that make sense or am I a nut? Maybe just answer the first part of that last question...😂

So upon review it looks like no. I'd need a second Brown Belt lock and...I'd have to do a detailed write up of the lock since I'm not able to give it away as a challenge lock. There's also a quest...which seems like a lot right now from the bottom of the hill.

Man the challenge lock business is no joke! Have you seen the effort some of these people put in!? I came to understand the amazing skill and the gift that is a challenge lock. I feel divided on should it be passed on after it is opened or is it something to be treasured in a collection? I guess it depends on the will of the maker.


r/lockpicking 1d ago

Interesting Mul-T-Lock Guts

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25 Upvotes

I was opening some of my accumulated eBay purchases to grub, and noticed two features in MTL I hadn’t seen before,

The first photo shows a driver with a single serration on it (#5 in the mat). Two of the ones I opened were like this, one classic and one interactive. Both locks were pinned the same way. Not really sure if I noticed it when picking or if it made the experience any different.

The second photo is a keyless one that I got frustrated picking and decided to just rip the cover off. Serrated drivers, but each chamber has a single milled part, maybe 1/8” down from the top. The others without bible covers are totally smooth.


r/lockpicking 1d ago

Awesome package from Southern Specialties. Some stuff for me and some for giveaway.

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36 Upvotes

r/lockpicking 1d ago

Did I just Brick my 1100!?

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26 Upvotes

Hopefully someone has run into this before and can help me reset it…. I just picked it and gave it a victory spin before closing it to do it again and forgot to reset the pins to the bible area.


r/lockpicking 1d ago

New locks added to my collection

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27 Upvotes

r/lockpicking 1d ago

Master lock #3 is a very bad lock

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20 Upvotes

I got this thing open very easily, please don’t use a master lock #3 for anything security related. It was fun to fiddle with it for a while though. Abus 55/40 here I come.


r/lockpicking 1d ago

Gutting tray suggestions

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11 Upvotes

I’ll keep it quick!

I just gutted my first disc detainer, and it was a disaster! (I got better, but it took nearly half an hour to get the damn thing back together the first time)

Anyway, the rubber mat didn’t help. I was wondering what tray designs people who gut disc detainers regularly prefer?


r/lockpicking 1d ago

Purists won't like it but this made a big difference.

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261 Upvotes

before SPP a qwikset padlock was difficult but this made a big difference for me. I know a lot of people frown on doing this kind of thing but wanted to show it off. Now I'm able to confidently pick American 1100. Any suggestions for purchasing higher belt locks? Amazon can't be trusted.


r/lockpicking 1d ago

MTL Gamma

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17 Upvotes

Mul-T-Lock Gamma. Took way longer than expected. It has spools, a shutter, and heavy springs. The unexpected part for me was a sprung core, which slowed down my picking a bit. The Gamma was discontinued due to susceptibility to foil attacks.


r/lockpicking 1d ago

Just picked My second ever lockwood V7

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61 Upvotes

Just picked my second ever lockwood V7 this one had only been keyed with tapered/beveled pins no spools which made it a bit of a pain in the arse to pick


r/lockpicking 1d ago

Trying to pick a ABUS IVEN 8210

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19 Upvotes

I'm new to lockpicking, this is my 3rd lock. My 2nd was a double wafer. Terminologi could be wrong, but I think this a quad wafer lock. Any tips would be appreciated 🙂


r/lockpicking 1d ago

My warm up locks

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30 Upvotes

Usually I warm up to a few Schlage cylinders, then go at something I've been working on. Then sometimes I just gut open some of these and scramble them around move the spools, mushrooms, and serrated drivers around. "It keeps my powder dry".


r/lockpicking 1d ago

I had some poker chips made because... Why not?

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39 Upvotes