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Infiltration Forums > Archived UE Tutorials, Lessons, and Useful Info > EZ Snapgun v. Manual picks (Viewed 594 times)
InsertNameHere 


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EZ Snapgun v. Manual picks
< on 5/1/2005 11:49 PM >
Posted on Forum: Infiltration Forums
 
My UE group visited an old power plant over the weekend, but had to leave as there was no possible way in--everything was locked up tight. Windows, while already broken, had rusty metal grates over them. Because of the rust, we couldn't remove the bolts holding it on. One team member suggested liquid wrench to remove the rust, but the bolt inside the actual wall could still be rusted or stripped. Another suggested liquid nitrogen inside a lock to destroy it, but that's pricy and dangerous.

So. I was looking at websites just now selling lockpicks, and I came across the 'EZ Snap Gun.' I've seen it before but dismissed it as flimsy; plus, I'd like the satisfaction of picking a lock with my own skill. I read into it today more than I have before, and I'm wondering if any of you guys have used one? Is it really that much faster/easier than conventional lock picks? How exactly do you operate it? I also saw a set of what the site called 'padlock shims.' Any experience with them? The site I looked at is http://www.selfdef...s.com/lockpick.htm

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Re: EZ Snapgun v. Manual picks
<Reply # 1 on 5/4/2005 3:17 AM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
insert and I "roll together" as some would call it. I wouldn't, however.

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Re: EZ Snapgun v. Manual picks
<Reply # 2 on 5/4/2005 4:55 AM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Only real experience I have is with manual picks.. that being said, common knowledge seems to be that pick guns open easy to pick locks rather well, but do little beyond that. If the offending locks are half as rusty as the bolts you mention, then they are probably not easy locks. A good soaking in WD40 may change things, but for your money, I'd go with old fashioned picks. Its surprisingly easy to get good enough to pick simple locks with them, and unlike a pickgun, sufficient time, patience, and practice, might help you triumph over more difficult locks.



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Re: EZ Snapgun v. Manual picks
<Reply # 3 on 5/4/2005 7:00 AM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Funny, the spellchecker seems to want to change and sort of form of "lockpick" into "lasciviousness".

Can't speak on of the snapgun, but I have bought manual picks from both Peterson and Southord. I have a tendency to prefer the Peterson, but it might just be because I learned on them. Nonetheless, the Southord are made of slick and sexy stainless steel.

Learning to use them takes a good amount of patience, but feeling a lock drop open using something other than the key makes it all worth while. Lockpicking 101 forums, the MIT Lockpicking Guide, a set of picks and a cheap kwikset lock with 1 pin is great place to start.

And what Caput_58 said.

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Re: EZ Snapgun v. Manual picks
<Reply # 4 on 5/4/2005 11:08 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
from what i have herd and red. a snap gun just rakes the lock every time you pull the trigger.

-bob
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Re: EZ Snapgun v. Manual picks
<Reply # 5 on 5/5/2005 12:29 AM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
A snap gun does not rake the lock. Instead, it hits all of the bottom pins and transfers the kinetic (sp) energy from them into the top pins, thus shooting the top pins above the shear line while the bottom pins stay in place. That's the theory any way.

Something like this:

TOPPIN
TOPPIN
TOPPIN
TOPPIN
BOTPIN
BOTPIN
BOTPIN
BOTPIN
_OTPI_
__TP__
======================= < Snap gun

When the snap gun hits the bottom pin, it stays in place and the top pin goes up:

TOPPIN
TOPPIN
TOPPIN
TOPPIN

<< Shear line, you have to apply turning force on the plug at the exact moment that the pins are seperated


BOTPIN
BOTPIN
BOTPIN
BOTPIN
_OTPI_
__TP__

I hope you get the idea. If you can provide a picture of the lock you are trying to pick, I can give you an idea if a beginner is going to be able to pick it or not. The pick gun is very usefull, but it can be a pain to use if there are special 'security' pins the lock (IE spool pins), and also are difficult to use if they keyway is very restrictive.

The padlock shims work on the same princible as credit carding doors, but don't work on all padlocks. They work particularly well on master combination locks (the little silver ones that are on high school lockers accross the nation) (opens in less than 5 seconds), but on any padlock worth more than say $10, it isn't likely they will work. Brands like American and Abus won't open with shims, because they use ball bearings to lock the shackle which is not spring loaded. The other problem with padlock shims is that they break easily and you are constantly having to buy new ones if you use them a lot.
[last edit 5/5/2005 12:29 AM by SnakeEyes - edited 1 times]

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Re: EZ Snapgun v. Manual picks
<Reply # 6 on 5/5/2005 3:08 AM >
Posted on Forum: Infiltration Forums
 
I have used manual lockpicks and had a snapgun? (lockpick gun where you pull a trigger - I assume that's what we are talking about). It's interesting, ... like a shadow in the night you move unseen to the portal, insert the lockpick gun and quietly pull the trigger . . .
SNAP!!! SNAP!!! SNAP!! SNAP!#%$ , a thunderous roar of sound bellows from this tiny mechanical machine, practically breaking windows and making far away dogs ears hurt. Rather than spending $60 or more on one of these Pieces of S., I would spend a $130 and buy a battery operated lockpin gun. Shooting the lock off would be quieter than a snapgun but remember that both a gun or the picks will mean jail (I know). A possible, but untested, cheap lockpick gun could be a vibrating toothbrush with a pick attached - vibrates the tumblers until the tension tool turns the core. Let me know if the snoopy toothbrush lockpick gun works.
HAMMER

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Re: EZ Snapgun v. Manual picks
<Reply # 7 on 5/5/2005 3:23 AM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
If you think the manual snap gun is loud, you clearly have not tried the electric pick gun. The manual snap gun is like a church mouse compared the electric. It is possible to mod the manual pick gun to make it much quieter (just look inside and add a buffer like rubber... not difficult at all).

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Re: EZ Snapgun v. Manual picks
<Reply # 8 on 5/5/2005 5:06 AM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
I've had far, far better luck with manual picks time after time than with a snap gun ... even in my own experimentation on locks at home. They have an adjustment for the internal spring tension that tends to be tricky. One the snap gun I have, the knob for this adjustment is a little loose so every time you snap, the tension changes.
Go manual, but practice first...I would recommend the pick pictured in my avatar, the Kwikpick...I've had lots of success with this model as my "day kit". ~Grit.

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Re: EZ Snapgun v. Manual picks
<Reply # 9 on 5/6/2005 1:09 AM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Actually, not that I don't respect your opinion, but I would definetly not recomend the kwik pick picutured there for beginners, or anyone for that matter. It doesn't provide really any feedback, among other things. It's more of a noevelty item.

Pity the poor agnostic dyslexic insomniac; he stays up all night, wondering if there really is a dog.
grit1 


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Re: EZ Snapgun v. Manual picks
<Reply # 10 on 5/7/2005 9:32 AM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Posted by SnakeEyes
Actually, not that I don't respect your opinion, but I would definetly not recomend the kwik pick picutured there for beginners, or anyone for that matter. It doesn't provide really any feedback, among other things. It's more of a noevelty item.


True ... it does feel different ... but I have good luck with it for some reason. I've never had sensitivity problems with it, maybe it's the way I hold it ... hehe this is sounding dirty ... anywho I like how the rake is thicker, more leverage and less likely to break. One thing I will say though is with continuous use, they tend to develop a weak spot [like many pics] and break...not too fun. ~Grit.

Infiltration Forums > Archived UE Tutorials, Lessons, and Useful Info > EZ Snapgun v. Manual picks (Viewed 594 times)

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