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Thread: Breaking & Entering

  1. #1
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    Breaking & Entering

    I had mentioned in a few threads about loosing the keys to my gunsafe, well they are still lost. No biggie except there is two pistols I would like to have in hand and not locked away. Otherwise I would probably just leave it for the kids to sort out when ever that may be.

    It is a tin box, but one of the early ones with two individual locks. I had thought about drilling through the back side to insert a socket and remove the nut off the lock plates but there is too many guns in the way.

    Hire someone to pick the locks? Expensive, yes.

    Take a crowbar to it and rip the door open? Possible.

    It looks like what ever choice I make will render the safe unusable.

    Ideas???

    Ken

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  2. #2
    Boolit Buddy
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    Hard to tell from the picture but it almost looks like you could knock the long pin out of the hinges. Otherwise, doesn't look like it'll take more than a big screwdriver to pry it open.

  3. #3
    Boolit Grand Master In Remembrance
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    You can buy a lock pick set pretty easily and my impression is that you should be able to learn to pick them yourself; I just would not carry the picks on the street, just hide them somewhere at home so they're not easy to find for any burglar types. LOTS of videos on youtube on lock picking. Something I've considered learning, just to know it, so I can do it if needed; Only time I've had to open a lock was while in the Search and Rescue group, I'd heard of "Rapping" and a member had locked his padlock's keys in his duffel bag, inside his coat - and needed the coat as it was getting cold; Tried it and it worked FIRST TIME. I was rather shocked LOL

  4. #4
    In Remembrance

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    My son lost the keys to his safe like that one and he ended up prying the door away from the body with screwdrivers then using pry bars to get in that gap to actually pry the door open. The locking bars inside are just strips of flat steel aprox 1 1/4" wide and 1/8" thick.
    I then changed the lock set, bent the locking bars back straight then fixed any bent sheet metal with a hammer and a dolly from back in the auto body days, even a 2x4 as a dolly would help. I now have it in my garage to secure a few items out there.
    Don't be afraid to try this as the damage was actually minimal. Oh, I picked up a standard type key lock at the hardware store rather than the pop machine type lock.

  5. #5
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    EDIT: I see that another post was posted before mine while I was typing, but I will leave my post anyway...

    ----------------------------

    I think I have that same type of safe down in the basement. Luckily, I still have my key.

    In regard to getting your open, short of your doing as been mentioned above, I can only think of one other way to get it open without the keys.

    If you have a 4" grinder, you could run it down the hinge & open it up enough that the pin is exposed to remove it & you should be able to get it open that way without harm to the contents. Ince the pin is exposed you could pry the door open from that side. I just looked at mine & it looks like there is enough "play" to get it open that way.

    If you want the info off of the key to try to get a replacement, I can certainly share what I can off of the key that I have. It is one of those round keys with the hollow in the middle & "steps" on the outside with a "key spline" to orient it to the Open/Close { 12 o'clock/3 o'clock} locations on the lock. The keys are numbered though & I am not sure without looking, but the ID number of the locks might be on the inside. That would make things a bit difficult I am afraid, in getting the correct key.

    I think that with a bit of "fooling around" though, a person might be able to get a piece of tubing & craft up/fabricate a makeshift key to try.

    Anyway... G'Luck! & let me know if you want the key info.


    P.S> - coming thru the back with an extension & a socket would do the least damage if you can tip it to get the firearms out of the way without damaging them. The nuts on mine are only finger tight & have been that way since I bought it probably 30 years ago. Still works fine too...
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  6. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by Mr_Sheesh View Post
    You can buy a lock pick set pretty easily and my impression is that you should be able to learn to pick them yourself; I just would not carry the picks on the street, just hide them somewhere at home so they're not easy to find for any burglar types. LOTS of videos on youtube on lock picking. Something I've considered learning, just to know it, so I can do it if needed; Only time I've had to open a lock was while in the Search and Rescue group, I'd heard of "Rapping" and a member had locked his padlock's keys in his duffel bag, inside his coat - and needed the coat as it was getting cold; Tried it and it worked FIRST TIME. I was rather shocked LOL
    Sometime back I decided to learn. MIT guide to lockpicking was very informative. Within a few hours I could open every lock in the house. Master padlocks take about 5 seconds. Front door takes 1-2 minutes (kinda disturbing). Most difficult is my Ruger trigger lock. Think the set was around $25-30 from Southord.

    Sent from my XT1710-02 using Tapatalk

  7. #7
    Boolit Grand Master

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    I would call around and talk to several locksmiths. You might find a new guy that is hungry or that likes a challenge.

  8. #8
    Boolit Grand Master GhostHawk's Avatar
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    I bought one of those lockpin "guns" from BudK just for the heck of it. With 10 minutes practice I could get in my front door deadbolt, and 2 of my cars.

    That being said if your safe has one of those round keys, then a locksmith is probably your best option.

  9. #9
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    Mine have numbers around the outside of the lock. That will tell what key you need.

  10. #10
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    Charter Member #148

  11. #11
    Boolit Grand Master WILCO's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by swheeler View Post
    Best answer!
    "Everyone has a plan, until they get punched in the face!" - Mike Tyson

    "Don't let my fears become yours." - Me, talking to my children

    That look on your face, when you shift into 6th gear, but it's not there.

  12. #12
    Boolit Grand Master

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    The round key locks are an easy open to a fellow with the right tool. A good locksmith should have that open in 10 minutes. We had a car wash thief that spun them open in a 3 minute wash. Shouldn't cost that much to open.

  13. #13
    Boolit Master
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    You can open a round lock with the end of a clear plastic Bic pen. Just press the end into the lock till it bottoms out. The plastic takes on the shape of the key.
    QUIS CUSTODIET IPSOS CUSTODES?

  14. #14
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    homak will sell you keys.. they have for me..

  15. #15
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    I just checked Homak's website, it looks like that is the answer I am looking for.
    Great, wonderful and thank you!!!!
    Ken

  16. #16
    Boolit Grand Master


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    If you have multiples "same keyed" is nice, pockets are full of enough stuff!
    Charter Member #148

  17. #17
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    I have tried to open locks using picks by following the info on the internet, without success so far. They make it look easy but I don't find it so.
    A GUN THAT'S COCKED AND UNLOADED AIN'T GOOD FOR NUTHIN'........... ROOSTER COGBURN

  18. #18
    Boolit Buddy pressonregardless's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by swheeler View Post
    brilliant idea !!
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  19. #19
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    I have had success with a bic pen case a couple times.
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  20. #20
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    I have core drilled that style lock(we used them at the casino on the slot bases and drink spills would glue them shut) then used a screwdriver to activate the locking bars. Do it right and just remove the tumblers and you leave a piece of the lock shaft and can turn it with needle nose pliers.

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Abbreviations used in Reloading

BP Bronze Point IMR Improved Military Rifle PTD Pointed
BR Bench Rest M Magnum RN Round Nose
BT Boat Tail PL Power-Lokt SP Soft Point
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HP Hollow Point PSPCL Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" C.O.L. Cartridge Overall Length
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