# How do I pick a lock using a pick gun? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [April 13, 2009, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-pick-a-lock-using-a-pick-gun/492947 "2009-04-13T15:43:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![The\_Falling\_Reverend](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/aca169/32.png) [@The\_Falling\_Reverend](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Falling_Reverend)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2009, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-pick-a-lock-using-a-pick-gun/492947/1 "2009-04-13T15:43:49Z")
My work just bought me one of these > **[Brockhage BPG-10 Pick Gun](https://www.lockpickersmall.com/brockhage-bpg-10-pick-gun/)** > > Get your BPG-10 pick gun here at the best price online. We'll match anyone's advertised price. And I can’t figure out how to get locks open with it. I’ve tried getting some locks open for a while earlier and no dice. The instructions it came with aren’t very detailed. I looked up some online and will go try those out next. The instructions also say that it won’t work on locks with spool driver pins. I don’t know how to tell if the locks I’m trying to pick have that type of pin system. If anyone knows anything it would be greatly appreciated. ---
**Author:** ![acetylene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@acetylene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/acetylene)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2009, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-pick-a-lock-using-a-pick-gun/492947/2 "2009-04-13T16:10:50Z")
Do you have a [tension wrench](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tension_wrench#Tension_wrench)? The gun alone will not open a lock. You must also apply a gentle torque to the cylinder while you jiggle the tumblers up and down with the pick gun. Personally I hate pick guns. Take the pick out and do it manually or get a rake pick. To find out if your locks do contain any anti-picking tumblers, just google the name of the lock. And yeah, spool and serrated drivers make it very difficult to pick a lock because they tend to get hung up before you can establish a shear line. See figure 9.7 on [this page](http://www.devonlocks.com/lock-picking/mit-guide/chapter9.htm). You are doing this legally, right? I believe it’s a felony to use lock picks illegally. I think they are considered burglary tools if used illegally. ---
**Author:** ![Snnipe\_70E](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5a626/32.png) [@Snnipe\_70E](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snnipe_70E)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2009, 5:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-pick-a-lock-using-a-pick-gun/492947/3 "2009-04-14T05:04:21Z")
> [@acetylene](#): > > Do you have a [tension wrench](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tension_wrench#Tension_wrench)? > > The gun alone will not open a lock. You must also apply a gentle torque to the cylinder while you jiggle the tumblers up and down with the pick gun. Personally I hate pick guns. Take the pick out and do it manually or get a rake pick. > > To find out if your locks do contain any anti-picking tumblers, just google the name of the lock. > > And yeah, spool and serrated drivers make it very difficult to pick a lock because they tend to get hung up before you can establish a shear line. See figure 9.7 on [this page](http://www.devonlocks.com/lock-picking/mit-guide/chapter9.htm). > > You are doing this legally, right? I believe it’s a felony to use lock picks illegally. I think they are considered burglary tools if used illegally. Unless you are a licienced locksmith just having a pick on your person is a felony. You can have them at your work if you work on locks. But you can get into trouble if you take them home. ---
**Author:** ![acetylene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@acetylene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/acetylene)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2009, 7:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-pick-a-lock-using-a-pick-gun/492947/4 "2009-04-14T07:11:00Z")
It depends on the state. Most states (I’m in NY) consider it legally on the same level as a crowbar. It’s OK to have it and use it legally (at home or at work if you’re a locksmith) but it’s a cirme to have it if you are going to use it in a burglary. The key is intent. IANAL by the way, but I used to be a locksmith. See [here](http://www.lockpickguide.com/legalityoflockpicks.html) for a state-by-state list. Maybe I shouldn’t have answered the OP’s question but he said it was for work and I believed him. This is GQ. Maybe I’m too naive… ---
**Author:** ![handsomeharry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e9c0ed/32.png) [@handsomeharry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handsomeharry)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2009, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-pick-a-lock-using-a-pick-gun/492947/5 "2009-04-14T17:39:34Z")
> [@acetylene](#): > > It depends on the state. Most states (I’m in NY) consider it legally on the same level as a crowbar. It’s OK to have it and use it legally (at home or at work if you’re a locksmith) but it’s a cirme to have it if you are going to use it in a burglary. The key is intent. > > IANAL by the way, but I used to be a locksmith. > > See [here](http://www.lockpickguide.com/legalityoflockpicks.html) for a state-by-state list. > > Maybe I shouldn’t have answered the OP’s question but he said it was for work and I believed him. This is GQ. Maybe I’m too naive… I also believe him. Now, though, I’m curious as to what line of work he’s in… hh