A pick gun (or snapper pick, snap gun, vibration pick, electric pick) is a lockpicking tool used to rapidly open pin-tumbler based locks. Pick guns are manual or electric, and are a common tool for locksmiths. The use of pick guns is classified as covert entry because they leave distinct forensic evidence. Pick guns are similar in function to bump keys. The pick gun needle is inserted into the keyway below the bottom pins and a tension tool is used to apply light tension to the plug. The trigger of the gun is fired, causing the needle to impact all pin stacks simultaneously. The kinetic energy travels to the top pins, causing them to jump. If all top pins jump above the shear-line, the plug will be free to rotate. Pick guns often require several attempts to pick the lock, but are effective against most low to mid security pin-tumbler locks.

Electric pick guns use a motor or electromagnet to continuously oscillate the needle. The needle is placed under all pins and vibrates, hoping to vibrate at a resonating frequency that will cause all top pins to jump above the shear line, allowing the plug to turn. The resonating frequency is an important feature in electric pick guns, but few actually allow this to be controlled directly. Most products advise the user to turn the tool off and on repeatedly to vary the motor speed.

Electric pick guns leave a much greater amount of forensic evidence than manual pick guns because of their constant movement when inside the lock.

Due to the high cost of electric pick guns, many low-cost homemade alternatives exist. Most modify a device to include the use of a needle on an existing motor or electromagnet. Products include eletric toothbrushes, scissors, and screwdrivers.

Tension (or torque, torsion) is a fundamental lockpicking principle that allows a lock to be compromised by exploiting tolerance errors and binding to defeat each locking component individually. A tool is used to apply tension to the lock while a pick properly position internal components. Once all components are positioned correctly the tension tool may be used to actuate the locking bolt.

Tension tools are commonly referred to as tension bars, tension wrenches, or torque wrenches. Their design varies widely, but is most commonly associated with the L shaped pin-tumbler tension tool. Like picking tools, most tension tools leave forensic evidence in the lock.

Different types of Tension Wrenches:

most common tension tools are L (bent) or Z (flat) shapes. Curves, serrations, and other modifications to the tip of the tool help to prevent slippage and enhnce feedback.

Both work by being inserted into the top or the bottom of the keyway and supplying light torque. When using these tools, many lockpickers will place their finger or thumb on the plug to increase feedback when pins are set.

This week’s lock pick is the rake pick or more commonly known as the snake rake or snake pick, it is called this because the picks end resembles a snake that is slithering in the shape of a “S”. There are a multitude of different variations of this pick. This pick is used most often to “rake” the pins,this is done by putting the pick into the lock with the tension wrench and in a raking motion or swift pulling motion pull back on pick so that it leaves the lock while at the same time pressing up with the tension wrench. This works because when the pick rakes past the pins it vibrates and sometimes sets the pins, it is best to do this repeatedly to achieve the best results.