ABUS 55/40

Difficulty Notes

Intermediate difficulty. Harder than standard pin locks (Master 140/150, Schlage) but easier than high-security locks like the American 1100 or Master 410 LOTO. Some users find it harder than the American 1100 despite the 1100 having serrated pins.

Sources (r/lockpicking):
- u/Darkblade48 (9pts): 'If you're not familiar with security pins, this lock might be too much of a challenge for you for the time being. You may want to start with something a bit easier...'
- u/musamban (6pts): 'I would see how they do on a kwikset with standard pins. If that was no issue I would move onto a schlage cylinder... Next, I would introduce spools with an abus 41/40... I would then check spool mastery with an abus 80ti/50.'
- u/Darkblade48 (2pts): 'The Abus and American Lock that you mentioned are significantly more difficult than the other locks you mentioned... I would suggest you try something in between, perhaps something like a 4 pin (3 spool + 1 standard) Abus 55/40 to really get th[ere].'
- u/Snwboardr9876 (2pts): 'Dude I 100% feel you. This lock took me a few days also... I can pick an A1100 much quicker and consistent than these.'
- u/Icy_Instruction4614 (1pts): 'Try an abus 55/40. It has a couple spool pins, but much better feedback! Not super difficult for beginners'
[confidence: high]

Picking Notes

Progressive picking (gut and reassemble), SPP (Single Pin Picking), tension preference varies by user but feedback is key.

Sources (r/lockpicking):
- u/lastinalaskarn (4pts): 'Learn how to gut and reassemble to take advantage of progressive picking'
- u/CuriousLockPicker (11pts): 'Spools usually bind after all other standard pins have been set. When this happens, the core will turn dramatically, but not open yet.'
- u/Creeper_H_youtube (2pts): 'I'll give youre tension pick method a go'
- u/Icy_Instruction4614 (1pts): 'It has a couple spool pins, but much better feedback!'
[confidence: medium]

Tension Tips

None explicitly detailed beyond general feedback reliance.

Sources (r/lockpicking):
- u/Creeper_H_youtube (2pts): 'I'll give youre tension pick method a go'
[confidence: low]

Bitting Variance

Better tolerances than some other spool locks (like the 570). Known for exaggerated false sets. Users recommend starting with a 4-pin configuration (3 spools + 1 standard) rather than the full 5-pin version for beginners. Some users find the feedback and sound superior to other brands.

Videos