ABUS 83/40

Difficulty Notes

The 83/40 and 72/40 are considered challenging locks. The 83/40 was originally harder, leading to a design change making it easier. It is part of a progression (55/40 -> 64ti/50 -> 72/40 -> 83/45).

Sources (r/lockpicking):
- u/CheatlB2 (5pts): 'It's kind of a shame they decided to make it easier based off some people saying it was too hard.'
- u/dustynwindy (2pts): 'I love Abus. 55/40-64ti/40-72/40 then 83/45, you can do almost anything with that.'
- u/phlebass (3pts): 'They are challenging locks, don't feel bad, just keep trying, you'll get it!'
- u/beiherhund (1pts): '...fairly easy to pick using light tension. Good challenge and a good introduction to spool pins...'
[confidence: high]

Picking Notes

Light tension is recommended for spool pins. The lock is challenging but learnable. Some users mention using a 'prybar lite' or 'thinner' prybar for keyways.

Sources (r/lockpicking):
- u/beiherhund (1pts): '...fairly easy to pick using light tension. Good challenge and a good introduction to spool pins...'
- u/selfdestruct321 (1pts): '...the prybar lite, i figured I'd get the thinner of the two so that i could use it in more keyways... the thing is rigid as hell...'
[confidence: medium]

Tension Tips

Use light tension. Be aware that false sets can occur where increasing tension reveals the lock was actually set deeper than thought. The shackle has strong spring tension when reaching shear on the 1100 model (not 83/40 specifically, but related context).

Sources (r/lockpicking):
- u/beiherhund (1pts): '...fairly easy to pick using light tension.'
- u/cheebalibra (4pts): 'I think technically the 1100 has a dead core but strong spring tension on the shackle when you get to shear. So you can drop your tok bar while picking without resetting. And another reason why so many people think they picked it to a deep false set, only to increase tension and realize that it was...'
[confidence: medium]

Bitting Variance

The 83/40 was redesigned to be easier after users complained the original was too hard. The 83 series (specifically 83/45 and 72/40 mentioned) are often manufactured in China and may have spools or mushrooms. The 83/40 is sometimes found with a Russwin core. The second number in the Abus model name indicates the shackle width in millimeters (e.g., 83/40 is 40mm). Some users note the existence of 'Chinese Abus' which may have different internal mechanisms (spools/mushrooms) compared to older or non-Chinese versions.

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