Master Lock Magnum

Difficulty Notes

Considered a 'nightmare' to pick; has terrible feedback with false clicks; described as a 'beast' due to heavy spring tension when modified; 'pain in the arse' due to poor manufacturing tolerances; 'hit or miss' on feedback.

Sources (r/lockpicking):
- u/nadrew (4pts): 'an absolute nightmare to SPP'
- u/Leaving_Jupiter (4pts): 'downright ugly to pick. Terrible feedback on the first couple pins, all kinds of false clicking'
- u/MrPickur (6pts): 'Those definitely aren't the easiest thing to pick'
- u/LockPickingGeordie (3pts): 'so badly made that it makes it hard to pick'
- u/HeadSetMike (4pts): 'hit or miss on feedback'
[confidence: high]

Picking Notes

Requires heavy tension; SPP (Single Pin Picking) is necessary as raking is difficult; BOK (Bottom of Keyway) tension works well on similar locks; requires 'levering the pick fairly hard' rather than finesse.

Sources (r/lockpicking):
- u/McSteeze (6pts): 'you really have to tension it hard or it won't open'
- u/nadrew (4pts): 'The Magnum needs a RIDICULOUS amount of tension just to get anything to bind'
- u/Threeraccoonsinacoat (4pts): 'Going from light tension and finesseing the pick to medium/heavy tension and levering the pick fairly hard'
- u/JosephFaolan (3pts): 'had to spp it'
- u/SenatorCrabHat (2pts): 'a lot of these can do well with BOK tension'
[confidence: high]

Tension Tips

Must use 'RIDICULOUS amount of tension'; requires 'medium/heavy tension' and 'levering the pick fairly hard'; light tension and finesse do not work.

Sources (r/lockpicking):
- u/nadrew (4pts): 'The Magnum needs a RIDICULOUS amount of tension'
- u/Threeraccoonsinacoat (4pts): 'medium/heavy tension and levering the pick fairly hard'
[confidence: high]

Bitting Variance

Manufacturing tolerances are poor, leading to inconsistent feedback and difficulty; some users suspect Master Lock uses recycled metal ('grinds up old toasters and bicycles'); the lock has a 'springy core action'; users recommend practicing on it to learn heavy tension techniques; one user successfully modified a Master 410 LOTO core into a Magnum housing.

Videos