Bump Keying

[kwando]

Has anyone seen this before? My wife and i just moved into our new house and we called a locksmith to rekey our locks. They showed us this new way that people get into houses. Its called bump keying. Search for it online and you will be shocked.

The locksmith showed me in his van how easy it was. My jaw literally dropped. They tried to sell me a set of Medeco deadbolts. They are basically high security deadbolts that are bump proof, pick proof, etc. They are expensive, over $700 for two deadbolts, but i think they are worth it.

We didn't have the locksmith install the Medeco locks, i am going to buy them online. It will still cost me over $350. But I would seriously look into upgrading the locks in your house.

[<MADDOG>]

Thanks for the info.

[Colorado Osprey]

When I was in law enforcement I took a lock pick course.

It was amazing how easy locks are to break in to.
I have won quite a few bets opening combination locks as well as just about any lock that takes a key.

Most home door locks or dead bolts can be opened about 1-2 seconds slower with lock picks than it takes with a key. There is no suck thing as a lock that can't be picked. Some are just more difficult.

Having a set of lock picks in your posession if you are not a lock smith is posession of burglary tools and is illegal. Mechanics can also buy these tools but they better be stored in a tool box...not carried around.

There is a special key needed to bump key a lock. These, just like picks are illegal to posess if you are not a lock smith or mechanic.

Bottom line...if buying better locks make you feel safe...great.

But....locks only keep honest people honest.

[<MADDOG>]

Ya, that's why I have a 140lb rotty! 8)

[KarlPMann]

There is no suck thing as a lock that can't be picked. Some are just more difficult.

I agree with most of what you say. But I'm afraid you are quite wrong there. He's right about MeDeCo (Mechanical Development Company) locks being pickproof. That's why the US Navy and Air Force use them on "Special Weapons" containers, and why they are on the White House. That's where I first learned of them, doing the locks on Special Weapons Magazines on the Aircraft Carrier I was stationed on. I also was a dealer for them during the 10 years I owned my own locksmith service.

But anyone charging you $350.00 a piece is RIPPING YOU OFF! First, they are using a scare tactic to sell you on those things. Second, they are charging WAY too much for those things. When I was a dealer up to 1999, they retailed at about $150.00 - $175.00. When I worked for the last dealer I worked for, they were about $175.00 - $200.00 in 2005. They should be no more than maybe $225.00 now. I would do a LOT of shopping before I bought, but I would NEVER get them online.

It's a long and hard explanation, but if you buy a Medeco lock from a "non-local" dealer, you will most likely have a hard, if not impossble time ever getting keys or service on them. Medeco keyways are generally proprietary to given areas. And they do not allow too many mail order dealers. So whatever you get, you will be stuck with for life. If you need new keys, you will most likely end up buying all new locks. Please trust me, try to find a local dealer that is affordable, and do business with them.

Also look into Assa Twin 6000 and Schlage Primus. My current preference is the Schlage Primus as it is a slight bit more versatile because the system is built aroud their commercial lock hardware line. That means you can get them in a medium or heavy duty. And in more varieties of functions, as well as designs and colors. They also are a hair bit cheaper as a rule, and MUCH easier to find people that can work on them. The locks themselves are common to the commercial industry, and therefore more locksmiths are familiar with them, and carry parts for them. The only thing about them that is different, is mostly the cylinder itself.

What do I have for my personal use? Both Medeco and Schlage Primus. What do I use most? Probably Medeco. But that is more because I had more Medeco inventory when I went out of business. I had near no Schlage inventory left over. If I had to go out and set up a system now, for my home, I'd go with the Schlage. Good luck with them whichever way you go. Karl.

[Great-Kazoo]

doesn't matter how strong or pick proof a door's lock set is. what matters is how good and secure the jam is.
$300 lock set with a normal door jam and anyone could kick the door in. deadbolts go in approx 3/4 of an inch. not much there frame wise.
make sure your outside lighting is functioning, and personal /valuable items are secured better then anything else.

[shrapmetal]

it doesnt matter how good your locks are if you don't make your windows rock proof. if they want in they will get in.

[kwando]

great info karl. my main concern with buying online is getting duplicate keys. but i plan on getting additional keys with the purchase. Every dealer i've called locally charges around the same plus or minus $100. of coarse when if i buy a medeco online, i would have it shipped to my office or my parents/friends house.

i thought about going the schlage priums brand, but i don't think many places sell them locally. most locksmiths will charge a premium as well.

karl if you can still get deals or know someone, let me know.

if regards to having a window broken - thieves will avoid making noise at all cost. my motion detector would catch them inside the house if they made it in.

[MuzzleFlash]

...my motion detector would catch them inside the house if they made it in.

There's a weak link in every security strategy. You have to decide what level of security you can live with and at what cost. Here's some advice from another board I frequent that sounded pretty good:

The point of diminishing returns comes quickly. The simplest and most cost effective measures are window decals, motion triggered lights, egress rated window well covers, armored phone line/TNI box and a fake camera or two.

Look at your landscaping. Does it provide cover or access to unprotected entry points? Pay attention to garage access doors or trees that provide access to second story windows. Most security installs only monitor first story and basement doors and windows. A smart thief knows this. A big Rottweiler doesn't count as cheap, but will be a very effective deterrent.

A thief undeterred by such measures is probably a drugged out, inattentive goof. A hard core pro is unlikely to be interested in the stuff working class stiffs own. If the .gov pros break in while you're on vacation, you've got bigger issues.

Security systems are important, but not foolproof. The best reasons to own one are fire or flood detection, medical monitoring for the elderly and logging the comings and goings of family. If you have kids, it's not a bad idea to have a zone on the safe and liquor cabinet. When at home, arm the perimeter to provide an early warning giving you time to get your gun and into position to defend yourself and family.

A cellular communicator is a smart but costly backup to survive a cut phone line. Place the siren high so they can't foam it. Better yet, place a strobe high up (in a window maybe) so the police or FD can find your house quickly. Your system should have a battery backup. Power can be shut off deliberately while you're on vacation. The thief returns a couple of nights later expecting your system to be dead. Buy a UPS at Best Buy. It will greatly extend the survivability of the security system during prolonged power outages.

The nightmare scenario for gun owners is an armed invasion. Imagine your loved ones held hostage to force you open the safe. Have a plan and don't share it beyond the family.

[Colorado Osprey]

I agree with most of what you say. But I'm afraid you are quite wrong there. He's right about MeDeCo (Mechanical Development Company) locks being pickproof. Karl.

I stand corrected...I haven't played with those yet.