i came across this lock one day... now i want it open so i could possible change the cores so i could use it for stuff. how easy would it be to pick? i know bump keying it would be near impossible... the rounds are a .50 cal(live btw.. 44 mag and 9mm for comparison. it weighs 2.5 lbs too) whatever this locked up they did not want people getting to...

It's worth a try to bump and pick it.

and how hard is it to find key blanks for best cylinders? especially when you can't see the shape of the key because it's recessed into the cylinder

it would be a lot easier if it was a SFIC lcok i would assume? the key way is recessed about 1 cm so i couldn't even figure out which key blanks to get for making a bump key. i looked on Best's website and couldn't find anything about this core design or the lock series at all. maybe i just don't know where to look

in the end it's still a normal lock, try picking it, may take a while..
or the less fun way is the following:
http://www.bestaccess.com/

whatever this locked up they did not want people getting to...

oxy torch

Thats a fun one..

Really high security...

Now, you never heard this from me... (heh)

The "best" way to defeat that to change the core is to purchase a replacement one, and look to see where it "latches" (the core) inside the lock housing.

Than, grab a dremel with a really really good cutting bit attached, and have some fun.

Easiest way I've found.. by the looks of that, its going to have anti pick pins, etc in it... Thats one of the highest security ones they got going..

what core is it? i've found ZERO info on this series of lock looking everywhere

i think you should take it to a locksmith and see if he can open it & remove the core.

then have a key make for that core. if than can't be done buy a new core.

SD

Take some more close up detailed pics of the keyway...

Where the hell can I get a lock like that? I've had my locker broken into every year with every lock and I've been looking for something like this

I can tell you its got 8 (If I remember correctly) pins and at least one mushroom pin in the bottom of the keyway. It uses the same keys as the cores that go into their doorlocks.

Posted by The FNG I can tell you its got 8 (If I remember correctly) pins and at least one mushroom pin in the bottom of the keyway. It uses the same keys as the cores that go into their doorlocks.

it's no wonder i cant pick it.

SD

The key should look like this:

click to view

Can you get pictures of the location it is being used for, and clear closeups of the lock and area it's self? That would help a lot.

Best has several types of blanks, many of them look alike. You will have a tough time doing it in any way other than educated guessing. Best has done that intentionally. Start with an s rake and a regular tension wrench. SFIC best cores do not respond well with feeling because they have two separate tension points, the one you have does not look like it has that so I do not know how well it would work.

The best one will probably take a lot of practice, so if you want something easier try a master, ruswin, yale, or kwickset lock. Kwikset is definitely one of the easiest locks to pick on the market.

Posted by Bettner12 and how hard is it to find key blanks for best cylinders? especially when you can't see the shape of the key because it's recessed into the cylinder

Last I checked (several years ago) Best had a policy of only selling blanks to people who had contracts with them. They primarily sell "security systems", not individual locks and have pioneered in asshole behavior regarding intellectual property on this front. They actually sued Ilco for making after market blanks. The details are here:
http://www.ll.geor...nions/95-1528.html

Try jiggling it, it's a great method, but I've never done it with that type of lock personally. If you are familiar wit the technique it should work. By the way, anyone who want's good short videos on how to do this technique PM me and I'll send you copies to whatever email you like. They are very helpful.

talked to a locksmith about it, he said even if i did get it open there is no chance i could re-key it. any information about the lock from best requires documentation of ownership, and well i don't have that and i'm damn sure not going to be able to get it. if someone wants to try a non-destructive method of trying to get this open send me a pm