What are electromechanical lock-opening tools, and how does a pick gun work?
Electromechanical pickers automate the "shock and tension" approach — they make the bottom (key) pins bounce up at high speed, while light tension is held. Some bouncing pin pushes its driver pin past the shear line, and the inertia leaves the driver above while the key pin falls back. Done in seconds.
The three tools:
| Tool | Operation | Skill needed |
|---|---|---|
| Sperrpistole (manual pick gun) | Squeeze trigger → spring-driven pick blade snaps up sharply, hitting all pins from below | Low — squeeze + maintain tension |
| Elektropick (electric pick) | Vibrating pick, ~50 Hz oscillation; same principle, hands-free | Lower — just hold against pins |
| Multi-Pick (case kit) | Several attachments + battery for different lock types | Low — point and pull trigger |
The physics — Newton's cradle in a lock:
Before: ▓▓▓ driver pins
░░░ key pins ← held by spring
___ shear line
Pick blade strikes key pin upward sharply →
Driver pin shoots upward (momentum transferred) →
Driver pin clears shear line briefly →
Key pin falls back instantly →
Driver pin GETS STUCK above shear line because tension
has rotated the plug a fraction of a degree.
After: ___ both pins now ABOVE shear line
This works because the driver pin is unrestrained at the top once it leaves the chamber, but the tension in the wrench has "moved the goalposts" — the chamber is no longer aligned, so the driver can't fall back.
Why pick guns are popular:
- Speed: seconds, not minutes.
- Skill: essentially none — anyone can squeeze a trigger.
- Available: ~CHF 30 for a manual one online.
Why they're not unstoppable:
- Loud: mechanical click on every shot.
- Damages security pins: spool/serrated pins jam under percussion, blocking the gun.
- Traces: leaves clear scratches on pin tips visible to forensic examiners — see the Spuren an Kernstift slide.
- Defeated by: anti-bump security cylinders (Abloy, Medeco) and electronic locks.
Tip: Pick guns and bump keys work on the same physical principle — momentum transfer at the shear line. A lock advertised as "bump-resistant" usually also resists pick guns.