Anyone have a trick to getting cable locks off firearms? Wasn’t sure if bolt cutters would do it or not. I didn’t want to go buy them if it won’t work. I had to cable lock 3 handguns due to kids and now lost the keys during moving. They are just the cheapo ones my dept hands out to citizens.
Cutting gun locks
- Thread starter Axis II
- Start date
Monac
Member
I have no direct experience with this; my information comes from The Lock Picking Lawyer on YouTube. He has remarked a number of times that steel cables are easy to cut with bolt cutters, and are not a high security option for things like bicycles or motorcycles. I think he has cut through quarter-inch steel cable without much difficulty on his channel, although I can't recall the size of the bolt cutter he used. If your gun locks are like the ones I have encountered, they are probably only about 1/8" thick, not counting any plastic sheathing.
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Pick the lock. Watch a youtube video on it and give it a go. You’d be surprised at how easy it is. Might take a hour or two to get the hang of it. Took me about an hour my first time. Failing that try bolt cutters. If that doesn’t work then time for a cut off wheel.
Bennj
Member
Don't know where you're located, but Harbor Freight has a decent angle grinder for about $14 that I've used to cut rebar and galvanized pipe.
Yep! Just the 1/8 thick ones PD hand out or that come with a gun when you buy it. I wasn’t sure anything would work seeing how they have that spring steel type stuff going on.
230RN
2A was "political" when it was first adopted.
First suggestion, bring them to a locksmith, but you may have to prove up on your ownership somehow. I have all my serial numbers, but the mere list does not prove I own them.
Were it me, I'd jusr use my Dremel too with its cutoff wheel on the cables. Use very adequate eye protection. Those damned sparks can come right back up to your face . Which contains your eyeballs.
I believe some lock brands have key codes on them. but that means buying new locks anyhow if you can find duplicates. Good luck on that.
Terry, 230RN
Were it me, I'd jusr use my Dremel too with its cutoff wheel on the cables. Use very adequate eye protection. Those damned sparks can come right back up to your face . Which contains your eyeballs.
I believe some lock brands have key codes on them. but that means buying new locks anyhow if you can find duplicates. Good luck on that.
Terry, 230RN
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CoalCrackerAl
Member
Cable cutters. Pictured is channel lock brand.
Heck i have a pair of those. I was afraid of trashing them. I tried using home depot brand ones to cut some metal about 1/8” thick and it rolled the edge. I didn’t want to try that again.
Howland937
Member
Anyone who doesn't have a set should make a point of owning some.
Channellock, Knipex, etc...most likely a quality set of linesman pliers with side cutters would work too.
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troy fairweather
Member
Could always use a cold chisel, one or two hits should cut the cable if you have no other means.
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230RN
2A was "political" when it was first adopted.
New idea after watching those abandoned storage locker auction videos. Bring them to a storage locker place. They seem to be experts at cutting off locker locks.
Same problem with proving ownership, but maybe they aren't as regulated as locksmiths and a couple of sixpacks might suffice.
If safe, you might try torching the lock hasps enough to destroy the heat treating.. You don't have to get them red hot, just hot enough to draw the temper.
Same problem with proving ownership, but maybe they aren't as regulated as locksmiths and a couple of sixpacks might suffice.
If safe, you might try torching the lock hasps enough to destroy the heat treating.. You don't have to get them red hot, just hot enough to draw the temper.
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Ironicaintit
Member
I've cut them with linesman pliers. They aren't that tough.
dogtown tom
Member
Lock Picking Lawyer is a national treasure!
Not because he easily defeats pretty much every lock, but because he shows us the absolute garbage that is sold as locks.
Double_J
Member
Go to Harbor Freight or Wal-Mart and buy a cheap grinder with cut-off wheel or a cheap pair of 18 inch bolt cutters. You will not belive the uses you find for them after the initial purchase.
You need cable cutters that are made for steel. I've seen a lot of electrical cable cutters ruined cutting steel cable.
Bolt cutters might work okay, if they're the right size. If they're too big they'll squeeze the cable, but won't cut it.
Angle grinder works on just about everything. Cables, hardened steel bolts, etc. Everybody needs an angle grinder. I keep one in my car.
Cover up your gun to keep the sparks off it if you use an angle grinder.
Bolt cutters might work okay, if they're the right size. If they're too big they'll squeeze the cable, but won't cut it.
Angle grinder works on just about everything. Cables, hardened steel bolts, etc. Everybody needs an angle grinder. I keep one in my car.
Cover up your gun to keep the sparks off it if you use an angle grinder.
CoalCrackerAl
Member
My cutters are Kolbolt brand from Lowes. I got them when i was big into scrapping. They also will cut small diameter bolts.
lysanderxiii
Member
These things?
All you need...
Most are inexpensive warded locks that are easy to defeat. You may try picking up another from the place you got the first one, and find that the key to the new lock works in the old as well. Beer can metal around the locking side and pushed into the lock may also suffice. For laminated locks, grind or file off the ends of the rivets. If you know a chemistry teacher, liquid nitrogen would also work.
loadedround
Member
Bolt cutters will do the job easily!
Retired MSG
Member
- Joined
- Feb 10, 2021
- Messages
- 19
I've had personal experience...bolt cutters will do the job easily
Rubone
Member
You could cut them with a Swiss Army Knife, they are junk on a good day.
WestKentucky
Member
Last one I cut was on my trailer to make sure it didn’t pop loose on the road. Rusted up on me over a weekend. Sledge-ax on the cable right on the tongue of my little mower trailer. I placed the ax Where I wanted it and whacked the ax with a 4 lb maul.
jmorris
Member
- Joined
- Sep 30, 2005
- Messages
- 24,211
This style is for electrical cable and will be ruined by anything hard.
This style is what you are looking for to cut steel cable.
https://usrigging.com/heavy-duty-wire-rope-cutter/
If you have a dremel tool, die grinder, angle grinder, a cut off wheel will go through it like butter.
pbearperry
Member
If you know anyone who has the same locks, try their keys.You would be surprised how many are identical.
