"One would really be better off carrying a set of bolt cutters, a power drill, or a sledge hammer, rather than a set of lock-picks, if you really need to get into a locked door."

For most common house doors, a large pair of vice-grips will do the job. That's what they were using around here some years ago: open, clamp, twist and they're in. Many of the locks now have plastic parts inside -- whose bright idea was that?

Sue

It comes from people being cheap. If someone is only willing to spend $20 on their deadbolt, than there are plenty of companies willing to produce locks to that price point.

With that said, there are also plenty of manufacturers that produce higher quality locks. These companies seek certification under ANSI, BHMA, and UL437 standards to insure that their locks will do what they are supposed to. This is why you pay $20 for a Schlage and $200 for, say, a Medeco.

Ive changed out locks a few times and im kinda thinking with a 32oz hammer or so I could prolly knock alota these "locks" out one way or another. Never tried really really would love too!

A few years back we had a small fire in one of the buildings we were fixing up to rent out. The fire department got in the front door no problem, but by the time I got there they were beating the crap out of the lock on the back door with the back of an axe trying to get in. Apparently they first tried prying it with the halogen tool and still couldn't get in.

I walked over with a broken piece of hacksaw blade I had on the dash of my truck, slide it between the latch and the striker, and popped the door open just as fast as if I had used the key.

Brute force works, but sometimes you don't even need to work that hard. A little imagination goes a long way.

I believe it was Blast who recommended reading a book "102 Minutes: inside the Towers" A fascinating read from people who lived and died in the twin towers right after being struck. It was depressing and heroic and scary. Try to find it.

Of course they didn't use lock picks getting out but several preppers did have 'tools of the trade' to get through walls and stuck doors. Makes you consider what you EDC, what you have in your BOB, where your BOB is at and what is at your desk to supplement a real emergency.

You can find 102 Minutes at Amazon.

Speaking of using other means to get out - I recall a TV interview in the days/weeks after 9/11 - a maintenance guy with his gear to wash windows was stuck in an elevator with a couple guys in suits...they started brute forcing their way through the elevator car. I can't remember all the details, but the window washer stripped the rubber part out of the squeegee and using its metal edge to cut through drywall.

And here is the story:

http://www.elevatorbobs-elevator-pics.com/wtc9.html

A couple of years ago I got locked out when the latch mechanism inside the deadbolt broke. It took the locksmith about 10 minutes with a pair of channellocks to get in. Also, most interior locks can be defeated with a strong grip and a hard twist.