How to Open Master Locks

Tons of ways to successfully break into any Master Lock

Co-authored by Trevor Maclise

Last Updated: November 14, 2022

Sometimes, you have a master lock, and no combination. Here are several methods you can try to open a Master Lock. It is important, to know if you have a light duty, heavy duty or special duty lock. The methods of forcing open locks are obviously easier on the lighter locks. Of course, you can always pay a locksmith to open a lock, but that isn't the wikiHow way!

Method 1

Method 1 of 6:

Bumping Open the Lock

1
Know that Bumping a Lock is the best method.
2
Procure or make a bump key. Procuring a bump key involves asking for a locksmith to make a 999 key (where all the valleys are cut to the maximum depth.)^{[1]
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- Asking for a 999 key may cast you under suspicion, so be careful.
- Get your triangular file to go with it.
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3
Follow the directions on the wikiHow how article on bumping a lock.
4
Note there are bump proof locks out there. It is unlikely that you have one.

Method 2

Method 2 of 6:

Breaking it Open

1
Know that most of these methods will not work. They will only work if you have a cheaper lock, or a very respectable tool set.
2
Try a large hammer. Sometimes, a good jolt will knock the lock free. This won't work on all locks, but you may have some fun.^{[2]
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- If the lock is on a wooden door, the odds are you will break the door before the lock.
3
Try an electric drill. A drill should go right through the center of the lock where the mechanism is. This won't work on most master locks, and will likely disable the lock so it cannot even be opened with the proper key.
4
Try a power saw. The right power saw cuts through the lock itself.
- The New York city fire department uses saws with an aluminum oxide blade. It is effective when you can access the lock with it.
- Wear eye protection and cut through the body of the lock (not the shackle.)^{[3]
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5
Try bolt cutters. You can use this tool on the shackle or on an attached cable.
- If the lock is attached to a cable, you may have better luck cutting the cable than the lock.
- If you want to try to cut open the lock itself, cut the shackle. This will not work on most master locks, as they are made of case hardened steel.
6
Try using a pair of Channellock pliers. This only works if there is enough space to fit the pliers in. Similarly, for huge padlocks, a car jack may work to separate the lock.
- Naturally, these methods only work if there is enough space.
7
Do not use a gun. You can actually open the lock with a high powered rifle, but you may be sprayed with metal fragments or ricocheting pieces.
- This was proven by the Mythbusters.
- The Mythbusters tried a 9mm, a 357 magnum, a shotgun, and a M1 Garand rifle. The handguns did not work at all. The shotgun loosened it up
- It is not safe to do this. Ricochets could kill you or someone else. The high-powered rifle created shrapnel. Don't try it.

Method 3

Method 3 of 6:

Buy or Make a Shim

1
Buy a Shim. They are available at lock stores or online.
- A shim is a small and thin piece of metal that can slide between the gaps of a lock.
2
You can also try making a shim with an aluminum can; this will be free. Slide the shim into the locking side of your Master lock and move the shim back and forth. Sometimes, your lock will pop open!
- You need to be pretty mechanical to try this, but if you do it you will have your lock intact.
- It may not work if you have a high-quality lock with strong springs, so better for a cheaper lock.
- 70% of wikihowians who tried making a shim told us it worked.

Method 4

Method 4 of 6:

Try to "Crack" the combination

1
Crack the combination using some experiments and math.
- You need manual dexterity to feel the sticking point of the locks.
- 55% of wikihowians who tried this reported it worked.

Method 5

Method 5 of 6:

Picking the Lock

1
If your lock has a key, you can try picking it. Picking a lock takes practice, and is not recommended if you are in a hurry (like, if you have been locked out.)
- You also need the correct tools. You want a torsion wrench and pick.
- The best tools to improvise from would be a filed down allen wrench or very thin flat head screwdriver.

Method 6

Method 6 of 6:

Getting the Combination from Master Lock

1
Download a "Lost Combination Form" from Master Lock. This can be found here on the masterlock website here. Wait to fill out your form until you meet with a notary public.
2
Take your form to a notary public, and ask to have the form notarized. You can usually find a notary at your local bank.
- Fill out the form in the presence of the notary public. Have the appropriate ID that you'll need to confirm your identity.
- Pay the notary's fee. Master Lock won't reimburse you for the charges.
3
Photocopy your lock's serial number onto a piece of paper. The photocopy should show that your lock isn't attached to anything. Then, hand write the serial number beneath the picture of the lock.
4
Mail your notarized form and photocopy to:
- Master Lock Warehouse
- 1600 W. La Quinta Rd.
- Suite/WHSE #1
- Nogales, AZ 85621

Community Q&A

Question

How do I open a lock with a combination at the bottom?

Upnorth Here

Top Answerer

Dial in the numbers required in the proper combination and pull open the shackle. If you do not know the combination, you will need to break the lock, try to "shim" it (as described in the article), or patiently try to determine the combination by trial-and-error. Because most such locks can be configured by the buyer, the company will have no idea what your combination might be.

Warnings

Do not use a gun.

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Do not open a lock if it is not yours.

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Follow appropriate safety procedures for hammers, saws and the like.

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