Can You Really Open A Lock By Shooting It?

[disney junky]

This has always troubled me. In the movies. On TV. I would think you'd have to hit it just perfectly to get it to open, and doesn't the bullet ricochet, endangering those doing the shooting?

Anyway, continue with your other discussions.

 

[lovetoscrap]

They just did something like this on Mythbusters! They didn't actually shoot the lock though, they used gunpowder and the primer to try to blast the lock--didn't work. But I am thinking maybe they have shot one in the past.

Sorry, can't answer your question though!

 

[ChrisFL]

Yes, they did do that myth specifically once on Mythbusters, IIRC it didn't work for most guns/locks, but maybe one of them...it was two or three seasons ago

 

[hopemax]

The "gunpowder in the lock" myth from this season, started off with the build team just shooting the lock. And it worked. It was a plain ol' lock.

Previously, they had shot a Master Lock padlock. That one turned out that you needed a heavy duty weapon or armor piercing rounds. A simple handgun didn't do it.

 

[pogo791]

Never did think about this, myself. I assume ordinary handguns (such as those used by the police) or rifles wouldn't be of much use against most modern doorlocks. However, perhaps a few shots at the door itself, between the lock and the doorsill might split the wood, and you could then kick the door open. Probably makes for good dramatic effect!

Didn't we have a thread a few months back, started by someone wandering why people behave in certain ways in the movies? Why, for example, do women living alone in deserted houses go to answer the door without looking through the peephole, or why there is always a free parking space when the bank robbers drive up to make a heist?

Hollywood probably never has been too good with logic ...

 

[Carl]

I've also always questioned the shooting of locks. Doesn't seem it would work.

 

[JR6ooo4]

Door locks, like on the front door of your house, are the biggest joke. They pretty much stop the wind and that is all.

any blunt force will destroy the mounting both in the door and on the frame. even fortified mounts are not much defense.

the best you can use is top and bottom deadbolts and a long bar from the middle of the opening side of the door down to a notch in the floor.

Mikeeee

door locks only keep out those that allow themselves to be kept out.

 

[Golf4food]

IIRC in that episode the handguns didn't do much but the shotgun pretty much destroyed everything around the door lock (inlcuding the lock).

 

[GeorgeG]

I think a well-placed heavy kick would be better. Shooting the lock works for actors only because the script says it does.

 

[Imzadi]

However, perhaps a few shots at the door itself, between the lock and the doorsill might split the wood, and you could then kick the door open.

Yes, if anyone has ever had a professional locksmith DRILL a hole in a lock, they still have to have tools to turn the cylindars to disengage the lock. Otherwise, all you have is a hole in the lock. Sometimes, even if done right, all that happens is the doorknob spins around (because it no longer engages the cylindars) and you still have a locked door.

With an excellent lock, like a Medico® brand, which is unpickable and undrillable, I've seen locksmiths & landlords end up having to cut the door around the lock, remove & replace the door completely off the hinges, and end up removing the old lock once they are able to get to the screws holding it in place in the doorsill. Don't ask how I know this. Medico® is a landlord's nightmare. When Medico® says it keeps people out, it really keeps people out. You have to replace the door. Lock is intact - not working because you have no key, but, yes, the lock is intact.

 

[Hercules10]

Depends on the lock and the gun.

If it's a padlock then it can be done by shooting the shackle. Shooting the body may just 'freeze' the locking mechanism and then it'll never come off.

A .22 probably won't do much to any lock. But a .38 or .357M will definately bust something up.

If it's a regular door lock then a well placed boot will save ammo.

 

[Kies99]

Also depnds on the door.

Well placed shotgun blast to a strong lock on a weak door and it'll destroy enough of the door around the lock that a kick to the door and the lock will rip out.

 

[Lanshark]

If you use a cannon

 

[mill4023]

IIRC in that episode the handguns didn't do much but the shotgun pretty much destroyed everything around the door lock (inlcuding the lock).

Yep. The shotgun(shooting slugs) opened the lock.
The rifle also worked. I believe it was an M1 Garand (.30 caliber rounds traveling over 2500 ft/s.)

The handguns damaged the lock, but it still didn't open.

I just looked it up. They tried with a 9mm and a .357 mag. Neither of them opened the padlocks. Of course, both of these rounds travel at no more than about half the speed of the .30-06 and have far less mass than a deer slug.

 

[JR6ooo4]

Oh, and that air gun dealy in "No country for old men"... that was not accurate.

No way the lock cylinder would travel straight across the room. Especially if the bolt part of the lock was locked/extended into the door frame. At most it would travel in an arcing motion inward and concave to the opening side of the door. probably hitting a side wall.

Mikeeee