The honest answer is: almost, but not always, and not always without destroying the lock first. A skilled locksmith can open the vast majority of locks they'll encounter in the field — but some locks are genuinely designed to be difficult or impossible to pick, and that changes the options and the cost.
Here's a clear breakdown of what locksmiths can and can't open, and why.
The Short Answer
Most locks a locksmith encounters in everyday work — yes, they can open them. Standard residential deadbolts, knob locks, padlocks, car doors, file cabinet locks, mailbox locks — these are all within the routine skill set of any competent locksmith.
Some high-security locks — maybe not without drilling. Certain locks are specifically engineered to resist picking, and they do a very good job of it. Opening them may require drilling, which destroys the lock.
A few very specialized locks — genuinely limited. Certain high-end commercial or governmental security locks require manufacturer specialists or highly specialized equipment that most field locksmiths don't carry.
What Locksmiths Open Every Day
Standard Residential Deadbolts
Most American homes have pin tumbler deadbolts from brands like Kwikset, Schlage, Defiant, or similar. These can be opened by picking, bumping, or other non-destructive methods by any experienced locksmith.
Time: 5–15 minutes. No damage to the lock.
Door Knob and Handle Locks
Standard knob locks and handle sets are even easier to open than deadbolts. Many have bypass methods that don't even require picking.
Time: 2–10 minutes. Usually no damage.
Standard Padlocks
Garden-variety padlocks (Master Lock, American Lock basics, etc.) are straightforward for any experienced locksmith.
Time: 5–15 minutes.
Car Doors
Modern cars don't have traditional key locks accessible from outside in the traditional sense — the door is opened via a linkage mechanism. Locksmiths use air wedges and long-reach tools to physically press the unlock button or pull the door handle from inside.
Time: 10–20 minutes. No damage to the lock or door when done correctly.
Older Mortise Locks
Common in older buildings (pre-1950s especially), these look like a big rectangular box mounted in the door. Skilled locksmiths know how to work with these and can usually open them without damage.
Time: 10–30 minutes depending on type and condition.
File Cabinets and Office Furniture
Standard file cabinet and office furniture locks are simple and routinely opened by locksmiths. These often have relatively basic wafer locks.
Time: 2–10 minutes.
Mailboxes
Standard USPS mailboxes and apartment mail panels are handled regularly. Simple locks.
Time: 5–15 minutes.
Safe Deposit Boxes and Standard Home Safes
Many standard home safes (like those from SentrySafe or First Alert) can be opened by a locksmith through combination manipulation, bypass methods, or drilling. High-security safe opening is a specialty skill not all locksmiths have, but it is a recognized specialty.
Time: Varies widely. 30 minutes to several hours for safes, depending on type and security level.
Locks That Give Locksmiths More Trouble
High-Security Deadbolts
These are a completely different category from standard hardware store deadbolts. Brands like:
- Medeco
- Abloy Protec / Protec2
- Mul-T-Lock MT5
- Schlage Primus / Everest
- ASSA ABLOY high-security lines
These locks are engineered specifically to resist picking. They use:
- Sidebars: An additional security mechanism that must be addressed simultaneously with pin picking — much harder than single-mechanism picking
- Anti-pick pins: Spool and serrated pins that make picking much more difficult
- Unique keyways: Restricted to specific authorized key profiles
- Key control systems: Keys can't be duplicated without proof of ownership
Can these be opened non-destructively? Sometimes, by a highly skilled locksmith with the right tools and experience. Some Medeco locks can be picked by experts; some configurations are essentially pick-proof in the field.
What usually happens: The locksmith attempts non-destructive entry for a reasonable amount of time. If unsuccessful, drilling is required. Drilling destroys the lock cylinder, requiring replacement.
Cost impact: Drilling + lock replacement adds $100–$400+ to the job.
Smart Locks with Electronic Components
Electronic smart locks (August, Schlage Encode, Yale Assure, etc.) have both a mechanical keyway and an electronic component.
The mechanical cylinder can usually be picked like a standard lock. But if the electronic component is what's keeping you out — dead battery, software issue, communication failure — a locksmith addresses the mechanical side. The app or hub issues may require manufacturer support.
What a locksmith can do: Open the lock via the physical keyway if one exists, replace the lock if needed.
What they may not be able to do: Fix software, reset firmware, or resolve cloud connectivity issues.
High-Security Padlocks
Padlocks with ratings like ABUS Granit, Mul-T-Lock, Abloy, or Kryptonite Fahgettaboudit are designed to resist both picking and physical attack. A locksmith may spend significant time on these and ultimately need to cut them with specialized tools.
Commercial Access Control
Key card systems, biometric locks, and electronic access control are a mixed category. The physical door lock can usually be bypassed (pick the mechanical override, or in some cases pry the electronics in a controlled way). The access control system itself is more of a security systems issue than a locksmith issue.
Bank Vaults and High-Security Commercial Safes
These are a specialty within a specialty. Most field locksmiths can't open a true bank vault — this requires a safe technician with specialized training, often combined with manufacturer-authorized tools.
When Drilling Is the Answer
Drilling becomes the option when:
- The lock can't be picked (high-security lock, damaged lock, or simply beyond the locksmith's skill level)
- A key is broken deep in the cylinder and can't be extracted
- The lock has been tampered with or is severely worn
- Time constraints mean the non-destructive approach has taken too long
Drilling destroys the lock cylinder. The lock must then be replaced. A locksmith who drills your lock should:
- Explain why drilling was necessary
- Provide a new lock of comparable quality
- Give you a total price including the replacement
Watch for this scam: Some dishonest locksmiths immediately drill standard locks (Kwikset, Schlage basics) claiming they're "high-security" or "can't be picked," then charge for both drilling and an overpriced new lock. Standard residential locks should be pickable by any experienced locksmith. If drilling is proposed on a standard lock, ask them to try picking for a reasonable amount of time first.
What Makes a Lock Truly Hard to Open?
For locksmith education purposes, here's what separates easy-to-open from hard-to-open locks:
Number of security pins: More pins = more combinations = more difficult to pick. Standard locks have 5 pins. Some high-security locks have 6+ with multiple pin types.
Sidebar mechanisms: Add a second dimension to picking requirements.
Key control: Restricted keyways that force the locksmith to use specific bypass approaches.
Material hardness: Some locks resist drilling attempts through hardened steel inserts, anti-drill ball bearings, or reinforced housing.
Anti-bump design: Bump-resistant locks have mechanisms that prevent standard bump key attacks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a locksmith open a Medeco lock?
Sometimes non-destructively, sometimes only by drilling. Medeco locks are high-security locks specifically designed to resist picking. A highly skilled locksmith with specialized tools may be able to pick certain Medeco configurations, but it's not guaranteed. Drilling destroys the lock and requires replacement.
Can a locksmith open a safe?
Many home safes, yes. High-security commercial safes require safe technician specialists. Tell the locksmith the brand and model of the safe when you call — they'll tell you honestly if it's within their capability.
What if a locksmith says they can't open my lock?
Ask them to explain why, and ask if another approach (bypassing, drilling) is possible. If they're not confident in their ability, ask if they know a specialist. Some locks really do require specialized knowledge or manufacturer involvement.
Can a locksmith open any car?
For a standard lockout (keys inside a locked car), yes — virtually any production car can be opened with the right tools (air wedge and long reach, slim jim, etc.). Certain high-end vehicles with reinforced door frames require more careful technique but are still openable.
Why do some locksmiths claim they can't open a standard lock?
Sometimes it's genuine inexperience with that specific lock. More concerning is when a locksmith claims a standard lock can't be picked (when it clearly can) as a pretext to drill it and charge for a replacement. If in doubt, get a second opinion.
How can I tell if my lock is high-security?
High-security lock brands include Medeco, Abloy, Mul-T-Lock, ASSA (some lines), and Schlage Primus. They usually have distinctive keyways (unusual profiles), are heavier than standard locks, and often have branding or model numbers visible on the face. Standard residential locks from Kwikset, Schlage (most consumer lines), and similar big-box brands are not high-security.