The revolver is the best training lock for a new picker. It can be progressively pinned, starting with just a couple of pins (but make sure each of the four positions has the same number of pins and in the same chambers or you will have problems) and then add pins as it gets easier. I now add all of sparrows challenge pins and I have taught my wife how to add pins for me so that I won't know what to expect when I pick it. Also, the core trainer cores work perfectly in the revolver. I've been using the Yale Y1 keyway for a while now, as it's the most paracentric of the bunch. Use that keyway and load the revolver up with 24 random challenge pins and you're in for a good time.
I reached out to sparrows today, they said, the current generation of revolver does not fit with the core trainers. That’s all they said. I’m guessing they are alluding to the idea that older generations may have fit with the core trainers. But I appreciate your comment, and I’ve pinned to the top of the comment section. Thanks for watching!
@sandman_locksport Good to know. I have had my revolver for a couple of years. I wonder what they changed and why? Definitely a missed opportunity for it not to work with the trainer cores.
@isabellam1936 it looks the same in terms of how they a easily re-pinned via grub screws, but the revolver has four different bibles (effectively four locks in one) vs only one for the CI training lock.
I bought one of these and really loved it as an educational tool. You should know if you purchase the set of 3 cores with different style of keyway, they DO NOT work with the revolver! All you can change on this are the pins! You can not change the core to practice different keyway! Besides this, it's a great educational tool!
Hey, Sandman, just want to say how much I appreciate your reviews. I know whenever you say something positive about a Sparrows product it is a product worth buying.
@@sandman_locksport hopefully I get lucky🤷♂️ I bought one after seeing your review last night. I’m doing a motorcycle camping trip across Wyoming next month & figured it would be a great way to get some practice in while sitting by the camp fire at night.
Agh!! This one is killing me! I’m not a seasoned lock picker. I’ve been struggling with a Master 140 for weeks (open it occasionally but it’s by accident). I just bought one of these revolvers. 4 locks in 1?? Absolutely! Is it possible they changed the design? Out of the box I picked this so easily with my 0.025 pick. It surprised me! Then a couple minutes later, the next, then the next. I turned the whole cylinder in maybe 10 minutes? I swear I can’t pick anything much fancier than the white belt Abus. Has anyone else bought one of these lately and had the same experience? Really enjoyed this video but I’m scratching my head! You watch…I’ll get home and try this again and never open it for the rest of my life 😂 love that scepter too. Nice for trips and keeping everything right in one place!
I wonder how this compares to the CI Practice Lock. No one has done a comparison video of them both online deposits them being the same system type. It would be awesome an awesome video.
Hey Sandman, again after watching your review I have to order it. For $40 it would be hard to find somerhing of this value elsewhere. Thanks for another fine review.
Thanks for watching and Thanks for taking my advice. You cant go wrong with it. You may have some trouble with your .023" CI set, but thats where you'll learn the benefits of building your pick sets.
Have one from when i first started (granted not that long ago) but i still love playing with it and picking it. Ive repinned it as well and kinda what im using to ease into gutting. Great review 😊💙
I really like my revolver and septer I am thinking about getting a second revolver to have 8 unique key ways to take with me, I kind wish the scepter had a lock at each end and maybe unscrewed in the middle to store lock picks
@ 9:24 I believe what they meant was top and bottom "pins"... just a guess ... awesome review ..This will defiantly be on my radar in the next few months. Not sure about the reload kit yet..
I use a revolver too but to be honest no matter how i pin it up i cant find a really challenging setup for it... i swear sometimes i think its defective,lolol... Ive got it pinned w 6 pins all around and tried anything from all spools, mushrooms, serrated to mixed and just added T-pins that throw a super deep false-set but it still seems like going through the motions rather than challenging... anyone else like this??? Anyone care to list your most challenging pin setups for the revolver??? Id very much appreciate it thanks you... Great vid as usual!
And to clarify, I still love the revolver and it's my on the go practice lock daily still along with an AL 1100. My first paid for set was the Sparrows competitor set w the revolver and couldn't have been happier w the choice....
Hey man, thanks for being honest and letting us know your issue with this product. people should know. I havnt had that problem and some people in the comments have said they noticed their cylinders are goofy. I did however find out there are 2 versions of this lock, the first version that came out a few years ago, and this newer version. I dont know if the older version is better or worse, but apparently there are 2 versions floating around. But I appreciate your input on it and maybe we will find out overtime what is going on. Mine picks just fine but it is worth noting and thinking about. Thanks for watching!!
Have you tried replacing one security key pin with a standard key pin in each bible? It doesn't matter which pin position, just swap one out with a standard pin of the same size. It is so easy with the grub screws and it takes no time. You don't want every key pin in a bible to be a security pin, everything drops into place too easily that way when picking. Once I added a standard key pin to each bible on my Revolver, the picking became more of a challenge.
So I just received this revolver today and I was really excited for it. However the tolerances are really really sloppy with it to the point where if I overset every pin and then release tension, the core then rotates. Happens with every side. I even repinned the whole thing with the 6 pin key, all normal, all serrated, all spools, then a mix of two serrated two spools and two tapered spools and I can do this trick at every position. I can also rake it on every side. A little disappointed to be honest with sparrows
I don’t disagree. If you read the comments, there’s about 50 other people with your same experience. I didn’t have that with mine, I think I have the older version.
@@sandman_locksport I’m a machinist by trade so I think I will remake the outer piece with tighter tolerances and see if that makes a difference. I’m also thinking I might start canabalizing other cores and making my own 3 or 4 position lock trainer.
I bought one and the second I put the pick in it opened, same with all bibles. I called up sparrows and they said they would send me something I would like, they sent me a second Revolver, the bitting was better but the problem was the same. The idea was great the manufacturing is junk. Now I have 2 paper weights.
I Love my Revolver & Great price,However... I Must put out a Warning to new pickers. Not to get stuck on one lock. My Revolver was my 3rd lock & looking back it became a crutch in a sense. I really only learned the That Revolver. When I went back to pick my Mortise training lock it was Much Harder,but Also Louder! I hadn't realized how much the feedback is "muted" compared to a "real lock" I still Love it to kill time though So...😎👍
@sandman_locksport Admittedly I haven't tried the other two yet, you now make me apprehensive! 😀 Can't see how one would work but not the other two if they all work in their other practice locks. Maybe the bottom of the core is shaped different to the later models of the Revolver to help opposite pins not getting stuck? Seems fine to me, I tend to use BOK with it though which may help. Edit: Just checked and the only difference in the bottom of the cores is that the original Revolver keyway isn't quite as tight to the key as the core replacements, but that could just be wear.
@@TequilaDave thanks for looking into it. i reached out to sparrows for comment, ill reply here if i get anything back from them. i have the tools and the skills to take it apart, but i dont want to have to put it all back together if i mess up too lol. its 4 locks in 1 hahaha. that sounds like a pain in the butt!
@@TequilaDave just heard back from sparrows, all they said was "Its not compatible with the current revolver", so maybe you have an older version. also, while they have extremely fast replied for customer service, they can be very 'short' with their replies. so thats all I got back from them. it is what it is i guess lol.
@sandman_locksport I'd be interested in their response. It was a little trickier to swap out than normal but having the grub screws makes all the difference if something goes wrong.
I wont lie, this was somewhat of a disappointing buy for me. When i bought it, it was incredibly easy to pick. Each of the four pinnings had only like... 2 pins that are proper picks? The rest are practically no-lifts. I was able to go around the entire lock in about 2 minutes with no hassle. I was under the impression that the heavy brass = quality product, but in this case its pretty deceiving. Looking at other peoples experiences though, it seems like most people have had the same problems as me.
I wonder what's up with my Revolver. I'm a total newbie, started picking a couple of weeks ago. I've loaded it up with six key pins and swapped all the standard drivers pins to security pins. I think it's still super easy to pick. I can do a full revolution in a couple of minutes. I know you are far more experienced than me and you say you are not confident enough to pick it on camera. I'm confused here. Why is my lock so easy compared to yours?
Maybe dumb question.. are you able to change each pinning so that the highs and lows are in different orders too? Or, are you only able to keep the same order and change the difficulty of the pins and not the heights? Sorry for the lack of terminology, I’m trying to learn.
Yeah, you should be able to change all of the pins. I just never do. I really really enjoy mine, but everybody else hates theirs. So as long as you go into this with low expectations, you should be fine. Apparently, I have an older version which was more difficult. To my understanding, everyone is telling me the newer versions are easier.
You should be able to change all the pins, like Sandman said. The issue you will encounter is that you won't necessarily have a key that turns the lock unless you cut a new key to match the new pins. I don't own this revolver lock, so take my words with a grain of salt. If you keep the pin heights the same, you can use the same key. If you change where the high's and low's are, the original key will no longer work.
Mr. Sandman...if on my revolver, I want to progressively pin the standard pins, as I remove the pins from the chambers, do I have to put them back into the chambers I removed them from when I want to use the key to turn the lock to the ,say spool pin section?
Hey sandman, I have been using this revolver for a little bit, and I have found it so easy to pick after re pinning the whole thing, adding all security pins, with a variety of them. And changing the bitting and yet it is so easy to pick, I would like to know your secret to making it challenging and hard to pick. I’d say it takes around 2 or 3 minutes to pick it the whole way through for me. Am I too good 😅?
You are definitely too good! dude, the first time i picked it, i did it in 5 minutes, then, after that, it take me 10 minutes on average, and one time it took me an hour. i think they are all built a little different with slightly different tolerances. mine is crazy hard. i dont need to add a 6th pin, or all security pins. there were also 2 versions, the first version and this one. dont know which is yours, or if one is easier than the other.
@@sandman_locksport 2 versions?! I need to check this out. Is the first version easier? Or the second? Do they still have it available? Maybe I just got a bad one. But I hope not, I don’t want to return it to them, then get one back (if they even accept the return) and then realize it’s the same for all of them.
@@Ale-k_Official I don’t know what the difference is between the two versions. I just know that there are two of them. Someone told me if you take the plug out of the core, then you will notice that a file has been taken to the plug to make it fit. I never took mine apart. There was no need because mine is hard to pick. I say just keep it, and enjoy it for what it is.
@@sandman_locksport if you find the second version, be sure to tell me and leave a link, I think i might have to take my revolver apart, you got me curious 🧐
Ok I have the whole thing gutted, I did notice there isn’t any file at the bottom, any tips on what I should do or should I just put everything back in like how it was?@@sandman_locksport
I'd like to make a statement against the Sparrows Revolver. In recent times, Sparrows has purportedly chamfered the core. This makes it infinitely easier to pick. Security pins do not catch as easily because of it. The effective shear line is made so much wider. The old revolver was good. Post change (c. 2021) it is not worth the money whatsoever. I just wish they kept the old style one.
I literally questioned why my revolver was so easy to pick down below cause I been wondering why everyone was so impressed by it. I'll have to check mine but I just got it 3 months ago so I'm sure that the answer... I did see in another video that ppl were having problems with the bottom of the core catching the opposite pin set and ppl complaining.... small problem imo ... I love my revolver still but just wish it was much harder to pick. Thanks for the info.
@@michaelzborovan4362 I agree, sometimes it does feel goofy, and sometimes I can’t feel the security pins at all, but most the time it’s just still challenging to me. I just see it as a fun toy. A great way to break the monotony of picking my other locks.
![[18] Picking the Sparrows Revolver challenge lock (unboxing) 🔓](/img/1.gif)
The revolver is the best training lock for a new picker. It can be progressively pinned, starting with just a couple of pins (but make sure each of the four positions has the same number of pins and in the same chambers or you will have problems) and then add pins as it gets easier. I now add all of sparrows challenge pins and I have taught my wife how to add pins for me so that I won't know what to expect when I pick it.
Also, the core trainer cores work perfectly in the revolver. I've been using the Yale Y1 keyway for a while now, as it's the most paracentric of the bunch. Use that keyway and load the revolver up with 24 random challenge pins and you're in for a good time.
I reached out to sparrows today, they said, the current generation of revolver does not fit with the core trainers. That’s all they said. I’m guessing they are alluding to the idea that older generations may have fit with the core trainers. But I appreciate your comment, and I’ve pinned to the top of the comment section. Thanks for watching!
@sandman_locksport Good to know. I have had my revolver for a couple of years. I wonder what they changed and why? Definitely a missed opportunity for it not to work with the trainer cores.
I wonder how it compares to the CI Practice Lock. They’re the same system right?
@isabellam1936 it looks the same in terms of how they a easily re-pinned via grub screws, but the revolver has four different bibles (effectively four locks in one) vs only one for the CI training lock.
I bought one of these and really loved it as an educational tool. You should know if you purchase the set of 3 cores with different style of keyway, they DO NOT work with the revolver! All you can change on this are the pins! You can not change the core to practice different keyway! Besides this, it's a great educational tool!
I agree. those cores will not work. That core is made specific for that lock. Thanks for watching!
Hey, Sandman, just want to say how much I appreciate your reviews. I know whenever you say something positive about a Sparrows product it is a product worth buying.
People hate this new version. I must have the older version. It’s a fun toy at the end of the day
@@sandman_locksport hopefully I get lucky🤷♂️ I bought one after seeing your review last night. I’m doing a motorcycle camping trip across Wyoming next month & figured it would be a great way to get some practice in while sitting by the camp fire at night.
Agh!! This one is killing me! I’m not a seasoned lock picker. I’ve been struggling with a Master 140 for weeks (open it occasionally but it’s by accident). I just bought one of these revolvers. 4 locks in 1?? Absolutely! Is it possible they changed the design? Out of the box I picked this so easily with my 0.025 pick. It surprised me! Then a couple minutes later, the next, then the next. I turned the whole cylinder in maybe 10 minutes? I swear I can’t pick anything much fancier than the white belt Abus. Has anyone else bought one of these lately and had the same experience? Really enjoyed this video but I’m scratching my head! You watch…I’ll get home and try this again and never open it for the rest of my life 😂 love that scepter too. Nice for trips and keeping everything right in one place!
I love my revolver. My most picked Trainer by miles
One of my favorites, too! Thanks for watching!
I got one awhile ago and some parts are harder than others, I agree with you, it is not bad for the price.
For $40 is a steel! See what I did there? 🤓 ok I think it’s brass but I’m not getting paid to make jokes so you get what you get! Thanks for watching!
I wonder how this compares to the CI Practice Lock. No one has done a comparison video of them both online deposits them being the same system type. It would be awesome an awesome video.
The CI practice lock is a real lock. This is not a real lock. This is just a toy. Always invest in real locks.
I have both. The CI one is much better. Hands down.
Hey Sandman, again after watching your review I have to order it.
For $40 it would be hard to find somerhing of this value elsewhere.
Thanks for another fine review.
Thanks for watching and Thanks for taking my advice. You cant go wrong with it. You may have some trouble with your .023" CI set, but thats where you'll learn the benefits of building your pick sets.
Have one from when i first started (granted not that long ago) but i still love playing with it and picking it. Ive repinned it as well and kinda what im using to ease into gutting. Great review 😊💙
I really like my revolver and septer I am thinking about getting a second revolver to have 8 unique key ways to take with me, I kind wish the scepter had a lock at each end and maybe unscrewed in the middle to store lock picks
I’m here for the $30 cigars and cool locksport products. 😂 Love the Revolver!
I use my revolver for lishi picking.....Im a dumb raker otherwise.
@ 9:24 I believe what they meant was top and bottom "pins"... just a guess ... awesome review ..This will defiantly be on my radar in the next few months. Not sure about the reload kit yet..
Thanks. You’re probably right! I love my revolver. I don’t care what other people say about it.
I use a revolver too but to be honest no matter how i pin it up i cant find a really challenging setup for it... i swear sometimes i think its defective,lolol...
Ive got it pinned w 6 pins all around and tried anything from all spools, mushrooms, serrated to mixed and just added T-pins that throw a super deep false-set but it still seems like going through the motions rather than challenging... anyone else like this???
Anyone care to list your most challenging pin setups for the revolver??? Id very much appreciate it thanks you...
Great vid as usual!
And to clarify, I still love the revolver and it's my on the go practice lock daily still along with an AL 1100.
My first paid for set was the Sparrows competitor set w the revolver and couldn't have been happier w the choice....
Hey man, thanks for being honest and letting us know your issue with this product. people should know. I havnt had that problem and some people in the comments have said they noticed their cylinders are goofy. I did however find out there are 2 versions of this lock, the first version that came out a few years ago, and this newer version. I dont know if the older version is better or worse, but apparently there are 2 versions floating around. But I appreciate your input on it and maybe we will find out overtime what is going on. Mine picks just fine but it is worth noting and thinking about. Thanks for watching!!
Have you tried replacing one security key pin with a standard key pin in each bible? It doesn't matter which pin position, just swap one out with a standard pin of the same size. It is so easy with the grub screws and it takes no time. You don't want every key pin in a bible to be a security pin, everything drops into place too easily that way when picking. Once I added a standard key pin to each bible on my Revolver, the picking became more of a challenge.
@@hopefullockpicker9671 I’ll give it a try!
Great, let me know if you notice a difference@@sandman_locksport
So I just received this revolver today and I was really excited for it. However the tolerances are really really sloppy with it to the point where if I overset every pin and then release tension, the core then rotates. Happens with every side. I even repinned the whole thing with the 6 pin key, all normal, all serrated, all spools, then a mix of two serrated two spools and two tapered spools and I can do this trick at every position. I can also rake it on every side. A little disappointed to be honest with sparrows
I don’t disagree. If you read the comments, there’s about 50 other people with your same experience. I didn’t have that with mine, I think I have the older version.
@@sandman_locksport I’m a machinist by trade so I think I will remake the outer piece with tighter tolerances and see if that makes a difference. I’m also thinking I might start canabalizing other cores and making my own 3 or 4 position lock trainer.
I bought one and the second I put the pick in it opened, same with all bibles. I called up sparrows and they said they would send me something I would like, they sent me a second Revolver, the bitting was better but the problem was the same. The idea was great the manufacturing is junk. Now I have 2 paper weights.
I Love my Revolver & Great price,However... I Must put out a Warning to new pickers. Not to get stuck on one lock. My Revolver was my 3rd lock & looking back it became a crutch in a sense. I really only learned the That Revolver.
When I went back to pick my Mortise training lock it was Much Harder,but Also Louder!
I hadn't realized how much the feedback is "muted" compared to a "real lock"
I still Love it to kill time though
So...😎👍
I 100% agree!
And now I am buying one.
Hmmm.... I have the Y1 core from the trainer kit in my Revolver and it works fine. Thanks for another great review.
It looks like you broke the system! Thanks for watching!
@sandman_locksport Admittedly I haven't tried the other two yet, you now make me apprehensive! 😀 Can't see how one would work but not the other two if they all work in their other practice locks. Maybe the bottom of the core is shaped different to the later models of the Revolver to help opposite pins not getting stuck? Seems fine to me, I tend to use BOK with it though which may help.
Edit: Just checked and the only difference in the bottom of the cores is that the original Revolver keyway isn't quite as tight to the key as the core replacements, but that could just be wear.
@@TequilaDave thanks for looking into it. i reached out to sparrows for comment, ill reply here if i get anything back from them.
i have the tools and the skills to take it apart, but i dont want to have to put it all back together if i mess up too lol. its 4 locks in 1 hahaha. that sounds like a pain in the butt!
@@TequilaDave just heard back from sparrows, all they said was "Its not compatible with the current revolver", so maybe you have an older version. also, while they have extremely fast replied for customer service, they can be very 'short' with their replies. so thats all I got back from them. it is what it is i guess lol.
@sandman_locksport I'd be interested in their response. It was a little trickier to swap out than normal but having the grub screws makes all the difference if something goes wrong.
I wont lie, this was somewhat of a disappointing buy for me. When i bought it, it was incredibly easy to pick.
Each of the four pinnings had only like... 2 pins that are proper picks? The rest are practically no-lifts. I was able to go around the entire lock in about 2 minutes with no hassle. I was under the impression that the heavy brass = quality product, but in this case its pretty deceiving.
Looking at other peoples experiences though, it seems like most people have had the same problems as me.
I wonder what's up with my Revolver. I'm a total newbie, started picking a couple of weeks ago. I've loaded it up with six key pins and swapped all the standard drivers pins to security pins. I think it's still super easy to pick. I can do a full revolution in a couple of minutes. I know you are far more experienced than me and you say you are not confident enough to pick it on camera. I'm confused here. Why is my lock so easy compared to yours?
I honestly don’t know. Mine is hard as hell lol. I have the only good one apparently
Maybe dumb question.. are you able to change each pinning so that the highs and lows are in different orders too? Or, are you only able to keep the same order and change the difficulty of the pins and not the heights? Sorry for the lack of terminology, I’m trying to learn.
Yeah, you should be able to change all of the pins. I just never do. I really really enjoy mine, but everybody else hates theirs. So as long as you go into this with low expectations, you should be fine. Apparently, I have an older version which was more difficult. To my understanding, everyone is telling me the newer versions are easier.
You should be able to change all the pins, like Sandman said. The issue you will encounter is that you won't necessarily have a key that turns the lock unless you cut a new key to match the new pins. I don't own this revolver lock, so take my words with a grain of salt. If you keep the pin heights the same, you can use the same key. If you change where the high's and low's are, the original key will no longer work.
Aren’t sparrows locks chamfered?
I already have the Covert Instruments training lock and been thinking about the Sparrows Revolver, what's your opinion?
You just watched a 16 minute video of my entire opinion. 🤷🏻♂️
Mr. Sandman...if on my revolver, I want to progressively pin the standard pins, as I remove the pins from the chambers, do I have to put them back into the chambers I removed them from when I want to use the key to turn the lock to the ,say spool pin section?
No idea, I never re pinned mine. I just enjoy it for what it is. It’s not real Lock. I kept my expectations low.
Hey sandman, I have been using this revolver for a little bit, and I have found it so easy to pick after re pinning the whole thing, adding all security pins, with a variety of them. And changing the bitting and yet it is so easy to pick, I would like to know your secret to making it challenging and hard to pick. I’d say it takes around 2 or 3 minutes to pick it the whole way through for me. Am I too good 😅?
You are definitely too good! dude, the first time i picked it, i did it in 5 minutes, then, after that, it take me 10 minutes on average, and one time it took me an hour. i think they are all built a little different with slightly different tolerances. mine is crazy hard. i dont need to add a 6th pin, or all security pins. there were also 2 versions, the first version and this one. dont know which is yours, or if one is easier than the other.
@@sandman_locksport 2 versions?! I need to check this out. Is the first version easier? Or the second? Do they still have it available? Maybe I just got a bad one. But I hope not, I don’t want to return it to them, then get one back (if they even accept the return) and then realize it’s the same for all of them.
@@Ale-k_Official I don’t know what the difference is between the two versions. I just know that there are two of them. Someone told me if you take the plug out of the core, then you will notice that a file has been taken to the plug to make it fit. I never took mine apart. There was no need because mine is hard to pick. I say just keep it, and enjoy it for what it is.
@@sandman_locksport if you find the second version, be sure to tell me and leave a link, I think i might have to take my revolver apart, you got me curious 🧐
Ok I have the whole thing gutted, I did notice there isn’t any file at the bottom, any tips on what I should do or should I just put everything back in like how it was?@@sandman_locksport
$40? Are you kidding me? Hershel, such a deal! Oy vey!
Such a deal! Thanks for watching!
I'd like to make a statement against the Sparrows Revolver. In recent times, Sparrows has purportedly chamfered the core. This makes it infinitely easier to pick. Security pins do not catch as easily because of it. The effective shear line is made so much wider. The old revolver was good. Post change (c. 2021) it is not worth the money whatsoever. I just wish they kept the old style one.
I respect your opinion, and I really appreciate your input on this! Thank you so much for watching
I literally questioned why my revolver was so easy to pick down below cause I been wondering why everyone was so impressed by it. I'll have to check mine but I just got it 3 months ago so I'm sure that the answer...
I did see in another video that ppl were having problems with the bottom of the core catching the opposite pin set and ppl complaining.... small problem imo ...
I love my revolver still but just wish it was much harder to pick.
Thanks for the info.
@@michaelzborovan4362 I agree, sometimes it does feel goofy, and sometimes I can’t feel the security pins at all, but most the time it’s just still challenging to me. I just see it as a fun toy. A great way to break the monotony of picking my other locks.