ASP tactical handcuffs have a dangerous weakness to picking even when they are double-locked. One can use something to push down the hasp or “pawl” of the handcuff and see a silver piece of metal moving in either keyway of each handcuff. Picking the lock can be easily accomplished with almost any object that will fit (paper clip, tip of a pocket knife, nails, mechanical pencil tips, etc.) between the center pin of the keyway and the visible part of the hasp /lock bar (aka “pawl”) in the keyway by placing the pick object on the upper downward - the hasp almost immediately releases. Double locking the handcuffs prevents the lock from being picked in this manner - unless the double lock itself is picked - which is just as easy.
I called ASP with this concern and found out they are in the process of designing a new lockset that defeats this weakness. The new lockset will be ready sometime in late January of 2004. Officers can send in the handcuffs to ASP for a free upgrade to a pick resistant lock set. The upgraded lock sets can be distinguished from the current lock sets by looking at the color of the double lock push pin. The current “pickable” version lockset has a red double lock pushpin. The upgraded pick resistant sets will have a yellow double lock pushpin.
Returns for free upgrade locks on ASP handcuffs may be sent to:
Joe Resch
ASP Repair
2511 E Capitol Dr
Appleton WI 54999
Questions may be directed to ASP at (800)236-6243
Stay safe,
Travis Thornton
Alamo Heights (TX) Police Dept.