Hollywood loves to show heroes blasting padlocks off gates like it’s nothing. One trigger pull and boom, instant access. The guys over at Yee Yee Life decided to test that myth the only way they know how: set up the backyard range, grab a pile of guns, and start shooting locks until something breaks.
The question: Could you actually blow open a lock with a gun? And if so… what would it take?
Table of contents
Round 1: Rimfire vs. Reality
They started small. A Ruger Mark V in .22 LR. At 10 yards, Parker tags the Master Lock and… nothing. A dent. A scratch. And a zombie would’ve eaten him five minutes ago. No surprise there.
Next up, a .45 ACP 1911, the OG movie hero gun. Big dent, no breach, lock still holding. The bullet mushroomed beautifully, though, so at least someone got a souvenir.
9mm Glock 19: America’s Most Common Gun
The boys switched to a fresh lock and a Glock 19. A dead-center hit in 9mm punched a bulge into the body but didn’t open anything. They even tried the shackle. Skimmed off, no dice. The lock kept laughing.
So far: zombies 3, Yee Yee Life 0.
.44 Magnum: “The Bear Killer”
Parker brings out his trusty .44 Mag, complete with a story about dropping a bear in Alaska. It hits hard, the lock bulges again… and still doesn’t open. Even the already-damaged Master Lock refuses to quit.
Finally: The Desert Eagle .50 AE Breaks a Lock
When in doubt, go big. Really big.
The Desert Eagle in .50 AE lands a clean hit and finally pops the Master Lock open. The bullet eats through the face and blows the shackle upward just enough to release.
SEE ALSO: Glock Gen 6 First Look: Evolution, Not Revolution
So yes. You can shoot open a cheap lock… if you bring a hand cannon the size of a cinder block.
Level Up: Hardened Steel Lock
Fresh lock. Much stronger. Same .50 AE.
The bullet punches in, cracks the shackle, even heats the whole lock until it’s “scalding hot”… but it still won’t open enough to remove the chain.
Technically “open.” Functionally useless.
Rifle Time: 5.56, .308, and the Big One
The hardened lock gets punished repeatedly:
- 5.56 green tip: drills nearly to the back wall. Still locked.
- .308: huge crater, still no opening.
- .50 BMG: full pass-throughs. Brutal impacts. Broken shackle. Molten-hot metal.
And yet… still locked to the chain.
Even a .50 cal couldn’t “Hollywood-open” a hardened steel padlock.
Shotgun Slug Surprise
Before the .50 BMG finale, they tossed a Master Lock onto the gate and hit it with a 12-gauge slug. The result?
Total annihilation. The lock disintegrated. The shackle blew free. The internals scattered like confetti.
If you needed to breach a cheap lock, a 12-gauge slug is doing more work than most handguns ever could.
The Verdict
Can you shoot a lock off?
Master Lock: Yes, with a Desert Eagle or a slug.
Hardened Steel Lock: Practically no, the boys destroyed it, melted it, and punched holes through it, but never got a functional breach.
The movie myth lives on screen for a reason.
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is a seasoned outdoorsman, lifelong hunter, and the kind of guy who’d rather track whitetails than scroll social media. As an editor for GunsAmerica, he’s got a sharp eye for spotting both solid gear and bad gun laws. Whether he’s deep in the woods or deep in editorial deadlines, Larry brings a no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is approach to firearms, hunting, and the great American tradition of self-reliance. If there’s a hot debate on gun rights or the latest in hunting tech, you can bet Larry’s got an opinion—and it’s probably backed up with both facts and field experience.
Experience:
– Licensed Bowhunter, Hunter, and Trapper – Experienced in ethical hunting and wildlife conservation.
– Concealed Carry Permit Holder (NYS & AZ) – Trained and licensed to carry in multiple states.
– 2A Journalist – Covering firearms legislation, Second Amendment issues, and gun rights for over a decade.
– Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) – Certified to provide emergency medical care in the field.
– Field-Tested Gear Reviewer – Hands-on experience with firearms, optics, and hunting tech.
shoulda asked grandpa he would have told the tale of the master lock commercial from decades past!