Too much tension on commercial master lock?

[Tenorclefninja]

Recently I came across 2 hatches in my local park, one of them was kept shut by a commercial master lock. While picking it I found that in order to get the pins to remain in place I had to apply so much tension that I bent(later snapped) my tension bar. Is this normal for commercial locks, perhaps due to weather and dirt it was damaged?

Let me know about your experiences.
Thanks.

(but I did get it open eventually)

[Shib]

Generally no, this seems like to much tension for a lock, by far if it snapped spring steel. Anyways master locks generallu like to be picked in a counter-clockwise direction, you might have been picking it clock-wise and used to much tension.

hope this helps next time.

[Tenorclefninja]

I think that the counter-clockwise component may have been the issue. However, I still need stronger tension rods My own mediocre attempt at humor has been highly amusing to myself.. Thanks for the help!

[compromizer]

Go to the auto part store and get a can of brake cleaner, flush the lock out with that and lift the pins up and down. That should loosen up that lock and make it not so stiff and easier to pick.