Purchasing help

Hello folks. I'm beginning to start a collection and need some advice from people with knowledge. Until recently, the only pair of cuffs I owned were the S&W M&P 100 lever lock handcuffs.

I recently bough a pair of cheapo generic (Taiwanese, I discovered, only after they arrived) hinge cuffs and leg irons which were a big mistake. The cuffs were triple pawled, but shoddily made - there was perhaps room for four pawls in there, and there was nothing keeping them from sliding around. The key provided was smaller than the keys I received with the 100s, and this made it impossible to unlock all three pawls at once. Using my standard keys, I can open them, with difficulty. If the pawls are out of alignment, the double lock can be forced through. You can see the problem with using a pair you can force closed but can't open - if the seller won't take them back, I'm probably going to destroy them so no one ever loses an arm.

Meaning I need to replace these, and am not willing to skimp on quality again.

I really would like to avoid getting into the typical S&W/Peerless/Hiatt price range if possible, so my eye was drawn to the Chicago 1200 hinge cuffs and 2200 leg irons, since I can find these for about $25. But I have no knowledge of the Chicago brand, nor have I found any reviews on it. Are these quality or crap?

Hello, what is the end purpose for the cuffs you wish to purchase??

Ian

Hello folks. I'm beginning to start a collection and need some advice from people with knowledge. Until recently, the only pair of cuffs I owned were the S&W M&P 100 lever lock handcuffs.

I recently bough a pair of cheapo generic (Taiwanese, I discovered, only after they arrived) hinge cuffs and leg irons which were a big mistake. The cuffs were triple pawled, but shoddily made - there was perhaps room for four pawls in there, and there was nothing keeping them from sliding around. The key provided was smaller than the keys I received with the 100s, and this made it impossible to unlock all three pawls at once. Using my standard keys, I can open them, with difficulty. If the pawls are out of alignment, the double lock can be forced through. You can see the problem with using a pair you can force closed but can't open - if the seller won't take them back, I'm probably going to destroy them so no one ever loses an arm.

Meaning I need to replace these, and am not willing to skimp on quality again.

I really would like to avoid getting into the typical S&W/Peerless/Hiatt price range if possible, so my eye was drawn to the Chicago 1200 hinge cuffs and 2200 leg irons, since I can find these for about $25. But I have no knowledge of the Chicago brand, nor have I found any reviews on it. Are these quality or crap?

Click to expand...

Mainly escapistry. I'm interested in collecting both the easy to pick (like my one-pawl S&W 100s, though I'm still having with the double lock) and the much more secure, like this last pair would have been if it hadn't been crap. My only requirement is that the craftsmanship be good enough that I won't get stuck in them if I'm practicing. Anything I buy will be on me hundreds of times.

I like the feeling of confidence I get when I put the key in my one good pair, turn it, shake the cuff back and forth, and watch the rotating arm swing freely past the pawl without getting stuck on anything. I know if I keep these crappy hinged cuffs I just got, one day I'll be removing them with bolt cutters.

Incidentally, if anyone has some picking experience here, what kind of tool do you feel most secure with? I have this horrible fear that eventually the paper clip I used to practice with will snap off in the lock.

Hello folks. I'm beginning to start a collection and need some advice from people with knowledge. Until recently, the only pair of cuffs I owned were the S&W M&P 100 lever lock handcuffs.

I recently bough a pair of cheapo generic (Taiwanese, I discovered, only after they arrived) hinge cuffs and leg irons which were a big mistake. The cuffs were triple pawled, but shoddily made - there was perhaps room for four pawls in there, and there was nothing keeping them from sliding around. The key provided was smaller than the keys I received with the 100s, and this made it impossible to unlock all three pawls at once. Using my standard keys, I can open them, with difficulty. If the pawls are out of alignment, the double lock can be forced through. You can see the problem with using a pair you can force closed but can't open - if the seller won't take them back, I'm probably going to destroy them so no one ever loses an arm.

Meaning I need to replace these, and am not willing to skimp on quality again.

I really would like to avoid getting into the typical S&W/Peerless/Hiatt price range if possible, so my eye was drawn to the Chicago 1200 hinge cuffs and 2200 leg irons, since I can find these for about $25. But I have no knowledge of the Chicago brand, nor have I found any reviews on it. Are these quality or crap?

Click to expand...

Here's a potential cuff shim/pick:http://www.lockpickshop.com/HANDCUFF-SHIM-PICK.html

As far a s cuffs, you get what you pay for. This place has great prices and service, IMO:http://www.handcuffwarehouse.com/

Cheers!

Hello folks. I'm beginning to start a collection and need some advice from people with knowledge. Until recently, the only pair of cuffs I owned were the S&W M&P 100 lever lock handcuffs.

I recently bough a pair of cheapo generic (Taiwanese, I discovered, only after they arrived) hinge cuffs and leg irons which were a big mistake. The cuffs were triple pawled, but shoddily made - there was perhaps room for four pawls in there, and there was nothing keeping them from sliding around. The key provided was smaller than the keys I received with the 100s, and this made it impossible to unlock all three pawls at once. Using my standard keys, I can open them, with difficulty. If the pawls are out of alignment, the double lock can be forced through. You can see the problem with using a pair you can force closed but can't open - if the seller won't take them back, I'm probably going to destroy them so no one ever loses an arm.

Meaning I need to replace these, and am not willing to skimp on quality again.

I really would like to avoid getting into the typical S&W/Peerless/Hiatt price range if possible, so my eye was drawn to the Chicago 1200 hinge cuffs and 2200 leg irons, since I can find these for about $25. But I have no knowledge of the Chicago brand, nor have I found any reviews on it. Are these quality or crap?

Click to expand...

I'm not really looking for a shim, since it can't open a double lock.

I do understand that I get what I pay for, but I'm not sure what the major differences are between brands in the 25-40 dollar range.

Hello folks. I'm beginning to start a collection and need some advice from people with knowledge. Until recently, the only pair of cuffs I owned were the S&W M&P 100 lever lock handcuffs.

I recently bough a pair of cheapo generic (Taiwanese, I discovered, only after they arrived) hinge cuffs and leg irons which were a big mistake. The cuffs were triple pawled, but shoddily made - there was perhaps room for four pawls in there, and there was nothing keeping them from sliding around. The key provided was smaller than the keys I received with the 100s, and this made it impossible to unlock all three pawls at once. Using my standard keys, I can open them, with difficulty. If the pawls are out of alignment, the double lock can be forced through. You can see the problem with using a pair you can force closed but can't open - if the seller won't take them back, I'm probably going to destroy them so no one ever loses an arm.

Meaning I need to replace these, and am not willing to skimp on quality again.

I really would like to avoid getting into the typical S&W/Peerless/Hiatt price range if possible, so my eye was drawn to the Chicago 1200 hinge cuffs and 2200 leg irons, since I can find these for about $25. But I have no knowledge of the Chicago brand, nor have I found any reviews on it. Are these quality or crap?

Click to expand...

Minchy, I have a lot of nice cuffs for sale, some may fit your needs and the prices are pretty good.

http://www.network54.com/Forum/261154/t ... s+For+Sale!

http://www.network54.com/Forum/261154/t ... +Condition!!!

http://www.network54.com/Forum/261154/t ... s+For+Sale!

http://www.network54.com/Forum/261154/t ... s+For+Sale!

http://www.network54.com/Forum/261154/t ... s+For+Sale!

http://www.network54.com/Forum/261154/t ... x+For+Sale!!!

http://www.network54.com/Forum/261154/t ... s+For+Sale!

Mike

Hello folks. I'm beginning to start a collection and need some advice from people with knowledge. Until recently, the only pair of cuffs I owned were the S&W M&P 100 lever lock handcuffs.

I recently bough a pair of cheapo generic (Taiwanese, I discovered, only after they arrived) hinge cuffs and leg irons which were a big mistake. The cuffs were triple pawled, but shoddily made - there was perhaps room for four pawls in there, and there was nothing keeping them from sliding around. The key provided was smaller than the keys I received with the 100s, and this made it impossible to unlock all three pawls at once. Using my standard keys, I can open them, with difficulty. If the pawls are out of alignment, the double lock can be forced through. You can see the problem with using a pair you can force closed but can't open - if the seller won't take them back, I'm probably going to destroy them so no one ever loses an arm.

Meaning I need to replace these, and am not willing to skimp on quality again.

I really would like to avoid getting into the typical S&W/Peerless/Hiatt price range if possible, so my eye was drawn to the Chicago 1200 hinge cuffs and 2200 leg irons, since I can find these for about $25. But I have no knowledge of the Chicago brand, nor have I found any reviews on it. Are these quality or crap?

Click to expand...

I have always had good luck using a blow dart to pick handcuffs, the shaft is pretty strong and have never had one break. I also like to use bobby pins because they are flat and you can work them up around the key post to undo the double lock and its pretty easy with some practice, but they are kinda flimsy so you gotta be careful they don't break until you get used to using it. I just recently got some .035 welding wire from work and it's some pretty tuff stuff for as small as it is, it also works pretty good for picking with no worries of it breaking off.

Hello folks. I'm beginning to start a collection and need some advice from people with knowledge. Until recently, the only pair of cuffs I owned were the S&W M&P 100 lever lock handcuffs.

I recently bough a pair of cheapo generic (Taiwanese, I discovered, only after they arrived) hinge cuffs and leg irons which were a big mistake. The cuffs were triple pawled, but shoddily made - there was perhaps room for four pawls in there, and there was nothing keeping them from sliding around. The key provided was smaller than the keys I received with the 100s, and this made it impossible to unlock all three pawls at once. Using my standard keys, I can open them, with difficulty. If the pawls are out of alignment, the double lock can be forced through. You can see the problem with using a pair you can force closed but can't open - if the seller won't take them back, I'm probably going to destroy them so no one ever loses an arm.

Meaning I need to replace these, and am not willing to skimp on quality again.

I really would like to avoid getting into the typical S&W/Peerless/Hiatt price range if possible, so my eye was drawn to the Chicago 1200 hinge cuffs and 2200 leg irons, since I can find these for about $25. But I have no knowledge of the Chicago brand, nor have I found any reviews on it. Are these quality or crap?

Click to expand...

If I were looking for standard chain cuffs, many of those would be tempting. The only hinged ones I saw were from Fury, which I understand to be not exactly a top of the line brand, but I'd be interested in hearing otherwise if anyone out there can vouch for the quality. The S&W 110s look tempting, since I'd prefer a shorter chained set of leg irons, but those seem to be marketed elsewhere as just oversized handcuffs, and I'm curious as to exactly how large they are. I'm fairly lean but still well over 6 foot, so will I be able to fit them on my ankles without them cutting into skin while standing or hobbling around?

Hello folks. I'm beginning to start a collection and need some advice from people with knowledge. Until recently, the only pair of cuffs I owned were the S&W M&P 100 lever lock handcuffs.

I recently bough a pair of cheapo generic (Taiwanese, I discovered, only after they arrived) hinge cuffs and leg irons which were a big mistake. The cuffs were triple pawled, but shoddily made - there was perhaps room for four pawls in there, and there was nothing keeping them from sliding around. The key provided was smaller than the keys I received with the 100s, and this made it impossible to unlock all three pawls at once. Using my standard keys, I can open them, with difficulty. If the pawls are out of alignment, the double lock can be forced through. You can see the problem with using a pair you can force closed but can't open - if the seller won't take them back, I'm probably going to destroy them so no one ever loses an arm.

Meaning I need to replace these, and am not willing to skimp on quality again.

I really would like to avoid getting into the typical S&W/Peerless/Hiatt price range if possible, so my eye was drawn to the Chicago 1200 hinge cuffs and 2200 leg irons, since I can find these for about $25. But I have no knowledge of the Chicago brand, nor have I found any reviews on it. Are these quality or crap?

Click to expand...

Have u tryed using the search area?
return to index
hit search
type in chicago 12oo
or chicago 2200
then clik the thread u want to see


LK D~D

Hello folks. I'm beginning to start a collection and need some advice from people with knowledge. Until recently, the only pair of cuffs I owned were the S&W M&P 100 lever lock handcuffs.

I recently bough a pair of cheapo generic (Taiwanese, I discovered, only after they arrived) hinge cuffs and leg irons which were a big mistake. The cuffs were triple pawled, but shoddily made - there was perhaps room for four pawls in there, and there was nothing keeping them from sliding around. The key provided was smaller than the keys I received with the 100s, and this made it impossible to unlock all three pawls at once. Using my standard keys, I can open them, with difficulty. If the pawls are out of alignment, the double lock can be forced through. You can see the problem with using a pair you can force closed but can't open - if the seller won't take them back, I'm probably going to destroy them so no one ever loses an arm.

Meaning I need to replace these, and am not willing to skimp on quality again.

I really would like to avoid getting into the typical S&W/Peerless/Hiatt price range if possible, so my eye was drawn to the Chicago 1200 hinge cuffs and 2200 leg irons, since I can find these for about $25. But I have no knowledge of the Chicago brand, nor have I found any reviews on it. Are these quality or crap?

Click to expand...

Ah! They're Taiwanese. I'm not buying from there again. I'm generally a fan of saving a buck buying cheap imports, but not when it comes to something I'm putting on my writs and ankles.

Hello folks. I'm beginning to start a collection and need some advice from people with knowledge. Until recently, the only pair of cuffs I owned were the S&W M&P 100 lever lock handcuffs.

I recently bough a pair of cheapo generic (Taiwanese, I discovered, only after they arrived) hinge cuffs and leg irons which were a big mistake. The cuffs were triple pawled, but shoddily made - there was perhaps room for four pawls in there, and there was nothing keeping them from sliding around. The key provided was smaller than the keys I received with the 100s, and this made it impossible to unlock all three pawls at once. Using my standard keys, I can open them, with difficulty. If the pawls are out of alignment, the double lock can be forced through. You can see the problem with using a pair you can force closed but can't open - if the seller won't take them back, I'm probably going to destroy them so no one ever loses an arm.

Meaning I need to replace these, and am not willing to skimp on quality again.

I really would like to avoid getting into the typical S&W/Peerless/Hiatt price range if possible, so my eye was drawn to the Chicago 1200 hinge cuffs and 2200 leg irons, since I can find these for about $25. But I have no knowledge of the Chicago brand, nor have I found any reviews on it. Are these quality or crap?

Click to expand...

Minchy, the S&W 110's will fit your ankles without a problem......they are huge!!!

As far as hinge cuffs, I have the Alpha Proj cuffs which are extremely high quality. The Fury cuffs I have are imports and are very heavy but not super good quality. However, they are good for the budding Escape Artist due to the ease in which you can pick them.

Mike

Hello folks. I'm beginning to start a collection and need some advice from people with knowledge. Until recently, the only pair of cuffs I owned were the S&W M&P 100 lever lock handcuffs.

I recently bough a pair of cheapo generic (Taiwanese, I discovered, only after they arrived) hinge cuffs and leg irons which were a big mistake. The cuffs were triple pawled, but shoddily made - there was perhaps room for four pawls in there, and there was nothing keeping them from sliding around. The key provided was smaller than the keys I received with the 100s, and this made it impossible to unlock all three pawls at once. Using my standard keys, I can open them, with difficulty. If the pawls are out of alignment, the double lock can be forced through. You can see the problem with using a pair you can force closed but can't open - if the seller won't take them back, I'm probably going to destroy them so no one ever loses an arm.

Meaning I need to replace these, and am not willing to skimp on quality again.

I really would like to avoid getting into the typical S&W/Peerless/Hiatt price range if possible, so my eye was drawn to the Chicago 1200 hinge cuffs and 2200 leg irons, since I can find these for about $25. But I have no knowledge of the Chicago brand, nor have I found any reviews on it. Are these quality or crap?

Click to expand...

Do you have the 110s handy? Can you take some kind of measurement? I'm not entirely sure how handcuffs are typically measured, but I assume there has to be some kind of way to give technical specs.

I missed the Alpha Proj the first time, and they certainly look high quality, but I'm not sold on the non-standard key. I'm not looking to start out getting more exotic cuffs.

Can you elaborate about the Fury pair? What specific quality drawbacks does it have? And is there any specific structural reason that it's easy to pick that sets it apart from other brands? I know with my S&W 100s, defeating the single lock is just a matter of putting a paper clip in it at about the 10 or 2 o clock position and pulling down, whereas the double lock requires one to get around the post and apply significantly more pressure to the mechanism, something which I still haven't been able to do without a key. My Taiwanese cheapos seem to have a double lock that takes less force to disengage than the single lock does. How does Fury match up.

For anyone who knows, how normal is it to have a stiff double lock. On the 100s, the single lock can't be picked until the double locking lever has been moved from the 4 o clock position at least to the six, and since the six is straight under the post, I can't really get in from the opening at the twelve. What this means for me is I'd need a very thin piece of metal that can be worked around the post, but if I used enough force with it to disengage the double lock, I feel like that would snap. I'm not in a hurry to experience the embarrassment of going to the local FD to get a cuff cut off because I broke a pick in the lock.

Hello folks. I'm beginning to start a collection and need some advice from people with knowledge. Until recently, the only pair of cuffs I owned were the S&W M&P 100 lever lock handcuffs.

I recently bough a pair of cheapo generic (Taiwanese, I discovered, only after they arrived) hinge cuffs and leg irons which were a big mistake. The cuffs were triple pawled, but shoddily made - there was perhaps room for four pawls in there, and there was nothing keeping them from sliding around. The key provided was smaller than the keys I received with the 100s, and this made it impossible to unlock all three pawls at once. Using my standard keys, I can open them, with difficulty. If the pawls are out of alignment, the double lock can be forced through. You can see the problem with using a pair you can force closed but can't open - if the seller won't take them back, I'm probably going to destroy them so no one ever loses an arm.

Meaning I need to replace these, and am not willing to skimp on quality again.

I really would like to avoid getting into the typical S&W/Peerless/Hiatt price range if possible, so my eye was drawn to the Chicago 1200 hinge cuffs and 2200 leg irons, since I can find these for about $25. But I have no knowledge of the Chicago brand, nor have I found any reviews on it. Are these quality or crap?

Click to expand...

Email me and I will try to help you with information you seek.

Ian

Hello folks. I'm beginning to start a collection and need some advice from people with knowledge. Until recently, the only pair of cuffs I owned were the S&W M&P 100 lever lock handcuffs.

I recently bough a pair of cheapo generic (Taiwanese, I discovered, only after they arrived) hinge cuffs and leg irons which were a big mistake. The cuffs were triple pawled, but shoddily made - there was perhaps room for four pawls in there, and there was nothing keeping them from sliding around. The key provided was smaller than the keys I received with the 100s, and this made it impossible to unlock all three pawls at once. Using my standard keys, I can open them, with difficulty. If the pawls are out of alignment, the double lock can be forced through. You can see the problem with using a pair you can force closed but can't open - if the seller won't take them back, I'm probably going to destroy them so no one ever loses an arm.

Meaning I need to replace these, and am not willing to skimp on quality again.

I really would like to avoid getting into the typical S&W/Peerless/Hiatt price range if possible, so my eye was drawn to the Chicago 1200 hinge cuffs and 2200 leg irons, since I can find these for about $25. But I have no knowledge of the Chicago brand, nor have I found any reviews on it. Are these quality or crap?

Click to expand...

Minchy, I am not going to bother measuring anything on the S&W model 110 cuffs but I will give you a better idea how big they are:



The cuffs on top are standard size.

Mike