Just received the new model #2 - featuring their "new high security locks". I was looking forward to a little challenge - but geez, these new locks (single & double-lock) STILL pick open in 1/2 a second with practically anything that'll fit into the keyhole. No anti-shimming improvement either.
What gives, ASP?
Like a kid at Christmas I hurriedly tore open the box that contained the newest version of the ASP 100 handcuffs. Earlier I had discovered the ease with which this model could be exploited. Production on the handcuffs was halted due to the obvious limitations of the cuffs and a recall was declared. The long awaited release of the new and improved version had finally come and I was about to get my first look at the improvements. Kevin, of Living Illusions, had already commented on the cuffs saying they could be compromised as the earlier cuffs. Even so I tried to stay open to what I might find upon examining them.
The bright yellow version of the improved cuffs was before me and I cut through the plastic. At first glance they appeared the same with the exception that these were a bright yellow instead of black; a choice I made so that they could be easily distinguished from one another. It was also immediately apparent that the double lock bar was yellow instead of red, again as Kevin had said.
The clearance around the key post appeared to me to be a bit smaller than the original but I decided to reserve judgment on that until I actually tried to to open them. In attempts to compare the two versions fairly I retrieved my earlier version and laid them side by side. The key I grabbed to begin my probe was a generic key and it worked roughly within the keyway. I exchanged it for the key included with the cuffs and that key worked a bit better though it was still a bit snug. This, I reasoned, was probably due to the smaller clearance around the keyway but questioned whether this tight fight would pose problems for the host of keys that are used among officers. Upon investigation I found that the key appeared to engage the mechanisms at the same point as in the earlier cuffs.
Snipping a strip of the plastic packaging I fashioned a shim as I like the one I had successfully used on the older version. I tried the shim on the old set first and it easily opened them easily as before. Upon trying them on the newer version the shim bent. The width of the channel was a bit less. Upon my second try the cuffs did open as Kevin indicated but I found the effort to be a bit more intentional. This I felt was a bit of an improvement over the first version that practically guided the shim to its required location.
Next I studied the workings by removing the locking module. It too had a tighter fit and did not volunteer to fall out as was the case in the earlier model. Immediately a small metal plate around each of the the keyways was noted; an improvement on the "wear-and-tear" capability of the cuffs I'm sure. As I played with the key, locking and unlocking the single lock and the double lock I noticed that the newer version allowed you to apply the double lock by turning the key as well as pulling the bar down with the pointed end as before. This modification suggested that the insides of the mechanism also experienced an overhaul. From the outside the double lock bar appeared the same other than its change to bright yellow. It still presented the telltale indication of where to release the double lock by telegraphing it with the brightly colored bar.
Upon removing the covers of the old and new locking modules I found a significant change to the locking/release bar. Though the key engages the mechanism at the same points on both the middle and end keyways, the ability to set the double lock with the key required a modification to the corresponding parts. This change did not appear to significantly add nor detract from earlier findings with the cuffs though releasing the double lock with a straight pick such as a paper clip was slightly more difficult. Unlocking the single lock, though still performed in the same way, was a bit more of a challenge as well due to having less clearance around the key post with which to work. Rapping the cuffs had no effect on the single nor the double lock mechanisms.
All in all I applaud ASP for improving the handcuffs by a) decreasing the clearance around the key posts, b) by improving the mounting of the locking module, c) for altering the double lock release so that it requires more tension to release it d) lessening the clearance available to shim the cuffs and e) adding the ability to double lock the cuffs with the turn of a key. Though still a playground for escapists due to its double keyways, this cuff is now, in my opinion, on par with most mainline cuffs for ease of entry. The only exception being that the double keyways give more entry points. This fact still makes me hesitate to recommend them to my police officer friends though I am less afraid for those carrying these cuffs than I was/am for those with the earlier version.
In the future ASP might consider changing the color of the inside portion of the double lock bar to make it less obvious where to pick off the double lock. Next, they may want to add a false tooth just above the pawl to lessen the ease with which the cuffs are shimmed. And finally, they may want to consider removing one of the keyways from each cuff to lessen the opportunity for them to be picked or even opened with a key. Though this feature adds a moment of ease to the officer when unlocking them, they provide an ever-present compromise to the security of the restraints.
Just my thoughts,
Pastor Clyde
