GSA container
I'm fortunate enough to live near a university (University of Minnesota) that has a great "Re-Use" surplus program. I was further very fortunate in that I was able to pick up a 2-drawer, 2-lock GSA type security container last night for the paltry sum of $10! It's a Mosler, silver GSA label with black text. S&G combination locks, S/N 2280757. Drawers locked, combinations unknown.
I would consider myself as someone who is very experienced with most aspects of locksmithing, especially surrounding pin-tumbler locks. I am familiar with the operation of combination locks and the general theory behind manipulation, however I have never actually gotten around to trying it myself.
I figure my options on this beast are, in order of least to most expensive:
1. Attempt manipulation of the lock(s) myself as a "deep end of the pool" immersion into the safe world
2. Attempt to find the drill points and drill the drawer heads myself (I have experience with drilling various materials and potential access to a mag drill press)
3. Call out to area locksmiths (there are some good ones in MN) to get quotes on drilling - it's in my pickup so the unit being able to come to the 'smith may save money.
4. Call out to area locksmiths to get quotes on manipulation of the lock(s) - manual or auto-dialer if auto-dialers are in use in the area (I have no data one way or the other)
Obviously having no way to know for sure, but given that this was in use by a university and not a government installation it's possible that the two locks may have the same combo.
I know that by GSA specification, these locks are supposed to resist manipulation for 20 man-hours. Do any of you experienced manipulators out there have any data on how closely this holds true? Those ratings tend to measure the period of time an expert would take to do the job. If they truly take that long for an expert, I too may be measuring my manipulation time in calendar years instead of hours.
I will be following up with detail pictures of the container and locks in the coming days. Like I said, it's on my pickup with some other things and I can't get to it at the moment to photograph. In the mean time, I'm hoping to strike up a conversation about these containers.
Thanks guys and gals!