ROCK'A LOCK'A BANG! BANG! - BACK TO PRISON!.... 

The largest multi-day covert entry convention will return to the Nevada State Prison this September. Get ready for several days of high level demos, talks, and tattoos all held in a maximum security prison! 

Rock'a Lock'a BANG! BANG! runs September 17-20th 2026 

Rock'a Lock'a BANG! BANG! with Range Day Sept 16-20th 2026

Two BIG changes this year.

• YOU BOOK YOUR OWN HOTEL ROOM
• YOU CHOOSE YOUR TRACK 1 or 2  

The optional range day will be larger. ...... and a we have a helicopter.

Join the SPARROWS crew for a three day prison sentence in Carson City Nevada this SEPTEMBER 17-20, 2026. If you add the optional Range Day Ticket the event is September 16-20th, 2026

TO PREVENT OVERCROWDING SPACE IS LIMITED SO COMMIT TO YOUR SENTENCE NOW! Previous events have sold out quickly.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Over the course of several days prisoners have the option of choosing one of two tracks covering:

TRACK 1 - intended for returning prisoners but first timers welcome

• Lock Picking
• Remote Camera access
  
• Forensics
• First aid under fire - "in the hot zone".
• Lever Lock Picking including prison locks
  
• Vehicle Extraction
  
• Surveillance and Courter Surveillance Techniques including BLE
  
• CQC with former Rangers ..... and Shock vests
  
• Human Intel gathering

TRACK 2 - intended for first time offenders

• Lock Picking
• Mechanical Breaching
• Impressioning 
  
• SERE 
• Vehicle Extraction with TNT RESCUE Tools 
• Surveillance and Courter Surveillance Techniques including BLE
  
• CQC with former Rangers
  
• SERE Resistance
• Human Intel gathering

The evening program will consist of talks including 

• Interrogation methods for high level assets
• Bug out Bag .... for real problems (You will have the option to purchase a bug out kit)
• Counterfeiting ID's
• Hack the world 
• Things you can do when you press a button on a thing that does a something... allegedly 

 

OPTIONAL: HELICOPTER INFIL / EXFIL training

"Get to the CHOPPAH!" .... This will be a two hour optional add on that will operate out of the range and the prison. Sponsored by 3M and OAKLEY this is a strapped no doors low level flight that will run through a simulated Search and Rescue pattern and finish with an assault on the prison ending with a "toe-in" landing on the cell block roof. This is the same Helicopter that Nevada SWAT uses and the pilot is one of the very best in the industry. Be warned this will overlap with your track. On land training will take place early morning before tracks start but flight time will happen through the day during tracks. 

• One hour on ground training
• 45 Minute /mission time 
• One very Light and "dynamic" flight - two operators with one pilot
• One roof top toe-in drop off 

OPTIONAL RANGE DAY - SPACE IS LIMTED 

Come in a day early for a RANGE day that includes presentations from competition level shooters, active drills and a wide variety of firearms and targets. A full hands on Shot gun breaching demo on will be presented by Royal arms. Concealed carry with former Secret Service and active FBI instructors sponsored by Tenicor, Long Range shooting with former RANGER sniper instructor .... Movement drills with CRAIG.

MISSION DAY

All of these skills will then be put to use on the final day as participants are placed into Tiger teams and assigned multiple tasks in seemingly real world environments. 

All sections are presented by experts within their field who have used SPARROWS tools in real world engagements. Including former and active RECON, CRAIG, SERE, WMD (SRT), SWAT, FBI, RANGERS, Secret Service, EMS, FAA Pilots and those who have won international competitions. For Vehicle extraction we have the TNT rescue demo crew bringing all their tools to teach everyone in a hands on class how to .... cut up cars. 

The Prison..... Yes the convention will be held in a real prison that was in active use from 1862 until 2012. It has a processing area, Maximum security, General population, Full Yard, warden's office, Medical, Solitary, kitchen, and a Gas Chamber. It will be a wild immersive long weekend.

SPONSORS

We are in fantastic company again with several  top tier companies being on site for gear demonstrations and evaluation.

Timbers Saloon Night(s)...  now has SHOCK KNIVES. This is not a class it's a life style and just something that seems like fun. When does it happen ... who knows. 

 

More details

HOTEL - We have blocks of rooms at the Plaza Hotel in Carson city and the Federal Hotel. Both of these are close to the convention center. You will need to book your own room.

Both the Plaza and the Federal are a short walk to the Convention hall we use and where we load buses for the trip to prison. Space in these local hotels is limited and these blocks will only be held until June 30th

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PLAZA HOTEL

CALL 775 883-9500 and use code LOCK26 for discounted pricing

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FEDERAL HOTEL 

Rates & Available Rooms - The Federal Hotel Downtown Carson City, an Ascend Collection Hotel

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Eating - The conference center will have breakfast and we will be hosting BBQ lunch and similar for dinners. 

Drinks - Yes. We have been sponsored by SKULL HAWK Whiskey again and we will also have the local craft beer at times. The prison will also have coolers with water.  .... Timbers is next to the hotel and does not disappoint.

Where - Carson City Nevada just outside Reno ..... The Prison does not go to you ... you go to prison! So either you drive to Carson City or you fly to the RENO Airport.

Drive - Carson City is a 30 min drive from Reno and about a 4 hour drive from San Francisco, or 7 hours from Las Vegas.

FLY - We will run two buses from RENO Airport (Code RNO) to Carson City. You can easily fly direct to Reno from Dallas, Chicago, NY, Las Vegas, Orlando, Los Angeles. 

Airport Bus's will be at 1:30PM and 3:30PM on the 17th. If these times do not work for you Reno airport has lots of other options like taxi, rentals and uber

On the Sunday Sept 20th we will also have buses from Carson City to the Reno airport at 2pm and 4pm

PRISON - The prison is in a mothball state and does NOT have heat, A/C or running water. The time of year should make the temperature agreeable but bring appropriate clothing. We will have coolers with water on site. Porter potties will be set up for washrooms. If these conditions are not agreeable to you ... do not go to prison. 

WHEN - First night is Thursday September 17th: A Lockaholics meet and greet with dinner. So plan to get to Carson City Plaza events center around 5:30pm September 17th.  Closing ceremonies will be around 1pm on Sunday September 20th (With Lunch). Bus will leave to Reno airport at 2:00pm and 4:00PM pm. Email any questions you may have to info@sparrowslockpicks.com. 

RANGE DAY- If you secure a Range day spot you will need to arrive on September 16th around 5pm. 

                                      TICKETS ARE NON TRANSFERABLE 

Questions.

Q - What's included?

A - Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner, drinks (including alcohol at times), training, tattoos, good times, Reno Airport shuttle (RNO) and a 3 day prison sentence. 

Q- I have no lock picking or military experience ... can I come?

A- Most definitely as long as you are 21 or older you're welcome

Q - Can I sleep in the prison?

A- No, at night we have to set it for the next days training. The shower facilities are also a little awkward. 

Q- I am a full on lockaholic ..what will you have to test my skills on?

A- We are merging two of the largest personal lock collections that we know of to create one massive pile of brass. We will certainly have several locks you have never seen.

Q- The Shock knives at Timbers ..... I go to Timbers to relax after a long day, This does not sound relaxing.

A- ............... next question. 

Q - Will the prison tattoos rub off or fade with hot water?

A- No

Q- Can I come by myself without knowing anyone?

A - Yes, a large number of people will travel solo to this event and we plan to quickly organize everyone into one large prison gang. Come alone and make new friends in prison that's how this works. Many prisoners from the first and second Rock'a Lock'a are still in contact with each other. Something about shooting guns, picking locks, drinking SKULL HAWK and being locked up together is quite a bonding experience.

Q - Will there be a waiver to sign?

A - Yes... a long one.

Q- Is your SERE training ........intense?

A- Yes,  the SERE portion will be provided in three sections. Each more immersive and intense than the last. You will require instructor approval to move forward to new sections. Its up to you how far you go. 

Q - Do I need to book a Hotel? 

A - Yes, we have arranged blocks at these two hotels but you need to book one of the reserved rooms yourself. 

Q - This sounds fun and intimidating at the same time. I once saw a documentary on prison life and the episode "Be a buddy not a bully" makes me hesitate a bit.

A - Rock'A Lock'A Bang! Bang! will be the highlight of your year. Friends, locks, adventures and a prison .... so perk up you little bitch this is going to be fun. 

Q - Is the prison nice?

A - It's fantastic, horrific and huge. It has a history of: escapes, murders, executions and even shoot outs with guards. It still has a lot of functioning elements including the locks. We are unsure if the gas chamber still works because we haven't tried firing that up...yet. What it does not have is heat or air conditioning. This is an open air prison and smoking has been outlawed. Historically, this time of year in Nevada has favorable weather, but you're going to want to bring layers, just in case. 

Q - What happens if I need to cancel?

A - Life can change pretty quickly. Until June 25th it is fully refundable, after July 15th 75% refundable, after August 15th 25% refundable. On September 1st, the gavel drops and you are SENTENCED to  Prison September 16th- 20th so no backing out!