Key won't turn after debris lodged in ignition possibly from slag

Occasional browser here, sorry if this issue has been brought up before.

As the title states, after inserting the key into my ignition it will not turn, backwards or forwards.

I am the cause of the malfunction. I am a welder by trade, pulled a 15hr shift on Tuesday and when I got into my truck I went to start my truck as normal, the key went halfway in and no more.

I pulled the key out and half ass inspected it in the dark by phone and dome light but nothing stood out to me. I verified the correct key was being used. Made sure the wheel wasn’t locked up. I shove the key in about 3/4 of the way. No dice obviously. I got it to go 90% of the way and gave up finally.

I took the boss’s truck home and inspected my key in better light. Hallelujah! A slag ball was stuck to my key. This is what is causing my issue, right? I got the weld bb removed and guess what…still doesn’t turn when the key is inserted.

So here I am. I believe that there was more than one piece of slag on the key and something has been lodged inside the ignition.

Where do I go from here? Should I begin sourcing a new ignition for the truck? Should I call a locksmith to see if they could remove the debris/foreign material? If a new ignition is the only option, how difficult is this going to be to change if I can’t spin the ignition?

Thank you in advance for any assistance you could provide. I’ve had real poor luck with vehicle issues the past 4 months and hoping I can get lucky one time!

 

Never done this but can you slip back the cover with a pick and use a flashlight to look in and see if there is something (a slap ball) to coach out? Might be able to remove it and clean it out?

https://www.tundratalk.net/threads/ignition-lock-cylinder-removal-quick-and-simple.582418/

 

Steering wheel is locked.

 

If all else fails, tow it home, remove the cylinder and bring it to a keysmith to open it up, clean it out and make you a duplicate key.

 

I pulled mine apart when it was sticking (different problem, I know). These videos show you how to do that, and I think it could help you solve your problem.
https://youtu.be/mrQUOqI_m8c
https://youtu.be/FGYGjjm4ikY

 

Update:

Locksmith determined that my ignition was broken - $35
Ordered OEM Ignition - $105.00

Had to break the ignition to get it to come out. New one is working great so far.

EDIT:

Thanks to all that responded, I appreciate you taking the time to help me solve my problem!