Need Help Making My Doorlocks More Secure

[nervous nellie]

Last year, I bought fancy Schlage locks for my front and back doors. These are warranted against tarnish until Armageddon, I believe. The front door lock has a so-called pitcher handle lockset. The back door has a regular (low-quality) door-knob-type lock, and a Schlage double cylinder lock, with four 3-inch screws and beefed-up strikeplate.

Last night, I read about kids "bumping" open locked doors, as a hobby. I called our local locksmith today, but she told me that the Schlage locksets I have are "crap" and cannot be retrofitted with ANY "high-security" look. At least, none that she sells.

Someone--probably a neighborhood kid--tried to break into my house last year. I live alone. No dog. I replaced the cheapy Kwik-Set locks with the Schlage, not knowing that I needed something even better. The price for Medeco replacement door locks is way out of my budget.

Two questions:
1) Is there someway to retrofit my "pitcher handle" Schlage lockset?
2) Are these so-called "high-security locks" really, really bump proof, or bump resistant? I'd hate to invest all that money and then learn that they aren't THAT much more secure.

Yes, I know someone can throw a rock through a window. I'm just trying to do what I can.

[zeke79]

Your schlage deadbolts can be retrofitted with Schlage Primus cylinders. Any lever or knob lock with a cylinder in schlage keyway can be left alone as the primus key will still operate those cylinders as long as they are on the same keyway ie SC1.

This saves you some money as you are only replacing your deadbolt cylinders and not all cylinders and hardware to go with medeco or something else. Cost for a non UL listed primus cylinder is around $65 each not installed.

Installation is simple and should not add too much to the overall price.

I have personally tried bumping primus many times and have had no luck as of yet. I have not however tried splitting the blank to do this either.

[parapilot]

You guys need to import some BS lever locks, make a fortune with all the hype of bumping.

[nervous nellie]

[quote="parapilot"]You guys need to import some BS lever locks, make a fortune with all the hype of bumping.[/quote]


Could you please explain what you mean. Your message went right over this newbie's head.

Are you saying that someone in the American suburbs generally should not worry about someone bumping his way into one's home?

[ComTech]

You might consider an alarm system, or at least get some of those stickers to go on your door that says "Warning protected by 24 hour monitored security system".
The stickers won't stop a real thief, but it might scare a kid with a bump key if the thinks he's going to set off an alarm.

[stilte]

You guys need to import some BS lever locks, make a fortune with all the hype of bumping.

Could you please explain what you mean. Your message went right over this newbie's head.

Are you saying that someone in the American suburbs generally should not worry about someone bumping his way into one's home?

He meant that BS lever locks definitely can't be bumped, and this property could be emphasised when selling them to Americans.

[parapilot]

Are you saying that someone in the American suburbs generally should not worry about someone bumping his way into one's home?

No not at all. In the UK most doors have a lever lock on as an insurance requirement. These locks have a different mechanism to pin tumblers and can not be bumped. They are also hard to pick. The tools required are expensive and wouldn't be available to kids. They are not common in the US, I was saying lockie's should got some to fit if people were really worried about bumping.

I do however feel bumping is a tad over rated. They would need the right key for your door and most thief's wouldnt bother going through he hassle of this, they would smash or force something as they dont care and its a more guaranteed way in.

[Schuyler]

I think your best bet is Zeke79s suggestion. He's a good guy, too, so if you need more info I'm betting you could send him a private message to work out details.

[linty]

there's one kind of schlage deadbolt that doesn't take retrofits though, unless i'm wrong here. i don't know a model name or number but it's the kind where there is a kind of lever that slips over the tailpiece. the tailpiece stops at weird positions, which makes this lock iffy for retrofit.

anybody know the model i'm talking about?

[darrel.h]

You might consider an alarm system, or at least get some of those stickers to go on your door that says "Warning protected by 24 hour monitored security system".
The stickers won't stop a real thief, but it might scare a kid with a bump key if the thinks he's going to set off an alarm.

Or a shotgun, which ever works for you.

[2octops]

#1 - Talk to a different locksmith. Most restricted keyway/high security cylinders here in the US are basic cylinders with an assortment of tailpieces. They are pretty universal so they can be used in common commercial hardware. You might have to change out your deadbolts to more of a commercial sytle.

#2 - I sell Schlage Primus also and have not heard of anyone bumping it yet. It is a high security cylinder. Someone pointed out the cylinders are around $70 each, but they are not keyed up, so be expecting a pinning charge or rekeying charge. The keys are also a bit more than normal. We charge $12 each for them.

#3 - Bumping is over rated thanks to the media and internet. More people have not heard of it than have. If someone wants in, they will get in.

[zeke79]

Wow, the lock shop I am going to is underselling I guess. They charge around $65 keyed up per non UL listed cylinder and $4.50 per key.

[bpdalvarez]

GOOD POINTS BY ALL, LOOK AT YOUR HOME AND THINK IF YOU WERE LOCKED OUT HOW WOULD YOU GET IN, THAT IS WHAT MOST THEIVES THINK, LOOK AT YOUR SURROUNDING AND GET A FEEL FOR YOUR SECURITY, TRY CALLING YOUR HOME INSURANCE AGENCY, OR YOUR LOCAL POLICE DEPARTMENT, THEY CAN COME BY AND LOOK AT YOUR RESIDENCE, AND DO A SECURITY CHECK, THAT MAY OR MAY NOT REDUCE YOU INSURANCE, BY A SMALL %, AND THEY NOT TO MENTION IF THE POLICE SHOW UP, MAY BE SCARE A KID, POLICE ARE GOOD AT KNOWING THE LOCAL TRENDS ON BURG, BREAK INS, AND JUVENILE SCREW UPS

[UWSDWF]

GOOD POINTS BY ALL, LOOK AT YOUR HOME AND THINK IF YOU WERE LOCKED OUT HOW WOULD YOU GET IN, THAT IS WHAT MOST THEIVES THINK, LOOK AT YOUR SURROUNDING AND GET A FEEL FOR YOUR SECURITY, TRY CALLING YOUR HOME INSURANCE AGENCY, OR YOUR LOCAL POLICE DEPARTMENT, THEY CAN COME BY AND LOOK AT YOUR RESIDENCE, AND DO A SECURITY CHECK, THAT MAY OR MAY NOT REDUCE YOU INSURANCE, BY A SMALL %, AND THEY NOT TO MENTION IF THE POLICE SHOW UP, MAY BE SCARE A KID, POLICE ARE GOOD AT KNOWING THE LOCAL TRENDS ON BURG, BREAK INS, AND JUVENILE SCREW UPS

WHY ARE YOU YELLING...opps yeah sooo.... toronto police put their stats online if you play around on their site you'll find them

[zeke79]

GOOD POINTS BY ALL, LOOK AT YOUR HOME AND THINK IF YOU WERE LOCKED OUT HOW WOULD YOU GET IN, THAT IS WHAT MOST THEIVES THINK, LOOK AT YOUR SURROUNDING AND GET A FEEL FOR YOUR SECURITY, TRY CALLING YOUR HOME INSURANCE AGENCY, OR YOUR LOCAL POLICE DEPARTMENT, THEY CAN COME BY AND LOOK AT YOUR RESIDENCE, AND DO A SECURITY CHECK, THAT MAY OR MAY NOT REDUCE YOU INSURANCE, BY A SMALL %, AND THEY NOT TO MENTION IF THE POLICE SHOW UP, MAY BE SCARE A KID, POLICE ARE GOOD AT KNOWING THE LOCAL TRENDS ON BURG, BREAK INS, AND JUVENILE SCREW UPS

You yelled at me until I cried. I hope you are happy.....