MUL-T-LOCK deadbolt

[HayabusaP226]

Hi

I'm looking for a tough deadbolt , and I can get the MUL-T-LOCK Hercular for relatively good price , around 100$ , but I wonder if it's worth it comparing to something like a 35$ Grade 1 Schlage
I don't really care about the total pick resistance at this moment , only destructive entry ,so the cylinder is not a concern at this moment

Is there any real difference in terms of physical strength between a Grade 1 Schlage to the MTL ?
I noticed the Mul-T-Lock also have two ball bearings on the bolt itself , how exactly does this mechanism work and what difference does it make ?

Thanks

[Squelchtone]

Hi

I'm looking for a tough deadbolt , and I can get the MUL-T-LOCK Hercular for relatively good price , around 100$ , but I wonder if it's worth it comparing to something like a 35$ Grade 1 Schlage
I don't really care about the total pick resistance at this moment , only destructive entry ,so the cylinder is not a concern at this moment

Is there any real difference in terms of physical strength between a Grade 1 Schlage to the MTL ?
I noticed the Mul-T-Lock also have two ball bearings on the bolt itself , how exactly does this mechanism work and what difference does it make ?

Thanks

Hello and thanks for your question.

It sounds like you've already done some homework and picked out some decent locks. If you've found a Grade 1 Schlage (probably the securekey version), it's probably the consumer version ones sold at Home Depot or Lowes and from what I know not the entire lock is Grade one, only the bolt or some other parts. Schlage makes some Grade 1 and 2 stuff that only a real locksmith shop would sell, and it makes the Grade 1 rated box store Schlages look like total junk. If you have a real brick and mortal locksmith shop in your area, go in and ask to see a Grade 1 or Grade 2 Schlage deadbolt, and you'll also get the side benefit of getting a 6 pin key instead of the 5 pin key you get at Home Depot. They locksmith grade Schlage deadbolts will cost you $65 and up depending on single cylinder, double cylinder, and if you go with SC1 keyway, Schlage Everest, or Schlage Primus (comparable in pick resistance to the Mul-t-lock, actually harder than mul-t-lock in most people's eyes, also, nobody will be making spare keys, as they are very restricted)

Back to your Mul-t-lock question. Those 2 ball bearings on the bolt are the best invention since sliced bread. ASSA locks and Abloy deadbolts also use this technology. Basically, your lock will include a metal box called the strike box that mounts into the door frame using some 3 or 4 inch screws. The hope is that you mount this past the door frame and into the nearest wall stud. Real nice and tight so someone cannot kick the door open and splinter the wood. When the bolt is extended out of the lock the ball bearings are pushed out and into some indents inside the strike box. At this point you could take a car jack or a pry bar and try to separate the door from the door frame and you won't be able to because the ball bearings are now locked into the properly mounted strike box. Pretty slick design, and very effective.

Hope this helps your search for a decent lock,
Squelchtone

[HayabusaP226]

Hi

I'm looking for a tough deadbolt , and I can get the MUL-T-LOCK Hercular for relatively good price , around 100$ , but I wonder if it's worth it comparing to something like a 35$ Grade 1 Schlage
I don't really care about the total pick resistance at this moment , only destructive entry ,so the cylinder is not a concern at this moment

Is there any real difference in terms of physical strength between a Grade 1 Schlage to the MTL ?
I noticed the Mul-T-Lock also have two ball bearings on the bolt itself , how exactly does this mechanism work and what difference does it make ?

Thanks

Hello and thanks for your question.

It sounds like you've already done some homework and picked out some decent locks. If you've found a Grade 1 Schlage (probably the securekey version), it's probably the consumer version ones sold at Home Depot or Lowes and from what I know not the entire lock is Grade one, only the bolt or some other parts. Schlage makes some Grade 1 and 2 stuff that only a real locksmith shop would sell, and it makes the Grade 1 rated box store Schlages look like total junk. If you have a real brick and mortal locksmith shop in your area, go in and ask to see a Grade 1 or Grade 2 Schlage deadbolt, and you'll also get the side benefit of getting a 6 pin key instead of the 5 pin key you get at Home Depot. They locksmith grade Schlage deadbolts will cost you $65 and up depending on single cylinder, double cylinder, and if you go with SC1 keyway, Schlage Everest, or Schlage Primus (comparable in pick resistance to the Mul-t-lock, actually harder than mul-t-lock in most people's eyes, also, nobody will be making spare keys, as they are very restricted)

Back to your Mul-t-lock question. Those 2 ball bearings on the bolt are the best invention since sliced bread. ASSA locks and Abloy deadbolts also use this technology. Basically, your lock will include a metal box called the strike box that mounts into the door frame using some 3 or 4 inch screws. The hope is that you mount this past the door frame and into the nearest wall stud. Real nice and tight so someone cannot kick the door open and splinter the wood. When the bolt is extended out of the lock the ball bearings are pushed out and into some indents inside the strike box. At this point you could take a car jack or a pry bar and try to separate the door from the door frame and you won't be able to because the ball bearings are now locked into the properly mounted strike box. Pretty slick design, and very effective.

Hope this helps your search for a decent lock,
Squelchtone

Thanks for the reply man , very appreciated , this is a great forum
Yeah , I was talking about the Schlages from HD with Securekey
The are labeled as Grade 1 on the package , but I understand from your reply that they are in fact a phony Grade 1
I used one for couple of months , and while the deadbolt body itself seems to be pretty strong , this Securekey mechanism seems like unreliable piece of junk

The ball bearings on the MUL-T-LOCK sounds like a great thing to have on your lock if\when the %%%% hits the fan , I think it is no brainer if the difference is only 30-40$

Regarding the cylinder on MTL , I understand the Interactive cylinder isn't totally bump/pick proof by any means , but it still much better then a regular 5/6 pin Schlage , isn't it ?

[HayabusaP226]

BTW- Regarding the Schlage Primus - any idea how much the cylinder cost ?

[Squelchtone]

They probably aren't a phony Grade 1, but the testing standards to qualify for Grade 1 are a joke, and there are so many loop holes that they can get away with using 1 part that is Grade 1 and maybe the cylinder is Grade 1 because it takes more than 15 minutes to pick, but I could also look at that cylinder and it would fall apart.. too many pot metal parts in there..

The Mul-t-lock interactive is pickable but so is Medeco. This isn't to say that its easy, its just not impossible. You're bored neighborhood teenage boy isn't going to be picking your Mul-t-Lock while you're away for the weekend. You need special tools and to know what you're doing, but I'll let the MTL experts around here verify that.

Schlage Primus prices? You can try to hit up ebay for a Primus deadbolt or viist the locksmith shop, you should be able to get something for $125-$200 for a full set up. Don't get the one that has adjustable backet from 2-3/8 inch to 2-3/4 inch, get the solid deadbolt that fits your doors backset. A solid non-adjustable bolt will add strength, and lower chances of premature failure. Most residential doors have a 2-3/8 inch backset (the distance from door edge to the center of the hole you'll be installing the lock into.)

glad someone else here is prepping for WTSHTF =)
Squelchtone