Looking for a good, smooth, easy padlock

[NinjaVanish]

I bought a Master No. 1 today, but let me put it this way.. the key barely opens the thing, it's so cheap. Pin action is horrible, very gritty and they get stuck easily. Easy to mistake grit/"catching" for pin setting.

Is there some other padlock, preferably a 4-pin with standard (not security) pins, that has SMOOTH pin action? Something where I can learn the feel of the pins and learn how to tell when they're set properly.

[datagram]

There are some smaller brinks/master padlocks that should have what you're looking for. Both are gold, and have 4 pins IIRC. I don't think they have any other markings, but they're noticeable because they are wide, flat, and gold. Should be able to pick them up at any local hardware store.

[NinjaVanish]

You sure they're not security pins? I have the Master 140, and it has security pins which makes it tougher.

[ToolyMcgee]

You bought a No 1 and brand new out of the box it had grit in it? Strange usually new locks are silky smooth. Sorry for your luck. Is it one of the ones you can open in either direction? I've had problems with those operation jaggedly. If it doesn't look like an old laminated master, and you bought it from lowe's it is very possible it has a bump stop pin in the second position. You could try to flush it out with WD40 to get rid of any grit. Brinks sells a couple nice padlocks, and I think the laminated steel ones don't have security pins, but I know the brass ones have spools. Brinks usually lists lock features on the box, so it should say if it has security pins. I bought a brinks shrouded the other day on clearance and it operates super smooth, but it has lots of security pins. Try a kwickset deadbolt and remove the last pin, unless you really had your heart set on a padlock.

[Trip Doctor]

Personally, for starting out, I think it's better to start out with a regular lock (KIK or deadbolt), because the pins are larger, and if you buy it new you won't really have the problem you're having. Although, I'm sure there are members here that started out with padlocks just fine.

I have a "Lockage" padlock (it's just a Master ripoff) that has pretty 'smooth action' pins - I'm pretty sure I got it at Walgreens or Walmart for like 4 or 5 bucks. Again though, I think it's easier starting out with a regular lock because you have more room to 'feel around' without getting as confused in such a confined space.