AboutJames Expertise I am knowledgeable in almost every area of Locksmithing. This includes locks, keys, lost keys, residential and commercial lockouts, rekeying, masterkeying, high security locks, access control, electric locks, security cameras and home safety. I have been running an online business since 2004 where I sell all types of lock and security hardware to everyone from apartment renters to business owners to the US government. Before that I started a locksmith service in 1999. I deal with many types of security equipment including high security safe locks, heavy duty padlocks, exit devices, biometric readers, electric strikes, magnetic locks, full surface hinges and I only sell what I personally stand behind 100%. The online business has given me a more in-depth look at the locksmithing industry, helping me to learn more about each and every product that I offer, as well as products I don't have but end up finding for customers to solve any issues they have with security or door hardware.
Please don't submit any automotive or safe questions as these aren't areas that I can help in.
Experience I have been Locksmithing since 1999 and own my own Locksmithing business. I have many years of hands-on experience through the many services I have performed for my customers. I've run my business the way I wanted, treating everyone as I would like to be treated and knowing that any customer could be my last if I didn't perform my locksmithing duties as I had promised.
Organizations Montana Locksmith Association
Education/Credentials I have a diploma in Masterkeying, Advanced Locksmithing & Locksmithing from Foley-Belsaw.
Past/Present Clients US government, colleges, schools, city and state governments, large and small corporations, home owners.
Question Please compare Assa, Medeco and Schlage deadbolt locks - the ones that would be used on condo entry doors. I have just recently replaced my Schlage deadbolt lock with a Medeco, but later heard of Assa locks. I'm curious as to how an expert would rate these three locks.
Thank you,
Tricia Terry
Answer Hello Tricia,
From ASSA's website:
"The ASSA 6000 Series deadbolt is designed to withstand any form of physical attack including drilling, prying, driving, or pulling. Its free spinning guard collars protect it from pipe wrenching while its hardened inserts guard against drilling. The 6000 comes equipped with the ASSA Hardhat to protect it from outside through-the-door attacks known as "ice picking."
From Medeco's website:
"Our Maxum® deadbolt was tested against the standards set for auxiliary locks by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), based on such criteria as ability to withstand kicking, prying, wrenching, hammering, sawing and drilling attacks. The Maxum deadbolt not only exceeded the Grade 1 (highest level) standard in every case, but it exceeded it by as much as 150% in some tests!"
Medeco uses a biaxal pin configuration which makes it virtually impossible to copy - a special machine is needed to make the keys; actual 'duplication' as with standard keys is impossible. The newer style of Medeco lock uses a side bar as well. The pins have a solid steel insert in them and the typical drill points have drill-resistant hardened steel inserts. Drilling a Medeco lock, if you know what you're doing, takes at the very least, 3 hours...and that's if you're lucky. Picking a Medeco lock, either the older biaxal or the newer sidebar configuration is virtually impossible (what you may find on other sites that say it can be picked hasn't been proven by anything I've seen personally).
ASSA uses a sidebar and hardened pins. Picking ASSA locks is virtually impossible because of the sidebar, it's much like a car lock. Drilling them is tough as well although I've never tried (I did drill a Medeco once - that's the last time I'll do that).
Getting ASSA or Medeco keys copied is a task. Both require the use of a signature card which is given to the purchaser by the locksmith upon initial installation. Your local hardware store or homecenter won't be able to help.
Schlage keys can be copied and the locks can be picked, unless you're using a Schlage Everest or Primus. Those are a bit different than your standard Schlage. I don't know enough about those two but the Schlage site explains them I think.
I currently live in a rental house but when we get a house of our own, my locks will be Schlage mortise locks with a Medeco cylinder. I'm also going to use some type of electronic access control but that's another subject. If I were to use a separate deadbolt, it'd be Medeco. I've seen their factory first-hand and I've serviced and sold their locks (I've serviced and sold ASSA as well). I know that Medeco locks are what I would trust when it came to my family.
