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Posted to alt.home.repair
PipeDown
 
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Default warning about lever handle style door locks

The rant about locksmithing below reminded me of this.

I just installed a lockset on my back door. It is the kind with the lever
style handle. While installing it I noticed that to replace the locking
core, you needed to depress a tab and the handle would slide off exposing
the core to be removed and replaced. I was shocked to realize that the tab
was on the outer handle (key side) and that anyone could easily remove the
handle and actuate the lock with any handy tool like a needle nose plier.
The handle was Kwikset but a trip to the store showed that virtually all
(consumer / residential) locksets with this style handle suffered the same
flaw. Round handle door locks do not seem to have this problem.

Who cares if the lock is pick resistant when you can remove it with your
fingernail!!!

I recommend that no one install this type of handle on an exterior door
unless you also install a deadbolt and use it. I kept the lock and do use
the deadbolt.

http://www.kwikset.com/Products/defa.../Details/Lido/ (exterior locks)
http://consumer.schlage.com/main/prodcat/prodcat.htm (residential lever)