So with this explanation, that second, smaller bar would need to
"latch". Hmm.. or maybe if it's slightly depressed (against the
strike plate , but not extended into the opening in the stike plate)
maybe it prevents the larger bar from being push into the door.







On Dec 16, 1:45*pm, "hr(bob) "
wrote:
On Dec 16, 1:35*pm, coloradotrout wrote:

OK.. this has to be basic.. but I don't know the answer, so I'll ask.

On door latches there are 2 parts that extend out from the door (which
go into the strike plate). *Both can be presssed towards the door.
One is larger in diameter and is the part that latches inside the
strike plate when the door is closed. *But there is another, smaller
diameter part that rides right along side the larger one. *What is
that for? *If you push hard enough, that one can also latch inside the
strike plate. *Is it suppose to?

I have an exterior door that does not fit well and leaks air. *I think
it needs to be rehung, but if I press hard enough to get that second
bar to latch, it's better.

The second bar is "behind the main striker plate. *I believe its
purpose is to keep you from being able to use a credit card from
opening the entire latch. *If you try to push the card slowly into the
tapered side of the door latch, from the outside, you can get the
latch to retract into the door. *But the separate bar does not push
back gradually, so you can't get the door open.