National Hardware N109-080 SmartKey Security Gate Lock, Keys Included, Coated with WeatherGuard Protection, Black

I installed this on my redwood gate. There have been reports from my area of thieves going into backyards and breaking in through the sliding glass door. An unlocked gate makes this much easier. A locked gate can’t stop a really determined thief, but it makes it somewhat harder. The key for me (pun) was being able to match this to my existing house key! The Smartkey system allowed that. Install was straightforward. I think it’s important to add extra strength if you have a wood gate. Ideally a 2x4. I used an extra fence board I had around instead as redwood 2x4s are pricier right now. The lock works well from both sides and the spring seems reliable. It’s not Fort Knox but it will hopefully make a thief move on. I’m tempted to try to install one of these on my roll up garage door as I don’t care for the handle lock on there now. It might work but I need to investigate more to see if it will properly. Here is my install process 1. First I put a second fence board in back of the last pice to thicken the area. So basically two 7/8” thick boards. 2. Determined the best place for the lock. About mid way. 3. Reversed the lock from right hand to left hand. Which was really easy. 4. Drilled a pilot hole than a 1.5 saw drill hole. 5. Installed lock. 6. Installed latch lock on inside gate post. 7. Rekeyed to match my home key. Done

I really like this lock. The lock side is solid metal and compact, and the latch slides easily with good feedback. It's also quite simple to change handedness, and make compatible with other Kwikset (and even Schlage, see below) keys to match the rest of your house, if desired. I took one star off because I wished that the latch body were metal instead of plastic, that the slider were a bit more finished in appearance and function to lock it, and that there was a way to lockout the slider to prevent it from opening (i.e., with a padlock hole or similar). There are a lot of other reviews about issues with the lock mechanism, the springs and/or the latch. Fortunately I've had none of these happen to me, and you can avoid them if you do some testing before installing: 1) Try the key to make sure it works. Seems simple, but Kwikset SmartKeys are notorious for having key issues. There is a way to reset the tumblers if your key doesn't work, but it's very complicated. If it doesn't work, or won't rekey, send it back. 2) Test the latch mechanism numerous times by sliding it locked, and using the button to unlock it. If it sticks or jams, send it back. Then lock it, and try shaking and tapping it on all sides. If it unlocks inadvertently without using the button, send it back. 3) Screw the lock and latch together temporarily, and try using the key to lock and unlock it repeatedly. There is more resistance while locking it, but it should still be smooth and not too stiff. If it doesn't work properly, send it back. Assuming all of the above checks work for you, prep your installation by really making sure of your gate thickness, desired height, gap between the gate and post or wall (including any protrusions or oddities), and whether you need the strike plate or loop. Use the templates and carefully follow the instructions to mount it appropriately. Then test it several times from both sides. As far as keys, it comes with a Kwikset SmartKey cylinder that is rekeyable with any compatible Kwikset key. However, there is a way to make it compatible with Schlage/Assa Abloy SC1 (5-pin) keys too. You need to separately purchase the Kwikset 85174 in black finish (it also comes in silver and gold) which is a Kwikset cylinder with an SC1 SmartKey keyway. It's about $15-20 online if you search "Kwikset 85174 black", mostly available from locksmiths. Then it's a pretty straightforward swap: 1) Rekey the new cylinder to your desired Schlage SC1 key as you would a normal Kwikset key (using the rekeying tool that comes with the gate lock). 2) With the lock off the gate, take the existing cylinder out of the metal body by removing the metal clip on the backside and sliding the cylinder and tailpiece out through the front of the body. 3) Loosen the retaining clip on the back of the old cylinder just enough (doesn't need to come off completely) to release the tailpiece, which you'll need to move over to your new cylinder to match the needed length. 4) Loosen the retaining clip on the back of the new cylinder just enough to release the tailpiece, and install the tailpiece you removed from the old cylinder. Slide the retaining clip back in. 5) Slide the new cylinder back through the front of the lock, and secure again with the metal clip. You are done! I've had a full year of great use from this lock in rain, sun, snow, ice, wind and dust. It's never opened accidentally, and still works smoothly most of the time. I make sure to lubricate the slider (silicone or white lithium spray) and keyway (graphite or Teflon spray) a few times a year. It's jammed a few times after severe freezing rain, so now I make sure to pack the internal metal that operates the release lever with lithium grease in the fall and spring. Never use WD-40 (which is a degreaser, not a lubricant) unless you're cleaning it before applying a proper water-repelling lubricant. Happy locking!

I’m a contractor, & yes, with our tools & knowledge we could make any regular deadbolt work on a gate... regular deadbolts aren’t built for full exterior use & furthermore, you wouldn’t want someone reaching over to flip the latch to unlock your gate. This unit the way it’s designed, it’d be very tough for someone trying to break in to unlock it from the interior side, it’s shielded (you’d have to have it in your hands to understand what I’m saying) to protect intruders. A great unit, just bought 2 for my own house after installing them for customers. Btw, you don’t need any fancy tools. You’ll need some drill bits, driver, & a 1.5” hole saw. Only other nice things to have would be some chisels or a router if you want to go above & beyond.

The product description is not very clear about the ability to lock the door from the opposite side of the key lock. When I realized there was no ability to lock the door from the opposite side of the keyhole, I returned it as that did not meet my needs.

For the longest time I have been frustrated dealing with locks on gates . It was always a different set of keys that you couldn’t easily carry around. We have Kwikset locks with Smartkey everywhere for easy rekeying, so when I found this product I was excited. Finally a gate lock that shares the same key as the others. The install was a bit long , because of how the gates were installed I couldn’t just find a place to install it. So the install required an extra 2x4 to attach the lock in a sturdy place. The directions could be clearer for a first time installer . But my 2nd and 3rd installs were very easy . The install for the last ones only took 10 mins . So easy work if the stars align.

I was skeptical of other reviews that said the lock did not stay locked and would unlatch when “jiggled.” I was wrong. About half the time, the locking pin just does not fully engage and so it unlocks itself if jostled or disturbed. That makes it basically useless out of the box. I was able to fix the lock by replacing the spring with a stronger one purchased separately. It now works perfectly well. The overall design/mounting configuration of the lock was the only one that would work for our purposes so I’m glad I found a work around. But unless you’re willing to rehab the lock don’t buy it. The way I fixed it was to open up the lock by unscrewing the back plate, and then remove the small locking pin. (The locking pin can be made to falls out of a little window in the metal casing if you engage the pin fully; you only really need to replace the spring on one of the pins—depends on whether you’re using it in right-handed or left-handed configuration.) I then replaced the compression spring on the locking pin with a stronger/somewhat longer one that was included in a “spring assortment kit” I had previously bought elsewhere—also available on Amazon here: Everbilt Spring Assortment Kit (84-Pack) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FI6XHV0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_5NJ0K39WKXC02RVZ387R Once the spring was replaced it worked great. The stronger spring makes sure that the locking pin properly seats every time. It now locks tightly and does not jiggle loose ever. The fact that the company is manufacturing and selling this with a clearly deficient spring is ridiculous. The product is defective as sold and they should take it off the market if they refuse to sell it with the appropriately-tensioned spring.

The lock looks simple and sturdy, but the design is awful. Basically it's easy to operate inside using hands, but virtually impossible to lock from outside using the key, which is the purpose for this lock. When you try to turn the key to lock, it's too hard to move the latch without risking breaking the key. Totally useless.

After a little bit of a fight with the gate (it was a bit wonky and needed planing flat) this lock was no harder to fit than any other. It transformed how useful our side gate is. Before, I had to come through the house to unbolt it, so we only used the gate when we had to. Now, we can use it as a second secure entrance.