ABUS 83CS/55-300 Schlage Rekeyable Chrome Plated Brass Padlock, Zero Bitted

This is a proper, heavy duty lock - great for locksport enthusiasts and moderately-secure uses if set up properly. You can also buy variations of these from Security Snobs with Abloy and BiLock cores, and Bowley also has them with their Rotesera core - granted these variants are much more expensive but far better against surreptitious attacks. Despite this, most criminals resort to aggressive methods over picking, which this lock is more capable of countering.There seem to be some people who are failing to understand the point of these listings. The locks are essentially set up to be customized from the factory, so they’re zero-bitted, meaning they are pinned with keys cut at zero. (Pins and key cuts more commonly range from 1-9, 9 being the deepest cut and longest pin, though.) Pinning them at zero makes them functional but allows you to have the key further cut with a deeper code later and the lock repined to that code, but these particular ones are not intended to be pick resistant from the factory. You can get them with completed keys elsewhere. They’re meant to be rekeyed to the user’s specifications, e.g. - if you need multiple locks to be keyed alike, these are made ready for that. Most people that are looking at this lock probably already know all this but for those who don’t, ignore the bad reviews on “uncut keys.” So yes, be prepared to pay additional for proper keying, potentially especially if paying a locksmith.In my case, I had some Schlage key pins and Sparrows security pins to re-key it. I also ordered a set of Schlage 6-pin SC4 DND keys from phoxlocks on ebay with an aggressive custom cut for relatively cheap to replace the 5-pin key that comes with the lock. You can get a Schlage pin kit to re-pin the lock or have a locksmith re-pin it and provide 6-pin keys at their shop as well - though they may charge more than what you can just do on your own unless you know a fair one. Use a 6-pin key, aggressive cutting pattern and varying security pins for better pick-resistance, but understand a moderately experienced picker can still overcome it.55 sub-series Abus lock cylinders also have the added benefit anti-drilling pins (stainless pins placed in the plug and cylinder on the sides of the key pin rows near the front of the keyway) unlike 45 sub-series locks.Key RetentionTo set the lock for key retention or non key retention, just remove the plug. Be careful when doing so as the z-bar - a tiny Z shaped brass piece with a black dot may fall out or stay stuck on the actuator inside the plug chamber from lubricant. Place the z-bar in the notch of the brass plate on the back of the cylinder with the black dot facing out for key retention (the cylinder will turn and stay turned when unlocked, leaving the cylinder pins held in place on the key) or facing in for non key retention (the cylinder will turn and spring back in alignment to allow the key to be removed while unlocked.)Full disassemblyThe lock body can be fully disassembled by first removing the plug and screw, and then by closing and pressing down on the shackle. This will cause the actuator and ball bearings to fall out of the the bottom. The shackle and shackle spring can then be removed.Reassemble in reverse. Place the ball bearings into the sides of the bottom of the plug chamber and hold the lock steady while placing the actuator in between them. Friction will hold the parts in when in place. Use the plug and key or a slotted screwdriver and turn the actuator to open the shackle. (Ball bearings are 3/8” for replacement if needed)Caution on disassembly/cylinder jam fix.When removing the cylinder from the plug, be extremely careful not to allow the cylinder retention pin on the back to align with the plug pins when removing the cylinder from the plug, otherwise it will catch and the cylinder will be stuck in the plug. If this happens, you can use a hook and pick set, tweezers and small needle nose pliers to pull the retention pin spring out of the bottom of the pin housing. This will destroy the spring but allow the pin to fall down into the housing and release the plug. The pin and housing can be removed from the cylinder with a small hammer and punch and the spring can be replaced with a standard plug pin spring.Height f: 3 21/32 inchWidth: 2 11/64 inchShackle diameter: 7/16 inchWeight: 1.49 lbsChain is an Abus 3/8” thick link 2ft chain - possibly the thickest you can go if used with both end links on the lock shackle.

To start, there are about 4 ways to defeat any padlock.1) Have a bump key or a skeleton key as we called it when I was a kid.2) Be able to pick the padlock's core3) Shim it4) Brute-force attackI wish it were assembled in Germany and not China but for the money it's a good value. I like the fact that it has a 6 pin core, harder to pick. The shackle has a guard to help slow down a brute force attack.I took the lock to my local locksmith and keyed it so it has a very pick resistant key way setup. This of course adds to the final price of the lock. The cost should be around $15-20.00 to key this padlock.Tip: Have your locksmith install serrated pins in the core to make the padlock tougher to pick.Let's face it, with enough time and the proper tools nothing is impenetrable but this should slow down a determined thief.Highly recommended at this price point.Also worth checking out is the American Lock A748 . I own this lock too. It's heavier with a thicker body but also more expensive.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------I rely heavily on reviews when I make purchases so I put some time into reviewing everything I buy on Amazon for personal or business use so I can help other people considering that item. If you found my review helpful, please consider hitting the "helpful" button below when it asks if the review is helpful! Thank you!

Folks saying this lock is secure have not tried to actually pick this lock. As other reviews have pointed out, the key is cut like a blank so it is NOT pick resistant. I was able to pick this lock in 10 seconds with minimal effort.The construction is solid and it’s a hefty, heavy lock made with high quality steel, but none of this matters if you’re able to pick the lock as quickly and easily as this lock.TL;DR if you’re looking for a high security lock at this price point, look at the Stanley line of padlocks that feature the same physical guards and have a true pick-resistent design.

Negative reviews are because sellers are not putting enough information into the listings. Unless stated otherwise MOST are coming with a UnCUT Zero bitted single key. This case use is someone who has Schlage locks already on their house or bikes or shed and wants to have a matching key made. There is also a harder to find Kwikset Setup as well. The 83 series has a variety of options. My pics above is of one with a Small Format Interchangeable core (83/55cs ic) or SFIC. If you want a stand alone padlock you can buy already pinned and keyed cores. The 888 series is a good starting point. Just one screw and you got a good lock and your choice of core. You will have to search off this platform more then likely. For 6 pin core with security drivers and anti bump around 30 bucks after shipping…for the core. You will still need a 83 series lock. The 83/80 is another great choice. Sadly the closed shackle version is not in the US. These are not a Big Box store padlocks. Good locks don’t cost 20 bucks. The More you spend the longer it will take for a destructive attack to succeed. Big Box store is opened in less then minute. Some are instant and most are big name brands. If I were a bad guy and I came across a steel, hardened, closed shackle padlock and I know it is pick resistance and anti bump….I would just go look for something else. You don’t want to be the “something else”.