Long Term Review: Schlage B Series Deadbolts

Most of our clients in North America have heard us touting the gold standard of deadbolts in the Locksmithing and Security Industries, the venerable Schlage B Series Deadbolts. Today, we will discuss our long term testing and review of the three most popular models from the Schlage B Series Deadbolts; the Grade 3 B60, the Grade 2 B560, and the Grade 1 B660. We will discuss pros and cons of each model and conclude with alternative solutions to those seeking more budget friendly options in light of current US – Canada tariffs.

As always, if you have any questions or comments, please call/text me at 604-363-2760 or email me at alex@locksmithvancouver.com. Our Downtown Vancouver Key Store is open Monday to Friday 10am to 6pm and is located at 555 West Hastings St near Gastown. Our Port Moody location is mobile service only and is not open to the general public.

Schlage B60 Deadbolt: The budget friendly option

 

The Schlage B60 is a very popular choice for many homeowners. It is a decent quality deadbolt with good security features for a Grade 3 Residential Deadbolt. These include:

• Hardened steel faceplate to deter non-carbide drilling attacks
• Security pins to deter lockpicking and bumping attacks
• Full size 1” Deadbolt

 

In the past, many of our clients chose the B60 because it is available in the widest selection of colour finishes and collar styles. For example, if you want a matte black finish with a square collar, we would recommend the B60 with the 622 finish with a Collins style rose/collar.

From our long term testing, we have noticed that the B60 has a number issues:

• Anti drilling plate is separate from the lock body and can be removed
• Key cylinder is made from a cheaper soft grey non-brass alloy 
• Prone to excessive rusting if used on exterior gates and doors
• Default 5 pin versions with no additional 6th pinhole for expansion

 

In short, you get what you pay for. Without a high quality brass cylinder or brass parts, the key does not turn as smoothly and the internal parts are prone to excess rust. This is not a good lock to expose to the elements. It is primarily to be used on interior doors like in a condominium. 

Even with sufficient lubrication, you can feel metal sliding on metal as you use this lock. As such, metal dust buildup is a common issue. This dust eventually clogs up the pins and springs and can lead to lock failure. 

Finally, while the lock can be difficult to pick or bump open due to the security pins, once the anti-drilling plate has been defeated, it is very easy to drill open. 

As such, we recommend using the Schlage B60 Deadbolt on interior doors in climate controlled areas with light to moderate use. This is not a lock you want to expose to the elements or leave unused for extended periods of time. By simple electrolysis, parts will start to rust and seize up. Make sure to lubricate all moving parts at least once or twice a year.

Schlage B560 Deadbolt: The locksmith’s favourite

 

In the past, my favourite deadbolt to carry in my work vehicle and to install was the Schlage B560 deadbolt. It is a Grade 2 deadbolt with an integrated security shield to prevent ice pick attacks and reduce the damage from kinetic attacks like hammering. 

Like the B60, it has an adjustable deadbolt that can accommodate both a 2-⅜” and a 2-¾” backset and can handle door thickness from 1-⅜” to 2-¼””. Basically it can fit into any residential or commercial door. 

The Schlage B560 has a number of security improvements over the Schlage B60, including the following:

• 1” bolt made from solid zinc with an anti-saw pin made of hardened steel
• Integrated security shield
• Able to accommodate extra thick doors up to 2-¼”
• Solid brass key cylinder with up to 6 pins for greater expansion

I think for many clients, the versatility of the B560 is its greatest selling feature. For example, many older buildings use 1-½” crossbore holes and more than 2” thick doors. The Schlage B560 is the only deadbolt that can accommodate such thick doors without the need for an additional thick door kit at a significant cost. 

Plus, with the solid brass key cylinder, the key mechanism is very smooth. Combined with properly cut keys, the lock will last for a very long time. 

In our long term testing, we did notice a few issues with the Schlage B560:

 

• Moderate rusting of non-brass components when left exposed to the elements
• No security pins straight from the factory
• No anti drilling plate on the face of the lock
• No anti drilling rods in key cylinder

Overall, it is a great lock that emphasizes long-term problem-free performance. The addition of  security pins will make lockpicking very difficult and to bump. However, it is a shame that these are not automatically included in the key cylinder like with the Schlage B60. 

Over the past several years, we have noticed that the quality of the non-Everest key cylinders seem to be declining. It looks the same as before, but there is something that does not work well with the redesigned deadbolt starting several years ago. We can’t just install it and walk away any longer with any of their Classic Keyways. We have to repeatedly test the function and make adjustments to the cylinder retaining cap about 50% of the time.

For Everest and Primus key cylinders, we rarely have any issues. As a result, if you are considering a Schlage B560 deadbolt, we highly recommend pairing with an Everest keyway like the C123 or S123. Not only will it function better, the key also will last longer, be easier on your hand to use, and have a side pin to increase security. Better yet, the upgrade to the Everst keyways are generally free.

Better security and higher performance at no additional cost? What’s the catch? Well, the keys are patented, and they are more expensive. So if you need a lot of key copies, I recommend you consider the cost of the keys as well. 

Schlage B660: The Gold Standard

 

For years, when a commercial client asked for a deadbolt, my default answer was always the Schlage B660. It is the brand’s most heavy duty deadbolt and it comes with a price to match. When you hold it in your hands, just the sheer weight of the lock compared to the other models made you realize you were dealing with a serious piece of security hardware.

The Schlage B660 takes elements from the B560 and takes them to the next security level. These upgrades include:

• Steel fire cup to meet fire code standards and improve security of deadbolt
• Bolt is made of sintered solid steel with a hardened steel anti-saw pin
• Angled, freely spinning collar that prevents vice grip attacks and deflects blows
• Removable security shield that does not change exterior appearance
• Hardened steel ball bearings protecting the side bolts from drilling attacks
• Hardened steel pins in the key cylinder for additional drilling protection.

The advantages of sintered steel is that the metallurgy process allows for the creation of highly precise and complex parts with micro-voids for self lubrication. That’s right! Once you lubricate a B660, it will continue to self-lubricate which greatly extends its life and increases its performance. The solid zinc bolt in the B560 will not do that. Like any moving mechanical device, we recommend lubricating the B660 at least once a year. 

There are ways to defeat a Schlage B660 deadbolt, but for most people and most thieves, this lock is very painful to defeat when installed correctly. It was a lock that you would install on your door to deter thieves from even trying. It was like telling the intruder that there are easier targets, so go somewhere else!

In our long term testing, we have observed the following:

• Minimal to light rusting when exposed to elements 
• 50% of this model is installed without the hardened steel ball bearings
• 50% of the model is installed without the steel fire cup
• Older models are better than newer models

 

So, the biggest issue with Schlage B660 is that it is rarely ever installed correctly. Many installers do not use the fire cup thinking that it is unnecessary, however, most commercial doors have a fire rating and they need the fire cup.

Second, this lock does not come with integrated ball bearings. As such, the ball bearings have a habit of just rolling out of their holes during installation or servicing. Without the hardened steel ball bearings, the side bolts are vulnerable.

Third, we have noticed an exceptional decline in the quality of the lock after their most recent redesign. The cylinder housing switched to a cheaper casted metal. Plus the newer adaptable bolt that can accommodate backsets of both 2-⅜” and 2-¾” is much more flimsy and feels cheap. It still carries the UL437 rating which is a bit unbelievable to a professional locksmith like myself. 

If you are considering a Schlage B660, I recommend asking your Vancouver downtown locksmith for an older style bolt with a singular backset. These older style bolts are much more durable and reliable compared to the newer ones. Also consider asking for security pins and adding locktite to the ball bearings so that they do not fall out. 

The older bolts are generally harder to find, but we can still get them for you. They are much better in terms of both security and everyday use.

Another thing to consider is that the Schlage B660 rarely comes with an Everst keyway. As a commercial grade lock, this deadbolt is typically stocked in the basic configuration with a Classic C Keyway. If you want an Everest cylinder, it will cost you more to upgrade. However, if you want the free upgrade, you may have to wait 6 to 8 weeks for the custom order to arrive from the factory.

Conclusion

In most applications and for most clients, the Schlage B Series Deadbolts are the de facto standard that all other deadbolts aspire to. They come in three different price points to fit any budget. Any knowledgeable locksmith will be able to guide you through the process of finding out what works best for you.

For us Canadians, Schlage products are now much more expensive due to the effect of US Tariffs. Most major lock brands are now affected by the tariffs and may be too expensive for us.

For a more budget friendly alternative to US sourced deadbolts, try the following Asian-made deadbolts:

• Grade 3 – Halsco Grade 3 Residential Deadbolt
• Grade 2 – Dorex T51A Grade 2 Medium Duty Deadbolt
• Grade 1 – Dorex GX Grade 1 Heavy Duty Deadbolt

Both locksmiths and developers have installed a lot of Dorex Grade 2 Deadbolts in Vancouver over the past decade. It’s not a great lock, and the key cylinder and bolt actions feel a bit cheap. However, they are currently about 30% cheaper than the Schlage deadbolts. In this economy, clients are no longer asking what will last me the longest, but what is just good enough. In such cases, the Dorex hardware is just good enough – in our opinion. Just don’t expect Schlage level performance or longevity.

If you have any questions or comments, please call/text me at 604-363-2760 or email me at alex@locksmithvancouver.com. I will be happy to assist you. Or just drop by our Downtown Vancouver Key Store for a quick chat. We just renewed our lease, so we will be here for at least another 5 years!