Schlage Pin Sets and Rekey Kits, Explained for Beginners
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Schlage is one of the most common lock brands on American front doors, which is why so many new homeowners end up searching for a Schlage pin set. Inside every keyed Schlage lock is a small cylinder filled with tiny brass pins of different lengths. When the right key slides in, it pushes each pin to exactly the right height and the lock turns. Change the pins, and you change which key works. That process is called rekeying, and it is a popular weekend project after moving into a new home or losing a key.
The three items here do very different jobs: the SC1/SC4 rekey kit is a full third-party pin kit for rekeying Schlage locks, the Schlage M504-271 is a pack of emergency keys for interior privacy doors rather than a rekeying pin, and the Schlage master pin is a single genuine part that lets two different keys open one lock.
Schlage Pin Sets Compared
| Item | What it does | Pieces | Fits | Made by |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SC1 SC4 Keyway Rekey Kit Compatible with Schlage | Rekeys pin tumbler locks | 500 | Schlage SC1 and SC4 keyways | LRWZOV (third party) |
| Schlage M504-271 Emergency Door Lock Key Pin | Unlocks interior privacy locks | 5 keys | Schlage interior/privacy locksets | Schlage |
| Schlage Brass-Plated Brass Master Pin | Lets two keys open one lock | Not listed | Schlage pin and tumbler keyed products | Schlage |
SC1 SC4 Keyway Rekey Kit Compatible with Schlage for DIY Rekeying
Lrwzov
SC1 SC4 Keyway Rekey Kit Compatible with Schlage
Price and specifications are read from the Amazon product page and can change.
SC1 SC4 Keyway Rekey Kit Compatible
Best for: DIY rekeying of SC1 or SC4 locks
Pros
- 500-piece pin assortment
- Removal tool, follower and gauge
- Pin sizes listed by number
- Anti-corrosion finish
Cons
- Third-party kit, not Schlage
- Listing text is hard to follow
The SC1 SC4 Keyway Rekey Kit Compatible with Schlage is made by LRWZOV, not by Schlage. It is designed to fit Schlage locks with the SC1 or SC4 keyway. A keyway is the shape of the slot your key slides into; SC1 is the standard five-pin keyway on most Schlage home locks, and SC4 is the six-pin version. You can usually find the keyway stamped on your original key.
The kit holds 500 pieces in total and includes a removal tool, a follower and a gauge decoder. The follower is a small rod that holds the top pins and springs in place while you slide the plug (the part that turns) out of the cylinder. The gauge decoder helps you measure a pin when you are unsure of its size. The listing gives pin sizes by number, starting with pin 0 at 0.165 inch, pin 1 at 0.18 inch and pin 2 at 4.953 mm, though the rest of the size chart is cut off in the listing. It mentions an anti-corrosion finish and suggests uses on front doors, patio doors and mailbox locks.
This kit suits a homeowner or landlord who wants to rekey several Schlage locks to one new key. Keep in mind that it is a compatible kit from another brand, and the listing’s wording is sometimes hard to follow, so watch a rekeying tutorial before you start. If you only need two keys to open one lock, the Schlage master pin below is the targeted part.
Schlage M504-271 Interior Bedroom Bathroom Emergency Door Lock Key Pin for Privacy Doors
Schlage
Schlage M504-271 Interior Bedroom Bathroom Emergency Door Lock Key Pin 5 Pack
Price and specifications are read from the Amazon product page and can change.
Schlage M504-271 Interior Bedroom Bathroom Emergency
Best for: Opening locked bedroom or bathroom doors
Pros
- Genuine Schlage part
- Five identical keys
- Stores above the door frame
Cons
- Not a rekeying pin
- Won’t open Kwikset privacy locks
The Schlage M504-271 Interior Bedroom Bathroom Emergency Door Lock Key Pin is often found when searching for Schlage pins, but it is a different product. It is not used to rekey a lock. Instead, it is a thin key that unlocks Schlage interior privacy locks, the kind on bedroom and bathroom doors with a push button on the inside and a small hole on the outside.
To use it, you fully insert the end of the key into the center of the hole and push to unlock. The pack contains five identical keys, each 2-1/8 inches long, and the listing suggests storing one on top of the door frame so it is always nearby. It is made for Schlage-brand interior and privacy locksets, including push-to-disengage levers and knobs, and the listing clearly states it will not work on Kwikset interior doors.
Privacy locks are designed so that anyone outside can open them in an emergency, which is why the key is so simple. It does not need to match any code; it just presses the release inside the knob or lever. This is a smart small gift for new parents, whose toddlers may lock themselves in a bathroom, or for anyone caring for an older relative. It gives way to the other two items for any job that involves changing a key.
Schlage Brass-Plated Brass Master Pin for Two-Key Setups
Schlage
Schlage Brass-Plated Brass Master Pin
Price and specifications are read from the Amazon product page and can change.
Schlage Brass-Plated Brass Master Pin
Best for: Setting up two keys for one lock
Pros
- Genuine Schlage part
- Brass-plated brass
- Lets two different keys work
Cons
- Single pin, sizes not listed
- Needs rekeying know-how
The Schlage Brass-Plated Brass Master Pin is a genuine Schlage part made of brass. A master pin is an extra small pin placed between the bottom and top pins in one chamber of the lock. It creates a second point where the lock will turn, which is how, as the listing puts it, two different keys can open the same lock.
The listing says it is designed for the cylinder plug on Schlage pin and tumbler keyed products and suggests use on home and office doors and cabinets. It does not specify the pin size, how many pins come in the package or which keyways are covered, so check the product page and your lock before ordering.
This suits someone who wants, for example, a personal key and a separate key for a dog walker to open the same door. Master pinning takes more care than basic rekeying, so beginners may want to start with the full kit above.
How to Choose the Right Schlage Pin Set
Know the job. Rekeying a whole lock to a new key calls for a full pin kit like the SC1/SC4 kit. Letting two keys open one lock calls for a master pin. Opening a locked bedroom or bathroom door calls for the M504-271 emergency key.
Check your keyway. Look at the head of your current key. SC1 and SC4 are both covered by the rekey kit. If your key says something else, the kit may not fit.
Genuine or compatible. The master pin and the emergency key are Schlage parts. The rekey kit is made by LRWZOV to fit Schlage locks. That is common for rekey kits, but it is not a Schlage product.
Rekey or replace. Rekeying keeps your existing hardware and just changes the key. It makes sense when the lock works well and you like its look, but you do not know who still holds copies of the old key. If the lock is worn, sticky or you want a new style, replacing it may be simpler; our guide to a Schlage entry door lock set covers that route.
Consider going keyless. If the reason you are rekeying is lost or unreturned keys, a keypad lock removes that problem for good, since you simply change the code. Our look at a Schlage keyless entry door lock explains how that works for first-time buyers.
Have your working key. Standard rekeying requires the current key to turn the plug before you can remove it. Without it, the job is much harder and usually a job for a locksmith.
Plan for several locks. Many homes have a front door, a back door and a garage entry door all on different keys. Rekeying them all to one key is a common goal, and a large assortment like the 500-piece kit is built for that kind of project, since each lock uses several pins and you will want spares of the most common sizes.
FAQ
What is an SC1 rekey kit?
It is a set of pins, springs and tools for changing which key opens a Schlage lock with the SC1 keyway. The kit here also covers SC4.
Is the M504-271 a rekeying pin?
No. It is an emergency key for Schlage interior privacy locks. It unlocks the door from outside but does not change the lock.
Will the Schlage emergency key open Kwikset doors?
No. The listing states it will not work on Kwikset interior doors.
What does a Schlage master pin do?
It adds a second shear point in one pin chamber, so two different keys can operate the same lock.
Is the rekey kit made by Schlage?
No. It is made by LRWZOV and sold as compatible with Schlage SC1 and SC4 locks.
Do I need special skills to rekey a Schlage lock?
No special trade skills, but patience and small tools help. Work over a tray so tiny pins and springs do not roll away, and keep the follower pushed against the plug as you remove it.
