Security pin

A security pin is a pin, usually the upper or driver pin, with a special shape that catches in false positions when someone tries to manipulate the cylinder without its key. To anyone using a pick it feels as if they are making progress, when in fact the cylinder is still locked.

The most common are:

• The mushroom pin, with a head wider than its neck.
• The spool pin, narrow in the middle like a cotton reel.
• The serrated pin, with several grooves along its length.

With the correct key you notice nothing: the cylinder turns just as smoothly. They only come into play when someone attempts manipulation.

Today any decent security cylinder has several pins of this type combined with other protection. If yours does not, that is a good reason to replace it. Take a look at our security cylinders or our cylinder replacement service.