I have a lot of units with a master key we have been using for possibly a decade. Kwikset, I get new locks rekeyed often with no issues. I just bought some kwikset 242 tylo locks and I was told the pins are different and they cannot rekey to my old master key.

1. Does this sound correct?

2. Is there a way to find locks that will work?

I want to avoid having another master key.

Hi Don, I have rekeyed my own locks for years using Kwikset. Just rekeyed a few and nothing had changed. Mine are the 400 bright brass.

I do know that if you have "smartkey" locks - they have a little hole next to where the key goes in - they cannot be mastered.

Thanks! This still does not let me know why my locks could not be rekeyed and how to tell what locks can. That is my confusion, last year 3 rekeyed 3 or 4 locks with no issues. In fact we have never had an issue - and done hundreds. All of a sudden my guy could not rekey it and took it to a locksmith who could not.

check the box, I will almost guarantee you bought the kwikset smartkey locks rather than the plain old kwikset's. The smartkey locks can not be mastered unless you get the version of the smartkey that has two cores, then you can have the 2nd core mastered.

Don,

Your situation is another reason I use Landlordlocks.com. No locksmith or re-pinning needed. Just swap out the cylinder in 3 seconds. Done. Go to lunch.

If I collect a kwikset smart key lock I can dump the pins to rekey and master key as normal. But most times I just put my own lock in.

I loved talking to Sean from Landlordlocks but I am just not ready for the transition yet.

Was really close then ended up buying a lot of new kwikset locks and deadbolts for very cheap at auction.