Securing your doors is one of the most important steps to improving home security.
Hardening a door is a complex task that includes securing the hinges and the strike plate, reinforcing the door frame and the core, installing security devices and burglar deterrents, and upgrading the locking system.
Although jimmy proof deadbolt locks are not as popular as they once were, they can be useful in certain situations (mainly as auxiliary locks).
The main advantage of jimmy resistant locks is that they’re mounted on the inside and the locking mechanism cannot be accessed from the outside (at least not easily).
Now let’s move on to the best jimmy proof deadbolts and how you can choose the best model for your door.
1. Yale Security V197 Jimmy Proof Deadlock
Yale locks have been on the market for quite a while. The company was established back in the 19th century, so Yale obviously has exceptional knowledge of manufacturing locks.
So far I’ve had good experiences with Yale locks, I think they’re pretty reliable and durable.
This is why the Yale Security V197 deadlock is at the top of my list and as far as I can tell it’s one of the best jimmy resistant locks out there.
This jimmy proof single cylinder deadbolt lock is made of zinc alloy which makes the product more durable and more resistant to corrosion. It’s compatible with doors that have a thickness between 1-1/4″ and 2-1/4″.
The case and the cylinder finish are brass and no other finish is available. This could be a minor drawback if that color doesn’t match your door.
FYI – If you want to install this jimmy resistant lock on an outward opening door, you’ll need the 197F model that comes with a flat strike. More on securing outswing doors here.
You can open and lock the deadbolt either with a key from the outside (the exterior part is a 5-pin rim cylinder) or by using the thumb turn from the inside.
The major advantage of a rim cylinder is that it’s pretty easy to replace without having to remove the entire locking mechanism.
To be honest, however, I’m not a big fan of rim cylinders as they’re usually not extremely difficult to bypass as the cylinder often can be pried out (although it’s not always easy). In most cases, a rim cylinder won’t stop burglars but it will definitely slow them down.
While a jimmy proof deadbolt lock can be useful as it gives your door extra protection, in most cases, it doesn’t provide sufficient protection for external doors.
I know a few people who installed their jimmy resistant deadbolt without the cylinder to improve security. This way they can prevent the lock from picking and the cylinder from prying out. The drawback of this solution is that the deadbolt can be locked and unlocked only from the inside.
A nice feature of the Yale Security V197 is that the cylinder comes with mushroom pins that improve security as they’re designed to protect against lock picking.
FYI – Before you install a new lock on a door, make sure you read and follow carefully the manufacturer’s instructions.
If you’re a complete newbie and you’ve never done any DIY project before, you may want to ask a locksmith to help you with the installation.
If you do the installation yourself, you will need the following tools in most cases:
- painter’s tape
- safety glasses
- pliers
- power drill
- hammer
- hole saw
- center punch
- screwdrivers
- hacksaw
- chisel
2. Jimmy Proof Deadbolt Lock with Keys From Rocky Mountain Radar
This double cylinder deadbolt is made of heavy-duty zinc plated steel which protects the lock from corrosion (although zinc plating is not as effective as galvanizing).
The deadbolt can be locked and unlocked with a key both from the outside and inside, so there’s no thumb turn.
While it’s true that a thumb turn is more convenient to use, it’s generally less secure than a cylinder. The obvious disadvantage of a deadbolt with a double cylinder is that if you don’t find the key, you can’t easily get out of your home through the door in case of an emergency.
Main features:
- heavy-duty, durable design
- pry resistant bolt
- double cylinder
- shutter guard that effectively blocks entry even if you forget to lock the cylinder
This jimmy proof deadbolt lock can be mounted on doors with a thickness between 1-3/8″ and 2-3/8″, and it comes with a lifetime warranty.
Pro Tip: When you’re installing a jimmy resistant deadlock, make sure the tailpiece isn’t too long because that could prevent the lock from working properly. If it’s longer than necessary, just cut it to size with a hacksaw or pliers according to the thickness of your door.
3. Jimmy Resistant Deadlock From Prime-Line
It’s another jimmy proof door lock from Prime-Line, a well-known US-based hardware supplier (however the product itself is manufactured in China). Like the previous model, this is a double cylinder deadlock, so it’s more secure than an average single cylinder model.
It’s made of diecast metal and available in brass color. It also features a shutter guard that works independently from the cylinder and provides extra security when you’re at home (night locks often have this feature).
I think the outer rim cylinder is the weakest point of the lock, however, as we’ve already discussed, most jimmy resistant deadbolt locks come with this type of cylinder.
Although the shutter guard provides some extra protection if the outer cylinder is compromised, I don’t recommend that you rely solely on any jimmy proof door lock.
This surface-mounted deadbolt works on doors that have a thickness between 1-3/8″ and 2-3/8″. It comes with an angle strike.
4. Segal Deadbolt With Jimmy Proof Design
The Segal Lock and Hardware Company was founded in the US at the beginning of the last century, so their products have been on the market for over 100 years.
This deadbolt from Segal is made of bronze alloy and it comes with a shutter guard and a single cylinder (from the inside it can be operated using the thumb turn). It can be installed on wood and metal doors that have a thickness of 1-3/8″ to 2-3/8″.
The major benefit of this door lock is that it includes both an angle strike and a flat strike. Most jimmy-resistant deadbolts contain only an angled strike plate.
A flat strike should be mounted directly on the face of the door jamb, and that usually means less hassle as in most cases you don’t have to mortise the door frame. At the same time, using an angle strike is typically a more secure solution and it’s generally more resistant to force attacks.
So if you need a flat strike plate for your door, you may want to consider this model.
Here’s a video showing the installation and how the lock works:
5. Defender Security Jimmy Resistant Deadbolt Lock
This single cylinder deadlock from Defender Security is very similar to the first Yale model. It’s made of diecast metal, therefore it’s quite sturdy and durable.
It comes with a shutter guard that further improves security. The lock can be mounted on doors (wood or metal) between 1-3/8″ and 2-3/8″ thick.
Although screws are included, you may want to replace them with longer ones for more security.
The lock comes with an angle strike, so if your door frame requires a flat strike plate, check out the previous model on the list.
It’s available in satin nickel, brass, and white painted finishes.
Alternative Solutions
Although installing a jimmy proof deadbolt lock can be a reasonable way to increase your door security, there are some alternative solutions that you may want to consider.
The major drawback of all the above-mentioned locks is that once the outer rim cylinder is removed, the lock becomes extremely vulnerable. It’s especially true for locks with no shutter guard.
If you want to secure a door from the inside, instead of a jimmy resistant deadbolt lock, you can add this simple device to your door. It’s one of my favorite security devices because not only is it affordable but also easy to install and pretty durable.
As it requires no key, it cannot be compromised by lock bumping or picking. According to the manufacturer, it can withstand 800 lbs of force, therefore it can effectively secure your door from being kicked in.
When you want to reinforce a door, it’s extremely important that you don’t just focus on the locking mechanism. To make your door burglar-proof, you must harden the strike plate, the jamb, and the hinges as well. These are often the weakest parts of your door.
There are many ways you can complete these tasks. I’ve had very good experiences with the Door Armor kit that you can use with your existing lock and it includes everything you need to upgrade your door security. It will definitely help you protect your door from forced entry.
It comes with a pry shield that effectively prevents burglars from prying open your door with a crowbar.
If you want to harden your front door, make sure you also check out this article about the best methods.
