Non-destructive entry first, always - and we re-key Schlage, Kwikset, and Baldwin locks on the spot while you watch
You get a price before we start. It does not change when we arrive. No surprises.
Sargent Lock Rekeying: The Marietta Owner’s Guide
We stock Sargent-compatible lock rekeying parts and perform the service same-day across Marietta for $85-$140 per cylinder, quoted in writing before we start. Most owners discover the problem when a key starts catching in the cylinder, won’t turn smoothly, or a tenant or employee leaves and they need the lock pinned to a new key without replacing the hardware. The fix takes 20-40 minutes on site, and we carry the full Sargent pin kit and key blanks on every van.
Which Sargent Models This Applies To
Sargent lock rekeying covers the 6300 line (mortise cylinders), the 10-Line and 11-Line bored locks, and the RL and RU series rim cylinders common on commercial exit devices. The critical detail is the cylinder type, not the door prep. A 6300 mortise cylinder threads into the lock body with a cam tailpiece that engages the latch mechanism; bored locks use a standard Schlage C-keyway format that Sargent adopted across most residential and light commercial grades after 2010. The RL series rim cylinder, found on many storefront panic bars near the Town Center area, requires a longer tailpiece and a specific retaining clip that we stock in three lengths.
To identify your cylinder, remove the key and check the face for “SARGENT” stamping and a six-digit model number. The keyway profile matters: original Sargent LA keyways differ from the later SC1-compatible format, and pinning them requires different pin kits. We carry both. OEM Sargent pins are brass with nickel silver drivers; we also stock Lab and HPC aftermarket equivalents that meet the same .003-inch tolerance spec. For properties under master-key systems, we use factory-original pins to preserve the master-key hierarchy. For standalone rekeys, the aftermarket pins perform identically at a lower parts cost, and we quote both options in writing.
Signs Your Sargent Lock Rekeying Is Failing
- Key sticks or requires jiggling to turn. The bottom pins are worn to a barrel shape or accumulated grit has packed the chambers. In Marietta’s pollen-heavy spring seasons, we find this accelerated by fine particulate working into the cylinder through the keyway.
- Key turns but the bolt doesn’t retract. The cam tailpiece has sheared or the connecting linkage inside the mortise body has slipped. This is a mechanical failure masked as a key problem; rekeying alone won’t fix it, and we diagnose this before quoting.
- Different keys operate the same lock. The pin chambers have worn oversize, creating shear line overlap between adjacent bitting depths. This is a security failure, not just a convenience issue, and it appears most often in high-traffic commercial locks after 8-12 years of use.
- Key breaks off in the cylinder. The key itself was likely a soft duplicate cut on a worn duplicator; the brass blade deformed and lodged. We extract the fragment, inspect for chamber damage, and rekey with a factory-original key cut on a code machine.
- Lock was rekeyed recently and already malfunctions. The previous technician used incorrect pin lengths or mixed manufacturers’ pin diameters. Sargent cylinders are .115-inch diameter; some aftermarket kits include .116-inch pins that bind in tight chambers, especially in humid Georgia summers when brass swells slightly.
Replacement Cost & What’s Included
| Service | Price Range | What’s Included |
|---|---|---|
| Standard cylinder rekey (1-2 cylinders) | $85-$110 | Disassembly, pin replacement, 2 new keys, function test |
| Master-key cylinder rekey | $110-$140 | Master pinning, control key verification, key record documentation |
| High-security cylinder (Signature, Keso) | $140-$220 | Factory-authorized pinning, key control card processing |
| Emergency same-day service | Base price + $0 | No surcharge; same written price applies |
The range reflects cylinder count, keyway type, and whether the lock is part of a master-key system. Every quote includes parts, labor, and new keys; there is no call-out surcharge added on arrival. The price we quote on the phone is the price on the invoice - Haven Standard Clause 1, in effect since 2002. Work is backed by our 365-Day Done Right Promise: if the cylinder binds, a key doesn’t work smoothly, or the pinning was incorrect, we return and correct it at no charge.
DIY or Call Us?
An owner can safely verify the cylinder type and keyway by visual inspection, but disassembling a Sargent cylinder requires a follower tool, a pinning tray, and a key gauge to read the bitting depths. Without these, the top springs launch the driver pins across the room - we’ve found them in carpet, grout lines, and once in a customer’s coffee cup. More critically, a cylinder reassembled with one pin .005 inches off will accept the key but fail to shear properly, leaving you with a lock that feels right and isn’t.
We don’t recommend DIY rekeying for any cylinder that secures a primary entry or contains a master-key system. The security consequence of a pinning error is a lock that operates with unintended keys, which you won’t discover until it’s too late. For Marietta properties, we carry the full Sargent inventory, quote the exact price before dispatch, and complete the work in a single visit. Call (762) 252-5919 for a written estimate.
FAQs
How long does a Sargent lock rekey last?
A properly pinned Sargent cylinder lasts 10-15 years in residential use, 6-10 years in commercial high-traffic applications. Marietta’s humidity and temperature swings accelerate wear slightly compared to drier climates; we use nickel silver drivers for commercial jobs to resist corrosion. Call (762) 252-5919 for an exact quote - estimates are free.
Can a Sargent lock be repaired instead of rekeyed?
Rekeying is repair: it replaces worn pins and restores proper shear line function. If the cylinder body is cracked, the plug is scored, or the cam is damaged, we replace the cylinder and rekey the new one to your existing key or a new one. We inspect and report the condition before quoting. Call (762) 252-5919 for an exact quote - estimates are free.
How long does the rekeying take on site?
Twenty to forty minutes for a standard cylinder, including removal, rekeying, reinstallation, and function testing. Master-key systems take longer due to verification against the master-key hierarchy. We schedule a 30-minute arrival window and complete the work in one visit. Call (762) 252-5919 for an exact quote - estimates are free.
Do you stock Sargent parts on the truck?
Yes. Every van carries Sargent pin kits in both LA and SC1 keyways, replacement cylinders for the 6300 and 10/11-Line series, rim cylinder tailpieces, and factory key blanks. For Signature or Keso high-security cylinders, we order from factory stock with next-day availability. Call (762) 252-5919 for an exact quote - estimates are free.
Novak Lock & Security Marietta is an independent service provider and is not affiliated with Sargent Manufacturing. We also stock parts for Schlage, Kwikset, and Medeco.
The name on the invoice is the same name on the van. That’s the whole argument.
Written by Daniel Novak, Owner & Lead Technician, Novak Lock & Security Marietta at Novak Lock & Security Marietta, serving Marietta and nearby areas.