Sargent 6300 LFIC.
Design
Sargent 6300 large format interchangeable cores (LFIC) utilize a control lug found in the 3rd and 4th chambers of the core. The Sargent 6300 utilizes the Sargent .020” key bitting specification that has depths 1-10 (shallowest to deepest), sometimes labeled 1-0, and requires two-step progression. Control keys for the Sargent 6300 will contain the same cuts as either the operating/change key OR top master key in all positions except the 3rd and 4th.
Key Considerations
One big item to keep in mind is that the coded difference between the operating and control shearline is .160” or 8 increments. This means that certain control bittings used in conjunction with certain operating/change key OR top master key bittings can result in key interchange. In other words, operating/change OR top master keys functioning as control keys or vice-versa. Sargent avoids this risk with factory systems by not using depths 1 and 2 for control key bittings and depths 9 and 10 for operating/change OR top master key bittings in the 3rd and 4th positions. Please keep this in mind when servicing cores in the field. For further information on this topic, consult Chapter 12 of The Core of the Matter by A.J. Hoffman and Billy B. Edwards, Jr.
Additionally, the Sargent .020″ key bitting specification uses two step progression. This means that the control key and operating/change key and/or top master key bittings must all carry the same parity in their respective positions/chambers. You must follow this rule to avoid key interchange.
The control key typically shares the same cuts as the top master key in positions 1, 2, 5, and 6. This allows the control key to function in all cylinders in a master key system because chambers 1, 2, 5, and 6 will already be master pinned to operate with the top master key.
Hollow Drivers
Sargent 6300 hollow drivers.
All Sargent 6300 cores manufactured after January 1, 2009 should utilize “hollow drivers” in control chambers. Hollow drivers have a portion of the driver/top pin “hollowed out” to accommodate special hollow driver springs. This re-design was to correct potential operational problems. Because control chambers have a uniform stack height that is 5 increments larger than non-control chambers, the 3rd and 4th chambers will be .100″ (5 x .020″) larger than non-control chambers. By removing a portion of the driver, the risk of premature spring wear in control-chambers is drastically reduced.
If you plan to service Sargent 6300s, you should obtain both hollow drivers and hollow driver springs. Contact your local distributor or consult page CK-14 in the 2018 Sargent price book for more information.
Pinning Chart Tools
We currently host three tools available to assist you with creating pinning charts for the Sargent 6300:
First, we have a pinning worksheet that contains a pinning chart and pinning instructions/rules for the Sargent 6300. This pinning worksheet, demonstrated in the video below, allows locksmiths to quickly generate a pinning chart for the Sargent 6300.
Second, we have a control chamber pinning worksheet. This worksheet/matrix, modeled after Sargent’s 6409D training manual, is a “cheat sheet” for control chamber pinning. By using cut depths from the keys being used you can quickly determine the pinning segments for control chambers.
Finally, we have a key bitting specification for Sargent that includes LFIC pin segments and information.
Aslo, Sargent currently hosts a 2 page PDF that contains instructions for rekeying their 6300 LFIC.
Tyler,
Thanks for this nice write up.
Does BBE have later editions of Master Keying by the numbers? I have a First Edition Oct, 1991 and I do not see the chapter you mention.
I am glad you are in there helping Breck out. He thinks quite highly of you as do I.
Thank you for the kind words.
I’m referring to Core of the Matter, not Master Keying by the Numbers. In my edition, it’s Chapter 12, page 243. Front of the book says its the second edition and published in 2013. I bought it directly from BBE and I still think he sells them on his website. One of my favorite books, definitely worth the investment if you do any IC work!
Hi Tyler: I just finished watching your video on Creating Pinning Charts for the Sargent 6300 LFIC. I am just curious as to why, regarding the control chambers, when determining the Top Pin, you say to subtract the control key cuts from 12 instead of the required stack height of 20?
12 is the “magic number” as it relates to the top pin and control cut relationship. It is derived from the total stack height (20) minus the coded distance between shearlines (8). Using the technique in the video, you identify the top pin before the build-up pin. As such, you can’t use the total stack height to determine two unknowns.
Understood, and thank you.
No problem. Thank you for checking out our website!
I am a hobbie picker I have a Sargent I bought only with operator key I can pick it to control pull the core and disassemble it how would I make my own control key this lock has master wafer in 1,2,5,6 and 2 master wafer in 3&4. Can I fill in all the info from the known pin length and make a control key?
You can. Use our Sargent 6300 Decoding Worksheet to determine the control key: https://www.lockreference.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Sargent-6300-Decoding-Worksheet-1.pdf