What is the best padlock for commercial use?

For most commercial facilities, American Lock A1100/A1300 series padlocks are the correct default: aluminum bodies for outdoor corrosion resistance, boron shackles for attack resistance, and rekeyable cylinders that integrate with the building's master keyed system. The A700 series is appropriate for applications where a heavier steel body and maximum shackle attack resistance are specified.

Which American Lock series is best for high-security applications?

The American Lock A700 solid-steel series with boron shackle offers the highest attack resistance in the American Lock lineup. For hidden-shackle security on roll-up doors and trailers, the A20/A21/A22 brass-body series eliminates exposed shackle as an attack point. For SFIC integration, the A3571WO drops into your building's existing interchangeable core system.

Are American Lock padlocks rekeyable?

The A1100, A1200, A1300, and A20 series are rekeyable — a locksmith can re-pin the cylinder to a new key. The A30, A31, and A32 series are non-rekeyable and must be replaced when keys are lost or compromised. The A3571WO ships without a cylinder for SFIC facilities.

What's the difference between a boron and hardened steel shackle?

Hardened steel resists bolt cutters but yields to a hacksaw. Boron alloy resists both bolt cutters and hacksaws, which are the two most common opportunistic attack tools. Spec boron for outdoor gates, fences, and any opening visible from a public right-of-way. Neither defeats an angle grinder.

Can padlocks be keyed alike across a facility?

Yes. American Lock ships every A1100/A1300 width in keyed alike (KA), keyed alike master keyed (KAMK), and keyed different master keyed (MK) configurations. Facility managers can order groups of padlocks that all open on one key while the master key opens the entire building system. Zero-bitted and uncombinated options let a locksmith key the padlocks into an existing SFIC or LFIC system.

What padlock is best for outdoor gates?

Specify an aluminum-body padlock with a boron shackle — the American Lock A1367 (2", keyed different or keyed alike) is the standard answer. Aluminum will not rust, and the boron shackle resists bolt cutters. Avoid laminated steel bodies outdoors; the layers rust apart within a season.

Best Padlock for Commercial Use: Master Lock vs Abus vs American Lock

Posted by ZenSupply Facility Solutions Team on Aug 31st 2026

By ZenSupply Facility Solutions Team · Reviewed by ZenSupply technical staff · Last updated August 31, 2026

At a Glance

American Lock A1100/A1300 series — rekeyable solid aluminum with boron shackle; the workhorse for facility keying systems that need master keying and SFIC compatibility.
American Lock A700 series — solid steel body, hardened boron shackle; use where an SFIC core or extreme shackle attack resistance is spec'd.
American Lock A20/A21/A22 hidden-shackle series — solid brass body with enclosed shackle; specify for roll-up doors, semi trailers, and any opening where an exposed shackle is a vulnerability.
American Lock A3571WO SFIC — ships without cylinder for drop-in integration with your facility's existing Best or Schlage small-format interchangeable core system.
All series are covered under ANSI/BHMA A156.5 (auxiliary locks): Grade 1 = 250,000 cycles, Grade 2 = 100,000, Grade 3 = 25,000.

How did we pick the best padlock for commercial use?

Four criteria decide a commercial padlock spec: shackle metallurgy, body construction, keying system compatibility, and environmental rating. Everything else is packaging.

Shackle is where attacks land. Hardened steel resists bolt cutters; boron alloy resists both bolt cutters and hacksaws and is the current standard for facility-grade locks. Body construction (solid brass, solid steel, solid aluminum, laminated) drives corrosion behavior and drilling resistance. Keying compatibility — whether the lock accepts your facility's SFIC or LFIC cores, or can be master keyed into an existing system — is what separates a real commercial padlock from a hardware-store purchase.

The governing standard is ANSI/BHMA A156.5 for auxiliary locks: Grade 1 = 250,000 cycles, Grade 2 = 100,000, Grade 3 = 25,000. Padlocks cycle far less than primary door locks, so those thresholds are appropriate — don't borrow the A156.2 cylindrical numbers. Cross-reference ASTM F883 for physical attack ratings if the spec calls it out. Browse our commercial padlock inventory to see what we stock across grades.

Where does the American Lock A1100 and A700 series fit?

American Lock is what most locksmiths reach for when a facility needs padlocks that live inside an existing keying system. The American Lock A1105KA and its A1106/A1166 siblings are rekeyable solid aluminum bodies with a boron shackle — the aluminum body means outdoor gate applications don't rust the padlock to the hasp after one winter.

The line scales by width: A1105/A1106/A1166 at 1-1/2", A1206/A1267 at 1-3/4", A1305/A1306/A1307/A1365/A1366/A1367 at 2". Each width is available in keyed different, keyed alike, keyed alike master keyed, keyed different master keyed, zero-bitted, and uncombinated. That's the point — facility managers can order a pallet of A1367KAMK and have them all open on one key while the master pins into the building's grand-master system.

For hidden-shackle applications (over-the-hasp truck rolling doors, semi trailers), the American Lock A20, A21, and A22 use a solid brass body with the shackle enclosed — no shackle to bolt-cut. For SFIC compatibility, the American Lock A3571WO ships without a cylinder so you drop in your facility's core.

Boron vs. hardened steel shackle — what's the difference?

Hardened steel shackles resist bolt cutters up to a point but yield to a hacksaw or an angle grinder. Boron alloy shackles resist both bolt cutters and hacksaws — they're the reason the A1100 and A1300 series show up on facility spec sheets. Boron doesn't defeat an angle grinder (nothing at padlock scale does), but it takes the two most common opportunistic tools off the table.

Spec boron for outdoor gates, fence lines, roll-up doors, and any opening visible from a public right-of-way. Hardened steel is fine for indoor lockers and interior cages.

Which body material holds up outdoors?

Solid aluminum bodies (American Lock A1100/A1300 series) do not rust — critical for gates, fences, and shipping/receiving doors exposed to rain and salt spray. Solid brass (American A20/A21/A22) also weathers well but carries a meaningful premium. Laminated steel bodies rust at the layer joints within a season outdoors — keep them indoors.

For lockout/tagout and interior storage, laminated steel is the value pick. For anything outside, spec aluminum or brass and inspect our lock parts and accessories for weather-resistant hasps to match.

How do keyed alike, master keyed, and rekeyable options compare?

Three keying decisions matter for facility purchasing:

Keyed different (KD) — every lock ships on a unique key. Use when locks are personal (employee lockers) or when losing one key shouldn't compromise the rest.
Keyed alike (KA) — a group of locks all open on one key. Use for gate systems, fence runs, and any application where one person needs to open many locks.
Master keyed (MK) — each lock has its own operating key, but a master key opens all of them. Use for building-wide facility systems where department heads need broader access.
Rekeyable — the cylinder can be re-pinned in the field when a key is lost or an employee leaves. The A1100/A1300 series is rekeyable; the A30/A31/A32 series is not. For facility standardization, rekeyable is worth the price bump.
Zero-bitted / uncombinated — ships without pinning so a locksmith can key it into any existing system. This is how you integrate padlocks into your building's grand-master hierarchy.

Need padlocks now? Browse our commercial padlock inventory — American Lock rekeyable, keyed alike, and master keyed configurations ship from stock.

What's the best padlock for gates, lockout, storage, and job sites?

Outdoor gates and fences: American Lock A1367 (2" aluminum, boron shackle) keyed alike across the run. Rust-proof and rekeyable when the property manager changes.

Shipping/receiving roll-up doors: Hidden-shackle A20/A21/A22 brass body — nothing exposed for bolt cutters.

Facility SFIC integration: A3571WO shipped without cylinder, cored to your building's Best/Schlage system on receipt.

Interior storage cages and tool cribs: A1105 or A1166 at 1-1/2", keyed alike master keyed into the department system.

Lockout/tagout: Dedicated LOTO padlocks (color-coded, keyed different per technician) — not covered in this comparison but critical to spec correctly per OSHA 1910.147.

How do American Lock's aluminum, brass, and SFIC series compare?

American Lock is the correct default for a commercial facility that needs padlocks inside a keyed system. It's rekeyable, ships zero-bitted or pre-keyed to your specification, and integrates with the building's grand-master. The A1367 in aluminum with a boron shackle handles nearly every outdoor gate application without corrosion, and the A20 series covers hidden-shackle needs.

The A700 solid-steel series steps up attack resistance for applications where a steel body is specified alongside a boron shackle — transformer enclosures, high-value warehouse cages, and similar high-security openings where the threat model warrants the heavier build.

The A3571WO SFIC model bridges the gap between padlock and building access-control system: drop in your existing interchangeable core and the padlock becomes part of your grand-master hierarchy without any additional rekeying cost.

Choose American Lock when:

The facility runs a master-keyed system (Best, Schlage, Corbin) and padlocks need to integrate
Locks live outdoors on gates, fences, or roll-up doors and must not rust
You need boron-shackle attack resistance without paying a significant premium
Field rekeying by an in-house or contracted locksmith is part of your operating plan

Brand / Series	BHMA Grade	Cycle Rating	Best For	List Price Tier
American Lock A1367	A156.5 Grade 1	250,000 minimum per A156.5	Outdoor gates, aluminum body, boron shackle, rekeyable	Mid
American Lock A1105KA	A156.5 Grade 1	250,000 minimum per A156.5	Interior cages, tool cribs, keyed alike facility groups	Value
American Lock A20	A156.5 Grade 1	250,000 minimum per A156.5	Hidden-shackle, brass body, roll-up doors, trailers	Mid
American Lock A3571WO	A156.5 Grade 1	250,000 minimum per A156.5	SFIC facilities, drop-in core, brass body	Mid
American Lock A30	A156.5 Grade 2	100,000 minimum per A156.5	Non-rekeyable applications, aluminum body, lower cost	Value

For gate hardware beyond padlocks, review our auxiliary and rim locks when the padlock is one piece of a layered opening.

Spec the padlock the way you spec any other opening component: match the grade, the keying system, and the environmental exposure — then order in the quantities and configurations your facility actually needs. Shop commercial padlocks at ZenSupply or browse the full American Lock catalog for keyed-alike, master-keyed, and zero-bitted configurations.