u/Uniform_Restorer

I very recently switched over from Peerless cuffs to ASP, and now own one pair each of the ASP Plus hinge and chain cuffs, specifically the forged steel bow versions. My cuffs are practically brand new, having been put on only maybe like 8 people so far.

I keep having an issue where the handcuff key ends up binding/jamming up in the keyway when I go to take them off a subject's wrists, and it takes a bunch of aggressively wiggling the key around before it'll disengage the double-lock and then actually unlock the cuffs. I've noticed it typically is worse when they've been on a subject for a while, or if they've been struggling/moving around a lot before I remove them. I've been made aware of the shitty tolerances between the keyway and the frame from a co-worker who's been using ASP cuffs for a while, including that annoying gap that the tooth of the handcuff key fits and rotates into without actually engaging with the locking mechanism. I've noticed this issue on both the chain and hinge cuffs, and asking my co-owner who's been using his ASP cuffs for a while, he's experienced it too.

Has anyone experienced this specific issue? If so, have you figured out if there's a way to prevent it? Perhaps maybe something you can do to maintenance-wise, or maybe a specific technique, or perhaps a different brand/style of handcuff key works a bit better? I'm just throwing shit at the wall here and hoping something sticks, since these cuffs weren't cheap. Thanks in advance, y'all.