I thought I was doing something wrong, it was so flimsy and difficult to lock. No, I was right, It's just flimsy and difficult to lock. I miss the basic U-shaped, metal lock from before. I would buy gate after gate because they were sturdy and reasonable. The wood flexes too much with the right tension. Too little tension and the gate falls off.  Walls are really not always flush and plumbed perfectly. No room for error.