Review on Extra Tall And Wide Cumbor 29.5-46 Auto Close Safety Baby Gate For House, Stairs, Doorways - Mom'S Choice Awards Winner - Easy Walk Thru Durability Dog Gate, White by Sean Florence

I got this for the base of my staircase. Best Buy initially recommended a newer version of this product at checkout but upon delivery and after starting the installation, found out that it's for a slightly narrower entrance way and had to return itI found this model (older) to be less rigid than the updated one. The updated one seemed to have the extension sections click in rather than simply slide in. And they seemed to form a more solid overall gate unit. With the two extensions, this model has basically four areas of flex: at each of the anchor points and then at either side of the gate itself. There is a metal stabilizer that acts almost like a splint on a broken leg, but since there's only one you can either stabilize the long side or the short side. So overall I found it less rigid than desirable but that may be due in part to my mistake (see below).The gate itself swings outward using a thumb latch and a up-and-out motion. This is good since even if my daughter figures out how the latch works, she probably doesn't have the leverage to pull it up simultaneously. Initially the "up" was required but it seems over time (2 months) it swings out freely upon opening. What I like about the gate is that it will hold at the 90 degree open position and swing closed with just little nudge (helpful if you're hands are full, with baby, laundry, etc). What I don't like is that the gate will swing almost through itself sometimes. Again, this is probably due to my issue below. But the gate will swing closed and have enough momentum not to lock closed and be halfway in and out of the locked position so that it appears closed but can be pushed upon the opposite way. Also, the bottom notch which ensures closing does not always catch. So the top latch can be closed while the bottom is not.The problem I created for myself and has undoubtedly made the gate less effective was caused by violating the old proverb "measure twice, cut once." The gate, with extensions, is for an opening 43.3". I measured at the step level only which is just a tad over 43". Unfortunately, I didn't realize that the banister narrows at the top of the gate so the opening is more like 43.8" at the top.The gate extensions anchor to the walls (or banister) by tension of what are essentially large flat rubber tipped screws, which are aligned to anchor points by a plastic cup which is stuck or screwed into the wall. The "screws" can be adjusted by hand or a small tool to increase or decrease the tension by turning a small dial (with slots for the tool). Being at beyond the 43.3" tolerance, I have the screws maxed out (see photo) and if pressure is applied (leaning on or even trying to open the gate normally), will flex at the wall points or the extension connections. The overall effect is a slightly wobbly gate with predictable effects on the swinging gate (as noted above). Also, daily use requires frequent tightening of the dials to maintain tension, at a few times a month.If the entrance were within the 43.3" requirement, I have no doubt the gate would operate better. And if you had to use the extensions with minimal extending of the "screws or one or no extensions, better still. But if you need something for that narrow an entry, then your probably better off with the upgrade of this product, which was in fact $3 cheaper.