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    • Adams Rite

    Authorized Adams Rite Distributor | In Stock & Ready to Ship

    Expert Field Guide: Solving the Narrow Stile Nightmare

    Every locksmith knows the sinking feeling of pulling up to a commercial storefront only to find a shattered glass door or a "narrow stile" aluminum frame that's been butchered by a previous hack. The problem with storefront hardware isn't just security; it's the limited real estate inside that aluminum extrusion. You have less than two inches of depth to fit a mechanism that needs to withstand thousands of cycles a week. If you grab a generic latch, it's going to bind, catch, or fail within a month because it wasn't engineered for the tight tolerances of a swinging glass door. Adams Rite basically invented the "MS" (Maximum Security) prep specifically to solve this, giving us a way to put massive deadbolt strength into a frame that's barely wider than a pocket watch.

    What makes Adams Rite different from the "all-in-one" brands is their specialized focus on aluminum and glass applications. While HES dominates the electric strike market for hollow metal frames, Adams Rite owns the storefront. Their MS1850S deadlocks are the industry standard for a reason; that laminated stainless steel hookbolt is designed to bridge the gap in sliding doors where a standard bolt would just get pried out. Where Adams Rite falls short for some is in high-traffic wood or steel doors—that's where you'd typically look at Von Duprin for a rim device—but for a clean, concealed look on an office entrance or a retail shop, nothing beats the Adams Rite 8800 series or the new Steel Hawk 4300 for an electrified retrofit that doesn't require you to grind out the whole frame.

    For the apprentice on the truck, consider this your cheat sheet: use the 1850 series when you need "bank-level" deadbolt security and the 4500 or 4900 series deadlatches when the customer needs traffic control during business hours. If you're upgrading a door to access control, the 7400 Ultraline strike is a lifesaver because it handles preload—the pressure from a door that doesn't close quite flush—better than almost any other strike in its class. Unlike cheaper knock-offs, these components are designed to be modular. You can swap a mechanical deadlatch for an electrified one without re-cutting the door, provided you stayed within the same backset family. Lock Depot stocks the full range of backsets from 7/8" to 1-1/2" to make sure you aren't stuck waiting on a specialty part. Lock Depot sells brand new Adams Rite products with the full manufacturer warranty.

    Adams Rite Series Comparison

    Series Application / Best Use Case Grade Fire Rating Key Differentiator Price
    MS1850S Series Narrow Stile Storefront Deadlock Grade 1 Non-Rated Pivoting laminated steel hookbolt/deadbolt $
    4900 Series Heavy Duty Deadlatch Grade 1 Non-Rated Bolt holdback feature for traffic control $$
    7400 Ultraline Electric Strike (Retrofit) Grade 1 Non-Rated Preload capable; fits shallow aluminum jambs $$
    8800 Series Narrow Stile Rim Exit Device Grade 1 Non-Rated Starwheel bolt interlocks door to frame $$$
    4300 Steel Hawk Electrified Deadlatch Grade 1 Non-Rated Electrified "No-Cut" replacement for MS Deadlocks $$$

    Pro-Tip: The "Bridge" to a Perfect Flush Fit

    When you're installing an MS lock into a new aluminum stile, don't just rely on the faceplate screws to hold the lock body in place. Use an Adams Rite 4104 Mounting Bridge. It spans the inside of the stile and creates a solid "web" that prevents the lock from shifting or vibrating loose over time. If the lock body isn't perfectly flush with the door edge, the cylinder won't seat properly, and you'll be fighting key-turn resistance for the rest of the day. A quick turn of the bridge screws allows for minor adjustments that save you from having to shim the cylinder or file the faceplate.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What is the difference between the 4500 and 4900 deadlatches?

    The 4500 is the standard-duty version, while the 4900 is the heavy-duty upgrade. The 4900 features a solid brass latchbolt and is designed for higher-traffic commercial use. Most importantly, the 4900 uses the same prep as the MS1850S deadlock, making it the preferred choice for retrofitting a "key-only" door to a handle/paddle operation.

    How do I determine the backset for an Adams Rite lock?

    Backset is the distance from the edge of the door to the center of the cylinder hole. In narrow stile aluminum doors, the most common sizes are 31/32" and 1-1/8". If you get this wrong by even 1/8", the lock body will hit the glass or the cylinder won't align. Always measure twice before ordering.

    Can I use a 7400 electric strike with a deadbolt?

    No. Electric strikes are designed to work with latches (like the 4900 series) because the latch needs to be able to "spring" back into the strike pocket. A deadbolt is a rigid piece of metal that doesn't move unless the key is turned. If you need to electrify a deadbolt door without changing the lock, look at the Steel Hawk 4300.

    What does "Preload" mean for electric strikes?

    Preload is the pressure exerted on the strike's keeper by the door latch, usually caused by bad weatherstripping or air pressure in the building. Most strikes will jam under preload. The Adams Rite 7400 series is specifically engineered to release even when there is up to 15 lbs of pressure pushing against it.

    What is the "Starwheel" on the 8800 Exit Device?

    Unlike a standard Pullman latch that just sits in a strike, the Starwheel bolt actually wraps around the strike post. This interlocking action makes it much harder for someone to use a crowbar to "spread" the door frame and bypass the latch, which is a common vulnerability in aluminum storefronts.

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