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    • Arrow Lock

    Authorized Arrow Lock Distributor | In Stock & Ready to Ship

    Expert Field Guide: The Reliable Workhorse for High-Traffic Retrofits

    The biggest headache for a commercial installer is the "budget-versus-build" battle. You walk onto a job where the property manager wants Grade 1 durability but is choking at the price of the top-tier "prestige" brands. If you install a cheap residential-grade knockoff, you know you'll be back in six months replacing a snapped return spring or a sagging lever. Arrow is the secret weapon for these exact scenarios. As part of the ASSA ABLOY family, they share the same engineering DNA as the giants, but they focus on the meat-and-potatoes of the commercial market. Arrow hardware is designed to be a "drop-in" solution that saves you from re-prepping the door. While brands like Schlage dominate the high-end architectural specs, Arrow is what you install when the door needs to work for the next twenty years without the "brand name" markup.

    What sets Arrow apart is their commitment to standardizing the retrofit. Their AM Series mortise locks are meticulously designed to meet ANSI Grade 1 requirements, making them a perfect replacement for older institutional locks without requiring you to carry a whole carpentry shop in your truck. Where Arrow falls short for some is in the "fancy" finish options—you won't find twenty different shades of brass—but for a clean, satin chrome finish that stands up to hospital-grade cleaning chemicals, they are hard to beat. Unlike some competitors that use plastic internal bushings, Arrow sticks to heavy-duty brass and steel components. Their QL Series cylindrical locks, for example, feature a freewheeling lever that prevents vandals from snapping the lock by simply jumping on the handle.

    Consider this your installer's cheat sheet: use the QL and MLX series levers for your bread-and-butter office and classroom jobs. When you're dealing with high-security educational or medical facilities, move to the AM Series mortise locks for that extra level of bolt strength. If you're looking at an existing Small Format Interchangeable Core (SFIC) system, Arrow's Pointe series cores are the gold standard for compatibility—they fit into almost any SFIC housing on the market, including Best and Falcon. As we expand our catalog to include Arrow's upcoming exit devices and closers, you can trust that the same "no-nonsense" engineering applies across the board. Lock Depot sells brand new Arrow products with the full manufacturer warranty.

    Arrow Product Series Comparison

    Series Application / Best Use Case Grade Fire Rating Key Differentiator Price
    QL Series High-Traffic Cylindrical Lever Grade 1 3-Hour (UL Listed) Freewheeling lever prevents breakage from abuse $$
    AM Series Heavy-Duty Mortise Locks Grade 1 3-Hour (UL Listed) Field-reversible handing; institutional durability $$$
    MLX Series Standard Commercial Lever Grade 2 3-Hour (UL Listed) The "sweet spot" of price and performance $
    Pointe SFIC Key System Management N/A N/A Unmatched SFIC compatibility with 6/7 pin formats $
    DCN500 Surface Applied Closers Grade 1 UL 10C Rated Ideal for high-traffic institutional retrofits $$

    Pro-Tip: The "Tailpiece Timing" Trap

    When you're installing an Arrow interchangeable core (SFIC) into a new lever, don't just shove the core in and expect it to work. If the tailpiece isn't timed correctly with the throw-member, you'll find that the key won't rotate fully or the latch won't retract smoothly. A veteran trick: insert your control key and turn it just enough to retract the lugs, then peek inside the housing. If the throw-member is sitting crooked, use a small flathead to center it before you seat the core. If you force it, you risk bending the pins on the back of the core, which leads to a "sticky" key and a callback three days later when the tenant can't get in.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Is Arrow hardware compatible with Schlage keyways?

    Yes, many Arrow products can be ordered with a Schlage "C" keyway or prepped to accept a Small Format Interchangeable Core (SFIC), making it easy to integrate Arrow hardware into an existing master key system that uses Schlage or Best-style keys.

    Can I change the handing on an Arrow AM Series mortise lock?

    Yes, the AM Series is designed to be field-reversible. You can change the handing of the latchbolt and the hubs without ever opening the lock case. This is a massive time-saver compared to older mortise locks that require you to manage a "jack-in-the-box" of springs inside the chassis.

    What is the difference between the QL and MLX series?

    The QL Series is a Grade 1 lock designed for the highest-traffic areas like school classrooms and hospital entrances. The MLX is a Grade 2 lock, which is perfect for standard office interiors or retail back-doors where you need security but don't expect thousands of cycles per day.

    Do Arrow locks come with a warranty?

    Arrow offers some of the best warranties in the mid-range market. For example, the QL Series typically carries a 10-year mechanical warranty, while the MLX and other Grade 2 products usually have a 5-year or 3-year warranty depending on the specific model.

    Are Arrow locks fire-rated?

    Most Arrow commercial lever sets and mortise locks are UL listed for use on 3-hour fire doors. Always check the specific SKU for the "UL" mark to ensure compliance with local fire codes, especially on stairwell and corridor doors.

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