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Quick Verdict

Arrow is the value line: use it where you need a commercial-rated lock at a lower cost than a heavy-duty Grade 1 spec, which means multifamily, light commercial and budget retrofits. For knobs, MK is Grade 2 with wrought Tudor, Darrin or Ball knobs, and RK is the economy Grade 2 knob. For levers, QL is Grade 1 and MLX is Grade 2, both with a 10-year mechanical warranty, and RL is the economy Grade 2 lever. BM is the mortise lever line for heavy-duty openings. Function digits are the order code: 11 entrance, 12 storeroom, 32 public entrance. Deadbolts run E61, DBX61, D61 and the E50 indicator. Exit devices are the ED910 and S1250.

Where does Arrow fit: multifamily, light commercial or budget retrofit?

Arrow's own descriptions place the RK and RL series in "multi-family housing markets, as well as light commercial applications" and the MK series where "heavy duty grade one hardware may not be necessary". That is the fit. Worn entry knobs across an apartment building, a small office suite or a storeroom: Arrow Grade 2 hardware covers these. A hospital corridor, a high-abuse restroom bank or a busy main entrance belongs on Grade 1, and Arrow has Grade 1 in QL levers, D61 deadbolts and the ED910 and S1250 exit devices.

For the apartment-door question (commercial rated vs residential), read the guide on whether apartment units can use commercial locks first.

Table 1 maps the series to grade, trim and the function codes NLS lists.

Arrow series	Grade	Trim	Function codes listed
MK	2	Knob (Tudor TA, Darrin DD, Ball BD)	11 entrance, 12 storeroom, 32 public entrance
RK	2	Knob (Ball BD)	11 entrance
RL	2	Lever (Sierra SR)	11 entrance
MLX	2	Lever (Sierra SR)	72 privacy, 82 storeroom
QL	1	Lever (Sierra SR)	81 entrance (key in lever)
APL	1	Lever (Sierra ST), indicator	02 privacy with indicator
BM	Heavy duty mortise	Lever, handed, field reversible	11 apartment/front door, 21 front door

Which Arrow knob lock do I need: MK, RK or the 11, 12, 32 functions?

The MK series is Grade 2, with a cold rolled steel chassis (zinc dichromate), a 2-1/8" bore, 2-3/4" backset (2-3/8" available), doors 1-3/8" to 1-3/4", and a brass latch with 1/2" throw. The knob suffix is the style: TA is Tudor, DD is Darrin, BD is Ball. Functions on NLS:

• MK11 (entrance, ANSI F109): turn button inside. The MK11-TA page lists the Tudor knob version.
• MK12 (storeroom, F86): outside knob always inoperable, key outside, inside knob always operates.
• MK32 (public entrance, F88): locked by key from inside. The MK32-DD with Darrin knob and conventional cylinder is the ranked page for this function, about $179 at NLS. The same function ships with a Ball knob (MK32-BD) and a Tudor knob (MK32-TA).

The RK series is the economy knob: Grade 2, 2-3/8" or 2-3/4" backset, guarded brass latchbolt, built for multifamily and light commercial. The RK11-BD ball knob entrance runs about $40 at NLS. If the door sees daily public traffic, step up to MK.

Table 2 decodes the function numbers.

Function number	Function name	ANSI code	Typical door
11	Entrance / office	F109	Apartment entry, office door with turn button
12	Storeroom	F86	Storage, utility, mechanical rooms
32	Public entrance	F88	Retail or public-facing door locked by key inside
72	Privacy (non-keyed)	F76	Restrooms, dressing rooms
82	Storeroom (lever)	F86	Storeroom with key in lever

Arrow lever locks: QL, MLX, RL and APL02, what is the difference?

All four are cylindrical with a 2-1/8" bore, 2-3/4" backset standard, doors 1-3/8" to 1-3/4", and a stainless steel 1/2" latch. They differ by grade and price:

• QL (Grade 1): the QL81-SR entrance lever has a freewheeling lever for abuse resistance, a two-screw install, and a 10-year mechanical warranty. Cylinder is solid brass 6-pin, Arrow A or Schlage C keyway, with an optional prep for small or large format interchangeable cores.
• MLX (Grade 2): same freewheeling lever and two-screw install with a 10-year mechanical warranty. Shown on NLS as MLX72 (privacy) and MLX82 (storeroom), with the Sierra lever, in the MLX series Grade 2 category.
• RL (Grade 2): economy lever with removable throughbolts, RL11-SR Sierra entrance, for multifamily and light commercial.
• APL02 (Grade 1 privacy with indicator): non-keyed, 3-1/2" diameter rose, green/red status icons, emergency coin turn, for restrooms, quiet rooms, nursing mothers' rooms, dressing rooms and conference rooms. The ADA, indicator and privacy points are in the occupancy indicator locks guide.

If you are retrofitting from another brand, check the keyway before choosing Arrow A versus Schlage C: the cylinder can be ordered in either.

Are Arrow BM mortise locks heavy duty enough?

The BM series is the Arrow mortise lever line, described on NLS as intended for heavy duty use in schools, hospitals and commercial buildings. Lock case is heavy gauge steel, 5-7/8" x 4" x 15/16", with an 8" armored front, backset 2-3/4", handed but field reversible without disassembling the case, standard for 1-3/4" doors.

Two functions are listed:

• BM11 (apartment / front door, F12): deadbolt operates by key outside and turnpiece inside, and turning the inside lever retracts the latchbolt and deadbolt together. Listed as BM11 HSL with the HS lever and L rose, satin chrome.
• BM21 (front door, F08): latchbolt by lever either side unless stopworks lock it, deadbolt by turnpiece inside, and key outside operates both bolts. Listed as BM21 VG with V lever and G escutcheon, satin chrome, about $589 at NLS.

Mortise cylinders are the MC61 series: 1-1/8" for 1-3/4" doors, six pin, brass, Arrow A keyway standard, with cams for specific functions (001 for functions 12, 17, 22, 23, 24, 27, 32 inside, 33 and 37; AM2 for functions 11, 13, 19, 20, 21, 31 and others; 006 for Schlage; AR18 for Adams Rite). Match the cam to the function before ordering. For key blanks by brand and keyway, use the commercial key blanks guide.

Which Arrow deadbolt: E61, DBX61, D61 or E50?

Model	Grade	Use	Notes from the NLS page
E61	2	Single cylinder deadbolt	Two-piece housing, free-spinning ring, 1" throw, two 1/4" through-bolts, 6-pin cylinder pinned to 5
DBX61	2	Single cylinder, keyed alike group of 4	A156.36 auxiliary lock, 1-year warranty, finishes 630, 605, 613E
D61	1	Single cylinder (ANSI E0151)	1" throw, reversible, #346 wood frame strike and BX91D reinforcement
E50	2	Occupancy indicator deadbolt, red/green	Non-keyed, indicator inside and outside, emergency key override outside

The E61 and D61 accept 6 or 7 pin small format interchangeable cores (supplied less cores) and take Best or Falcon type cores. The DBX61 is sold keyed alike in a group of 4. Compare against other commercial options in the commercial deadbolts guide.

Which Arrow exit devices and closers does NLS carry?

The Arrow ED910 rim exit device is the value Grade 1 device: 1-3/4" doors, 4-1/2" minimum stile, stamped steel chassis, cast zinc cover, reversible handing, hex key dogging, stainless latchbolt, finishes AL, BRZ and LBZ, UL listed for panic, and a 10-year warranty. The 48" can be cut to a 43" door, and the 36" to a 31" door. About $164 at NLS. The Arrow S1250 is the next step up: Grade 1, wide stile pushpad, universal function, sizes E (30"), F (36") and G (48"), non-ferrous alloy chassis, ADA compliant, fire exit hardware for hollow metal doors. Throughbolts are ordered separately. Browse both in the Arrow exit devices category. For channel types (rim, SVR, CVR, mortise) see the exit device types guide. Surface closers are in the Arrow door closers category. The Accentra line is covered in the Accentra (Yale) hardware guide.

Can I rekey or replace the cylinder on an Arrow lock?

Yes, and the keyway is the first thing to read. The standard Arrow cylinder is solid brass, 6-pin, in the Arrow A keyway, with Schlage C (or CS on some pages) offered as an alternative, so an Arrow lock can be dropped into a building that already runs Schlage keys. The QL, MLX and RL pages also list a prep for small or large format interchangeable core cylinders, with the core ordered separately. For mortise locks, order the MC61 by length and cam. The keyway and master key logic is in the cylinder keyways and keying compatibility guide. Arrow key blanks are on the key blanks category, and the sibling guide above sorts blanks by brand.

Common mistakes

1. Specifying a Grade 2 knob on a high-traffic public door. Use QL or BM, or step to a Grade 1 line.
2. Ordering the wrong function. 11 is entrance with a turn button, 12 is storeroom (outside always locked), 32 is public entrance (key locks from inside).
3. Mixing keyways. Arrow A and Schlage C are both offered. Confirm which one the building runs on.
4. Wrong mortise cylinder cam. The MC61 cams are function specific. Verify 001, 004, 006, AM2 or AR18 against the lock.
5. Ordering an ED910 for a narrow stile door. Both Arrow rim devices need a 4-1/2" minimum stile.
6. Treating DBX61 as Grade 1. It is certified Grade 2 under A156.36.

FAQ

Are Arrow locks commercial grade? Yes. MK, RK, RL and MLX are Grade 2, and QL, D61 and the ED910 and S1250 are Grade 1. BM mortise locks are described as heavy duty for schools and hospitals.

Which Arrow lock is best for apartments? The RK and RL series are positioned for multifamily housing. For apartment mortise doors, the BM11 is the apartment/front door function.

What cylinder does an Arrow lock use? Arrow A keyway standard, with Schlage C (CS on some pages) available on many models. Mortise is the MC61 1-1/8" six pin.

Does NLS ship Arrow parts same day? Orders placed before 3:00 p.m. EST ship same day, and ground shipping is free on orders of $450 and up.

Next step

Send the model numbers you are replacing to the quote desk, or submit a municipal or agency purchase order through government PO intake. For direct questions, call 718-814-6300.