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Quick Verdict

Falcon door hardware splits into five product lines that each have their own numbering. Exit devices: 25 series (25-R rim, F-25-R fire rated rim, F-25-M fire rated mortise) for 4" stiles, 24 series for 3-1/2" narrow stiles, 1690 concealed vertical rod, and 1790, 19 and 2090 as economy rim and crossbar devices. MA series mortise locks, with AE77012 Napa escutcheons that are ordered by a two-letter opening code (OK, OT, OC, IE, IT). W and D series cylindrical locks and deadbolts (W581 storeroom, D271 indicator deadbolt). SC71A and SC81A surface closers, and C607, C987 and 985 for SFIC cores and mortise cylinders. Match the stile width, the door material and the opening code, then order the part.

Which Falcon exit device fits the door: 25 series, 24, 1690, 1790, 19 or 2090?

Pick on stile width and door type first, then on the channel. The 25 series is Falcon's heavy-duty line, ANSI A156.3 Grade 1, built for high-traffic single and double doors. The Falcon 25-R EO rim panic exit device needs a 4" stile, comes in 3' (doors up to 36") and 4' (doors up to 48") lengths, has a 3/4" stainless steel latchbolt, a 299 strike, hex key dogging, and mounts with the centerline 40-1/4" from the floor. The F-25-R is the fire-rated version: same lengths and stile, less dogging and a 299F strike. The F-25-M is the fire-rated mortise version (4-1/2" stile, handed, 1279 strike, 3' length) for ANSI A115.1 mortise prep. Motorized electric latch retraction is an available option on the 25 and 24 devices.

The 24 series is the narrow stile cousin: same A156.3 Grade 1 certification, a 3-1/2" stile and a 40" mounting height. For channel logic across brands, rim vs SVR vs mortise vs CVR is the reference.

The 1690, 1790, 19 and 2090 are the narrow stile and economy lines, and they share a parts pattern. The Falcon 1690EO concealed vertical rod exit device (about $365 at NLS) is Grade 1, exit only, field reversible and non-handed, with rods concealed in the stile, a PB48 top strike, SU top latch and hex bottom bolt. It comes in 30", 36", 42" and 48", needs a 1-3/4" minimum stile and fits metal doors 1-3/4" thick. It also retrofits a 1990 crossbar device. The 1790EO is the rim sibling: non-handed, TD35 strike, 3/4" throw, same four sizes, for metal or wood doors, and it retrofits a 2090 crossbar. The 2090EO 44IN is the crossbar: handed (specify RHR or LHR, not reversible), SD36 strike, 41" crossbar standard, UL305 listed, and available with a rim cylinder in key entry (NL) or hold back (HB). The 19R-EO is the thinnest of the group: it covers a 161 cutout, works on 1-3/4" narrow stile aluminum doors, uses an F570 strike, and comes in 3' and 4'.

Family	Models	Opening type	Typical buyer
25 series	25-R, F-25-R, F-25-M	4" stile, single or double door, rim or mortise	School, retail, commercial high traffic
24 series	24-R	3-1/2" narrow stile, rim	Narrow stile storefront or hollow metal
Concealed vertical rod	1690EO	1-3/4" stile, metal door, hidden rods	Moderate traffic, clean appearance
Economy rim	1790EO, 19R-EO	1-3/4" stile, metal or wood (19R: narrow stile aluminum)	Maintenance conscious, retrofit jobs
Crossbar	2090EO	Rim crossbar, field adjustable, handed	Budget rim replacements

Order path: the Falcon 1990/2090 series exit devices category for the economy line, and Falcon exit device parts and accessories for latches, strikes and rails.

What is the Falcon MA mortise lock and how do the Napa escutcheon codes work?

The MA series is Falcon's Grade 1 mortise lock. The MA321 (ANSI F22 privacy, no entry lockout) is certified to ANSI/BHMA A156.13 Series 1000 Grade 1 and UL listed for 3-hour A label fire doors. It accepts doors 1-3/4" to 1-7/8" thick, has a 2-3/4" backset only, is right hand standard with left hand optional, and reverses in the field. Browse the full line under Falcon mortise locks.

The AE77012 is a Napa escutcheon trim part for MA locks. The suffix is the opening code: the first letter is the side (I is inside, O is outside), the second letter is what is cut into the plate.

Suffix	Side	Openings	Pairs with
OK	Outside	Cylinder only (no lever opening)	Inside IT or IE for a cylinder-only exterior
OT	Outside	Lever and emergency key	Inside IT
OC	Outside	Lever and cylinder	Inside IT
IE	Inside	No lever opening, thumbturn attached	Outside OK
IT	Inside	Lever opening with thumbturn attached	Outside OT or OC

Finish is the last field: 626 satin chrome is the common one, and OC is listed in 605, 606, 613, 622, 625, 626 and 630. The pairing column matches the openings on each side. Verify the lock function and lever on the existing set before ordering, and send a photo of the old escutcheon to the desk if you are unsure.

For the 985 mortise cylinder and the thumbturn that goes into an inside escutcheon, see the cylinder section and the thumbturns guide.

Which Falcon cylindrical lock or deadbolt do I order: W581, D271, D261 or D251?

The W series is Falcon's cylindrical lever and knob line. The Falcon W581 HAN Grade 2 storeroom cylindrical knob lock is the one buyers search: storeroom function (ANSI F86), latch operated by the inside knob or by key outside, outside knob inoperable, inside always free for egress. Specs: 3-3/8" standard rose, 1-3/8" to 1-3/4" door, 2-3/4" backset, non-handed, Hana knob style. The conventional cylinder is 6-pin chambered and pinned in 5 as standard, with a G keyway standard (A keyway on SFIC).

The D series deadbolts are Grade 2. The D271 is the thumbturn by occupancy indicator version: an indicator on the outside reads in use or vacant with color coding, the inside is a thumbturn only, and the bolt deadlocks automatically when fully thrown. It fits a 1-3/8" to 2-1/4" door, has an adjustable 2-3/8" to 2-3/4" backset and a full 1" bolt with a saw-resistant roller. It is non-handed. The D261 and D251 are sibling D series functions: confirm the function against the door before you order. The Falcon D271 is about $46 at NLS. The indicator logic, when to use it and how it differs from a privacy lock are in the occupancy indicator locks guide.

How do I choose between Falcon SC71A and SC81A door closers?

Both are Grade 1 (ANSI/BHMA A156.4), non-handed surface closers with sizes 1 through 6, separate adjustable general speed, latch speed and backcheck, mounting hinge side, top jamb or parallel arm depending on the arm package. The difference is duty class. The SC71A is the extra heavy-duty body (1-1/2" heat treated steel piston, double heat treated pinion, UL listed, UL10C compliant, 10-year warranty), and the SC81A is the lower-priced body in the line, with a slim cover standard, an optional full cover and an optional delay action cylinder.

Arm code is the other half of the order:

• RW/PA: regular arm with a parallel arm bracket, adjustable forearm for different reveals and door conditions. Falcon SC71A RW/PA is about $267 at NLS, and the SC81A RW/PA is the lower-priced option.
• SSHO: spring-n-stop hold open with a parallel arm bracket. The forged parallel arm has an integral spring stop and a non-adjustable forearm, plus a manually selective hold open, for high volume or abusive doors. Falcon SC71A SSHO.

Arm geometry, reveal and push side versus pull side are covered in the closer arm types guide. Covers, arms and valves ship under Falcon door closers.

Which Falcon SFIC cores, housings and mortise cylinders go with the lock?

Three part numbers cover most Falcon cylinder requests.

• C607: the SFIC core. The Falcon C607 A 7-pin SFIC core is combinated, ships with two change keys, uses the Falcon logo, and comes in 606 and 626. About $35 at NLS.
• C987: a 1-3/8" SFIC mortise housing, less core, 6 or 7 pin, with a Falcon MA cam 5622-IC (F2) standard.
• 985: a 1-1/8" mortise cylinder. The 985 SCH C 5620 version is keyed to a Schlage C keyway, 6-pin, keyed different, with a Falcon MA cam 5620-STD and two cut keys.

The cam is the point: a Falcon MA lock needs a Falcon MA cam, and the stock number on the cylinder (5620-STD, 5622-IC) tells you which one it carries. Length and cam sizing is its own topic, covered in the mortise cylinder sizes and cams guide. To decide whether a small format core is right for the building, read SFIC vs LFIC. Falcon key blanks (the KB577 series for 6-pin standard) follow the keyway, covered in commercial key blanks by brand.

Common mistakes when ordering Falcon hardware

1. Mixing the 25 and 24 series. The 25 needs a 4" stile and the 24 is for a 3-1/2" stile. Measure the stile.
2. Treating the 2090 as reversible. The 2090 is handed (RHR or LHR). The 1690 and 1790 are non-handed.
3. Ignoring door material on the 1690. The 1690EO is listed for 1-3/4" metal doors; the 1790EO covers metal or wood.
4. Picking Napa escutcheons by finish alone. The suffix (OK, OT, OC, IE, IT) decides the openings, and a wrong one means no lever, no cylinder or no thumbturn.
5. Buying an SC71A when the door needs hold open. SSHO is the hold open arm. RW/PA is not.
6. Ordering a mortise cylinder without the cam. MA locks use a Falcon MA cam, with the stock number on the cylinder listing.
7. Skipping fire rating. The 25-R is not the F-25-R. The fire-rated devices use the F designation and a different strike.

FAQ

What does the F in F-25-R mean? It marks the fire rated version of the 25-R rim device. The device ships less dogging and with the 299F strike, so it can be used on fire rated openings.

Is the Falcon 1690 an exit only device? The 1690EO listed here is exit only, narrow stile, concealed vertical rod and field reversible. Trim and function options are determined by the exact model number you order.

Which Falcon closer is the heavy-duty one? The SC71A is the extra heavy-duty model, with a 1-1/2" piston and a 10-year warranty, and the SSHO arm adds a spring stop and selective hold open. The SC81A is the lower-priced body in the line.

Can I use a Schlage C keyway cylinder in a Falcon MA lock? Yes: the 985 SCH C 5620 is a 1-1/8" mortise cylinder with a Schlage C keyway and a Falcon MA cam (5620-STD).

Does NLS ship Falcon parts same day? Orders placed before 3:00 p.m. EST ship same day by UPS or FedEx. Ground shipping is free at $450 and up.

Next step

Send the Falcon model number, handing, door thickness, stile width and finish to the commercial desk through get a quote, or call 718-814-6300. Public agencies can route purchase orders through submit a government PO. To order directly, start in Falcon exit device parts and accessories, Falcon mortise locks or Falcon door closers.