Adams Rite Aluminum Door Hardware: Complete Spec Guide

Adams Rite is the recognized aluminum hardware authority in commercial door hardware, an ASSA ABLOY brand with over 100 years of manufacturing history and the dominant product specification for narrow stile aluminum storefront doors across North America. Every architect who specifies a glass and aluminum storefront building entry, every contractor fitting a shopping center tenant space, and every facility manager maintaining a commercial office building is almost certainly working with Adams Rite hardware or the standardized door preparation it established. The MS Prep -the industry-standard aluminum door preparation introduced by Adams Rite in 1955 -is as common in commercial construction as the standard ANSI mortise prep on hollow metal doors. This guide covers the full Adams Rite product line, confirms the specs behind each product series, and explains which product belongs on which aluminum door opening.

The MS Deadlock: The Product That Built Adams Rite's Reputation

The Adams Rite MS (Maximum Security) deadlock series is the product that established Adams Rite as the standard for aluminum door security. The MS deadlock has been manufactured since 1955 and the MS Prep -the specific mortise cutout in the door stile that accepts MS deadlocks -became the industry standard aluminum door preparation. When an architect specifies an aluminum storefront door without specifying a specific lock, the MS Prep is the default preparation the door manufacturer uses.

The MS deadlock provides a multipoint locking function in a body sized for narrow stile aluminum construction. The throw bolt engages a keeper in the frame, securing the door with the same throw bolt geometry that has been used for decades. Replacement MS deadlocks fit existing MS Prep doors without modification, making the MS deadlock the standard maintenance replacement for aluminum doors throughout the commercial building inventory.

The MS deadlock is available in hookbolt and case bolt configurations. The hookbolt variant provides anti-pry resistance by engaging the keeper with a hook rather than a straight bolt, preventing the door from being pried open even when the bolt is partially retracted. For exterior storefront entries and any aluminum door where forced entry resistance is a specification requirement, the hookbolt MS is the correct choice.

Adams Rite 4500 Series Deadlatch: The Standard for Aluminum Door Latching

The Adams Rite 4500 Series deadlatch is the most widely installed latch mechanism for narrow stile aluminum doors. It provides a spring-actuated latch with a deadlocking function that prevents the latch from being slipped or shimmed with a credit card or thin object. The 4500 Series is the product that most contractors encounter when working on aluminum storefront doors -it is under virtually every aluminum push-pull storefront door in North American commercial construction.

The 4500 is a pull-side latch. The latch projects from the pull side of the door and engages a keeper in the frame. The inside paddle or lever retracts the latch for exit. From outside, the 4500 requires a cylinder or thumb turn to retract the latch. The deadlocking function is passive -it engages automatically when the door closes.

For doors requiring electrified access control on existing 4500 Series hardware, the Adams Rite 7400 Series electric strike is the compatible retrofit electric strike that works with the 4500's Pullman latch projection.

Adams Rite 4300 Steel Hawk: Electrifying Aluminum Doors for Access Control

The Adams Rite Steel Hawk 4300 is an electrified deadlatch that combines the mechanical function of the 4500 Series with an integrated solenoid for direct electrical control of the latch from inside the door. The 4300 is non-handed from the box. It interfaces with existing Adams Rite hardware installations and the 4600 Series lever trim.

The Steel Hawk addresses the most common access control challenge on aluminum storefront doors: how to add electronic credential control to a door that has no mortise pocket and limited stile width for electronics. The integrated design of the 4300 keeps all components within the narrow stile without requiring external power transfer devices on the door face.

In February 2025, Adams Rite released the DL100 Wireless Deadlatch, which adds Aperio wireless technology to the Steel Hawk platform. The DL100 connects to the building's PACS wirelessly through the dormakaba Aperio ecosystem, eliminating the need for any conduit to the door while maintaining the narrow stile profile. For new construction and retrofit aluminum door projects where wireless access control is the specification, the DL100 is the most current Adams Rite solution.

Adams Rite Exit Devices and Electric Strikes for Aluminum Doors

Adams Rite produces a narrow stile exit device line for aluminum glass doors where standard wide-body panic hardware will not fit within the door stile dimensions. The Adams Rite 8800 Series Pullman rim exit device and the P8800 are specifically engineered for narrow aluminum stile construction.

For aluminum doors requiring electric strike access control instead of an electrified latch, Adams Rite electric strikes are engineered to work with the 4500 Series and MS deadlock hardware. These strikes do not require frame cutting and are designed to interface cleanly with the MS Prep keeper geometry.

For electric strikes and electronic hardware on aluminum door projects, the electric strikes section and electronic hardware section at American Locksets carry compatible products for Adams Rite applications.

Why American Locksets for Adams Rite Projects

American Locksets stocks Adams Rite hardware from authorized ASSA ABLOY distribution, covering the MS deadlock series, 4500 deadlatch family, and compatible electric strikes. Every Adams Rite product ships through authorized channels with a valid manufacturer warranty. For projects where Adams Rite hardware on aluminum storefront doors is specified alongside commercial locks on adjacent hollow metal doors, all components ship on a single authorized dealer order with same-day shipping from multiple US warehouses. Call 877-471-4870 with the door preparation, function requirement, and whether electrified access control is needed. We confirm the correct Adams Rite product before the order ships.

Conclusion

Adams Rite has been the aluminum hardware authority for over 100 years, establishing the MS Prep as the industry standard for aluminum door preparation and supplying the 4500 Series deadlatch found under virtually every commercial aluminum storefront door in North America. The MS deadlock and 4500 deadlock are the foundational mechanical products. The Steel Hawk 4300 and new DL100 Wireless Deadlatch address electrified access control on the same narrow stile platform. American Locksets carries authorized Adams Rite hardware with same-day shipping. Call 877-471-4870 to confirm the right product for the aluminum door opening.

FAQs

What is Adams Rite known for? 

Adams Rite is the aluminum hardware authority, specializing in narrow stile aluminum door locks, the MS deadlock, 4500 deadlatch, and exit devices since 1921.

What is the Adams Rite MS Prep? 

The industry-standard aluminum door preparation introduced in 1955 that all major aluminum door manufacturers use as the default stile mortise cutout.

What is the Adams Rite 4500 Series? 

A spring-actuated deadlocking latch used as the standard latching mechanism on narrow stile aluminum storefront doors throughout North American commercial construction.

What is the Adams Rite Steel Hawk 4300? 

An electrified deadlatch combining the 4500 Series mechanical function with an integrated solenoid for electronic access control on narrow aluminum stile doors.

What is the Adams Rite DL100?

 A 2025-released wireless deadlatch with Aperio wireless technology allowing PACS integration on aluminum doors without conduit runs.

Published by the American Locksets Hardware Team. Authorized ASSA ABLOY Dealer, Est. 2001, Monroe, NY.