BEST 9K37AB Grade 1 Entrance Lever Lock

The BEST 9K37AB is a heavy-duty commercial cylindrical entrance lever lock from the BEST 9K Series Grade 1 platform, the lever version of the same Grade 1 chassis architecture as the 8K knob series. The full part number breaks down as: 9K (Grade 1 cylindrical lever lock series), 3 (cylinder type), 7 (function digit for entrance/office), AB (chassis style code). Lever and rose combinations are appended (14C/14D/14K/14L through 16C/16D/16K/16L), followed by strike code (S3) and finish (605/612/613/626). Buyers will see this product co-branded as Stanley/BEST on legacy spec sheets because BEST was a Stanley Black and Decker brand before dormakaba acquired it in 2018. The mechanical product is unchanged. ANSI/BHMA A156.2 Series 4000 Grade 1 certified. SKU 9K37AB. In stock.

What 9K37AB Means in the BEST Catalog

The BEST 9K Series is the Grade 1 cylindrical lever lock platform. The 9K is the lever version of the BEST 8K Series Grade 1 knob lock, built on equivalent chassis architecture but with lever trim for ADA-compliant openings. The "37" function digit identifies the entrance/office (ANSI F109). The "AB" identifies chassis style. For the same function in mortise architecture, see BEST 45H Series. For Grade 2 lighter-duty applications, see BEST 6K Series Grade 2.

Function: ANSI F109 Entrance Lock Explained

The 9K37AB carries ANSI function F109. The latch retracts by rotating the inside lever, by rotating the outside lever only when the inside push button is out, or by turning the outside key. The outside lever locks when the inside push button is pushed. If the inside button is pushed and turned, the outside lever stays locked even after each use until the button is turned back. The inside lever is always free for unobstructed egress, which is what makes this an ANSI Grade 1 code-compliant entrance function. Use F109 on office building entry, tenant doors, apartment unit entries, dorm rooms, hotel back-of-house, school administrative offices, hospital and clinic non-patient room doors, and government office openings that need keyed entry from outside with always-free egress from inside.

Lever and Rose Options (12 Combinations)

Three lever styles: 14, 15, 16. Four rose styles: C (3" convex), D (3-1/2" convex), K (3" convex no ring), L (3-1/2" convex no ring). All twelve combinations are configurable in order: 14C, 14D, 14K, 14L, 15C, 15D, 15K, 15L, 16C, 16D, 16K, 16L. ADA compliance: #14 and #15 levers conform to California Administrative Code Title 19 and Title 24. All three lever styles conform to the Illinois Accessibility Standard. Lever body approximately 5/8" diameter; handle approximately 4-3/4" long from chassis center-line; high-quality zinc alloy with brass or bronze trim components.

Anti-Attack Security Stack

This is where the 9K series earns its Grade 1 specification over lower-tier alternatives. Rose locking pin and rose assembly engineered for torque resistance, preventing the locking pin from twisting, bending, or breaking under attack. Slotted key release cam and locking lug create maximum attack resistance: even if damaged, the lock still allows key access from outside, and the lever stays fully functional from inside. Hub-mounted torsion spring and strong retractor springs prevent lever sag and maintain smooth snappy operation. Strong through-bolt mounting studs increase torque resistance. Heavy rose liner is highly attack-resistant. Zinc hubs with shrouded locking lug for higher quality and increased torque resistance. The outside lever sleeve is seamless one-piece construction in hardened steel alloy with reinforcement in the locking lug slot. No competitor product page in this segment leads with this depth of anti-attack engineering.

Mounting and Through-Bolt Requirement

In addition to standard ANSI A115.2 cross-bore prep for 1-3/4" doors, the 9K37AB requires two additional 5/16" diameter through-bolt holes at the 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock positions on the chassis face. Through-bolts are a structural requirement of the 9K Grade 1 spec, not an option, because they transfer torque load from lever attacks into the door rather than the chassis. A drill jig is available to ensure hole accuracy. Door thickness: 1-3/4" to 2-1/4" standard; spacers available for 1-3/8" doors.

Specifications

Function: ANSI F109 entrance lock. Chassis: 2-1/16" diameter, fits 2-1/8" cross-bore (ANSI A115.2). Backset: 2-3/4" standard, 3-3/4" available. Strike: S3 4-7/8" x 1-1/4" curved lip ANSI strike (ANSI A115.2 for 1-3/4" doors). Lever projection on door: approximately 2-3/4" when mounted on a 1-3/4" door. Internal parts: brass or corrosion-treated steel. Cylinder: accepts BEST and compatible Small Format Interchangeable Core (SFIC), or available with Arrow or Falcon SFIC combinated core included. Compliance: ANSI/BHMA A156.2 Series 4000 Grade 1.

Finish Options

626 (US26D) Satin Chrome, 613 (US10B) Oil Rubbed Bronze, 619 Satin Nickel, 622 Matte Black currently configurable in the selector. Catalog also lists 605 (US3) Bright Brass and 612 (US10) Satin Bronze in special order.

Where This Sits in the Site Catalog

The 9K37AB lives in the BEST 9K Series Grade 1 line under BEST Lever Locks within Cylindrical Lever Locks in the Commercial Locks catalog.