Falcon IC Cores

Falcon IC cores are Small Format Interchangeable Core (SFIC) cylinders from Allegion's Falcon brand, designed for any lock housing prepped for the SFIC format, including housings from Falcon, BEST, Arrow, and other compatible manufacturers. The defining feature of any interchangeable core is the control key: a single specially cut key that releases the locking cam inside the core, allowing the core to be pulled from the housing and replaced with a new one in seconds, without disassembling the lock, without removing the door hardware, and without a locksmith. American Locksets is an authorized Allegion Falcon dealer stocking Falcon SFIC cores across combinated and uncombinated configurations, in 6-pin and 7-pin formats, with same-day shipping and free shipping on all orders over $300.

Falcon IC Cores: SFIC Interchangeable Core Cylinders for Commercial Facilities

The value proposition of interchangeable cores over conventional cylinders is straightforward. When a key is lost, stolen, or an employee is terminated, a conventional cylinder requires either a locksmith visit to repain the cylinder or replacement of the entire cylinder. Both options take time and cost money per door. With an SFIC system, one person with a control key can walk through a building, pull every affected core, drop in new cores, and restore full key security in the time it would take a locksmith to arrive for the first door.

Falcon SFIC cores are compatible with the same SFIC housing format used by BEST and Arrow. This means a facility already running BEST or Arrow SFIC housing hardware can install Falcon cores directly into those housings without modifying the locks. Conversely, Falcon locks prepped for SFIC accept BEST and Arrow cores. The cross-compatibility runs across the full SFIC ecosystem wherever the housing dimensions meet the standard.

Falcon SFIC Core Series

C6 Series: 6-Pin Combinated Cores

The Falcon C606A SFIC 6-Pin Combinated Core, A Keyway ships pre-pinned and ready to install with two operating change keys included. Combinated cores are the correct order when a core needs to go into a lock that is already part of an established key system at a specific bitting. The 6-pin configuration uses a standard A keyway unless another keyway is specified at order. The C606A in Satin Brass 606 finish ships with two operating keys and no control key, which is standard for changing key level cores within a master key system.

C6 Series: 6-Pin Uncombinated Cores

The Falcon C646-A SFIC 6-Pin Uncombinated Core ships without pins, springs, or keys, ready to be combinated in the field or by the key system operator. Uncombinated cores are the standard ordering method for large facilities building a new key system, for construction phase cores that will be recombinated on occupancy, and for locksmiths who maintain their own pinning stations. The C646 626 in Satin Chrome finish is the standard uncombinated format. The C646-A-606 in Satin Brass provides the same uncombinated 6-pin format with A keyway in Satin Brass finish.

C7 Series: 7-Pin Combinated Cores

The Falcon C607-A-606 SFIC 7-Pin Combinated Core ships pre-pinned with two blank change keys in A keyway. 7-pin configurations provide a significantly larger number of possible bitting combinations than 6-pin configurations, which is essential for large master key systems where the 6-pin bitting space is mathematically insufficient to cover the total number of locks without cross-keying conflicts. University campuses, hospital complexes, government facilities, and large multi-building portfolios routinely specify 7-pin cores for this reason.

C7 Series: 7-Pin Uncombinated Cores

The Falcon C647 SFIC 7-Pin Uncombinated Core ships without pins, springs, or keys in standard Satin Chrome finish. The C649 7-Pin Uncombinated Core and C649-A in A Keyway are available for projects requiring specific finish or keyway combinations.

CB8 Series: SFIC Cores with Best-Style Capping

The CB8 series provides the same SFIC core functionality with Best-style capping on the pin chambers. Best-style capping is required when cores are being installed into housings originally manufactured to the BEST specification, or when a facility's existing combinating equipment requires the BEST cap format.

Available in the CB8 series: the CB846 6-Pin Uncombinated Core, CB846-A-606 in Satin Brass with A Keyway, CB847 7-Pin Uncombinated Core, and the CB848 series covering A/E/M multi-keyway configurations: the CB848 standard, CB848-606 in Satin Brass. The CB849 series provides 7-pin Best-style capped cores in multiple finishes: CB849-605 Bright Brass, CB849-606 Satin Brass, and CB849-626 Satin Chrome.

Keyway Compatibility and Master Key System Integration

The A keyway is standard on all Falcon SFIC cores and ships automatically unless another keyway is specified in order. Falcon open keyway options include A, B, C, D, DD, E, F, G, H, J, K, L, M, N, Q, R, TB, and TD. Falcon keyways use the same designations and profiles as BEST and Arrow SFIC keyways, which means Falcon cores keyed to A keyway use the same key blank as BEST A keyway cores.

Falcon SFIC master key systems use the A2 system with depths 0-9 as standard. For facilities with existing BEST or Arrow A4 key systems, Falcon can furnish cores combined into the existing bitting list. Send a copy of the bitting list with the order. Falcon does not support new A3 system generation, but any Falcon core can be field-combinated to A3 specs if required. For grand master key systems spanning more than one building or portfolio, the 7-pin core provides the bitting capacity needed to prevent cross-keying at scale.

Falcon master key systems uses the A2 System (depths 0-9) standard for all new key system generation.

Browse all IC Cores, all Falcon Key Blanks, Falcon Mortise Cylinders, and the complete Cylinders/Cores/Keys catalog at American Locksets.

Frequently Asked Questions 

Q: What is a Falcon IC core? 

A Falcon IC core is a Small Format Interchangeable Core (SFIC) cylinder that can be removed and replaced without disassembling the lock, using a control key.

Q: Are Falcon SFIC cores compatible with BEST and Arrow housings?

 Yes. Falcon SFIC cores are compatible with BEST, Arrow, and other SFIC-standard housings. Falcon locks also accept BEST and Arrow cores.

Q: What is the difference between a combinated and uncombinated Falcon core?

Combinated cores ship pre-pinned with change keys ready to install. Uncombinated cores ship without pins or keys for field combinating into a key system.

Q: What keyways are available for Falcon IC cores?

 A keyway is standard. Open keyway options include A, B, C, D, DD, E, F, G, H, J, K, L, M, N, Q, R, TB, and TD. Restricted keyways are available through Falcon's Key Systems Department.

Q: What is the difference between 6-pin and 7-pin Falcon SFIC cores? 

7-pin configurations provide more possible bitting combinations, which is needed for large key systems to prevent cross-keying conflicts across many doors.

Q: Can Falcon cores be keyed into an existing BEST key system?

 Yes, in most cases. Submit a copy of the existing BEST bitting list with your Falcon order. Falcon will furnish cores combinated into the existing system.

Q: What is Best-style capping on Falcon CB8 series cores? 

The CB8 series uses BEST-format capping on the pin chambers, required for compatibility with specific BEST housings or facility combinating equipment.