BEST 45HCA Series Heavy Duty M...
IN STOCK (leaves warehouse same day if ordered before 3pm ET)
$635.00
$393.63
BEST 45HCA Series Heavy Duty Mortise Lock Body with Communicating Function

BEST 45HCA Series Heavy Duty Mortise Lock Body with Communicating Function

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Model: 45HCAG626
$635.00
$393.63
Selected Finish is

In Stock (leaves warehouse same day if ordered before 3pm ET)

$635.00
$393.63
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BEST 45HCA Series Heavy Duty Mortise Lock Body with Communicating Function

Professional-Grade Mortise Lock Solution for Commercial Applications

The BEST 45HCA Series represents heavy-duty mortise lock engineering designed for demanding commercial environments. This field-reversible lock body features a solid one-piece stainless steel anti-friction latch with 50% more surface contact for superior strength and security. Built with 0.095" cold rolled steel construction and rated to ANSI A156.13 Series 1000 Grade 1 standards, this communicating function lock delivers reliable performance for high-traffic applications.

Professional Features & Benefits

  • Enhanced Latch Design: Solid one-piece stainless steel anti-friction latch provides 50% more surface contact with strike for superior strength and security with precision-engineered curve for enhanced cycle life.
  • Heavy-Duty Construction: Case, cover, and armored front manufactured from 0.095" cold rolled steel with zinc dichromate plating for exceptional durability and corrosion protection.
  • Field Reversible Operation: Reversible latch rotates 180 degrees for easy handing change without opening case, with four position hub toggle design for flexible configuration.
  • Armored Front Protection: Completely surrounds latch and deadbolt providing increased lateral strength with staked assembly design for self-alignment during installation.
  • Grade 1 Performance: Meets ANSI A156.13 Series 1000 Grade 1 Operation and Strength standards with Grade 2 Security rating for commercial applications.
  • Roller Bearing Mechanism: Roller bearing hub mechanism provides smooth, wear-resistant operation with enhanced case integrity through four corner screws and interlocking design.
  • Communicating Function: G function allows coordinated operation between connected lock mechanisms for specialized access control applications.
  • Anti-Microbial Options: Available with UltraShield antimicrobial protected coating (626AM and 630AM finishes) for healthcare and high-cleanliness applications.

Technical Specifications

45H Series –The design and operation of the BEST® mortise lock meets the intent
of the standard for ANSI A117.1 section 404.2.6.
Builders Hardware Manufacturers Association:
45H Series –ANSI A156.13, Series 1000, Grade 1 Operation and Strength, Grade 2 Security. To meet Grade 1 Security, a drill resistant core
(1CD, 1CDP, 1CDF, or 1CDX) must be used with escutcheon trims, and 1EK7K4 high security cylinder must be used with sectional trims.
47H Series – ANSI A156.13, Series 1000, Grade 1 Operational, Strength, and Security

Auxiliary bolt – Stainless steel, non-handed.
Backset – 2-3/4"
Case –0.095” cold rolled steel, 5- 7/8" H x 7/8" D x 4-1/16" W. Steel is zinc dichromate plated for corrosion protection.
Deadbolt – Stainless steel, 1" throw.
Latchbolt –Solid stainless steel, 3/4" throw. Latch is oil-impregnated for anti-friction operation. Reversible without opening case.
Strike – For complete strike package spec’s see page 5.
Door Thickness – Standard lock configuration designed for doors 1-3/4" thick. Thick door configuration available for doors up to
5" thick (specify thickness when ordering).
Faceplate –Stainless steel, brass or bronze material, 8" H x 1-1/4" W x 1/16" T. Lock face automatically adjusts to proper bevel during
installation.
Products protected by one or more of the following patents: 4,873,853 5,590,555 5,794,472
Finishes –
• 605 - bright brass, clear coated
• 606 – satin brass, clear coated
• 611 – bright bronze, clear coated
• 612 – satin bronze, clear coated
• 613* – oxidized satin bronze, oil rubbed
• 618 – bright nickel plated, clear coated (brass base material)
• 619 – satin nickel plated, clear coated (brass base material)
• 622 – flat black coated (brass base material) 625 – brightchromium plated (brass base material)
• 626 – satin chromium plated (brass base material)
• 629 – bright stainless steel
• 630 – satin stainless steel
• 690* – dark bronze coated (brass base material)
*613 finish is designed to wear over time, providing an “antique” appearance.
*690 finish will continue as a dark brown appearance over time.
Antimicrobial Finish –
• 626AM – satin chrome plated with UltraShield™ antimicrobial protected coating
• 630AM – satin stainless steel with UltraShield™ antimicrobial protected coating
The BEST UltraShield finish inhibits the growth of bacteria and other microbes on the surface of the hardware.
NOTE: BEST UltraShieldTM option is recommended for use on any hardware application where product cleanliness is a high priority. i.e;.
Hospital/Healthcare, Elderly Care, Education, Transportation, Food-Service, Hospitality.

Installation & Operation

  1. Review manufacturer specifications and verify door preparation requirements including door thickness (standard 1-3/4" or up to 5" thick door configuration), mortise pocket dimensions, and handing requirements.
  2. Use manufacturer-provided templates to mark mounting hole locations accurately on door and frame surfaces for proper backset and faceplate positioning.
  3. Prepare door mortise pocket to accommodate 5-7/8" H x 7/8" D x 4-1/16" W case dimensions and route for armored front installation.
  4. Install lock body in mortise pocket and secure with appropriate fasteners per manufacturer torque specifications, allowing armored front to self-align with door bevel.
  5. Configure four position hub toggle settings for desired locking operation and install cylinder retainer and interchangeable core as required.
  6. Test lock operation including latch and deadbolt function, verify proper alignment with strike, and make final adjustments as needed. Refer to manufacturer documentation for complete installation details and troubleshooting.

Professional Applications

  • Commercial Office Buildings
  • Educational Facilities
  • Healthcare Institutions
  • Government and Municipal Buildings
  • Industrial and Warehouse Facilities
  • Multi-Tenant Residential Properties
  • High-Security Commercial Environments

Anti-Microbial Option

Available with UltraShield antimicrobial protected coating in 626AM satin chrome and 630AM satin stainless steel finishes. The BEST UltraShield finish inhibits the growth of bacteria and other microbes on the hardware surface, recommended for healthcare, elderly care, education, transportation, food-service, and hospitality applications where product cleanliness is a high priority.

Why Choose BEST Quality?

BEST 45HCA Series mortise locks deliver professional-grade reliability with 0.095" cold rolled steel construction and solid stainless steel components rated to ANSI A156.13 Grade 1 standards. The precision-engineered anti-friction latch design provides enhanced cycle life with 50% more strike contact surface for superior strength. Engineered for demanding commercial applications where dependable performance and field serviceability are essential.

Product Specs

Series:
45H
Standard Cylinder:
SFIC Prep Less Core
Duty Level:
Heavy Duty
Keyed Function:
Double Cylinder
Product Group:
Mechanical Locks
Product Subgroup:
Mortise Locks and Trim
Product Type:
Mortise Locks
Subcategory:
Mortise
Keyed:
Yes
Commercial/Residential:
Commercial
Lock Type:
Mortise
Lock Function:
Communicating
Product Attribute:
Mortise Locks
Electronic:
No
Product Function:
Communication/Exit
Face Plate:
8" H x 1-1/4" W x 1/16" T
Product Category:
Mechanical Locks
Backset (Distance):
2-3/4"
Department:
Door Hardware

BEST 45HCAG626 – Frequently Asked Questions

1) What does the communicating function (G) do on a BEST 45HCA mortise lock?
The G communicating function on the BEST 45HCA is a double-cylinder arrangement: a key cylinder on each side operates the deadbolt, so the opening can be locked or unlocked from either room. It is used on doors between two adjoining spaces, connecting hotel or patient rooms, suites, and shared offices, where either side needs to control the connection. There is no thumbturn and no free egress from the deadbolt, so it is not appropriate on a required exit door. The lockbody carries a 1 inch stainless steel deadbolt throw and a 3/4 inch stainless latchbolt.
2) Is the BEST 45HCA a complete lockset or just the lock body?
It is the lock body only. The 45HCA ships as the mortise case with armored front and faceplate, prepped for a small format interchangeable core but supplied less core. You order trim (escutcheon or sectional rose with cylinder collars), the cores or cylinders, and the strike separately. Plan for two cores, since the communicating function is keyed from both sides.
3) Will a BEST 45HCA mortise lock fit a door thicker than 1-3/4 inches?
The standard 45HCA configuration is built for a 1-3/4 inch door, which covers most commercial openings. For anything thicker, BEST builds a thick-door configuration up to 5 inches, but the thickness has to be specified at time of order. It is not a field adjustment, so measure the leaf before you release the order.
4) What mortise pocket and backset prep does the BEST 45H lock body need?
The case measures 5-7/8 inch H x 7/8 inch D x 4-1/16 inch W, so the pocket has to be routed to take that. Backset is 2-3/4 inches, the standard commercial mortise backset. The faceplate is 8 inch H x 1-1/4 inch W x 1/16 inch T, and the armored front self-aligns to the door bevel during installation rather than requiring a handed or beveled face.
5) Do I have to specify handing on the BEST 45HCA, and can I change it on the job?
Handing is a required selection at order: right hand, left hand, right hand reverse bevel, or left hand reverse bevel. That said, the latch is reversible in the field, rotating 180 degrees without opening the case, and the hub uses a four position toggle. So if a door gets rehung or the wrong hand shows up on site, a locksmith can flip it without a replacement body.
6) Is the BEST 45HCA Grade 1, and what does it take to get Grade 1 security?
The 45H Series is rated to ANSI A156.13, Series 1000, Grade 1 Operation and Strength, with Grade 2 Security as furnished. To reach Grade 1 Security, BEST requires a drill resistant core (1CD, 1CDP, 1CDF or 1CDX) when used with escutcheon trim, or the 1EK7K4 high security cylinder with sectional trim. If your spec calls for Grade 1 across the board including security, step up to the 47H Series, which is A156.13 Series 1000 Grade 1 for operation, strength and security.
7) I need a mortise lock for a classroom or storeroom, not a connecting door. What should I look at instead?
The 45HCA is specifically the communicating (G) function, double cylinder, for doors between two rooms. It is the wrong function for a corridor classroom or storeroom opening. For classroom, the Corbin Russwin ML2003 and the Cal-Royal NM8070 are Grade 1 mortise classroom locks for 1-3/4 inch doors. For storeroom, look at the Cal-Royal NM8080 (Grade 1, interchangeable core option) or the Accentra 8805FL with Arcadia lever. For office/entrance, the Cal-Royal NM8050 with auxiliary deadlatch.
8) Does the BEST 45HCA take BEST interchangeable cores, and can I put it on my existing masterkey system?
The lock body is prepped for a small format interchangeable core and ships less core, so you supply cores cut to whatever SFIC system you already run across the building. That is the practical reason a lot of property managers and institutional buyers standardize on BEST: the core pulls with a control key and the same keyway carries across cylindrical, mortise and padlocks. Order two cores for this function, one per side.
9) What is the closest Grade 1 mortise lock to the BEST 45HCA if the opening needs a storeroom function instead of communicating?
The BEST 45HCA lock body is built for communicating function, where two connected lock mechanisms operate together, and it is keyed double cylinder. If the door instead needs storeroom operation - outside lever always locked, key retracts the latch - the Accentra 8805FL is a Grade 1 storeroom mortise lock in the 8800 Series supplied with an Arcadia lever, and the Cal-Royal NM8080 is a Grade 1 storeroom mortise lockset for 1-3/4 inch doors with an interchangeable core option. The NM8080 interchangeable core path is the closer match for a facility already keyed to small format cores, since the 45HCA ships with SFIC prep less core.
10) Are the Baldwin 6301 and 6310 mortise lock bodies interchangeable with the BEST 45HCA?
Not in the same door prep. The Baldwin 6301 entry/apartment and 6310 entry/storeroom mortise lock bodies use a 2-1/2 inch backset, while the BEST 45HCA is a 2-3/4 inch backset lock body with a 5-7/8 by 7/8 by 4-1/16 inch case. Swapping between them means a different mortise pocket and a relocated cylinder and hub centerline. The 6301 is listed for doors 1-3/4 inch and over and the 6310 for 1-3/8 inch and over; the 45HCA standard configuration is for 1-3/4 inch doors with a thick door configuration available up to 5 inches.
11) Which BEST 45HCA finish should I use in a hospital or clinic?
For healthcare, specify 626AM (satin chrome) or 630AM (satin stainless) with the UltraShield antimicrobial protected coating, which inhibits growth of bacteria and other microbes on the hardware surface. BEST points the same option at elderly care, education, transportation, food service and hospitality. If antimicrobial is not a requirement, plain 626 and 630 are the usual commercial choices out of the fifteen finishes offered, which run from 605 bright brass through 690 statuary dark bronze.
12) I only need a double cylinder deadbolt in the door, not a full mortise lock body. Is the 45HCA overkill?
Probably. The 45HCA carries a latchbolt, auxiliary bolt and hub-operated knob or lever trim in addition to the deadbolt. If the door needs nothing but a key-both-sides deadbolt, the Sargent 4874 is a double cylinder mortise deadbolt on the same 2-3/4 inch backset and takes a smaller pocket and no trim. Choose the 45HCA when you want a latched, operating door between the two rooms as well as the keyed control.
13) I need the mortise lock to release from an access control system - what replaces the BEST 45HCA?
The 45HCA is a mechanical, non-electronic lock body with no electrified option. For an electrified mortise in the same opening, the Command Access ML190 is a heavy duty motorized mortise lock with field selectable fail safe or fail secure operation on 24VDC and storeroom function, and the Schlage L9092EU 03A is a heavy duty electric lock/unlock outside lever mortise lock, keyed outside, with request to exit, on 12/24VDC for 1-3/4 inch doors. The ML190 field selectable EL/EU setting avoids committing to a fail mode at order time.
14) Is a Sargent 4874 mortise deadbolt a substitute for the BEST 45HCA?
No. The Sargent 4874 is a double cylinder mortise deadbolt in the 4870 Series with a 2-3/4 inch backset - it is bolt only, with no latchbolt and no lever hub. The BEST 45HCA is a full mortise lock body with a 3/4 inch throw stainless latchbolt, a 1 inch throw deadbolt, and a four position hub toggle. They share the 2-3/4 inch backset, but the 4874 will not latch a door or carry lever trim. The Kaba Ilco 185 Series is likewise a deadbolt-function mortise lock, non-handed, not a latching lockset.
15) What is the electronic equivalent if I want keypad or credential access instead of the mechanical BEST 45HCA?
The 45HCA is a non-electronic mechanical lock body. For credential-based access on a mortise prep, the Schlage CO-100 is a Grade 1 heavy duty standalone electronic mortise lock with a keypad reader for 1-3/4 inch doors, the TownSteel FME-2000 is a Grade 1 heavy duty classroom mortise lockset with RFID for 1-3/4 inch doors, and the Accentra nexTouch NTM623-NR is a Grade 1 mortise lock with a capacitive touchscreen keypad and cylinder override with no deadbolt. Note the 45HCA carries a deadbolt while the NTM623-NR does not.
16) For a healthcare or behavioral health door, is the BEST 45HCA with UltraShield the right pick or is there a ligature resistant option?
The BEST 45HCA offers 626AM satin chrome and 630AM satin stainless UltraShield antimicrobial finishes aimed at healthcare and elderly care surfaces, but it is a standard mortise lock body with lever or knob trim. If the requirement is ligature resistance rather than surface hygiene, the TownSteel MRX-L-01 is a Grade 1 heavy duty anti-ligature lever passage mortise lockset in stainless steel and the MRX-A-01 is the arch trim passage version, both for 1-3/4 inch doors. The Marks USA 5PDN is a Grade 1 hospital passage mortise push/pull paddleset that is ligature resistant and ADA compliant in satin stainless steel.
17) For a dormitory corridor door, what is the difference between the BEST 45HCA and the Sargent 7925?
The Sargent 7925 is a heavy duty Grade 1 mortise lock in the 7900 Series with dormitory exit function, rose trim, and a single cylinder deadbolt - the inside always exits free and the deadbolt is thrown from one side by key. The BEST 45HCA is a communicating function lock body with double cylinder keying and a 1 inch throw deadbolt, intended for coordinated operation between connected lock mechanisms rather than corridor egress. For a dorm or corridor opening with free egress, the 7925 is the function to specify.
18) Will the BEST 45HCA hold up on a high traffic door, and what is the case actually made of?
Case, cover and armored front are 0.095 inch cold rolled steel with zinc dichromate plating for corrosion protection, held together with four corner screws and an interlocking design. The hub runs on a roller bearing mechanism, and the latch is solid one-piece stainless, oil-impregnated, with 50 percent more contact area against the strike. It is classed heavy duty and commercial, and it is the construction you want on doors that cycle all day.
19) What is the security head screw option on the BEST 45H lock body for?
It is a required selection at order, yes or no. Choosing yes supplies tamper-resistant head screws for the faceplate and trim fasteners, which is what you specify on detention-adjacent, correctional, behavioral health or any opening on the public side where someone could get at the screws with a common driver. On a normal interior connecting door, standard screws are fine.
20) Do the Emtek Brisbane or Memphis mortise entrance locksets work as an alternative to the BEST 45HCA?
No. The Emtek 3019 Brisbane, 3102 Memphis, 3104 Hamilton and 3106 Manhattan mortise entrance locksets are dummy function - trim only, with no operating latch or bolt. The BEST 45HCA is a working heavy duty lock body with a 3/4 inch throw latchbolt and 1 inch throw deadbolt rated to ANSI A156.13 Series 1000 Grade 1 for operation and strength. A dummy set belongs on an inactive leaf, not on a door that must latch or lock.
How fast can I get the BEST 45HCAG626 delivered?
Most orders ship the same day from our distribution partners, with quick delivery throughout the continental U.S. Need it urgently? Contact Us for expedited shipping options.
Can I return it if it doesn’t work for me?
Yes—ZenSupply offers a hassle-free return policy. If the product isn’t the right fit, reach out to our support team for a return authorization or setup a return by following our return instructions.
Does the BEST 45HCAG626 come with a warranty?
Absolutely. The BEST 45HCAG626 is backed by a manufacturer’s warranty. For full warranty terms, check the product documentation or Contact Us.
How do I get technical support or installation help for the BEST 45HCAG626?
You can call, text, or email our expert support team for fast answers. We’re here to help with product selection, installation tips, and troubleshooting. Contact Us
Why buy the BEST 45HCAG626 from ZenSupply?
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