Name: BEST 9K Series NX Grade 1 Cylindrical Exit Lock with Non-Keyed Lever
Brand: BEST
SKU: 9K30NX15CSTK606
Price: 673.41 USD
Availability: InStock

Product Overview
FAQs

BEST 9K Series NX Grade 1 Cylindrical Exit Lock with Non-Keyed Lever

Premium Commercial-Grade Exit Lock Solution

The BEST 9K Series NX cylindrical lock delivers Grade 1 performance for demanding commercial applications requiring exit-only functionality. This non-keyed lever lock features a 2-3/4" backset with 9/16" latch throw and accommodates door thicknesses from 1-3/4" to 2-1/4". Built with critical latch and chassis components in brass or corrosion-treated steel, this lock meets BHMA A156.2 Series 4000 Grade 1 standards and UL 3-hour fire rating requirements.

Professional Features & Benefits

Grade 1 Heavy-Duty Construction: BHMA A156.2 Series 4000 Grade 1 rated with brass or corrosion-treated steel critical components for maximum durability in high-traffic commercial environments.
Standard Door Compatibility: 2-3/4" backset with 9/16" latch throw designed for 1-3/4" to 2-1/4" door thickness applications, with spacers available for 1-3/8" doors.
Attack-Resistant Design: Rose locking pin and assembly design with slotted key release cam and locking lug assembly provide maximum torque resistance and prevent twisting, bending, or breaking under attack.
Reinforced Mounting System: Strong through-bolt mounting studs with heavy rose liner material increase torque resistance and attack resistance for enhanced security.
Smooth Operation: Hub-mounted torsion spring and strong retractor springs prevent lever sag while providing smooth and snappy operation throughout the lock’s service life.
Fire-Rated Compliance: UL listed for use on 3-hour A label single or double swinging doors, meeting critical fire safety requirements for commercial buildings.
ADA Compliant Design: Meets ANSI A117.1 section 404.2.6 requirements for accessibility compliance in commercial applications.
10-Year Manufacturer Warranty: Comprehensive 10-year warranty coverage provides long-term protection and confidence in demanding commercial installations.

Technical Specifications

ANSI/BHMA: F89
Backset (Distance): 2-3/4"
Commercial/Residential: Commercial
Department: Door Hardware
Door Hand Direction: Non-Handed
Duty Level: Heavy Duty
Electronic: No
Function Description: Latch operated by Rotating the inside lever. Outside lever is always fixed and inside lever is always unlocked and cannot be locked.
Grade: Grade 1
Handle Type: Lever
Keyed: No
Keyed Function: Non-Keyed
Lock Function: Exit Only
Lock Type: Cylindrical
Product Attribute: Cylindrical Locks
Product Category: Mechanical Locks
Product Function: Exit
Product Group: Mechanical Locks
Product Model: NX
Product Subgroup: Bored Locksets
Product Substrate: Corrosion-Treated Steel
Product Type: Leversets
Series: 9K Series
Standard Latch: 9/16" Throw
Standard Strike: 2-3/4 x 1-1/8" with curved lip and box
Subcategory: Cylindrical Locks
Warranty: 10 Year

Installation & Operation

Review manufacturer specifications and verify door preparation requirements including door thickness from 1-3/4" to 2-1/4", 2-3/4" backset, and non-handed installation compatibility.
Use manufacturer-provided templates to mark mounting hole locations accurately including standard ANSI A115.2 preparation plus two additional 5/16" diameter through-bolt holes at 12 o’clock and 6 o’clock positions.
Prepare door by drilling required holes including 2-1/8" diameter chassis hole and through-bolt mounting holes as specified in manufacturer instructions.
Install through-bolt mounting studs and secure the lock chassis to door per manufacturer torque specifications for maximum attack resistance.
Adjust lever operation and latch alignment for proper function, ensuring inside lever rotates freely while outside lever remains fixed per exit-only function.
Test lock operation to verify proper latching, smooth lever operation, and exit functionality. Refer to manufacturer documentation for complete installation details and troubleshooting.

Professional Applications

Commercial Office Buildings
Educational Facilities
Healthcare Institutions
Retail Establishments
Industrial and Warehouse Facilities
Multi-Tenant Residential Properties
Government and Municipal Buildings

Anti-Microbial Option

BEST UltraShield™ antimicrobial protected coating available in 626AM satin chrome finish inhibits the growth of bacteria and other microbes on hardware surfaces. Recommended for healthcare, elderly care, education, transportation, food service, and hospitality applications where product cleanliness is a high priority.

Why Choose BEST Quality?

BEST 9K Series cylindrical locks deliver professional-grade reliability with brass and corrosion-treated steel construction rated for Grade 1 heavy-duty commercial applications. The innovative attack-resistant design with reinforced mounting system and 10-year manufacturer warranty ensures dependable performance in demanding environments. Engineered for commercial applications where security, durability, and code compliance are essential.

Manufacturer Resources

9K Series Catalog

Service Manual for 9K Series

Product Specs

Series:: 9K Series
Grade:: Grade 1
Duty Level:: Heavy Duty
Handle Type:: Lever
Keyed Function:: Non-Keyed
Warranty:: 10 Year
Standard Latch:: 9/16" Throw
Standard Strike:: 2-3/4 x 1-1/8" with curved lip and box
ANSI/BHMA:: F89
Product Group:: Mechanical Locks
Product Subgroup:: Bored Locksets
Product Type:: Leversets
Subcategory:: Cylindrical Locks
Keyed:: No
Electronic:: No
Commercial/Residential:: Commercial
Function Description:: Latch operated by Rotating the inside lever. Outside lever is always fixed and inside lever is always unlocked and cannot be locked.
Lock Type:: Cylindrical
Lock Function:: Exit Only
Product Attribute:: Cylindrical Locks
Product Model:: NX
Product Function:: Exit
Door Hand Direction:: Non-Handed
Product Category:: Mechanical Locks
Product Substrate:: Corrosion-Treated Steel
Backset (Distance):: 2-3/4"
Department:: Door Hardware

BEST 9K30NX15CSTK606 – Frequently Asked Questions

1) What does the BEST 9K NX exit function actually do on the door?

Exit only. The latch retracts by rotating the inside lever; the outside lever is always fixed and the inside lever is always unlocked and cannot be locked. Nobody gets in from the outside without a key override, because there is no cylinder in this one, and nobody can accidentally lock the egress side. That makes it a stairwell-discharge, service-corridor, or one-way-out door lock, not an entry lock. If people need to get in through that door too, this is the wrong function.

2) Will the BEST 9K NX lever lock fit a 1-3/4 inch commercial door?

Yes, 1-3/4 inch is right in the range. The 9K NX covers 1-3/4 inch through 2-1/4 inch doors as supplied, and spacers are available to take it down to a 1-3/8 inch door. Door prep is standard ANSI A115.2 with a 2-1/8 inch chassis bore, plus two extra 5/16 inch through-bolt holes at the 12 and 6 o'clock positions.

3) Do I have to specify handing when ordering a BEST 9K exit lock?

No handing to call out. The 9K NX is non-handed, so one part covers a left or right hand door and you can stock a single item across a building. What you do have to pick on the order is backset (2-3/4, 3-3/4, or 5 inch), lever style (Contour with angle return, Curved with return, or Curved without return), rose (C rose 3 inch convex or D rose 3-1/2 inch convex), strike (S3 4-7/8 inch ANSI or STK 2-3/4 inch ANSI), and finish.

4) Which strike do I order for the 9K NX, and will it latch into the frame prep I already have?

Two strikes are offered: the STK 2-3/4 inch ANSI strike and the S3 4-7/8 inch ANSI strike. Frames prepped for a full 4-7/8 inch ANSI strike take the S3; a T-strike or small-lip prep takes the STK. The standard strike is a 2-3/4 x 1-1/8 inch curved-lip type with a box. Latch throw is 9/16 inch, so the strike lip and box have to sit close to flush with the stop, a deep or shimmed strike will not give that latch enough bite.

5) Can a BEST 9K NX cylindrical lock go on a fire-rated door?

Yes. The 9K NX is UL listed for 3-hour A label single or double swinging doors, and it carries BHMA A156.2 Series 4000 Grade 1. The ANSI function designation is F89. For an institutional spec sheet, that combination (Grade 1, F89, 3-hour A label) is what gets written on the hardware schedule.

6) What backset do I need for a 9K exit lock on a wide stile aluminum or narrow-frame door?

Backset choices are 2-3/4 inch, 3-3/4 inch, and 5 inch. The 2-3/4 inch is the standard commercial hollow metal and wood door backset and is what the spec data lists as standard. The 3-3/4 and 5 inch options exist for doors with wider stiles or applied trim, where a 2-3/4 inch backset would put the lever too close to the edge to grip. Measure from the door edge to the center of the existing 2-1/8 inch bore and match it, a backset mismatch means a new door.

7) Can I retrofit a BEST 9K NX into a door that already has a cylindrical lever lock?

Usually, if the numbers line up. The door needs a 2-1/8 inch cross bore and a backset matching one of the three offered, 2-3/4, 3-3/4, or 5 inch, plus thickness in the 1-3/4 to 2-1/4 inch band (spacers cover 1-3/8 inch). The one extra step over a plain swap: BEST prep adds two 5/16 inch through-bolt holes at 12 and 6 o'clock beyond standard ANSI A115.2, so an existing door will need those two holes drilled. Frame side, pick the strike that matches the existing frame cutout rather than recutting the jamb.

8) What is the closest Grade 1 non-keyed cylindrical lever lock to the BEST 9K NX exit lock?

The BEST 9K NX is a Grade 1 cylindrical leverset with no cylinder and no keyed function, so the closest peers are the other Grade 1 non-keyed cylindrical levers. The Falcon K101 is a Grade 1 heavy duty passage cylindrical lock with non-handed levers and a fire rating, and the Falcon T101 is a Grade 1 heavy-duty cylindrical passage lever with pressure release technology. The Corbin Russwin CL3110 is a Grade 1 vandal resistant cylindrical lever in passage/closet function with a fire rating. The functional difference is that the 9K NX is exit only, meaning the outside lever is always fixed and the inside lever always retracts the latch, while a passage lever operates from both sides.

9) I need a non-keyed lever that works from both sides, not exit only - what should I order instead?

Order a passage function lever rather than the BEST 9K NX, whose outside lever is always fixed. In Grade 1, the Falcon K101 is a heavy duty non-handed passage cylindrical lock and the Design Hardware X75 is a Grade 1 passage lever lockset with a flat lever for 1-3/4 inch doors. In Grade 2, the Falcon B101 is a medium duty non-handed passage lever, the Hager 2510 is a passage lever for 1-3/8 to 2 inch doors, and the Arrow GL01 is a non-keyed Sierra lever passage lock for 1-3/4 to 2 inch doors.

10) Is a dummy lever the same thing as an exit only lock?

No. The BEST 9K NX is a cylindrical exit lock with a working latch that the inside lever retracts; the outside lever is fixed but the door still latches. A dummy lever has no latch and no chassis operation at all - it is surface trim. The Accentra 455LN Augusta is a Grade 1 single dummy cylindrical lever, the Callan Bentley is a Grade 2 dummy lever, and the Emtek Arts and Crafts and Cortina dummies ship as pairs. Use a dummy where the door is held by a roller catch or ball catch and nothing needs to latch; use the 9K NX where the door must latch and only the inside must open it.

11) The opening needs to be locked from the outside with a key - what replaces the BEST 9K NX?

The 9K NX is non-keyed, so a keyed function lock is a different part. For a door that stays locked outside and always exits inside, the Cal-Royal AG05 is a Grade 2 storeroom lever with a deadlocking latchbolt and the Hager 2580 is a Grade 2 storeroom lever with a Withnell lever for 1-3/8 to 2 inch doors. For an office door that can be left unlocked, the Dexter C1000 is a Grade 1 entry/office clutching keyed lever for 1-3/8 to 1-3/4 inch doors and the Hager 2525 is a Grade 2 commercial entry lever. For a classroom, the Dexter C1000 classroom and classroom security levers are Grade 1 keyed, and the Cal-Royal AG03 is a classroom lever in a Schlage C keyway.

12) My door is 1-3/8 inch thick - which comparable lever fits without a spacer kit?

The BEST 9K NX covers 1-3/4 to 2-1/4 inch doors as standard, with spacers available for 1-3/8 inch. If you would rather order a lock that lists 1-3/8 inch in its standard range, the Falcon K101 Grade 1 passage lock covers 1-3/8 to 2-1/4 inch, and the Dexter C1000 asylum covers 1-3/8 to 2 inch. In Grade 2, the Hager 2510 passage and Hager 2580 storeroom levers cover 1-3/8 to 2 inch, and the Cal-Royal AG05 covers 1-3/8 to 1-3/4 inch.

13) The exit door needs to unlock the outside lever on a fire alarm - is the 9K NX the right lock?

No. The BEST 9K NX is mechanical and non-electronic, with a permanently fixed outside lever that cannot be released by a signal. For an opening where the outside lever must unlock when power drops, use an electrified lever such as the Corbin Russwin CL33903 Grade 1 fail safe electrified cylindrical lever, offered in a 12VAC/DC version with an NZ lever and D rose for 1-3/4 to 2 inch doors.

14) My opening needs a 5 inch backset - do the comparable levers go that deep?

The BEST 9K NX is offered in 2-3/4 inch, 3-3/4 inch and 5 inch backsets, with 2-3/4 inch as the standard, and comes with either a 2-3/4 inch ANSI strike or a 4-7/8 inch ANSI strike. Among the peers, the Cal-Royal AG03 classroom lever is a 2-3/4 inch backset and the Cal-Royal AG00 entrance lever is a 2-3/8 inch backset, and the Lockey 1150 keypad lever set has an adjustable backset. For a wide-stile or narrow-frame opening needing the deeper backset, the 9K NX 3-3/4 inch and 5 inch options cover it.

15) Is the BEST 9K lever ADA compliant for a commercial building?

The 9K NX uses a lever handle and meets ANSI A117.1 section 404.2.6 for accessibility. Three lever shapes are offered, Contour with angle return, Curved with return, and Curved without return. The returned levers are what most facility standards ask for, since a return keeps clothing and equipment from catching on the end of the lever in a corridor.

16) Is there an antimicrobial version of the BEST 9K lever for a hospital or clinic?

Yes, 626AM satin chrome with the BEST UltraShield antimicrobial coating, which inhibits growth of bacteria and other microbes on the hardware surface. It is one of twelve finishes offered, alongside 605 bright brass, 606 satin brass, 611 bright bronze, 612 satin bronze, 613 oil-rubbed satin bronze, 618 bright nickel, 619 satin nickel, 622 matte black, 625 bright chrome, 626 satin chrome, and 690 statuary dark bronze. BEST recommends the AM coating for healthcare, elderly care, education, transportation, food service, and hospitality.

17) What Grade 1 alternatives are there if the BEST 9K exit lock is not the right function?

Depends what you actually need the door to do. Keyed entry with a lever, Grade 1: the Dexter C1000 Entry/Office for 1-3/8 to 1-3/4 inch doors. Classroom keyed: Dexter C1000 Classroom, clutching lever, same thickness range. Storeroom, always locked outside and keyed: the Cal-Royal AG05 in Grade 2. Electrified fail safe for access control tie-in: Corbin Russwin CL33903, 12VAC/DC, for 1-3/4 to 2 inch doors. The 9K NX has no cylinder and no electrical option, so any of those cover a job it cannot.

18) Will a BEST 9K NX hold up on a high-traffic door that gets abused?

It is built for it. Grade 1 heavy duty, with critical latch and chassis parts in brass or corrosion-treated steel. The rose locks to the chassis with a pin and a slotted key release cam and locking lug assembly to resist twisting and bending, and it mounts with through-bolt studs into a heavy rose liner rather than screws into the door face, which is what usually fails first on a kicked or wrenched lever. A hub-mounted torsion spring keeps the lever from sagging over time.

19) Can I use a Grade 2 lever instead of the BEST 9K NX on a lower traffic door?

Yes, if the opening does not need Grade 1 heavy duty. The 9K NX is Grade 1 heavy duty commercial. Grade 2 non-keyed alternatives include the Falcon B101, a medium duty non-handed passage lever, the Accentra 5301LN Augusta and 4601LN passage levers, the Design Hardware J75 passage lever for 1-3/4 inch doors, and the Arrow MK02-TA privacy knob for 1-3/4 to 2 inch doors with a fire rating. Note that these are passage or privacy functions, so both sides operate - none of them reproduce the exit only behavior of the 9K NX.

20) Is there a keyless code entry lever that does what the BEST 9K NX does?

The 9K NX is a mechanical, non-electronic lock with no code entry - the outside lever is simply fixed. If the outside needs to be openable by an authorized person without a key, the alternatives are code entry levers: the Lockey 1150 mechanical keypad heavy duty lever set for 1-1/8 to 2 inch doors, the Lockey 2835DC double combination mechanical keyless lever lock, the Delaney LP250 Grade 2 electronic keypad leverlock, and the Emtek Classic keypad leverset. These change the opening from exit only to code controlled on the outside.

21) What is the difference between the BEST 9K NX exit lock and a privacy lever?

The 9K NX inside lever is always unlocked and cannot be locked - there is no way for an occupant to secure the door from inside. A privacy lever does the opposite: it locks from the inside for a restroom or bedroom. The Arrow MK02-TA is a privacy knob with a fire rating for 1-3/4 to 2 inch doors, the Hager 2540 is a privacy cylindrical lock with a Withnell lever for 1-3/8 to 2 inch doors, the Kwikset 300BRNL Breton is a Grade 3 privacy lever for 1-3/8 to 1-3/4 inch doors, and the Baldwin Estate 5103 is offered in a privacy lever with the 5048 rose.

22) Which non-keyed lever should I standardize on for a psychiatric or holding room instead of an exit lock?

An exit lock like the 9K NX leaves the inside lever permanently free, which is not what a controlled room calls for. Asylum function is the alternative: the Dexter C1000 is a Grade 1 asylum (F87) cylindrical lock for 1-3/8 to 2 inch doors, and the Arrow MK33-BD-CS is a Grade 2 heavy duty asylum cylindrical lock with a ball knob and conventional cylinder in a Schlage C keyway. Both are keyed on both sides rather than free egress.

23) Is the Corbin Russwin 585F715 lever a substitute for the BEST 9K NX?

No. The 9K NX is a complete cylindrical exit lock with its own chassis, 2-3/4 inch backset and 9/16 inch throw latch. The Corbin Russwin 585F715 is a Grade 1 lock lever for the ED8000 pushpad exit device and the CL3300 cylindrical lock series, covering 1-3/4 to 2 inch doors - it is lever trim that mounts to hardware you already have, not a standalone lockset. If you are replacing a whole lock in the door, the 9K NX or another complete cylindrical lever is the part; if you are replacing only the lever on an existing exit device, the 585F715 is.

24) Can I put a residential grade passage lever on a commercial exit door instead?

The BEST 9K NX is specified commercial, Grade 1, heavy duty. The lighter alternatives in the same lever format are Grade 3: the Kwikset 200BRNL Breton passage lever for 1-3/8 to 1-3/4 inch doors, the Kwikset 200DL Delta passage lever with adjustable 6AL latch and RCS strike, the Callan Asheville Grade 3 passage leverset, and the Cal-Royal AUS00 Grade 3 entrance/office lever with a solid brass forged body for 1-3/8 to 1-3/4 inch doors. If the opening is on a fire rated assembly, note the 9K NX is UL listed for 3-hour A label single or double swinging doors and the Kwikset 200DL-RCALFD carries a round corner adjustable 20 minute UL latch.

25) Does the BEST 9K NX accept a Schlage C keyway cylinder like some other levers?

No - the 9K NX has no cylinder at all. It is a non-keyed exit lock with a fixed outside lever, so there is nothing to key or rekey and no keyway to match to an existing system. Levers in the comparable range that do take a Schlage C keyway include the Cal-Royal AG00 entrance lever with a 6-pin Schlage C keyway keyed different and a 2-3/8 inch backset, the Cal-Royal AG03 classroom lever with a 6-pin Schlage C keyway and 2-3/4 inch backset, and the Arrow MK33-BD-CS with a conventional Schlage C keyway cylinder. For adapting a keyway on Yale hardware, the Accentra 107S is a Schlage cylinder adapter kit.

26) Which rose should I pick on the 9K, the C rose or the D rose?

C rose is 3 inches and convex, D rose is 3-1/2 inches and convex. The larger D rose covers more door face, which matters when you are replacing older trim or a knob set that left a bigger footprint or paint shadow, or when the door skin around the bore is marked up. On a clean new door either works, so match the rose already used on the rest of the building's openings so the doors read the same.

27) I need a decorative lever for the same corridor - what pairs with the commercial function of the 9K NX?

The 9K NX is a commercial Grade 1 leverset offered in twelve finishes including 626 satin chrome, 613 satin bronze oil-rubbed and 690 statuary dark bronze, in curved and contour lever styles. Where the door calls for decorative trim rather than a heavy duty commercial chassis, the Baldwin Estate 5103 comes in passage, privacy and left or right hand half dummy with the 5048 rose, the Deltana Claremont, Manchester, Morant and Linstead levers are entry function with the Manchester, Morant and Linstead covering 1-3/8 to 2 inch doors, and the Bravura Miramar, Atlanta, Orlando and Tampa are Grade 2 passage leversets, the Tampa with square trim.

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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 9K30NX15CSTK606 come with a warranty?

Absolutely. The BEST 9K30NX15CSTK606 is backed by a manufacturer’s warranty. For full warranty terms, check the product documentation or Contact Us.

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BEST 9K Series NX Grade 1 Cylindrical Exit Lock with Non-Keyed Lever

BEST 9K Series NX Grade 1 Cylindrical Exit Lock with Non-Keyed Lever