TownSteel MSS Series ANSI Grad...
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TownSteel TownSteel MSS Series Dormitory/Exit Function - Heavy Duty Sectional Mortise Lock , Single Cylinder TWS-MSS-12

TownSteel MSS Series ANSI Grade 1 Sectional Mortise Lock - Dormitory/Exit Function, Single Cylinder

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Model: MSS-R-T-12-626
$544.00
$540.13
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In Stock (leaves warehouse same day if ordered before 3pm ET)

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$540.13
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TownSteel MSS Series ANSI Grade 1 Sectional Mortise Lock - Dormitory/Exit Function, Single Cylinder

The TownSteel MSS Series Sectional Mortise Lock is a heavy duty, ANSI Grade 1 rated mortise lock engineered for dormitory/exit function applications with a single cylinder keyed design. Built for single opening, stand-alone installations or integration into sophisticated access control systems, this mortise lock features a 2-3/4" backset, a 3/4" projection stainless steel split anti-friction latch bolt, and a durable stainless steel and forged brass construction throughout. Sectional trim design and optional status sensor compatibility make this lock a versatile solution for commercial and institutional doors requiring reliable, code-compliant security.

Key Features

  • Backset Dimension: 2-3/4" backset positions the lock precisely for standard mortise door preparations.
  • Heavy Duty Latch Bolt: 3/4" projection, stainless steel, split, anti-friction latch bolt ensures smooth, reliable latching in high-traffic applications.
  • Durable Faceplate & Escutcheon: 1-1/4" x 8" stainless steel faceplate paired with a 10-9/16" x 2-3/8" x 9/32" brass escutcheon for a long-lasting, commercial-grade appearance.
  • Forged Lever Construction: Forged brass/cast zinc levers, plated to match finish symbols, provide exceptional strength and corrosion resistance.
  • Stainless Steel Components: Stainless steel guard bolt, plated/stainless steel ANSI strike, and rocker-type stainless steel stop works deliver consistent long-term performance.
  • Access Control Ready: Optional status sensors including REX (request-to-exit), PRIV (privacy), DAJ (door ajar), and MKO (mechanical key override) allow integration into sophisticated access control systems.
  • Classic Thumb Turn: Brass, Classic Visible standard thumb turn provides intuitive single cylinder operation for dormitory/exit function applications.
  • Sectional Trim Design: Compact sectional trim supports single opening, stand-alone installations without sacrificing commercial-grade security.

Certifications & Compliance

  • ANSI Grade 1 Heavy Duty Rated
  • 2-Year Manufacturer's Warranty

Technical Specifications

  • Series: MSE Series
  • Product Group: Mechanical Locks
  • Product Subgroup: Mortise Locks and Trim
  • Product Type: Mortise Locks
  • Subcategory: Mortise Locks
  • Keyed Function: Single Cylinder
  • Commercial/Residential: Commercial
  • Keyed: Yes
  • Lock Function: Single Cylinder
  • Product Attribute: Mortise Locks
  • Electronic: No
  • Product Function: Apartment/Dormitory
  • Product Category: Mechanical Locks
  • Department: Door Hardware

Typical Applications

  • Dormitories and Student Housing
  • Multi-Tenant Residential Properties
  • Educational Facilities
  • Commercial Office Buildings
  • Government and Municipal Buildings
  • Healthcare Institutions

Why TownSteel MSS?

TownSteel MSS Series mortise locks deliver professional-grade reliability through heavy duty, ANSI Grade 1 rated construction, stainless steel split anti-friction latch bolts, and forged brass/cast zinc lever hardware built to withstand demanding commercial use. Designed for dormitory and exit function applications, this sectional mortise lock balances durable, code-compliant security with the flexibility to stand alone or integrate into advanced access control systems using optional REX, PRIV, DAJ, and MKO status sensors.

Product Specs

Series:
MSE Series
Product Group:
Mechanical Locks
Product Subgroup:
Mortise Locks and Trim
Product Type:
Mortise Locks
Subcategory:
Mortise Locks
Keyed Function:
Single Cylinder
Commercial/Residential:
Commercial
Lock Type:
Mortise
Keyed:
Yes
Lock Function:
Single Cylinder
Grade:
Grade 1
Duty Level:
Heavy Duty
Product Attribute:
Mortise Locks
Electronic:
No
Product Function:
Apartment/Dormitory
Product Category:
Mechanical Locks
Department:
Door Hardware

TownSteel MSS-R-T-12-626 – Frequently Asked Questions

1) What does the dormitory/exit function do on the TownSteel MSS mortise lock?
The MSS Series dormitory/exit lock is built for apartment and dormitory openings. It is a single cylinder lock, so the key works the outside only and the inside is operated by lever and thumb turn for free egress. That is the usual arrangement for a unit entry door where residents must always be able to get out without a key.
2) Will the MSS mortise lock latch into my existing ANSI strike?
It should. The MSS latch bolt has a 3/4 inch projection, it is stainless steel, split and anti-friction, and the lock ships with an ANSI strike in plated or stainless steel. The faceplate is 1-1/4 by 8 inches, which is the standard ANSI mortise face, so an opening already prepped for an ANSI mortise lock takes it without new frame work.
3) Do I have to specify handing when ordering this TownSteel mortise lock?
Yes, handing is required. You pick LH, RH, LHR or RHR. Reverse bevel (LHR/RHR) applies to doors that swing out of the room, which is common on apartment corridor doors. Get it wrong and the lever and latch face the wrong way.
4) Can I get a batch of these TownSteel MSS locks keyed alike for a building?
Keying is a required choice at order: keyed different (the standard), keyed alike for multiple locks on one key, or a specific key code for special keying. For a property manager standardizing a floor or a block of units, keyed alike is the option to take, and the key code field is there when you need to match an existing system.
5) Does the MSS Series take a small format interchangeable core?
You can order it either way. One option is SFIC prep, less core, which leaves the cylinder prepped for a small format interchangeable core you supply from your own system. The other is standard cylinder. Institutions already running SFIC should take the prep and core it themselves.
6) Is this TownSteel lock rated for heavy traffic in a dorm or apartment building?
It is an ANSI Grade 1 heavy duty commercial mortise lock. Grade 1 is the highest ANSI/BHMA durability tier and the one normally specified for multi-family, dormitory and institutional openings. Wear parts are stainless steel: latch bolt, guard bolt, faceplate and rocker type stop works.
7) What is the closest equivalent to the TownSteel MSS dormitory/exit mortise lock from another manufacturer?
The Sargent 7925 is the nearest match. It is a Grade 1 heavy duty mortise lock in the 7900 Series with a corridor/dormitory function and a single cylinder deadbolt, which lines up with the TownSteel MSS Series apartment/dormitory function, Grade 1 rating, heavy duty construction and single cylinder keying. The main difference is trim: the Sargent 7925 uses rose trim, while the MSS is a sectional design with an MSE low or regular escutcheon.
8) What should I specify for a classroom door instead of the TownSteel MSS dormitory lock?
The TownSteel MSS Series is built for apartment/dormitory openings. For classrooms, the Corbin Russwin ML2003 is a Grade 1 mortise classroom lockset in the ML2000 Series for 1-3/4 inch doors, and the Cal-Royal NM8070 is a heavy duty Grade 1 classroom mortise lockset with an auxiliary deadlatch, also for 1-3/4 inch doors. Both keep the Grade 1 rating the MSS carries while changing the function to classroom.
9) I need keypad or credential access on a dorm door - what takes the place of the TownSteel MSS?
The TownSteel MSS Series is a mechanical lock and is not electronic, so an access control opening needs a different body. The Schlage Electronics LEMD-GRW is a Grade 1 ENGAGE Series wireless mortise lock with a 125kHz proximity reader and a 3 hour fire rating, the BEST 45HZ EZ Series is an electronic keypad mortise lock with key override, and the Alarm Lock DL3500CR is a Grade 1 Trilogy electronic mortise lock with 300 user codes for doors 1-5/8 to 1-7/8 inches.
10) Does the TownSteel MSS mortise lock work for an access-controlled electrified opening, or do I need something else?
The MSS Series is mechanical, so an electrified opening needs a different lock body. The Schlage L9092EU with 03A trim is a heavy duty electric lock/unlock outside lever mortise lock, keyed outside, with request-to-exit and 12/24VDC operation for 1-3/4 inch doors. The Command Access ML190 Series is a heavy-duty motorized mortise lock with field selectable EL/EU operation on 24VDC in a storeroom function, and the BEST 45HW is a heavy duty wired electromechanical mortise lock with 12V/24V operation.
11) What backset does the TownSteel MSS mortise lock use?
2-3/4 inches, which is the standard commercial mortise backset. If the door is already prepped for a standard mortise pocket at 2-3/4 backset, the MSS drops into it. TownSteel publishes an MSS template for laying out a new prep.
12) How big is the escutcheon on the TownSteel MSS sectional trim?
The brass escutcheon measures 10-9/16 x 2-3/8 x 9/32 inches, and it comes in two profiles, MSE Low and MSE Regular. The 2-3/8 inch dimension is the one to check against your stile before ordering.
13) What lever styles and finishes can I get on the MSS Series to match my other doors?
Eight lever designs: Artistic, Congr, Gala, Imperial, Quest, Regal, Sentinel and Tango. Levers are forged brass or cast zinc plated to match the finish. Seven finishes are offered, 605 bright brass, 606 satin brass, 622 matte black, 625 bright chrome, 626 satin chrome, 629 bright stainless and 630 satin stainless. For most commercial corridors 626 satin chrome and 630 satin stainless are the two that match existing hardware.
14) Is the TownSteel MSS an electronic lock or can it tie into access control?
The MSS as sold here is a mechanical, keyed lock, not electronic. The lock family is designed so it can be integrated into an access control system, and status sensor options exist for REX request-to-exit, PRIV privacy, DAJ door ajar and MKO mechanical key override. If you need a lock that is electrified out of the box, look at a wired or standalone electronic mortise instead, such as the BEST 45HW wired electromechanical mortise or the Schlage CO-100 standalone keypad mortise lock.
15) I need a classroom or storeroom function instead of dormitory. What should I buy?
Function is not an option on the MSS dormitory/exit lock, so you need a different lock body. For classroom, the Corbin Russwin ML2003 Grade 1 mortise classroom lockset or the Cal-Royal NM8070 Grade 1 classroom mortise lockset both cover it. For storeroom, the Accentra 8805FL Grade 1 storeroom mortise or the Cal-Royal NM8080, which also offers an interchangeable core option.
16) I need a Grade 1 mortise lock for an apartment entry but do not need the dormitory deadbolt release - what should I use instead?
Look at the Cal-Royal NM8050, a heavy duty Grade 1 office/entrance mortise lockset with an auxiliary deadlatch for 1-3/4 inch doors, or the Baldwin 6301LS entry/apartment lever by lever mortise lock body for doors 1-3/4 inch and over. Both cover apartment-style entry without the dormitory/exit deadbolt arrangement the TownSteel MSS Series provides.
17) What is the difference between the TownSteel MSS mortise lock and a storeroom mortise lock like the Accentra 8805FL?
Function. The Accentra 8805FL is a Grade 1 storeroom mortise lock in the 8800 Series with an Arcadia lever, meaning the outside lever stays locked and is retracted by key only. The TownSteel MSS Series is an apartment/dormitory function with single cylinder keying, intended for a resident entry rather than a always-locked storage or utility room. Cal-Royal's NM8080 is another Grade 1 storeroom mortise lockset, offered with an interchangeable core option.
18) Can a Sargent 130KB thumbturn be used as a substitute for the TownSteel MSS lock?
No. The Sargent 130KB is a standard duty mortise thumbturn for the 8200 Series, and the Sargent 130W is a mortise thumbturn with a round backplate for the 7800 Series - both are trim pieces, not locks. The TownSteel MSS Series is a complete heavy duty Grade 1 sectional mortise lockset with a keyed single cylinder, and its brass thumb turn is already part of the assembly.
19) Is a mortise deadbolt like the Sargent 4874 an alternative to the TownSteel MSS dormitory lock?
They do different jobs. The Sargent 4874 is a double cylinder mortise deadbolt on a 2-3/4 inch backset in the 4870 Series - deadbolt only, no latch or lever. The TownSteel MSS Series is a full lockset on a 2-3/4 inch backset with a 3/4 inch projection stainless steel anti-friction latch bolt, guard bolt, lever trim and a single cylinder. If the door needs both latching and locking from one prep, the MSS covers it; a deadbolt like the 4874 is an add-on to a separate latch.
20) I need a non-keyed mortise lock on an interior corridor door - what do I use rather than the TownSteel MSS?
The TownSteel MSS Series is keyed with a single cylinder, so for a non-keyed opening consider the Hager 3810E, a Grade 1 passage mortise lock with escutcheon and a 2-3/4 inch backset for doors 1-3/4 to 2-1/2 inches, or the Hager 3850E Grade 1 office mortise lock with lever and escutcheon, non-keyed, also 2-3/4 inch backset. The Falcon MA101 is a Grade 1 heavy duty mortise passage lock with field reversible operation and a fire rating. All share the 2-3/4 inch backset the MSS uses, and the Hager escutcheon versions keep a similar trim look.
21) For a bathroom or bedroom door in the same building, what pairs with the TownSteel MSS mortise locks?
For privacy openings, the Cal-Royal NM8440 is a heavy duty Grade 1 privacy mortise lockset with deadbolt for 1-3/4 inch doors, and the Hager 3840S is a Grade 1 privacy mortise lock with a 2-3/4 inch backset for doors 1-3/4 to 2 inches. Both hold the Grade 1 rating the TownSteel MSS Series carries, and the Hager matches its 2-3/4 inch backset, so a single door prep standard can run through the unit.
22) How does the TownSteel MSS compare to buying a mortise lock body alone like the BEST 45H?
The BEST 45H Series is a heavy duty mortise lock body in a public entrance function with field reversible operation, and the 45HCA intruder function body is similar - these are lock bodies, with trim specified separately. The TownSteel MSS Series is supplied as a complete sectional set: lock body, MSE low or regular escutcheon, a choice of eight lever styles including Imperial, Regal, Sentinel and Tango, and finishes from 605 bright brass through 630 satin stainless steel.
23) I want small format interchangeable core keying across the building - which mortise locks support that?
The TownSteel MSS Series is offered with an SFIC prep less core as well as a standard cylinder, so it can be ordered ready for your own core program. Among comparable Grade 1 mortise locksets, the Cal-Royal NM8080 storeroom lockset is offered with an interchangeable core option. Keying on the MSS is selected as keyed different, keyed alike, or to a specific key code.
24) Is an Emtek 3102 Memphis mortise entrance lockset interchangeable with the TownSteel MSS?
No. The Emtek 3102 Memphis and the 3104 Hamilton are dummy function mortise entrance locksets, meaning fixed trim with no latching or locking mechanism. The Schlage L0170 is likewise a Grade 1 mortise half dummy trim. The TownSteel MSS Series is a working heavy duty Grade 1 keyed lockset with an apartment/dormitory function, so a dummy set can only serve as the inactive leaf of a pair, never as a replacement.
How fast can I get the TownSteel MSS-R-T-12-626 delivered?
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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 TownSteel MSS-R-T-12-626 come with a warranty?
Absolutely. The TownSteel MSS-R-T-12-626 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 TownSteel MSS-R-T-12-626?
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