Sargent 487 Cylinder x Classroom Turn Deadbolt

The Sargent 487 is a Grade 1 cylindrical deadbolt with a key cylinder outside and a classroom turn inside, part of Sargent's heavy-duty 480 Series (ANSI E0161). What makes the 487 distinct is the classroom turn function: the key outside throws and retracts the deadbolt, while the inside thumbturn can only retract the bolt, it cannot throw it. In plain terms, you can always unlock and get out from the inside, but you can only lock the door with a key from the outside. That specific behavior is built for classrooms, offices, and secure rooms where staff control locking while occupants always keep a free, fast exit.

How the classroom turn deadbolt works

This function trips people up, so it's worth being precise. On a standard single cylinder deadbolt, the inside turn both locks and unlocks. On the 487 classroom turn, the inside turn only unlocks (retracts) the bolt, it will not project it. To lock the door, someone uses a key on the outside. The result is a door that can't be accidentally or deliberately deadbolted from the inside, which matters for life safety and supervision: a room can never be locked shut from within, but anyone inside can always retract the bolt and leave immediately.

That makes the 487 the right deadbolt for a classroom door, a stockroom a manager secures from the corridor, or any opening where you want keyed control of locking plus guaranteed free egress. It pairs with a knob or lever lockset as the auxiliary deadbolt on the door.

Built to Grade 1 with real security

The 480 Series is Sargent's high-grade cylindrical deadbolt line, certified to ANSI Grade 1, the top commercial rating. The 487 backs that up where it counts: the bolt is solid steel with a hardened steel pin insert that resists sawing, nickel silver plated, with a full 1 inch throw deep into the strike. The housing is non-ferrous, reinforced, one piece, 2-1/2 inch diameter, and the lock is non-handed and field reversible, so one unit fits any door. It fits standard 161 door prep and doors 1-3/8 to 1-3/4 inch thick, with a 2-3/4 inch backset standard (2-3/8 inch available).

Sargent 487 specifications

• Type: Cylinder x classroom turn deadbolt, ANSI E0161. Grade 1 (480 Series).

• Function: Key outside throws and retracts the bolt. Inside turn retracts only, will not project the bolt.

• Bolt: Solid steel with hardened steel anti-saw pin insert, nickel silver plated. 1 inch throw.

• Cylinder: Brass, 6-pin, with two nickel silver keys. LA keyway standard.

• Cylinder options: 60, prepared for Sargent Large Format IC (LFIC) cores. 70, prepared for Small Format IC (SFIC / BEST) cores. LC, less cylinder (supplied without the cylinder so you provide your own).

• Door range: 1-3/8 to 1-3/4 inch standard (to 2-1/4 inch consult factory).

• Door prep: Fits 161 standard cutout (also 160 with adapting).

• Backset: 2-3/4 inch standard, 2-3/8 inch available (20 option).

• Handing: Non-handed, field reversible.

• Housing: Non-ferrous, reinforced, one piece, 2-1/2 inch diameter.

• Finishes: 26D satin chrome, 10B oil rubbed bronze, 3 bright brass, 4 satin brass, 10 satin bronze, 26 bright chrome.

Why choose the Sargent 487

Sargent is a benchmark institutional lock brand, and the 487 brings Grade 1 strength to a very specific, code-relevant function. For schools and other supervised settings, the classroom turn is exactly the behavior you want: keyed locking control with an inside turn that can only release, never secure, the door. The hardened anti-saw bolt and one-piece reinforced housing deliver real security, and the IC core options (LFIC, SFIC, or less cylinder) let the deadbolt join an existing Sargent or BEST interchangeable-core key system, so it rekeys on the same control key as the rest of the building.

One thing to confirm before ordering: the classroom turn function is specific (inside turn retracts only), so make sure that's the behavior you need rather than a standard single cylinder (the 485) or double cylinder (the 484). If you run an interchangeable core system, choose the 60 (LFIC), 70 (SFIC), or LC (less cylinder) option to match your keying.

Order the Sargent 487 from American Locksets

We stock the full Sargent 480 Series from authorized distribution, so every deadbolt ships with a real manufacturer warranty. Compare functions in the Sargent Grade 1, 480 Series deadbolts category, or browse all commercial locks.