Quick Answer

The Falcon Q500 series is a commercial deadbolt line. The only replacement parts stocked for the Q500 series are deadbolt cylinders, available in 5-pin, 6-pin, and 7-pin configurations across multiple finishes. Before ordering any Falcon Q500 parts, confirm two things:

• Pin count: The number of pin stacks in the installed cylinder. This determines which Q500 cylinder part number applies. A 5-pin, 6-pin, and 7-pin cylinder are not interchangeable even on the same deadbolt body. The pin count is typically stamped on the existing cylinder or recorded in the hardware schedule.
• Finish: The surface finish of the installed deadbolt. Multiple Q500 cylinder part numbers exist for the same pin count in different finishes. Ordering a cylinder in the wrong finish produces a cylinder that is functionally correct but visually mismatched.
• 20 Falcon Q500 cylinders are stocked at Security Parts across all pin count and finish combinations.

Call 845-935-0301 for pre-order compatibility support if you cannot confirm the pin count or finish from the installed unit.

What the Falcon Q500 Series Is

The Falcon Q500 is a commercial-grade deadbolt series used in institutional and commercial applications including government facilities, educational buildings, healthcare entries, and multi-tenant commercial properties. The Q500 deadbolt provides keyed entry from the outside with a thumbturn on the inside, offering a straightforward key-in deadbolt function for doors where access control does not require a lever or knob mechanism.

The Q500 is distinct from the Falcon Q330 series, which is a cylindrical lever lock. The Q330 uses key-in-lever cylinders designed for a lever lockset body. The Q500 uses deadbolt cylinders with a different cam and tailpiece geometry. The two cylinder series are not interchangeable. If the hardware being serviced is a lever lock with a handle, see the Q330 guide. If it is a standalone deadbolt with a thumbturn, you are on the correct page.

For broader context on Falcon hardware, parts, and product lines stocked at Security Parts, see the Falcon hardware brand page.

How Falcon Q500 Cylinder Replacement Works

The Falcon Q500 deadbolt is designed to allow cylinder replacement without removing the deadbolt body from the door. This is important for facilities managers and locksmiths who need to rekey or replace a cylinder due to key compromise, wear, or a change in key control requirements, without disrupting the door prep or the thumbturn assembly.

Cylinder replacement is the correct repair in these situations:

• The cylinder plug has worn and the key no longer operates smoothly
• Keys have been lost or compromised and the facility requires rekeying
• The facility is transitioning to a new key control system that requires a different keyway
• The cylinder has been physically damaged by a forced entry attempt
• The existing cylinder finish has degraded and replacement is preferred over refinishing

The cylinder replacement process on the Q500 series does not require specialty tools in most cases. A standard flathead screwdriver is typically sufficient to release the cylinder retaining mechanism and extract the cylinder from the deadbolt body. The replacement cylinder slides in and locks with the same mechanism. The entire field replacement, once the correct part is on hand, takes under ten minutes for a trained locksmith or experienced facilities technician. The time investment is in confirming the correct part number before the service call, not in the physical replacement itself.

When ordering a replacement cylinder, confirm the pin count of the existing cylinder before placing the order. Installing a 6-pin cylinder in a deadbolt that was originally keyed to a 7-pin system, for example, will mean the existing keys no longer operate the lock. If the installation is being rekeyed intentionally, the pin count of the new cylinder must match the new key system.

For general guidance on planned replacement and maintenance schedules for commercial door hardware, see the commercial door hardware maintenance checklist.

Falcon Q500 7-Pin Deadbolt Cylinders

Falcon Q500-057 Deadbolt Cylinder, 7-Pin. View product page and order.

Seven-pin cylinders provide the largest key combination pool of the three Q500 configurations. They are used in higher-security applications where key control is critical and where restricted keyways or master key systems require the additional pin stack to accommodate the key cut depth range. Five 7-pin Q500 cylinders are stocked.

Falcon Q500 6-Pin Deadbolt Cylinders

Falcon Q500-012 Deadbolt Cylinder, 6-Pin. View product page and order.

Six-pin cylinders are the most widely used configuration in the Q500 series. They provide a large combination pool suitable for master key systems in most commercial and institutional settings without requiring the full security overhead of a 7-pin system. Eight 6-pin Q500 cylinders are stocked, covering the broadest range of finishes in the series.

Falcon Q500 5-Pin Deadbolt Cylinders

Falcon Q500-072 Deadbolt Cylinder, 5-Pin. View product page and order.

Five-pin cylinders have a smaller key combination pool than 6-pin or 7-pin configurations. They are found in Q500 deadbolts specified for lower-security or lower-traffic applications where master key system complexity is not a requirement. Seven 5-pin Q500 cylinders are stocked.

Selecting the Right Q500 Cylinder: Pin Count and Finish

Most ordering errors on Q500 cylinder replacements come from one of two mistakes: ordering the wrong pin count because the existing cylinder was not checked, or ordering the correct pin count in the wrong finish. Both mistakes require a return and delay the repair.

How to Confirm Pin Count

The pin count of an installed Q500 cylinder is typically documented in the original hardware schedule submitted during construction or renovation. If the hardware schedule is not available, a locksmith can disassemble the cylinder on-site and count the pin stacks directly. The pin count is not visible from the outside of the installed deadbolt.

When the pin count cannot be confirmed from documentation and on-site disassembly is not immediately possible, a locksmith can sometimes estimate the pin count range from the key blank profile. Different keyways are licensed to specific pin count ranges, so the keyway stamped on the key blade can narrow the search to either 5-pin, 6-pin, or 7-pin cylinders depending on how the master key system was originally designed. This is an estimate method only and should not substitute for a confirmed count when the exact replacement must match an existing key system.

If the facility uses a master key system, the key control documentation will also indicate the pin count, since the master key system design is tied to the pin stack configuration. In most institutional master key systems, the pin count across all cylinders in a building section is uniform.

How to Confirm the Correct Finish

The finish code for the installed Q500 deadbolt is typically found on the specification sheet submitted at the time of original installation. If the spec sheet is not available, the finish can be identified visually by comparing the installed deadbolt to ANSI/BHMA finish code samples. Common finish codes used on the Q500 series include US26D (satin chrome), US10B (oil-rubbed bronze), US32D (satin stainless), US3 (polished brass), and US10 (satin bronze).

Multiple Q500 cylinders share the same pin count but differ only in finish. Ordering a cylinder with the correct pin count but an incorrect finish results in a functionally correct cylinder that does not match the installed trim. For applications where visual uniformity is required, such as healthcare corridors, educational buildings, or government facility entries, finish matching is as important as pin count matching.

The most common ordering mistake when finish is uncertain is to order a "safe" neutral finish that does not match the installed trim. On a public-facing building entry or a corridor where hardware uniformity is part of the facility standard, a mismatched cylinder finish requires a second order and a second service call. When the finish cannot be confirmed from documentation, it is better to pause the order and physically inspect the installed deadbolt before placing it, or to call the Security Parts team at 845-935-0301 for guidance on identifying the finish from the installed hardware.

For guidance on hardware standards and finish code conventions, see the ANSI/BHMA door hardware standards guide.

Complete Falcon Q500 Parts Reference

Falcon Q500-014 Deadbolt Cylinder, 7-Pin. View product page and order.

Where to Source Falcon Q500 Parts

The Falcon Q500 deadbolt is commonly specified in institutional and government construction projects as the primary entry deadbolt on office doors, storage rooms, and utility spaces that do not require a lever mechanism or push bar. In educational settings, Q500 deadbolts are regularly found on administrative offices, equipment rooms, and faculty-only areas where access is controlled by key rather than by credential reader. In healthcare facilities, the Q500 serves staff-only rooms and pharmaceutical storage areas where keyed entry is required for compliance and security.

Cylinder replacement frequency on Q500 deadbolts varies by application. In high-turnover institutional environments, cylinders are typically replaced or rekeyed on a scheduled maintenance cycle to address key control drift from lost or unaccounted keys. In lower-turnover government and educational settings, cylinder replacement is more commonly triggered by physical wear, key compromise, or a change in occupancy. Knowing the pin count and finish in advance shortens the repair cycle significantly, since a pre-stocked cylinder can be installed in minutes on-site rather than requiring a factory order.

Security Parts stocks all 20 Falcon Q500 deadbolt cylinders across the 5-pin, 6-pin, and 7-pin configurations. Same-day shipping on stocked components. Call 845-935-0301 for pre-order compatibility support if you need help matching the pin count or finish to the installed deadbolt.

For Falcon lever lock cylinder parts, see the Falcon Q330 parts guide, which covers key-in-lever cylinders, latch bolts, spring cages, and lever trim for the Q330 cylindrical lock series. For OEM versus aftermarket guidance on Falcon hardware, see the OEM vs aftermarket commercial door hardware guide. For applications in healthcare, government, and educational settings where Q500 deadbolts are commonly specified, see the healthcare door hardware guide, the government buildings hardware guide, and the universities and colleges door hardware guide.

About the Author

This guide was written by the Security Parts team, a commercial door hardware specialist serving locksmiths, facilities managers, general contractors, and institutional maintenance teams since 2001. Security Parts stocks the complete Falcon Q500 cylinder catalog across all pin count and finish configurations, with same-day shipping on stocked components and pre-order compatibility support at 845-935-0301.