AR Rail

Climberman

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What are some of your favorite rails? I'm surfing around for a 12"-15" rail for a midlength 16" build. Prefer MLOK to Keymod. I want something that feels good in hand and locks up tight to the receiver. A built-in QD cup on the rail is a plus.
 
NKD has one of the new slim AERO rails - I really like that one. Odin works O2 or the BCM lightweight options will be on my next build.
 
BCM Alpha Rail is really nice. I had to heat the rail to even get it over the barrel nut. It's super thin, but still had enough room in the gas tube area to get a piston kit in there. It doesnt have a built in QD cup, but does come with one you can locate where ever on the rail. They even make nice little grippy rail covers that snap in there and make it nice to the hand
 
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Yeah, I have one of those. I really like it. I also like ALG for the money.

I've tried a bunch and those two are my current favorites. Very rigid and slim.

Here's the alpha on a 14.5" middy SBR. You, of course, are welcome to try it anytime.IMG_2094.jpg
 
Here's a top view. It has a cool triangular top that works good for a thumb over style grip. IMG_2020.JPG


If you have no need for front sight, I like these plain ALG's as they are very light and comfy, and the price is right. 12" on a 12.5" barrel, and an 15" on an 18" barrel:

IMG_4099.jpg

IMG_1652.jpg
 
cmt
slr
bcm
fortis
aero
check out primary arms and rainier arms websites for good quality options. There are tons out there but the above are some of my favorites.
 
Yeah, I have one of those. I really like it. I also like ALG for the money.

I've tried a bunch and those two are my current favorites. Very rigid and slim.

Here's the alpha on a 14.5" middy SBR. You, of course, are welcome to try it anytime.View attachment 39047
I'm looking at the 9 inch for the 300 shorty I'm building, it's a nice looking rail and I have heard 0 complaint from it
 
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I've got the KMRA, Atlas 1 s, PWS picmod, a couple of Centurions, Noveske.. etc. I think the Atlas 1 S is awesome. But I have short fingers and smaller hands so the thinner diameter works better for me.

Josh - I'll PM you. Got a brand new PWS Keymod 12.1" I'd sell CHEAP.
 
Fortis 14” Rev II M-Lok. Uses factory barrel nut, nothing proprietary

ywvy8UT.jpg
 
I've got this MI rail. Comes in 4 flavors: as pictured here; same but with 7 sided M-lok (as opposed to only 3 sides here); and both of these with scalloped top rails (rail at the rear and at the front, and no rail/M-lok in the middle). Very light, good attachment mechanism, built-in QD.

MI-SSM10G3-2.jpg
 
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I've got this MI rail. Comes in 4 flavors: as pictured here; same but with 7 sided M-lok (as opposed to only 3 sides here); and both of these with scalloped top rails (rail at the rear and at the front, and no rail/M-lok in the middle). Very light, good attachment mechanism, built-in QD.

MI-SSM10G3-2.jpg
I like their option that has 8 sides of Mlok. It's kinda like the atlas one.
 
I like their option that has 8 sides of Mlok. It's kinda like the atlas one.

Be aware that is is really only 3 sides as the 45degree slots are larger and just for weight cutting I believe. Same with the Atlas, those small ones will not fit Mlok.

The ALG's, however, DO have the mlok slots at 45 degrees.
 
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Be aware that is is really only 3 sides as the 45degree slots are larger and just for weight cutting I believe. Sa,e with the Atlas, those small ones will not fit Mlok.

The ALG's, however, DO have the mlok slots at 45 degrees.

The MI website says 8 useable sides. I agree that the atlas is just 3/6/9 o'clock. It isn't a deal breaker either way for me yet. I like both of these rails.

https://www.midwestindustriesinc.com/product-p/mi-g3ml12-blk.htm

MI-G3ML12-2.jpg


atlas-s-one-hg-config-mlok.jpg
 
IMG_2256.JPG

Oh I see dry noted that. The pic he posted is a different one. Edit: I had the older one I guess, with bigger slots at 45.
 
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If money is no object or you want, IMO, the ultimate handguard and performance, I'd get an SLR Ion Hybrid. It is MLok, tapers like the Atlas, has Pic at the muzzle end at 12, 3, 6, and 9, and looks sexy as hell.
ulj1haH.jpg 6LeURZ8.jpg
 
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Matrix (Aerospace) Arms makes a decent MLOK rail, in the US, for under $75. They are excellent alternative to airsoft quality chinese stuff IMO.


http://pro2a-tactical.com/images/FOXMLOK-15.jpg
FOXMLOK-15.jpg

I have a keymod version of this. The only thing I don't like about them is there is no rotation limitation other than the gas tube. I have been able to loosen the barrel nut slightly. I will admit I was trying to loosen it.
 
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cmt
slr
bcm
fortis
aero
check out primary arms and rainier arms websites for good quality options. There are tons out there but the above are some of my favorites.

This is pretty much my list. CMT is first on my list. Fortis and Aero tie for second. BCM and PWS have great rails too. I do like geissele but not at retail lol
 
This is pretty much my list. CMT is first on my list. Fortis and Aero tie for second. BCM and PWS have great rails too. I do like geissele but not at retail lol

That's my hesitation with them and SLR when you can get a BCM Keymod or MLok for about $160 new, shipped.
 
Call me old school, but I prefer the Troy Alpha and BattleRail. I don’t hang a bunch of stuff off my rifle, and I’ve bought a few cheap while everyone has to have the newest bestest rail.
 
20180207_220018.jpg
M lock off of eBay. Slim 17 inch. 45 bucks shipped to the door. Works really well. *the pink is now gone completely * lol. The gun was my wife's but she wanted a bolt gun so she got a new gen 2 rpr in 6 creed. So this ar now rides in the trunk of my patrol car
 
Son is running a BCM Keymod on one of his 14.5".
AR15_sons.jpg


Currently using the DD Mk18 or M4A1 RIS II at work
IMG_1234_uppers.jpg

IMG_1235_uppers.jpg


Just got word during SHOT that USASOC will be replacing the DD RIS II for a Geissele Mk16 rail. Brownells is selling them as complete uppers or barreled without FH, BCG and CH.
p_100026694_1.jpg



CD
 
I have been impressed with ALG for the money. Really light and comfortable. I also appreciate the simplicity.
 
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I've got this MI rail. Comes in 4 flavors: as pictured here; same but with 7 sided M-lok (as opposed to only 3 sides here); and both of these with scalloped top rails (rail at the rear and at the front, and no rail/M-lok in the middle). Very light, good attachment mechanism, built-in QD.

MI-SSM10G3-2.jpg
I also went with one of the Midwest Industries M-Lok rails. I chose the "Lightweight" version for my pistol build....
AR15Pistol_Dec2017-5 by Mark Anderson, on Flickr
 
So has anyone seen a good deal on the aero atlas one rail 12" with mlok or the 12" MI G3 M-Series One Piece Free Float Handguard, M-LOK™ compatible - Black?

Was looking for one for a friend, and not a lot of sales on them right now. Gonna have to be patient. They'll come back soon!
 
Was that your MI G3 rail or @drypowder 's? What did you think of it? vs the Atlas?

I bought it new from dry. Now it is on @Edg890 's AR pistol (in pic).

It was very nice and I really liked it. But I am not in love with the way MI rails attach. Supposed to use glue! I rebuilt my rifle and went to a 15" which is why I got rid of it. Otherwise I would have kept it.

When buying a new 12" for my SBR, I decided to try the Atlas. I prefer the Atlas. It's very rigid and I like the contour, and I got it for significantly less.

But the MI was very nice and I wouldn't balk at having another. Have had several MI handguards now and they were all nice.
 
It was very nice and I really liked it. But I am not in love with the way MI rails attach. Supposed to use glue!
That is the Gen2 design. The Gen3 does not require any glue; it's a secure design.

As an aside, for all the complaints about the Gen2 design, the rail slipping off has been extremely rare - nearly all the posts complaining about it that I've seen on arfcom and m4carbine were theoretical complaints, not complaints of the rail actually sliding off. That said, the Gen3 is a welcome design improvement, even if the Gen2 is not likely to cause issues for most use cases.
 
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That is the Gen2 design. The Gen3 does not require any glue; it's a secure design.

As an aside, for all the complaints about the Gen2 design, the rail slipping off has been extremely rare - nearly all the posts complaining about it that I've seen on arfcom and m4carbine were theoretical complaints, not complaints of the rail actually sliding off. That said, the Gen3 is a welcome design improvement, even if the Gen2 is not likely to cause issues for most use cases.

Right, they have a lock now. Much better!

None of mine ever came off. But, would rather not have the issue at all.
 
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