"The Dilemma" THE Rail for the LR-308

[RobertTheTexan]

WEVO-ers,
Good Afternoon, evening, or morning. This is my first post here in the world of WEVO. I've been a reader of some pretty nice threads. Excellent pics and in general, just a very, very informative forum, that honestly, is just a pleasure to spend time reading. If there is a lot of bickering or my barrel is bigger than your barrel, I haven't seen it. I'm hoping it's because that stuff is reserved for TOS. Anyway, I would rather my first post written in an effort to help or answer a question, but it is what it is, I appreciate your understanding.

So I've got a LR-308 that is 99.9999% complete. The only, ONLY missing part is (of course you already know...) the RAIL. I've never had a more enigmatic AR part before than this rail is. I've built quite a few AR-15's. Generally, my rail o' choice is a LaRue Tactical, I have them from 9" to 13.2". Yep, I'm a quad rail man. I like the heft and weight, and the general feeling that I could drive over it in a tanks and it still shoot. Or zonk someone on the head with that thing and bring lights out quicker than a solar flare. Not that I go around zonking people on the head. Not at all. So that's been my goto rail for the most part since I left M4's behind and started building my own. I did install a Centurion C4, just to check it out. And recently, I had a really good friend give me a KAC URX 4 10.75" MLOK rail that I used on a DD 11.5 SBR build. It's a beaut of a rail. I have an Arisaka offset @ the 45 with a little SF 300 and nice tapeswitch, and a Naroh handstop. That's it. Nice and clean. Efficient. I do have some Magpul Type 2 rail covers on it. That's it.

Here's my dilemma and my reason for reaching out to total strangers for their opinion. I just cannot make up my flipping mind on this rail. I do know one thing: It will be an SLR Rifleworks rail. I recently sent back a 16" SOLO because it was just too long, and I didn't have the 45 degree mounting surface that I could potentially use. So Chase @ SLR (Who is awesome.) let me pull it off my weapon and ship the rail back and now I'm ready to pull the trigger. I did shorten it a little. 15". Does one inch make a difference? yeah, I think so. But the main point is that I switched gears. I decided I did not want to do a hybrid rail - meaning it will either be a full MLOK (except for the top rail, that has to be picatinny) or it will be a quad rail. I know the SLR is not my LT, but I read the post that Munitions made on here about the quad rail, that was in 2015, so apparently there was enough interest to push it from prototype to production. Cool right!? This AR is designated as my DMR (If you are wondering purpose/role). I've already got my optic for it. It will likely not run a light, I don't see a big need for a light on a DMR. (but it could some day) I have an Atlas bipod with an ADM mount, but could as easily pick up a MLOK bipod mount.

So what are you thoughts good strangers? Is there a compelling reason to go with one or the other? My visual self says, "Dang that MLOK will look really nice!" The practical tactical side of me says, stay the course. Get the quad rail. It's what you know, you can put your LaRue index clips on it, your AFG or whatever, and be happy as a possum in mollasses. I've never built an AR with aestetics in mind. They look like very solid tools. They are functional and ready for whatever I need them to do. To me, there is a beauty in that. So I think that's one reason this is a tough decision. Sorry that my first post is so long and asking for help rather than giving, but I thank you for any input you may have.

- RTT

Here are the candidates of the evening...

15" Quad Rail


15" ION Lite MLOK


You know I don't even know if others makes these types of posts. Hopefully it's cool. I figured since it's my first post, I may have a little grace if it's not a "WEVO" thing to do. :) Besides this is my first poll ever! Woohoo11

[ksenter]

I'm in for the mlok for the comfort alone. I also was a quad rail guy. Too big and bulky these days. Put rails where you need them.

Btw, I'm invested in the keymod and would cost me to much to switch to mlok. Mlok is where it's at these days

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk

[GOST]

I like the quad.

[Uffdaphil]

I have multiples of both and like them. With the already heavier .308 I would pick the M-Lok just to lighten the load.

My all-time favorite rails are neither, but feel great in hand and are gorgeous - the Centurion CMR and Geissele SMR Mk4.

[RobertTheTexan]

I have multiples of both and like them. With the already heavier .308 I would pick the M-Lok just to lighten the load.

My all-time favorite rails are neither, but feel great in hand and are gorgeous - the Centurion CMR and Geissele SMR Mk4.

One of the first rails I looked at was the CMR. Only problem is I could never find it in stock. I did also consider Geissele rails, I never contacted them to ask, but it seems their rails are for M4 uppers and not an Armalite AR-10 or DPMS patterned upper receiver. I've never owned one, but the quality control they have plus just how it looks is enough to put it on my list.

But back on point. The weight is one of the biggest factors in the MLok's corner. My SPR has a LaRue Tactical 13.2" rail and granted its not all rail, (the scope was a tank) but it weighed 14 lbs. I'd like to come in under that if I could. Lol


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[fledge]

CMR 308: https://www.rainierarms.com/centurio...rail-system-12

[SINNER]

https://www.cmttac.com/AR10-RAIL

[UWone77]

I've got several CMR's on my AR10's. I love them.

The CMT Handguard is also awesome.

[Default.mp3]

Pedant alert:

Public Service Announcement:

Handguard:


Handguard:


Handguard:


Handguard:


Rail:


Rail:


Quad-Rail Handguard:


MLOK Handguard:


Railed MLOK Handguard:


Point: the thing you hold is a handguard.
The raised mount is the rail.
If you stick rails on a handguard, it's a railed handguard.
An "MLOK Rail" is a piece of rail that you stick to an MLOK handguard, not a handguard with MLOK cut into it.
Long ago, in the way back, we all got lazy and called "Quad Rail Handguards", "Rail Interface Systems", and "Rail Adaptor Systems"; "Rails". We did not have an eye on the future, we were just lazy. Now is the time to fix that.

I personally don't see how a quad rail handguard is more practical; to me, the choice is obviously the full M-LOK. Beyond that, Mega is coming out with a .308 WedgeLock, while V7 will also have .308 Enlightened Handguards coming out, too.

[alamo5000]

As for my 2 cents... SLR and CMT are both at the top of my list for handguards.

I started from nothing in the AR world but now I am sort of partial to M-Lok. It's not a perfect system but it works.

You mentioned that you will buy an SLR rail. I have a couple and they are fantastic. Not sure about .308 but on slim rails you might want an SLR gas block too if you go M-lok.

The modularity of M-lok is really nice. In hind sight I got lucky falling into that early on. Aside from that for a DMR set up the quad wouldnt bring much to the party I wouldn't think.

[Pyzik]

I have multiples of both and like them. With the already heavier .308 I would pick the M-Lok just to lighten the load.

My all-time favorite rails are neither, but feel great in hand and are gorgeous - the Centurion CMR and Geissele SMR Mk4.

I was initially going to say the opposite of you, the 308 is already hefty so why not just grab the quad. I think a .308 with a quad looks sexy.
You are 100% on the second point though, while I don't own one, the CMR has been my favorite rail (on looks) for a long time.

Like Uwone, I've got a few CMT rails and they are very nice. I know they're not in the running, just echoing.

Blah, blah, blah, having said all that; MLOK is handier, lighter, smoother, more comfortable and more practical.

[SINNER]

Quality quad rails for .308's are not very plentiful. And MLok blows. Hate it more and more. Damages the rail every time it's installed and removed. The nuts spin before they loosen fully and damage both Cerakote and anodizing.

[Pyzik]

Quality quad rails for .308's are not very plentiful. And MLok blows. Hate it more and more. Damages the rail every time it's installed and removed. The nuts spin before they loosen fully and damage both Cerakote and anodizing.

So it's not just me? I've always appreciated Keymod's attachment ease over MLOK.

[SINNER]

So it's not just me? I've always appreciated Keymod's attachment ease over MLOK.

Not just you. Honestly not sure how anyone who used both could like MLok better. I've had issues with the bolts being both too short and too long to function properly, tolerance issues with the thickness of the slots in the fore ends causing fitment issues, and as stated damage to the interior rail surfaces causing gouges deep enough bare metal is visible. Poor design IMO.

[Big_Tom]

I would go with the Centurion Arms CMR if you can find it. Here's mine 14" CMR on a 16" barrel.