Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast
Results 1 to 15 of 45
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Sep 2014
    Location
    Texas
    Posts
    5,854
    Downloads
    2
    Uploads
    0

    Rail Systems? Your opinion?

    I recently saw this video on youtube:



    I recently did my build and I chose an M-Lok rail system.

    I would like to hear forum member's opinion of this sytem, keymod, and any other kind of system that may be out there.

    Simply put, what do you guys think of these various systems?

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Apr 2014
    Posts
    1,940
    Downloads
    3
    Uploads
    0
    I have a few normal picatinny rails, 2 keymod and now an mlok. I liked the usefulness of the normal picatinny rail, but I don't like the rail itself. I think having 15" of rail on 4 sides of the rifle is a bit much. Now with these new interfaces you can put accessories where you want them without all that rail space. Don't have a preference over keymod or mlok as far as looks, but I will say that mlok is going to take off big since it is backed by magpul.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Sep 2010
    Location
    PNW
    Posts
    15,286
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0
    I think this question will best be answered in another year or two.

    I'm old school, I still like quad rails. Plenty of accessories, and I can place them anywhere.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Sep 2014
    Location
    Texas
    Posts
    5,854
    Downloads
    2
    Uploads
    0
    Quote Originally Posted by Ride4frnt View Post
    but I will say that mlok is going to take off big since it is backed by magpul.
    I never knew about this difference until I was trying to buy a rail, but at first look I tend to agree that the M-Lok system is going to be much bigger (over time). Also per the video above it is an open source system and supposedly not only magpul, but 30 other companies have signed up to make M-Lok bits and pieces.

    The old school quad rail thing seems to me to be left in the dust, especially when you can have all these legos to put what you want where on your rail. The idea is definitely solid (meaning the concept of customization)... I have no experience with keymod and only minimal experience with M-Lok...but one thing I have noticed is M-Lok accessories aren't just wildly available. I've only found one or maybe two places that have anything. One is directly from Magpul and the other is from Midway. Outside of that finding things is a hunt.

    Also as a first time AR builder I think it's vital that the industry as a whole educate more people on these kinds of options.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Sep 2014
    Location
    Texas
    Posts
    5,854
    Downloads
    2
    Uploads
    0
    Quote Originally Posted by UWone77 View Post
    I think this question will best be answered in another year or two.

    I'm old school, I still like quad rails. Plenty of accessories, and I can place them anywhere.
    Yes it is new, and yes quad rails work... but they are heavy... as a newbie, merely on concept alone I am sort of partial to customization... IF you can get the parts to do it.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Sep 2010
    Location
    PNW
    Posts
    15,286
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0
    Quote Originally Posted by alamo5000 View Post
    Yes it is new, and yes quad rails work... but they are heavy... as a newbie, merely on concept alone I am sort of partial to customization... IF you can get the parts to do it.
    Weight is negligible. I mean look at your build, you used a Billet Receiver set and a full size scope.

    Unless you're looking for the lightest build possible, any weight savings is usually negated by other add ons.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Apr 2014
    Posts
    1,940
    Downloads
    3
    Uploads
    0
    Quote Originally Posted by alamo5000 View Post
    I never knew about this difference until I was trying to buy a rail, but at first look I tend to agree that the M-Lok system is going to be much bigger (over time). Also per the video above it is an open source system and supposedly not only magpul, but 30 other companies have signed up to make M-Lok bits and pieces.

    The old school quad rail thing seems to me to be left in the dust, especially when you can have all these legos to put what you want where on your rail. The idea is definitely solid (meaning the concept of customization)... I have no experience with keymod and only minimal experience with M-Lok...but one thing I have noticed is M-Lok accessories aren't just wildly available. I've only found one or maybe two places that have anything. One is directly from Magpul and the other is from Midway. Outside of that finding things is a hunt.

    Also as a first time AR builder I think it's vital that the industry as a whole educate more people on these kinds of options.
    Keymod is open source too. What I meant was, mlok is magpuls baby. They don't make keymod accessories, and with a company that big backing mlok, I think it's gonna take off.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Oct 2012
    Posts
    396
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0
    Quote Originally Posted by alamo5000 View Post
    Also as a first time AR builder I think it's vital that the industry as a whole educate more people on these kinds of options.
    Most of the AR market is guys trying to build the absolute cheapest AR they can put together and claim it's better than a colt. You're in the minority, you took the time to figure out what you wanted and learn the differences. Most guys are trying to build this magical gun for $500 or less. They don't care about Keymod vs mlok vs quad because that $30 handguard on ebay is just as good.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Sep 2014
    Location
    Texas
    Posts
    5,854
    Downloads
    2
    Uploads
    0
    Quote Originally Posted by UWone77 View Post
    Weight is negligible. I mean look at your build, you used a Billet Receiver set and a full size scope.

    Unless you're looking for the lightest build possible, any weight savings is usually negated by other add ons.
    True. When I pick up my build, its not light. It's solid. I like solid. I will have to weigh it and see really how much it weighs.

    I guess that's sort of the point of the thread... 'gimmick or awesome'? and to get an idea from forum members what they think.

    When I ordered my rail initially I got the keymod version but they were out of stock, so they called an asked if I would like to wait or go for the M-Lok... to be honest at the time it didn't matter to me either way. I was operating out of ignorance more than anything but I got sort of a quick education on it to make a choice.

    Ever since I have been thinking about it and looking around for M-lok options...and like I said, they aren't out in full force yet, that much I've discovered.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Sep 2014
    Location
    Texas
    Posts
    5,854
    Downloads
    2
    Uploads
    0
    Quote Originally Posted by Ride4frnt View Post
    Keymod is open source too. What I meant was, mlok is magpuls baby. They don't make keymod accessories, and with a company that big backing mlok, I think it's gonna take off.
    I didn't know keymod was open source... learned something else new today :) I am hoping Magpul (or others) get on board and step up... many retailers and sellers simply don't know themselves... so if it IS going to take off Magpul has some work to do.

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Apr 2012
    Location
    N. KY
    Posts
    3,055
    Downloads
    1
    Uploads
    0
    I currently have 4 kemod rails, just waitning to assemble two of them. I have two rifles with Centurion C4 rails. For me, the big winner of keymod is the small O.D. I'm putting one on my AR-10, but it probably won't have any attachments except a bi-pod, to which I have to attach a 4 in. piece of keymod rail. (Ironic, ain't it?) I can't comment on M-Lok, I haven't shot/used one yet. I'm assuming as far as size and handling, it's about the same as Keymod, not sure but it appears to be about the same thing, just different mounting "holes".

    Not sure if this helps or hinders.

    FT
    NRA Life Member
    Deplorables Life Member
    Bible and Gun Clinger
    Filthy Stinking Wal Mart Shopper


  12. #12
    Join Date
    Sep 2014
    Location
    Texas
    Posts
    5,854
    Downloads
    2
    Uploads
    0
    Quote Originally Posted by KevinBL View Post
    Most of the AR market is guys trying to build the absolute cheapest AR they can put together and claim it's better than a colt. You're in the minority, you took the time to figure out what you wanted and learn the differences. Most guys are trying to build this magical gun for $500 or less. They don't care about Keymod vs mlok vs quad because that $30 handguard on ebay is just as good.
    Thank you :) LOL. You can easily say I did my homework on what i was going for for a long time, long before I ever did a build. I probably researched two years on stuff but I didn't know about this whole M-Lok vs Keymod thing until I went to order a rail... but no matter how much you look stuff up and look at things there are always unknowns... and this was an unknown for me for sure. I just kind of decided one or the other on a whim. The form factor (IE that looks awesome) vs the function factor (that really does work) don't always jive up...

    Now I am in the mode of going 'this is what I have, now how do I make it all work'...

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Sep 2014
    Location
    Texas
    Posts
    5,854
    Downloads
    2
    Uploads
    0
    Quote Originally Posted by FortTom View Post
    I currently have 4 kemod rails, just waitning to assemble two of them. I have two rifles with Centurion C4 rails. For me, the big winner of keymod is the small O.D. I'm putting one on my AR-10, but it probably won't have any attachments except a bi-pod, to which I have to attach a 4 in. piece of keymod rail. (Ironic, ain't it?) I can't comment on M-Lok, I haven't shot/used one yet. I'm assuming as far as size and handling, it's about the same as Keymod, not sure but it appears to be about the same thing, just different mounting "holes".

    Not sure if this helps or hinders.

    FT
    Supposedly from a manufacturers standpoint making M-Lok rails is easier to do and hence cheaper to manufacture. Same with the accessories vs the keymod system. I would imagine the manufacturing of the add ons would be about the same but the manufacturing of the rail itself will be cheaper if you go M-Lok.

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Apr 2014
    Posts
    1,940
    Downloads
    3
    Uploads
    0
    Quote Originally Posted by FortTom View Post
    I currently have 4 kemod rails, just waitning to assemble two of them. I have two rifles with Centurion C4 rails. For me, the big winner of keymod is the small O.D. I'm putting one on my AR-10, but it probably won't have any attachments except a bi-pod, to which I have to attach a 4 in. piece of keymod rail. (Ironic, ain't it?) I can't comment on M-Lok, I haven't shot/used one yet. I'm assuming as far as size and handling, it's about the same as Keymod, not sure but it appears to be about the same thing, just different mounting "holes".

    Not sure if this helps or hinders.

    FT
    Get yourself a primary weapons or Odin k pod bipod mount if you're using a harris bipod.

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Nov 2013
    Location
    Pennsylvania
    Posts
    1,771
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0
    Quote Originally Posted by FortTom View Post
    I'm assuming as far as size and handling, it's about the same as Keymod, not sure but it appears to be about the same thing, just different mounting "holes".
    According to Bill Geissele, he said that Keymod is not as structurally as sound as MLOK. Now, I don't know enough about material sciences to prove/disprove this (... haven't gotten that far in engineering classes yet) ... but Bill's a mechanical engineer, so I'll say his word is good.

    Is Keymod that popular of a mounting option? Doesn't really seem like; at least not to me.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •