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Posted: 5/5/2013 12:10:10 AM EDT
[Last Edit: Stickman]
The Centurion Modular Rail (CMR) was first shown at SHOT 2013, and was shown installed on a Centurion Arms complete .308 build. The rail received positive reviews from everyone who handled it, but the most common question was how long it would be until a 5.56 variant was released.
For the past several months, I've been working with the Centurion Arms .308 Battle Rifle, and the CMR rail has quickly become one of my favorite. The over all feel and light weight provides a great balance for the .308 platform. Fast forwarding to more recent times, and I'm now in a position to comment on the 5.56 CMR rails. I have had a chance to run drills, do several installations, as well as have a friend and fellow instructor go over them with me. Without a doubt, these are some of the easiest, if not "THE" easiest barrel nut and rail assembly either of us have ever installed. The Centurion Modular Rail is first being released in 12 and 14 inch versions in both the 5.56 and .308 variants. The 12" rail weighs 10 7/8 oz (308g), and with the barrel nut and three installation screws is a total of 13 1/8oz (371g). Total length is roughly 12 1/2", which is normal for most rails labeled as 12 inchers. The reason for this is that is the length needed to cover the receiver to FSB on a rifle, which is the traditional 12"/ rifle rail. If the CMR used an old school locking collar, the actual rail would be 12" while the collar made up the difference. The 14" rail weighs 11 3/4 oz (333g), and with the barrel nut and three installation screws is a total of 14 oz (398g). Machine work on the rails is all extremely high quality, and the anodizing is very clean. It is evident these rails have a lot of machine time, and for people who are unaware, machine time is what is the driving force behind the end price. This is why you see cheap, heavy rails with sharp edges being sold for low prices. This is not a cheap heavy rail, and it does not have sharp edges. The sides are blended nicely, and the lightening / cooling/ vent holes are well laid out. Anti-rotation tabs are part of the rail, and are nice and snug on each of the forged receivers we used (3 total). There are QD holes fore and aft on each side. Installation of the rail is easy, and it is entirely possible we will do another article showing the various steps. For now, we will just talk about it a bit. The barrel nut is grooved, and the bolts which lock the barrel nut to the rail ensure there can be no movement once installed. The barrel nut is tightened with an old school barrel nut wrench, the type that only has one tooth. These are pretty cheap to pick up if you don't already have one, and don't slip off like a standard barrel nut. The other way to do it is using a spanner wrench (the pin or hook type), which should run you under $15 for most hardware or similar stores. Torque specs are 30-80 ft pounds, which is simple when there is no need to line up a gas tube. With the barrel nut installed, slide the end of the rail into place. It may take a firm press to lock it up against the receiver, and it is normal to have a tiny space in between the two parts. Now use a 3/32 allen head wrench and install the 3 screws. There is no need for thread locker, but you should alternate tightening each screw and side just like you would a lug nut. Watch your alignment on the top of the rail and your receiver, but we found everything lined up perfect ever after we took it apart a few times. The Centurion Modular Rails will be hitting your AR15 stores this month in 12 & 14" and in 5.56 and .308. You may notice the second picture has a Surefire Scout Light mounted, this is a prototype of one of the mounts Centurion Arms will be releasing along with the rails. 1913 sections are also going to be coming out shortly, and none of these add one pieces use backer plates or screws. There are also some additional items coming out for this rail series, but I'm not 100% sure what I can or can't talk about. When I get more information, and verify that I can speak freely, I'll post more info and pictures. If you have any questions, feel free to fire away, I'll answer whatever I can. |
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Stick
[email protected] www.rainierarms.com (253) 218-2999 Office (253) 218-2998 FAX www.weaponevolution.com www.stickgunner.com |
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Originally Posted By Maledetto:
Originally Posted By rideHPD:
Edit: I don't know why, but it won't embed, the image shows up in the preview and the code looks correct. Posts: 2 It has the ([img]) tags, it just won't embed it. I post on other forums, usually not this one, for this exact reason. |
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Picture shows up just fine for me.
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Avionics Electrical Technician, USCG
Proud Member of Team Ranstad |
Well isn't that the damndest thing.
Anyways, any reason why it shouldn't work? |
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Originally Posted By rideHPD:
Well isn't that the damndest thing. Anyways, any reason why it shouldn't work? View Quote Post count. It's an anti-spamming thing that has been tried for the past few months. 3 team members have to approve pictures of posters under 50 total posts before they'll show up inline. |
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[Insert clever shit here]
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Huh, learn something new everyday, I've been wondering what that little option showed up for.
I just keep clicking approve in most cases unless its a busted link. |
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Avionics Electrical Technician, USCG
Proud Member of Team Ranstad |
OHHH, so I'm the mean one here? My apologies, I come from Snipers Hide, which has been flooded by trolls lately, so I just assumed as such. Sorry for the derail.
And I really should have specified: any reason why the Geissele tool won't work with the CMR? |
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Looks like it will work to me. A simple spanner wrench.
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I strive to be the man my dog thinks I am.
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Originally Posted By wagonwheel1:
Looks like it will work to me. A simple spanner wrench. View Quote And considering others have prescribed using simple CAR wrenches or spanner wrenches with only approximate torques/good'n'tite I can't see how this is any worse. And for reference, this was a 5.56 barrel nut. |
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Originally Posted By rideHPD:
OHHH, so I'm the mean one here? My apologies, I come from Snipers Hide, which has been flooded by trolls lately, so I just assumed as such. Sorry for the derail. And I really should have specified: any reason why the Geissele tool won't work with the CMR? View Quote I used the Geissele tool to install my 556 CMR as a side note where I ordered my rail sent me a 308 rail the first time by accident and the G tool would not work. I figured out it was the wrong rail and they sent me a 556 rail. |
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AKA Connecticut Smoocher
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Makes sense, the 5.56 just barely fits, and the 7.62 obviously has to be larger in diameter.
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Originally Posted By SuperMoose:
Wait you mean someone who goes on a shooting spree stops when they meet the possibility of resistance? What a novel fucking concept. |
For anyone that needs them, I have a 3 pack of the FDE covers, 1 OD green scout light mount and 1 long black rail segment with screws that anyone can have for the shipping cost. Spoken for!
I ordered the rail and covers the day before the OD packs came available and forgot to cancel the order. |
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Avionics Electrical Technician, USCG
Proud Member of Team Ranstad |
Originally Posted By gadgetguy1288:
For anyone that needs them, I have a 3 pack of the FDE covers, 1 OD green scout light mount and 1 long black rail segment with screws that anyone can have for the shipping cost. I ordered the rail and covers the day before the OD packs came available and forgot to cancel the order. View Quote Sent ya an IM |
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Originally Posted By SuperMoose:
Wait you mean someone who goes on a shooting spree stops when they meet the possibility of resistance? What a novel fucking concept. |
Originally Posted By cjwwd2:
New SBR upper....Daniel Defense 10.3" 5.56 barrel with CMR 9" http://i.imgur.com/5IvofaA.jpg http://i.imgur.com/4C1dJ8o.jpg View Quote That is a thing of beauty. Good work. |
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Any Idea who has the 14" CMR rails in stock? Out of stock everywhere I've looked,
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Originally Posted By TheTacticalCoyote: https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8578/16253423381_b5fcbe4ee4_b.jpgDD SBR range time by twosierra, on Flickr View Quote |
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I used to be an adventurer like you, then I took a .50 bolt in the neck.
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Anyone put on one of these with a b cm low profile .625 gas block?
I have one and I'm wondering if it will fit under the rail. |
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Originally Posted By SuperMoose:
Wait you mean someone who goes on a shooting spree stops when they meet the possibility of resistance? What a novel fucking concept. |
Yeah it is a pretty small block so I was hoping it would.
Thanks for the info |
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The bottom looks a little thick but you should be ok. Worse comes to worse, you can file some of the bottom of the gas block off. I kinda doubt you will have much trouble with a .625 gas block, .750 gas blocks are a much tighter fit
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Originally Posted By SuperMoose:
Wait you mean someone who goes on a shooting spree stops when they meet the possibility of resistance? What a novel fucking concept. |
Originally Posted By cjwwd2:
The bottom looks a little thick but you should be ok. Worse comes to worse, you can file some of the bottom of the gas block off. I kinda doubt you will have much trouble with a .625 gas block, .750 gas blocks are a much tighter fit View Quote I had to shave down my .750 BCM on the bottom. Not sure if the .625 will fit or not. |
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AKA Connecticut Smoocher
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Originally Posted By Riddle:
have any of you guys had any issues with the HG slipping forward? The rail has moved on me two times now (the first time was about 1/8" forward, the second time was much less but still noticeable). I took it home, degreased and cleaned the nut and inside the rail then reattached it. maybe rough up the exterior of the barrel nut? https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7631/16593033919_48afb63d58_c.jpg View Quote Yes, I've had that problem. Can't say that I have a solution since that gun hasn't been shot since the CMR moved on it. I think it's a problem with the barrel nut, but I don't know for sure since I haven't tested a fix. |
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Team Ranstad
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The solution to a loose rail/it walking forward is the method for HOW you tighten the rail. You have to take turns and alternate on one side of the rail, then the other, so both sides tighten down at the same time.
This might be hard to understand because I'm on my phone, so hopefully this YouTube video links properly: [youtube]http://youtu.be/hFhxMkyAOvI[/youtube] here is a direct link: https://youtu.be/hFhxMkyAOvI |
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I too find them a tad heavy , but they are awesome on a bench gun.
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disregard
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Originally Posted By Stickman:
http://40.media.tumblr.com/d274f7b856b89c0e0118e6e07a6dacfa/tumblr_nly4bczEjQ1rrcg2fo1_1280.jpg View Quote That looks like a Fortis rail, not a CMR. Is it something new? |
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Just another 0311.
Report, Ignore, or MYOB. Pick one. One of only three Arfcommers who isn't perfect. |
Will the 12 inch model also have the "lightening cuts"? Seems like the 14 inch lost a few ounces with the new version, wondering if the 12 inch version will be even lighter with the cuts. Unless I already missed something, but I only see the first generation of the 12 inch rail available on Centurions site.
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Originally Posted By TurbineGuy:
That looks like a Fortis rail, not a CMR. Is it something new? View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Originally Posted By TurbineGuy:
Originally Posted By Stickman:
http://40.media.tumblr.com/d274f7b856b89c0e0118e6e07a6dacfa/tumblr_nly4bczEjQ1rrcg2fo1_1280.jpg That looks like a Fortis rail, not a CMR. Is it something new? Hmmmm, I'm not really sure what happened there. |
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Originally Posted By Stickman:
Hmmmm, I'm not really sure what happened there. http://40.media.tumblr.com/793223bfe568a8fa552f5bdf8a69eb22/tumblr_nlyc1xrkOO1rrcg2fo1_1280.jpg View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Originally Posted By Stickman:
Originally Posted By TurbineGuy:
Originally Posted By Stickman:
http://40.media.tumblr.com/d274f7b856b89c0e0118e6e07a6dacfa/tumblr_nly4bczEjQ1rrcg2fo1_1280.jpg That looks like a Fortis rail, not a CMR. Is it something new? Hmmmm, I'm not really sure what happened there. http://40.media.tumblr.com/793223bfe568a8fa552f5bdf8a69eb22/tumblr_nlyc1xrkOO1rrcg2fo1_1280.jpg So NOT something new. Lame. . |
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Just another 0311.
Report, Ignore, or MYOB. Pick one. One of only three Arfcommers who isn't perfect. |
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Originally Posted By Riddle:
have any of you guys had any issues with the HG slipping forward? The rail has moved on me two times now (the first time was about 1/8" forward, the second time was much less but still noticeable). I took it home, degreased and cleaned the nut and inside the rail then reattached it. maybe rough up the exterior of the barrel nut? https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7631/16593033919_48afb63d58_c.jpg View Quote Now you know why I despise 'clamp to a stock barrel nut' type handguard. They do that. I used to see Troys do that quite a bit back when they were just about the only tube. It can only be tightened so much before it starts pulling the top section that goes over the gas tube apart. Flimsy design. Look at the BCM KMR. The clamp bolt runs through the top of the tube, better design. |
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Originally Posted By samuse:
Now you know why I despise 'clamp to a stock barrel nut' type handguard. They do that. I used to see Troys do that quite a bit back when they were just about the only tube. It can only be tightened so much before it starts pulling the top section that goes over the gas tube apart. Flimsy design. Look at the BCM KMR. The clamp bolt runs through the top of the tube, better design. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Originally Posted By samuse:
Originally Posted By Riddle:
have any of you guys had any issues with the HG slipping forward? The rail has moved on me two times now (the first time was about 1/8" forward, the second time was much less but still noticeable). I took it home, degreased and cleaned the nut and inside the rail then reattached it. maybe rough up the exterior of the barrel nut? https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7631/16593033919_48afb63d58_c.jpg Now you know why I despise 'clamp to a stock barrel nut' type handguard. They do that. I used to see Troys do that quite a bit back when they were just about the only tube. It can only be tightened so much before it starts pulling the top section that goes over the gas tube apart. Flimsy design. Look at the BCM KMR. The clamp bolt runs through the top of the tube, better design. Hossolo posted on this page how to prevent it. Not an issue if installed correctly that I've seen or experienced. I also wouldn't compare Troy, but that is for a Troy thread. |
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"You know what the chain of command is? It's the chain I go get and beat you with until you understand who's in ruttin' command here." - Jayne Cobb
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Originally Posted By LeonC:
Apparently swiss-cheesing the new CMRs isn't the only thing different with them. The CMR 14 no longer accommodates the 14.5" barrel and suppressor. It's nearly an inch longer than the previous CMR 14 - Best part, Centurion apparently forgot to inform its stocking dealers of the change. http://i.imgur.com/PLSoH5x.jpg View Quote As pointed out by others, the dimensions are correctly listed on the manufacturers website. A dealer getting an email or flyer doesn't mean they are always going to remember. You stated in another thread that Monty told you he had informed dealers. I'll take his word on that. If nothing else, this serves as a reminder to people to communicate what they are looking for when they have a custom build done. Especially if you are getting parts coated/ painted. I know the additional steps and time taken can be a pain, but parts change, and sometimes what you think is going to work won't. When in doubt, double check with your assembler. Actually, double check with your assembler even if you aren't in doubt, just to make sure everyone is clear on what is expected. |
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Originally Posted By Stickman:
As pointed out by others, the dimensions are correctly listed on the manufacturers website. A dealer getting an email or flyer doesn't mean they are always going to remember. You stated in another thread that Monty told you he had informed dealers. I'll take his word on that. If nothing else, this serves as a reminder to people to communicate what they are looking for when they have a custom build done. Especially if you are getting parts coated/ painted. I know the additional steps and time taken can be a pain, but parts change, and sometimes what you think is going to work won't. When in doubt, double check with your assembler. Actually, double check with your assembler even if you aren't in doubt, just to make sure everyone is clear on what is expected. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Originally Posted By Stickman:
Originally Posted By LeonC:
Apparently swiss-cheesing the new CMRs isn't the only thing different with them. The CMR 14 no longer accommodates the 14.5" barrel and suppressor. It's nearly an inch longer than the previous CMR 14 - Best part, Centurion apparently forgot to inform its stocking dealers of the change. http://i.imgur.com/PLSoH5x.jpg As pointed out by others, the dimensions are correctly listed on the manufacturers website. A dealer getting an email or flyer doesn't mean they are always going to remember. You stated in another thread that Monty told you he had informed dealers. I'll take his word on that. If nothing else, this serves as a reminder to people to communicate what they are looking for when they have a custom build done. Especially if you are getting parts coated/ painted. I know the additional steps and time taken can be a pain, but parts change, and sometimes what you think is going to work won't. When in doubt, double check with your assembler. Actually, double check with your assembler even if you aren't in doubt, just to make sure everyone is clear on what is expected. Out of respect to the vendor that took care of me, I'm going to delete this post. |
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I would trust Monty and Corrie too. They have taken care of me before with my older 14" CMR, good people.
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"You know what the chain of command is? It's the chain I go get and beat you with until you understand who's in ruttin' command here." - Jayne Cobb
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