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Joined:
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140
EE: 95% (19)
TX, USA
Posted: 8/29/2026 6:19:06 PM EDT
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Has anyone tried a Midwest Industries HD Combat rail with a Superlative piston? I have mated them for a soft fit test and there is a tiny bit of clearance around the gas block. My fear is that the block may crash the rail during barrel whip. Can anyone confirm if they have this setup and if so, have you experienced any accuracy issues or evidence of crashing the rail during barrel whip? |
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I still have the piston, sold the rifle with the MI rail. I had to round off the bottom of the clamp on block to provide clearance, but, after installation, I found no evidence of contact between the block and rail. |
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Joined:
Jan 2025
Posts:
141
EE: 95% (19)
TX, USA
Joined:
Jan 2025
Posts:
142
EE: 95% (19)
TX, USA
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Interested in info. I have the clamp on piston system and currently have a spikes tactical rail I am not really happy with. It looks good, but it is flimsy and flexes. It also uses screws at 12, 6, 3, and 9 to hold it to the barrel nut, and getting it on straight (for use with a BUIS) is a nightmare. I am ready to ditch it, but I want something that will clear the clamp on kit and not look like shit. Must be Mlok. |
Joined:
Jan 2025
Posts:
143
EE: 95% (19)
TX, USA
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Originally Posted By Jeeps-And-Guns: Interested in info. I have the clamp on piston system and currently have a spikes tactical rail I am not really happy with. It looks good, but it is flimsy and flexes. It also uses screws at 12, 6, 3, and 9 to hold it to the barrel nut, and getting it on straight (for use with a BUIS) is a nightmare. I am ready to ditch it, but I want something that will clear the clamp on kit and not look like shit. Must be Mlok. I can tell you from personal experience. The Midwest Industries Suppressor (SP) series rail is strong and has the internal diameter for the clamp on version gas block. I have built 3 of them. |
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Is your piston kit clamp on or set screw? I swear looking at measurements I can find, it looks like the standard combat rail will (just barely) clear my clamp on block. I have a DPMS G2 308, and have a superlative clamp on adjustable gas block on it. I bought a aftermarket handguard for it and did have to take a die grinder and a small sanding drum and open up the area around the gas block a little to make it clear. I put a little black paint on the area I sanded and you can not tell, its all on the inside of the rail. If the rail is thick enough, why not just clearance it a little? As long as it does not have to be ground paper thin, it should be fine. |
Joined:
Jan 2025
Posts:
144
EE: 95% (19)
TX, USA
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Originally Posted By Jeeps-And-Guns: Is your piston kit clamp on or set screw? I swear looking at measurements I can find, it looks like the standard combat rail will (just barely) clear my clamp on block. I have a DPMS G2 308, and have a superlative clamp on adjustable gas block on it. I bought a aftermarket handguard for it and did have to take a die grinder and a small sanding drum and open up the area around the gas block a little to make it clear. I put a little black paint on the area I sanded and you can not tell, its all on the inside of the rail. If the rail is thick enough, why not just clearance it a little? As long as it does not have to be ground paper thin, it should be fine. I use the set screw version for this because of bottom clearance, because I have to in this specific case. The clearance issue I have with the HD version of the MI combat rail is around the gas block. It’s at or just under 1mm and I am concerned about barrel whip contacting the rail during firing. By the way. The clamp on version of a gas block is always both a better gas seal and more secure than a set screw version. Ask an engineer about clamping force vs pinching force. |
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Originally Posted By Greg8541: I use the set screw version for this because of bottom clearance, because I have to in this specific case. The clearance issue I have with the HD version of the MI combat rail is around the gas block. It’s at or just under 1mm and I am concerned about barrel whip contacting the rail during firing. By the way. The clamp on version of a gas block is always both a better gas seal and more secure than a set screw version. Ask an engineer about clamping force vs pinching force. Yep, the exact reason I went with clamp on with all my gas blocks except one. Even if the barrel did kiss it a tiny bit, what would it hurt? Tons of guns have stocks with full barrel contact and they shoot fine, lots of AR have non free float handguards and shoot fine. But, do not be against doing a little clearance work to the inside of the rail if needed. No one will see it. |
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