Quoted:
Just purchased an upper from DSA that comes with the M4 RAS forend and the standard three 11-rib panels
My question is this:
I have a KAC vertical fore grip and would like to mount it, but don't know what panels I need on the underside of the hand guard to fill the remainder of the space, in front of and behind the VFG. For instance, do I need one 2-rib and one 6-rib or some other type of combo?
I wanted to run the three included 11-rib panels on the top and sides, and want a consistent look on the bottom of the hand guard, once the VFG is mounted. Thanks.
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OP, I do not discount any of the good advice you’ve been given above regarding not needing to run any rail covers at all, or not running the top rail cover for heat dissipation, etc. But, going back to your original question and your original desired look, unless you are firing on full auto, doing mag dumps, or long, extended strings of fire, I don’t think you really need to worry all that much about leaving the top rail off for heat dissipation. I know that you can see that you have holes on your quad that allow heat to escape in all directions, even with the covers on.
Regarding the overall circumference being too large with all rails on, that’s never bothered me. I wouldn’t consider that I have large hands, either. I’m just a medium size guy. 6’0”, 165 lbs. Since I am using the VFG with my support hand, I don’t have to wrap my hand around the entire hand guard/rail. I use the C clamp method; hold the VFG with four fingers, and let my thumb ride on the top rail to help with the minimal recoil of an AR 15.
If that is still the set up you were interested in, here are a few pictures. With a single 6 rib panel, you can have your VFG all the way forward, or all the way to the rear, that’s up to you. And you would not need to shave anything off the VFG or the 6 rib panel to accomplish this.
I believe we both have the exact same upper, so I hope this helps. (I also sent you a direct link to a reputable company that sells the ladder rail covers, if you decide that’s the route you’d like to go)
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