"Zeroability" of MLOK rails? Okay for IR lasers? - Page 1

Site Notices

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - "Zeroability" of MLOK rails? Okay for IR lasers?

Posted: 11/6/2018 2:47:24 PM EDT

Does an MLOK rail, mounted to an MLOK slot, hold zero? I want to mount an IR laser on the 9 or 6 o clock rail, but it's a Geissele MK8 so my only option is an MLOK panel if I choose to go this route. Does your typical (Magpul brand) MLOK rail and screw/t-nuts hold zero well enough to feasibly mount an aiming laser?

Posted: 11/6/2018 2:56:36 PM EDT

[#1]

Yes

I have an ALG rail with MLOK slots and magpul mlok rail section with OTAL-IR on rifle and a geissele rail with mlok slots and magpul mlok rail section with ATIPAL.

Both hold zero well. The other night I was using them hard and my day optic mount came loose but all lasers were solid.

Posted: 11/6/2018 3:05:06 PM EDT

[#2]

My view on this is exactly the reason why I am one of those weirdos that has stuck with Keymod wherever possible. I own both systems and just can't quite convince myself that M-lok is as resistant to subtle movement. I might be overthinking this but Keymod is solid and I am sticking with it wherever possible for now. For things that do not require retention of a zero such as a bipod or flashlight, I would have no problem with it. My IR lasers have always stayed zeroed when attached to Keymod rails. YMMV and I'm looking forward to others' input here.

Posted: 11/6/2018 4:15:26 PM EDT

[#3]

http://soldiersystems.net/2017/05/05/details-on-the-ussocom-sponsored-keymod-vs-m-lok-test-conducted-at-nswc-crane/

Posted: 11/6/2018 4:18:04 PM EDT

[#4]

Provided you're using correctly machined/manufactured quality parts, you should have no problems.

I'm not so sure I'd trust cheaply manufactured stuff with unknown tolerances/materials to hold zero, though.

Posted: 11/6/2018 5:32:51 PM EDT

[#5]

Quote History

Quoted:
http://soldiersystems.net/2017/05/05/details-on-the-ussocom-sponsored-keymod-vs-m-lok-test-conducted-at-nswc-crane/

View Quote

Great resource.

"With variations measured in MOA, KeyMod exhibited a spread from 0.2 to 14.6 while M-LOK varied from 0.0 To 6.6 POA shift."

"KeyMod did a much better job of self-aligning the accessory during mounting while M-LOK required more attention. The takeaway here is to pay attention while attaching accessories to the rail and to check zero after mounting."

Posted: 11/6/2018 6:21:14 PM EDT

[#6]

Quote History

Quoted:
http://soldiersystems.net/2017/05/05/details-on-the-ussocom-sponsored-keymod-vs-m-lok-test-conducted-at-nswc-crane/

View Quote

First I had seen that, very interesting and basically the opposite of what I would have expected. Thanks for posting it.

Posted: 11/6/2018 7:05:45 PM EDT

[#7]

and as long as you use an aluminum mlok rail, not a polymer should help its sturdiness

Posted: 11/6/2018 8:35:28 PM EDT

[#8]

Quote History

Quoted:

Great resource.

"With variations measured in MOA, KeyMod exhibited a spread from 0.2 to 14.6 while M-LOK varied from 0.0 To 6.6 POA shift."

"KeyMod did a much better job of self-aligning the accessory during mounting while M-LOK required more attention. The takeaway here is to pay attention while attaching accessories to the rail and to check zero after mounting."

View Quote

MLOK is a little trickier during initial setup but is really nice once dialed in. Note the extreme shift for MLOK when installed incorrectly.

I’ve grown to like MLOK.

Posted: 11/6/2018 10:45:49 PM EDT

[#9]

Quote History

Quoted:
My view on this is exactly the reason why I am one of those weirdos that has stuck with Keymod wherever possible. I own both systems and just can't quite convince myself that M-lok is as resistant to subtle movement. I might be overthinking this but Keymod is solid and I am sticking with it wherever possible for now. For things that do not require retention of a zero such as a bipod or flashlight, I would have no problem with it. My IR lasers have always stayed zeroed when attached to Keymod rails. YMMV and I'm looking forward to others' input here.

View Quote

I’m not trying to be that guy, your experience is yours and that’s ok. But testing says otherwise. Edit: there it is, someone posted it. I still wouldn’t run out and switch my keymod if I already had it.

Don’t get me wrong, they both will do the job but mlok holds on longer. Both get owned by picatinny but no shock there.

Posted: 11/6/2018 11:05:17 PM EDT

[#10]

Quote History

Quoted:

I’m not trying to be that guy, your experience is yours and that’s ok. But testing says otherwise. Edit: there it is, someone posted it. I still wouldn’t run out and switch my keymod if I already had it.

Don’t get me wrong, they both will do the job but mlok holds on longer. Both get owned by picatinny but no shock there.

View Quote

Yes, and I acknowledged that testing a couple posts above this one. I'm not one to turn a blind eye toward scientific testing, even if it flies in the face of what I have found individually. If it is good strong and repeatable enough for SOCOM, I can't imagine it not being good enough for me

Again, YMMV.

Posted: 11/7/2018 2:24:19 AM EDT

[#11]

I wonder if this would repeatedly return to zero?

https://kineticdg.com/product/kinectmlok-3-slot-single-mlok-picatinny-section/

Posted: 11/7/2018 12:20:19 PM EDT

[#12]

Quote History

Quoted:

Yes, and I acknowledged that testing a couple posts above this one. I'm not one to turn a blind eye toward scientific testing, even if it flies in the face of what I have found individually. If it is good strong and repeatable enough for SOCOM, I can't imagine it not being good enough for me

Again, YMMV.

View Quote

Sorry, I posted my response before I finished the thread. Anyway, yeah, I’d say good to go!

Posted: 11/7/2018 12:22:30 PM EDT

[#13]

Quote History

Quoted:
I wonder if this would repeatedly return to zero?

https://kineticdg.com/product/kinectmlok-3-slot-single-mlok-picatinny-section/

View Quote

That’s pretty cool.

Posted: 11/7/2018 5:52:20 PM EDT

[#14]

Quote History

Quoted:
I wonder if this would repeatedly return to zero?

https://kineticdg.com/product/kinectmlok-3-slot-single-mlok-picatinny-section/

View Quote

I like this and will probably try it.
But it’s my opinion that

A) Mloc/Keymod panels weren’t designed to be repeatable.
B) No system is gonna be repeatable without at least 3 points of contact.
(Looks like two points for both KM/ML)
C) Why is everyone trying to mount lasers in these? I wouldn’t mount a scope to one. I’m lost why everyone has to remove their lasers and even have them on a rail panel to begin with.

Posted: 11/7/2018 6:04:43 PM EDT

[#15]

Quote History

Quoted:

I like this and will probably try it.
But it's my opinion that

A) Mloc/Keymod panels weren't designed to be repeatable.
B) No system is gonna be repeatable without at least 3 points of contact.
(Looks like two points for both KM/ML)
C) Why is everyone trying to mount lasers in these? I wouldn't mount a scope to one. I'm lost why everyone has to remove their lasers and even have them on a rail panel to begin with.

View Quote

For me, it's a matter of space available to mount my laser. My laser is inline, not offset, so on this particular rifle the best place for the laser would be the 6 or 9 o clock mlok slot. It's definitely not something I would remove, so I was more curious about long term stability than repeatability.

Posted: 11/13/2018 1:34:39 AM EDT

[#16]

Quote History

Quoted:
My view on this is exactly the reason why I am one of those weirdos that has stuck with Keymod wherever possible. I own both systems and just can't quite convince myself that M-lok is as resistant to subtle movement. I might be overthinking this but Keymod is solid and I am sticking with it wherever possible for now. For things that do not require retention of a zero such as a bipod or flashlight, I would have no problem with it. My IR lasers have always stayed zeroed when attached to Keymod rails. YMMV and I'm looking forward to others' input here.

View Quote

Well Keymod stuff falling off is a pretty un-subtle movement.

I don't know what it is, but I simply had too many issues.

I'm all 1913 and Mlok now. But all of my lasers are on top rails anyways.

Posted: 11/13/2018 4:03:28 PM EDT

[#17]

Quote History

Quoted:
My view on this is exactly the reason why I am one of those weirdos that has stuck with Keymod wherever possible. I own both systems and just can't quite convince myself that M-lok is as resistant to subtle movement. I might be overthinking this but Keymod is solid and I am sticking with it wherever possible for now. For things that do not require retention of a zero such as a bipod or flashlight, I would have no problem with it. My IR lasers have always stayed zeroed when attached to Keymod rails. YMMV and I'm looking forward to others' input here.

View Quote

I was fine with keymod until I had a rifle that was leaning against a wall fall on it’s side... the keymod slots ripped out and got destroyed, but the plastic BCM grip that was installed was just fine. No more keymod for me.

I guess that’s not really what is being discussed here, but I’m still out haha

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - "Zeroability" of MLOK rails? Okay for IR lasers?

Armory » NV Tech Talk

Warning

Confirm Action

About AR15.COM

Stay Connected

Newsletter

Contact Us