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Posted: 11/15/2004 5:36:57 PM EDT
| I have a Colt M4 Carbine with an Aimpoint Comp ML2 mounted in the ARMS #22M68 with cantilever extension directly to the flattop. I am very satisfied with this setup both functionally and aesthetically. I want/need a railed forend so I can mount a VFG and a light. Whichever one I pick, it will have to be one that installs without modification/disassembly of the rifle. I am not interested in delta ring removal, front sight removal, etc. I considered the SIR but I have decided that it is too big and bulky. I have considered the RASII but I have decided that I don't like the way the Aimpoint looks mounted on the hump. I have considered the RAS, but I am leaning more and more toward a free float system. I think (not positive) the Daniel Defense requires FSB removal. Which brings me to this Troy MRFC that everybody keeps recommending. Could someone please give me the step by step process of installing the MRFC? A link to a scan of the installation instructions would be just the trick. Also, how much does the MRFC weigh compared to my Colt M4 double heat shield handguards? Thanks! |
| Well crap...just when I thought I was close to making a decision. I don't want to make any modifications that I can not easily reverse. I guess I'll just get a RAS and forego the freefloat. Heck...if it works for the U.S. military, it is surely good enough for me. Thanks! |
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Tacman, If you are absolutely set on using a rail that requires no permanant mods and free floats the barrel, then I believe the ARM's SIR or RAS 2 is all you have for choices. I recently installed 2 MRF-C's on my bushmaster upper recievers and was quite pleased at how well the installation went. The Delta ring was easily cut off with a dremel cutting wheel and the inner "spring" was easily removed with a pair of vice grips. After that the install was cake. The two halves of the MRF-C just clamp around the barrel nut and you're done. Rock solid. That said, there were a couple of things I did not like about mine. 1) the upper rail of the MRF-C did not quite line up with the upper rail on my Bushmaster. The MRF upper rail was ever so slightly lower. This was not a huge deal to me as all I run on my carbines is a foregrip and a light but I'm sure this would be a much bigger issue with someone running a large scope or perhaps an Eothingy. 2) In my case, the Tango down forward grip fit nice and tight but my throw lever 962 and m900 Surefire's both could move forward and back a little on the rail when locked in. I didn't like that at all. This never happened on my old school Knights RIS. Both Troy foreends were like this. A slightly out of spec rail? 3) The bottom rail on one of my MRF's was rock solid. The other did have some movement. This movement coupled with the movement in the throw lever m900 was not a good thing. I understand the Mod3 with the set screw eliminates all movement in the bootom rail so this point may be mute with the advent of the new models. The biggest problem is that once modified you cannot go back. (Especially if you run 14.5" barrels with pinned flash suppressors, there's no easy way to get a delta ring back on) I became painfully aware of this when my new Colt uppers arrived and I sold both Bushmasters. I was forced to sell the Troy handguards along with the upper due to the fact that once I cut the Delta rings off, there was no way to go back to stock handguards. Both rifles went to two good friends so no worries, they get to enjoy the railed foreends now. My advice, get over the way the Aimpoint looks on the hump and get the RAS 2. Mount the Aimpoint in a Larue mount and I think it looks really good up there. I will be going this exact same way with my new uppers as I once again have gone with pinned flash suppressors and am not yet willing to cut the Delta rings off my Colt uppers. |
This is not correct. While is may not be "easy" depending on your definition of easy and what tools you have, but the delta ring, weld spring and snap ring can all be reinstalled, even with a permanently attached FH. You simply need to remove the barrel from the upper receiver (which is how\when they are installed in the first place). If you have a barrel wrench and action block, this is actually pretty easy but seems to give most people the willies anyway? |
Fair enough, guess it depends on your definition of "easy" and what tools you own or have available. In my case however, I really could not go back as I had the the front handguard caps removed as well for a super clean look. This was accomplished by moving the front sight base forward but not off the barrel to allow the front hand guard cap to move forward. Once the front handguard cap was over the "turned down" portion of the barrel, it was easy to cut off. While the Delta ring and associated parts could have been reinstalled by removing the barrel, those front handguard caps were not getting replaced without removing the pinned flash suppressor first. |
When you say "RAS 2", is this what you mean? www.floridagunworks.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=FG&Product_Code=1889&Category_Code=_NEW Give me more info. and pics of a RAS 2. What are the advantage of that foreend/handguards vs. others? Right now, I'm thinkin' of going with the YHM handguards. How do these compare to the RAS 2? Thanks. |
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bfieldburt, That would be Knights Armamant RAS-2. Not what is pictured in your link. Try this link http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=3&f=118&t=211062 and look at like the 12 or 13th post and you'll see a picture of jar3ds's rifle with an RAS 2 and a Larue aimpoint mount. |
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The MRF-C is able to be turned back into a regular handguard if it is mounted with the front hanguard plate left in place as stated above. If a floater is not an issue why not use a Surefire M73, rock solid and requires no mods at all. Mounts in 10 minutes. Denny |
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How does the Surefire M73 compare to the KAC RAS in terms of quality, weight, price, rails, etc. I will be mounting a Tango Down VFG and a Surefire Light (using the ARMS throwlever system). I would probably use the Tango Down or Magpul railcovers. Is the Surefire M73 compatible with all this? Thanks! Edited to add: Anybody have a source for the Surefire M73? (Think..." best price" and "in stock" and "good customer service") |
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