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Posted: 12/8/2009 2:25:05 PM EDT
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Got some M4 RAS kits at work from a new manufacturer,
Thought I’d share some pics of one so they won’t be confused with Airsoft or Chinese knock offs of KAC gear. Though they are clearly marked with the manufactures name and CAGE code. Should any ever find their way to the civilian market that is. Manufactured by P&S Products Inc. / DBA Molding Solutions out of Lexington, KY. CAGE: 4U486. P&S received their initial contract back in 2007 though this is the first I’ve seen of their production. The kits I received were dated between April and Sept. of 2009. Quality of the unit seems high and incorporates the latest KAC upgrade of the captive clamp screw. This is the first KAC design I’ve seen produced (legally) by another company so, I’m sure there is some form of licensing agreement for the TDP between KAC, P&S and TACOM. Coldblue would be the best source for details on that, should he be so inclined. I haven’t encountered an M5 kit by P&S but the M4 kit only comes with the RAS, vertical grip, three 11 rib and one 6 rib panel. Unlike the complete panel kit and pouch found in KAC production. Not wild about that idea and I’m sure some bean counter somewhere influenced that decision. “To hell with end user preference”. Though over-all, except for the markings the quality of the components are on par with KAC in form, fit and function, YMMV. 
Complete Kit 
View of top rail 
Captive clamp screw 
Manufacturers ID and CAGE inside top rail 
ID and CAGE stamped on heat shield of lower rail 
Vertical grip, 6 and 11 rib panels 
Markings on grip and panels Wpns Man |
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Nice. I'm going to make the assumption (correct me if I'm wrong) that any of these found on the secondary market are either stolen or gray market? That is correct. The new Army vendors of our (KAC) original designs may not sell them commercially. The fact that the Army has expanded the M5 and M4 RAS production base illustrates pretty objectively how much they trust the rigidness, security, functionality and integity of this Knight's design. By the way, we will have our 1,000,000th (Gold Plated) RAS on display at the Shot Show in January. |
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Thanks for weighing in on the subject coldblue,
When I first opened these I was like WTFO? Then deductive reasoning took over and I figured there had to be an agreement at the highest levels. Though this is nothing new as it has been done before but, usually with complete weapon systems. At least it seems like we are holding these guys to the high standards set by KAC. Unlike an early (’05) contractor for the M249 RAS which suffered from rails that were woefully out of spec. Just glad we stuck with a PROVEN design as I have been a loyal fan of KAC products from way back. Wpns Man |
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As much as I love the RAS and haved used them in Iraq, why is the US Mil still buying non free float rails? I thought that part of SOPMOD Block II was a free float rail? Because this non-free-float can be installed at the User level without tools (read: special tools); as well as simplicity of deign. And free-flaoting the barrels does you no good unless you have match grade ammo and a match barrel. |
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As much as I love the RAS and haved used them in Iraq, why is the US Mil still buying non free float rails? I thought that part of SOPMOD Block II was a free float rail? Because this non-free-float can be installed at the User level without tools (read: special tools); as well as simplicity of deign. And free-flaoting the barrels does you no good unless you have match grade ammo and a match barrel. What about the DD Omega rail, then? Requires a flat head (so does the M5 RAS––never used a M4) and an alan head. |
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As much as I love the RAS and haved used them in Iraq, why is the US Mil still buying non free float rails? I thought that part of SOPMOD Block II was a free float rail? Because this non-free-float can be installed at the User level without tools (read: special tools); as well as simplicity of deign. And free-flaoting the barrels does you no good unless you have match grade ammo and a match barrel. What about the DD Omega rail, then? Requires a flat head (so does the M5 RAS––never used a M4) and an alan head. What about it is simple, the military is completely satisfied with the KAC design. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. |
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As much as I love the RAS and haved used them in Iraq, why is the US Mil still buying non free float rails? I thought that part of SOPMOD Block II was a free float rail? Because this non-free-float can be installed at the User level without tools (read: special tools); as well as simplicity of deign. And free-flaoting the barrels does you no good unless you have match grade ammo and a match barrel. What about the DD Omega rail, then? Requires a flat head (so does the M5 RAS––never used a M4) and an alan head. What about it is simple, the military is completely satisfied with the KAC design. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. What is in red has nothing to do with my post. Both my computer desk and my Jeep use flat head screws, but neither is imitating the other. Further, my post was in reference to a "simple" drop-in FF rail that is just as easy to install as a KAC DI rail. The military also made up the SOPMOD Block II, did it not? |
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As much as I love the RAS and haved used them in Iraq, why is the US Mil still buying non free float rails? I thought that part of SOPMOD Block II was a free float rail? Because this non-free-float can be installed at the User level without tools (read: special tools); as well as simplicity of deign. And free-flaoting the barrels does you no good unless you have match grade ammo and a match barrel. Are the end users allowed to self install the rail? I assumed it would be an armorer install only simply by policy, not that it is difficult or complex. As far as the match grade ammo and barrel...yes and no. I agree that the rail is not going to be the limiting factor on a rifle with iron sights and M855 but for guys with ACOGs and MK 262, it would seem better to have a FF rail. On top of that, even with GT and an ACOG, you could still see some accuracy enhancement with a FF rail and less chance of a POI shift due to the sling mount (if it isn't mounted to the barrel). I am speculating a bit here...but it just seems strange since the free float rail was such a big part of SOPMOD Block II. Either way, the RAS is a great rail...just seems like something like the URX or DD would be a better option when buying new. |
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As much as I love the RAS and haved used them in Iraq, why is the US Mil still buying non free float rails? I thought that part of SOPMOD Block II was a free float rail? Because this non-free-float can be installed at the User level without tools (read: special tools); as well as simplicity of deign. And free-flaoting the barrels does you no good unless you have match grade ammo and a match barrel. Are the end users allowed to self install the rail? I assumed it would be an armorer install only simply by policy, not that it is difficult or complex. As far as the match grade ammo and barrel...yes and no. I agree that the rail is not going to be the limiting factor on a rifle with iron sights and M855 but for guys with ACOGs and MK 262, it would seem better to have a FF rail. On top of that, even with GT and an ACOG, you could still see some accuracy enhancement with a FF rail and less chance of a POI shift due to the sling mount (if it isn't mounted to the barrel). I am speculating a bit here...but it just seems strange since the free float rail was such a big part of SOPMOD Block II. Either way, the RAS is a great rail...just seems like something like the URX or DD would be a better option when buying new. We took them off almost daily for cleaning. |
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So what is KAC's excuse now for not bringing more products to the civilian market? They need no excuse. They have products all over the civilian market currently. What would you like? SR15E3 5.56 Carbine? SR25 LW Match 20" 7.62 gun? MK11 Mod1 clone? SR25 carbine? URX rails? What length... carbine, mid or rifle? Maybe as something as simple as the smallest back up iron sight on the market at a less expensive price than ARMS, TROY, PRI, GGG etc? |
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So what is KAC's excuse now for not bringing more products to the civilian market? They need no excuse. They have products all over the civilian market currently. What would you like? SR15E3 5.56 Carbine? SR25 LW Match 20" 7.62 gun? MK11 Mod1 clone? SR25 carbine? URX rails? What length... carbine, mid or rifle? Maybe as something as simple as the smallest back up iron sight on the market at a less expensive price than ARMS, TROY, PRI, GGG etc? Thanks, New ARGuy. Yes, this is true that we have both fully assembled 5.56 and 7.62 rifles that are ready to ship. Same is true of our (KAC) rails such as URX (see special M4 URX special low pricing in URX thread under this section of AR-15.com). Same is true of our sights, compensators, etc., etc. Things have changed at Knight's, we have the products you have been asking for on the shelf ready to ship. |
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So what is KAC's excuse now for not bringing more products to the civilian market? They need no excuse. They have products all over the civilian market currently. What would you like? SR15E3 5.56 Carbine? SR25 LW Match 20" 7.62 gun? MK11 Mod1 clone? SR25 carbine? URX rails? What length... carbine, mid or rifle? Maybe as something as simple as the smallest back up iron sight on the market at a less expensive price than ARMS, TROY, PRI, GGG etc? Thanks, New ARGuy. Yes, this is true that we have both fully assembled 5.56 and 7.62 rifles that are ready to ship. Same is true of our (KAC) rails such as URX (see special M4 URX special low pricing in URX thread under this section of AR-15.com). Same is true of our sights, compensators, etc., etc. Things have changed at Knight's, we have the products you have been asking for on the shelf ready to ship. As well as silencers, night vision, thermal optics, mounts....etc etc etc |
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So what is KAC's excuse now for not bringing more products to the civilian market? They need no excuse. They have products all over the civilian market currently. What would you like? SR15E3 5.56 Carbine? SR25 LW Match 20" 7.62 gun? MK11 Mod1 clone? SR25 carbine? URX rails? What length... carbine, mid or rifle? Maybe as something as simple as the smallest back up iron sight on the market at a less expensive price than ARMS, TROY, PRI, GGG etc? Thanks, New ARGuy. Yes, this is true that we have both fully assembled 5.56 and 7.62 rifles that are ready to ship. Same is true of our (KAC) rails such as URX (see special M4 URX special low pricing in URX thread under this section of AR-15.com). Same is true of our sights, compensators, etc., etc. Things have changed at Knight's, we have the products you have been asking for on the shelf ready to ship. As well as silencers, night vision, thermal optics, mounts....etc etc etc Yes! I should have mentioned those as well, but I was pressed for time this morning. Now all the suppressor guys here are on me. |
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