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Posted: 9/30/2010 7:38:02 PM EDT
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I feel bad. Almost really bad. I'm running a YHM rifle-length free float on my carbine. Slim gasblock, only about 6" of barrel + FH exposed. The only items that I have on the YHM are a Troy flip-up front sight, and then a picatinny sling loop. That's it. The rest is covered in Magpul XTM rail covers. I don't use vertical grips, AFGs, or flash lights. It feels like I've got way more rail than I need. Initially, I liked the idea of having a large and long free float rail to cover most of the barrel, but that feeling is gone. After looking around, it looks like the JP Ent. VTAC would be a good option, because you dominantly have gripping surface and optional rails. Why, oh WHY, couldn't I have picked this in the first place?!  |
| i like the look as well but it realy does seem silly to have a total of 4 feet of picatiny for nothing. i'm putting together a second upper for carbine and i'm getting the troy 13 inch battlerail trx extreem. you can install a rail section where you want and smooth round grip surface everywhere else.it's going over a 16 in. carbine. check out the troy unit. |
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Quoted: I feel bad. Almost really bad. I'm running a YHM rifle-length free float on my carbine. Slim gasblock, only about 6" of barrel + FH exposed. The only items that I have on the YHM are a Troy flip-up front sight, and then a picatinny sling loop. That's it. The rest is covered in Magpul XTM rail covers. I don't use vertical grips, AFGs, or flash lights. It feels like I've got way more rail than I need. Initially, I liked the idea of having a large and long free float rail to cover most of the barrel, but that feeling is gone. After looking around, it looks like the JP Ent. VTAC would be a good option, because you dominantly have gripping surface and optional rails. Why, oh WHY, couldn't I have picked this in the first place?! http://img837.imageshack.us/img837/866/dscf1073medium.jpg You could save a bunch of weight by only putting rail covers where you grip, like this:  |
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Initially, I liked the idea of having a large and long free float rail to cover most of the barrel, but that feeling is gone.
Your not the only one. I have a DD 12.0 on my 16" with only a front flip up sight (had it in this configuration for almost 2 years) and started feeling like this about a month ago. |
Quit whining, just look at my dilema. I have a 14" DD Lite rail on mine sporting a 16" mid-length Denny's recon barrel.
Not that heavy actually... It usually has a Bobro bipod on it as well. 
Then I got the BCM mid-length and have left it as is. It's fast as hell compared to the other... Live and learn I guess. 
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That is what is so cool about the AR platform you can change to a totally different look without having to buy another rifle. I agree though my 7" of carbine rail are plenty for my needs. My Colt MT6700 has a KAC 12" rail and I have a light and VFG and there is a lot of space there. But as I said if you don't like just swap it out. That is what the EE is for as well.
NCH |
| I like what you've got there, OP. I'm planning on building something like that in the future. You're right about the rail length though; if you don't use it then there's no need to keep it. I like my VFG's out pretty far because it's less fatigue to pull my weapon towards me than it is to hold it up. |
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I also have the long rail fever. I've been running rifle rails on my carbines for several years now. This current build I decided to try something a little different with the Midwest 15" T Rails instead of a traditional set of quad rails. The rails are much lighter, fit my hand better, and I am not running a mile of guards on unused space. The drawback is actually only aesthetic. I am so not used to seeing one of my rifles look more "gamey" than working. But the rifle works much better for me now so the trade was worth it. Don't get me wrong, I have a set of 15" quad rails on the way as well to try out, but...
Anyhow, 14.5" Colt M4 with a MI 15" T Rail: 
ETA: Here's my trainer/test rifle: a SW 15/22 with rifle rails on it. It handles like a Corvette and at our 22 matches never touches the table as everyone just passes it down the line. Love it! 
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| IMHO, the full length rail systems are stupid. They're better than standard handguards in that you can mount things where ever, but all those rails.... doesn't look good and doesn't feel good w/out covers. I go for tubes that have options to mount 2-3" sections of rail where they're needed. |
| Outstanding reply! If you have a need for all that space (lasers, .MIL equipment etc.) than fine, use all you need. For the majority of people here, just punching holes in paper or plinking in the desert/woods. Rail space is useless....and heavy. As soon as you buy a rail system, you NEED rail covers, unless you wear gloves or like holding a cheese grader. Rails seem, to me, a huge waste of money and weight. Why not have a system where short sections of rail can be placed where needed? To each his own. |
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I've washed myself of the guilt. I'm keeping this rifle as simple as can be as I've got other ARs that are more "tinker worthy". I've got a few parts left to add on.. namely the front sling swivel, a proper sling, and then a single 3" picatinny rail on the handguard for mounting a light. Amazing how lightweight it is now!  And the non-foliage-green handguard? I already had a black one so I couldn't justify spending another $30 just to color match my rifle.    |
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Quoted:
I've washed myself of the guilt. I'm keeping this rifle as simple as can be as I've got other ARs that are more "tinker worthy". I've got a few parts left to add on.. namely the front sling swivel, a proper sling, and then a single 3" picatinny rail on the handguard for mounting a light. Amazing how lightweight it is now!
And the non-foliage-green handguard? I already had a black one so I couldn't justify spending another $30 just to color match my rifle.
http://img704.imageshack.us/img704/8297/dscf1091copymedium.jpg MOE is my friend, too...one thing I like about it is I have my Burris Fastfire mounted on a DD offset mount "vertically" mounted on the handguard. I like that I don't have to tilt my head as far as I would have to if it were at a true 3 o'clock position, yet I still have a clear sight picture when using the FF. |
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I'm in the process working on a build and am having the same dilema. I like the look but am not going to put anything more then a forward grip and maybe a light. I saw this one from RR at a show last weekend and think this is what I am going to used
http://www.rockriverarms.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_id=430 |
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