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Posted: 4/30/2013 10:36:05 AM EDT
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Not to open a can of worms, but I am new to ARs and beginning to look at a few free-float rails. There are so many out there, though, that it is a little overwhelming. I was hoping you guys could help me narrow my search.
What is your favorite free-float rail system? I am looking for a mid-length (9”) preferably at the lower-end of the price spectrum (MI, YHM, Troy), but I know a few of these require special wrenches and barrel/locking nuts. Are there any advantages to one over the other? Again, I know a lot of it comes down to personal preference, but I would really appreciate some insight and suggestions on things to watch out for. That would at least give me a starting point to research further. Thanks, Clint |
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I like the Seekins SAR rails. A 13" SAR rail weight 12.8oz - about a half pound lighter than some of the competition. Lots of other companies make good rails, but you may as well get the SAR and save weight. ETA: With a 12" SAR rail and a low profile gas block you will be within an ounce of the factory 7" plastic hand guards with a standard front sight post. Essentially you get an extra 5" of hand guard length plus rails for no weight penalty. |
| Troy TRX Extreme and Alpha Rails... Simiple and light and very reasonable price. I have 2 11"s and 2 9" on my builds. The 11"s weigh 8.7oz. Fortis, Samson Evolution are similar light rails. MI SS gen2 are light also, but maufactor recommending gluing rail to nut is FAIL. |
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Quoted: Troy TRX Extreme and Alpha Rails... Simiple and light and very reasonable price. I have 2 11"s and 2 9" on my builds. The 11"s weigh 8.7oz. Fortis, Samson Evolution are similar light rails. MI SS gen2 are light also, but maufactor recommending gluing rail to nut is FAIL. Alpha rail weights don't include the factory barrel nut or any rail sections. If you add one rail section for a light or VFG you have met or surpassed the weight of a SAR rail. I've built several rifles with TRX Extremes but in the future I won't use them. |
| I have had several different ones and handled more. I find the DD lite well worth the extra money. It is my all time favorite so far. But the troy is the best of the cheaper options. I hate the round tubes, I only get the quad rails and use ladder protectors on the sides and top, and the thicker style on the bottom. That give me a great grip on the gun both firing and handling. |
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I have a Daniel Defense RIS II and it was worth the money. Buy once cry once. I actually bought it used off the equipment exchange and got a good deal on it. My biggest beef was the barrel nut. I had the wrench slip several times fouling the barrel nut grooves. I had the same thing happen on a Lite rail (same barrel nut). The rail is solid and is very narrow. Looks bad ass on the rifle.
I've had YHM, Midwest Industries, Troy and they are all great rails at half the price. I really liked YHM diamond series rail system. It was cheap, solid, and looked great. I installed a LaRue 12.0 for a buddy and it is probably one of the best rails. Compared to the DD RIS II the LaRue was considerably smoother. It feels like velvet in your hands. The only thing I didn't like was it doesn't have a monlithic look. For some, that is a deal breaker. There are so many good rails out there. I only have experience with the above rail systems. So many others that I haven't tried that should be good to go. Knights, Centurion, Noveske, Samson, and the list goes on. |
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I picked the Daniel Defense MFR (modular freefloating rail) and am very happy with it.
Since then the keymod system has really taken off. If building now, I would pick the Seekins Precision MCSR v2 keymod rail. http://www.ar15news.com/2013/04/09/new-seekins-precision-mcsr-v2-modular-rail/ |
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I stopped by my local shop today just to "look around" and ended up buying a Colt M4 AR15 Light Carbine FF Rail. It was a toss up between that and a S&W MP15. The S&W was 1100 and I figured the Colt was going to be considerably more. After playing with it like an old girlfriend, I asked him how much. He says, for you, 1000. I said, SOLD.
He has to make it Jersey legal (which is pathetic) and he said it will take two weeks for the background check. (Again, Jersey. Slower than whale shit on a cold winters day). So that gives me plenty of time to consider customizing it. I don't like the stock hand guards. Smooth and just one 2inch top rail. This is also my first FF barrel rifle. I was going to post a question similar to what Clint posted. I would also like to know why you guys prefer the rails you do as opposed to others. Feel, weight, personal preference, etc... I'm looking around at the 10" rails. |
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Quoted:
I stopped by my local shop today just to "look around" and ended up buying a Colt M4 AR15 Light Carbine FF Rail. It was a toss up between that and a S&W MP15. The S&W was 1100 and I figured the Colt was going to be considerably more. After playing with it like an old girlfriend, I asked him how much. He says, for you, 1000. I said, SOLD. He has to make it Jersey legal (which is pathetic) and he said it will take two weeks for the background check. (Again, Jersey. Slower than whale shit on a cold winters day). So that gives me plenty of time to consider customizing it. I don't like the stock hand guards. Smooth and just one 2inch top rail. This is also my first FF barrel rifle. I was going to post a question similar to what Clint posted. I would also like to know why you guys prefer the rails you do as opposed to others. Feel, weight, personal preference, etc... I'm looking around at the 10" rails. Is this Light Carbine one of the branded Colts, or a real Colt? What model number? |
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Didn't even realize I forgot to put the model number in. It's the LE6900.
Edit: I've been doing a little more research on the 6900 and I fear I have been a little too excited at actually seeing a colt and may have jumped the gun. I have an A2 Sporter 2 that my father bought me YEARS ago that I love. 20" barrel, carry handle and so on. Solid as a rock. I haven't put any money down on it yet so I can always go in and tell him to hold off. Question: if you were in the market for an M4, what would you be looking to purchase? |
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Quoted:
Check out the free float rails that are using the new Keymod standard. Vltor, Noveske, PWS, Seekins Precision, and Odin Works are ones I can think of from memory. I went with a 12.5" Odin Works KMod over a 14.5"M4 barrel. http://i1286.photobucket.com/albums/a601/AVIDavid1982/image_zps38456723.jpg I have never seen that forearm before. I just checked it out and it seems very light. How solid is it? The forearm adapter didnt look like it was held tight to anything?? OP: I like Apex, Troy Aplha, Centurion, DD and Diaomondhead... I can't really name a favorite. |
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HaHaHa..just got the same thing in the mail today!!! |
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Quoted:
HaHaHa..just got the same thing in the mail today!!! 
Once installed it'll look something like this.. Minus the camo paint |
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Quoted:
HaHaHa..just got the same thing in the mail today!!! Double tap |
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