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Posted: 6/28/2016 10:19:26 AM EDT
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Good morning, all.
There is a recent thread on another forum where a gentleman knocked his BCM KMR magnesium equipped AR over. The rail was topped off with a 45-degree front sight. The impact bent/dented the forend. This doesn't come as too terrible a shock to me given the KMR's weight and construction. So this brings up the KMR Alpha. I assume it offers greatly increased durability with only a slight increase in weight. But does anyone have any serious feedback on the Alpha yet? Anyone badly dented/digned/gouged/cracked one from spills, drops, whacks on a VTAC barricade, etc? TIA!!! PS--BCM said they would take care of the fellow with the bent magnesium rail. |
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I had two original KMRs and they are super soft and flimsy, but if you're careful with 'em, they're ok. I took mine hog hunting and rode all over Texas with one in my work truck for a year.
I wouldn't try mounting BUIS on one, but a light at the end was ok. I ultimately went back to a KAC URX 3.1 because I don't like pansy ass hand guards like that. |
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Quoted:
I had two original KMRs and they are super soft and flimsy, but if you're careful with 'em, they're ok. I took mine hog hunting and rode all over Texas with one in my work truck for a year. I wouldn't try mounting BUIS on one, but a light at the end was ok. I ultimately went back to a KAC URX 3.1 because I don't like pansy ass hand guards like that. Really?? I know it doesn't compare to a Geissele , KAC, DD, or some others strength wise but IMO it will hold up to everything but the most extreme abuse. My original KMR has taken some decent hits and has some gouges in the alloy but it still serves its purpose and isn't deformed. I agree about the BUIS because you would have POI shifts if your rail gets smacked. |
| My original 13" KMR has been fine doing what I would call average use, it goes to the range, rides in a truck at times, gone on some coyote hunts, etc, but I'm not dropping it intentionally or rolling around with it, etc. It's a little more flexible than my Gen 3 MI |
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Really?? I know it doesn't compare to a Geissele , KAC, DD, or some others strength wise but IMO it will hold up to everything but the most extreme abuse. My original KMR has taken some decent hits and has some gouges in the alloy but it still serves its purpose and isn't deformed. I agree about the BUIS because you would have POI shifts if your rail gets smacked. Quoted:
Quoted:
I had two original KMRs and they are super soft and flimsy, but if you're careful with 'em, they're ok. I took mine hog hunting and rode all over Texas with one in my work truck for a year. I wouldn't try mounting BUIS on one, but a light at the end was ok. I ultimately went back to a KAC URX 3.1 because I don't like pansy ass hand guards like that. Really?? I know it doesn't compare to a Geissele , KAC, DD, or some others strength wise but IMO it will hold up to everything but the most extreme abuse. My original KMR has taken some decent hits and has some gouges in the alloy but it still serves its purpose and isn't deformed. I agree about the BUIS because you would have POI shifts if your rail gets smacked. The KMR is not even remotely close to being on the same level as Geissele, KAC, DD, LaRue rails. The KMR is a good rail for a gamer/plinker. Not something I would take to work. |
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The KMR is not even remotely close to being on the same level as Geissele, KAC, DD, LaRue rails. The KMR is a good rail for a gamer/plinker. Not something I would take to work. Quoted:
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I had two original KMRs and they are super soft and flimsy, but if you're careful with 'em, they're ok. I took mine hog hunting and rode all over Texas with one in my work truck for a year. I wouldn't try mounting BUIS on one, but a light at the end was ok. I ultimately went back to a KAC URX 3.1 because I don't like pansy ass hand guards like that. Really?? I know it doesn't compare to a Geissele , KAC, DD, or some others strength wise but IMO it will hold up to everything but the most extreme abuse. My original KMR has taken some decent hits and has some gouges in the alloy but it still serves its purpose and isn't deformed. I agree about the BUIS because you would have POI shifts if your rail gets smacked. The KMR is not even remotely close to being on the same level as Geissele, KAC, DD, LaRue rails. The KMR is a good rail for a gamer/plinker. Not something I would take to work. It's viable for all of those BCM Gunfighters tho hah. |
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I have mine on a competition/class/home defense gun. Therefore, I'm not dropping it out of helicopters or prying open doors with it. Bumping it against barricades or clanking around in shoothouse hallways hasn't been a problem either. I did drop it a couple of times on the light and had no issues with it.
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I have mine on a competition/class/home defense gun. Therefore, I'm not dropping it out of helicopters or prying open doors with it. Bumping it against barricades or clanking around in shoothouse hallways hasn't been a problem either. I did drop it a couple of times on the light and had no issues with it. Which one? Original or Alpha? Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile |
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The original KMR suck dick.......i think the description said strong and one of the steongest finishes in the market.......im here to tell you BULLSHIT. the alpha though is a different story I can confirm Survivorman's post is 100% accurate. I had one of the very first KMRs and it lasted 1 hog hunt out in West Texas. Luckily, Bravo Company is run by some straight-up individuals and made it right. The Alpha rail seems much improved, but I have not used them - only handled them. |
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I think the mag alloy may not have been real consistent. Some people say that they used 'em with no problems, others say they were like butter. Mine was ok, but I only used BCM stuff on the rail and finger tight with the short end of the wrench would deform the Keymod slots. I had to put on everything loose with lots of Locktite. I was super careful with using a bipod on that rail.
My KAC 3.1? Throw it in the back of the truck right on the bipod, no worries. |
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Quoted:
I think the mag alloy may not have been real consistent. Some people say that they used 'em with no problems, others say they were like butter. Mine was ok, but I only used BCM stuff on the rail and finger tight with the short end of the wrench would deform the Keymod slots. I had to put on everything loose with lots of Locktite. I was super careful with using a bipod on that rail. My KAC 3.1? Throw it in the back of the truck right on the bipod, no worries. The alpha will deform? I just got an alpha upper from BCM and now I am worried about mounting things to it.... |
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The alpha will deform? I just got an alpha upper from BCM and now I am worried about mounting things to it.... Quoted:
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I think the mag alloy may not have been real consistent. Some people say that they used 'em with no problems, others say they were like butter. Mine was ok, but I only used BCM stuff on the rail and finger tight with the short end of the wrench would deform the Keymod slots. I had to put on everything loose with lots of Locktite. I was super careful with using a bipod on that rail. My KAC 3.1? Throw it in the back of the truck right on the bipod, no worries. The alpha will deform? I just got an alpha upper from BCM and now I am worried about mounting things to it.... No .... The alpha is made from the same aluminum that basically every other handguard on the market is made from ( 6061-T6) The Alpha is a great rail and should hold up to just about anything you will throw at it within reason of course |
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I can confirm Survivorman's post is 100% accurate. I had one of the very first KMRs and it lasted 1 hog hunt out in West Texas. Luckily, Bravo Company is run by some straight-up individuals and made it right. The Alpha rail seems much improved, but I have not used them - only handled them. Quoted:
Quoted:
The original KMR suck dick.......i think the description said strong and one of the steongest finishes in the market.......im here to tell you BULLSHIT. the alpha though is a different story I can confirm Survivorman's post is 100% accurate. I had one of the very first KMRs and it lasted 1 hog hunt out in West Texas. Luckily, Bravo Company is run by some straight-up individuals and made it right. The Alpha rail seems much improved, but I have not used them - only handled them. Will they replace it with an Alpha or give you a discount to return it? I have an original KMR that I didn't shoot much when I built it. I've been using it more lately and this POS is literally like butter. Is the barrel nut the same on the Alpha? |
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Will they replace it with an Alpha or give you a discount to return it? I have an original KMR that I didn't shoot much when I built it. I've been using it more lately and this POS is literally like butter. Is the barrel nut the same on the Alpha? Quoted:
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The original KMR suck dick.......i think the description said strong and one of the steongest finishes in the market.......im here to tell you BULLSHIT. the alpha though is a different story I can confirm Survivorman's post is 100% accurate. I had one of the very first KMRs and it lasted 1 hog hunt out in West Texas. Luckily, Bravo Company is run by some straight-up individuals and made it right. The Alpha rail seems much improved, but I have not used them - only handled them. Will they replace it with an Alpha or give you a discount to return it? I have an original KMR that I didn't shoot much when I built it. I've been using it more lately and this POS is literally like butter. Is the barrel nut the same on the Alpha? Yes they use the same barrel nut |
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The alpha will deform? I just got an alpha upper from BCM and now I am worried about mounting things to it.... Quoted:
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I think the mag alloy may not have been real consistent. Some people say that they used 'em with no problems, others say they were like butter. Mine was ok, but I only used BCM stuff on the rail and finger tight with the short end of the wrench would deform the Keymod slots. I had to put on everything loose with lots of Locktite. I was super careful with using a bipod on that rail. My KAC 3.1? Throw it in the back of the truck right on the bipod, no worries. The alpha will deform? I just got an alpha upper from BCM and now I am worried about mounting things to it.... Same here. So if I beat the shart out of it is it gonna fail? I thought BCM only put out battle ready shit? Or is it pretty boy shit? |
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I don't think Keymod is Battle Ready shit in any configuration. I like the convenience of being able to add, remove, or move stuff on the rail without messing with back plates. But I think the Keymod footprint is just too small. There isn't much material holding the light or whatever in place. I could easily see a scenario where catching a light or mounted accessory against a door jamb or vehicle's door pillar would bend or damage a Keymod rail regardless of manufacturer. |
| I have one of the original alphas in 15" and have had no issues with it so far. I don't purposely beat on my gear, but Ive taken a few courses with it and its ridden in the truck and picked up dings/scratches. No issues as far as deformation though, I have a handstop and qd sling attach mounted on mine, along with some Magpul buis that don't get used since I have a red dot mounted. |
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Nice. I assume the short sections of pic rail make for additional girth over the BCM? |
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Unless you grab your rifle by the last two inches or so...not a worry. It is hard to see clearly on my phone but it looks to me like the Keymod section and the combo keymod/pic section all sit along the same plain. If that's right adding something to the keymod section will likely still out more than on a traditional Keymod rail. Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile |
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Quoted: The KMR is not even remotely close to being on the same level as Geissele, KAC, DD, LaRue rails. The KMR is a good rail for a gamer/plinker. Not something I would take to work. Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: I had two original KMRs and they are super soft and flimsy, but if you're careful with 'em, they're ok. I took mine hog hunting and rode all over Texas with one in my work truck for a year. I wouldn't try mounting BUIS on one, but a light at the end was ok. I ultimately went back to a KAC URX 3.1 because I don't like pansy ass hand guards like that. Really?? I know it doesn't compare to a Geissele , KAC, DD, or some others strength wise but IMO it will hold up to everything but the most extreme abuse. My original KMR has taken some decent hits and has some gouges in the alloy but it still serves its purpose and isn't deformed. I agree about the BUIS because you would have POI shifts if your rail gets smacked. The KMR is not even remotely close to being on the same level as Geissele, KAC, DD, LaRue rails. The KMR is a good rail for a gamer/plinker. Not something I would take to work. |
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