StrangerDanger Posted April 3, 2018 Share Posted April 3, 2018 I received the pair of rails I ordered to check out. Immediately I noted that the unit is nicer to hold on to than it looks in pictures. There aren’t a bunch of jagged edges on it. It’s far better and thinner than say a Surefire M80. The factory OEM handguards weigh in at 5 ounces, where as this rail weighs in at 6.65 ounces. Not bad for being 6065 aluminum. The OEM handguards are more ergonomic than this rail, but it isn’t terrible - It’s tolerable unlike the M80. What I don’t like: The set screws are a terrible design. Whoever designed it should hang their head in shame as a designer and really be ashamed of themselves. Without using the set screws, the rail will wiggle significantly more than anyone would be comfortable with. Naturally if you use them, you no longer have a tool free disassembly. I tried to set them lightly but it didn’t seem to work for retaining the handguard. They could have solved this relatively easily by designing a replacement rear handguard retainer that held the rail in place. I did not use the front two set screws, since it is solid with just the rear set. The set screws are tiny and steel. They aren’t the nicer style that have a polymer tip to minimize marking. These kind of rails are a pain in that you end up scuffing up your barrel during installation. It doesn’t slide on easily, you have to work it back and forth to slide up over the piston assembly on the barrel. There are fitting issues if using this rail in combination with either an Ava Tactical or IWC light/sling mount. The tailcap will hit the rail and you will need to modify the rail for clearance. Or, stick strictly with a MLOK in-line Mount attached to be rail itself. I used a small cutting wheel to gain the clearance needed with an IWC light mount. I used the IWC since it offered a little more clearance and provided QD sling mounts. Had I used the Ava Tactical Mount, I’d need a MLOK QD socket since I’m mounting the light on the ejection port side of the firearm. I dont have my new Taps switch in yet to test fit it to the rail to see if it’s worth the trouble and limitations. I wish they had made some some kind of textured panels for the handguard to increase traction. I know I can use some over the Mlok points. I’ll take some pictures later. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scout_21 Posted April 3, 2018 Share Posted April 3, 2018 Good to hear it's better than it looks. I'm hoping they make a V.2 with some forum feedback Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unobtanium Posted April 3, 2018 Share Posted April 3, 2018 Your review is similar to what I expected, based on looking at it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evolution Posted April 3, 2018 Share Posted April 3, 2018 (edited) Is the rail system captured front and back like the OEM guards? If not it seems like it will shoot loose. Edited April 3, 2018 by Evolution Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StrangerDanger Posted April 3, 2018 Author Share Posted April 3, 2018 It does capture at the front and rear like the OEM handguard, but there is so much play at the rear handguard retainer that there is a lot of movement unless the set screws are used. With that much movement, during recoil, it would likely mar something up pretty badly. At this point, I'm not sure if I'll be keeping them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toaster Posted April 4, 2018 Share Posted April 4, 2018 Thanks for saving my money.. I'll spend it on something else. You should direct them here to help crush their heart a little bit. Maybe refine their product to a level worth purchasing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evolution Posted April 4, 2018 Share Posted April 4, 2018 SD, Because I don't have one in my hands and therefore can't make any definitive assessment of how the thing fits, I'll ask this question; Could they not have made the thing so that it would be securely attached to the gun, captured exactly the same way as the OEM hand guards are captured, and by that, eliminate the need to rely on little screws to keep it secure?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StrangerDanger Posted April 4, 2018 Author Share Posted April 4, 2018 There are some ways that they could have went to avoid set screws. The set screw direction is the laziest cheapest method and appears to have been an afterthought when they realized it didn’t lock up tight. These extrusions are cut to length and then some final machining is then performed to the rail. The easiest method would be for them to supply a handguard retainer that was compressible. Rely more on the tension applied from the magazine cap instead of lateral retention from the stamped steel handguard retainer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M2_shootr Posted April 5, 2018 Share Posted April 5, 2018 I’ve seen these 1st hand at a shop in STL. Personally, I have no use for this rail. It provides nothing that I don’t get from the factory hand guards. I would even want/have to add covers to the MLOK rail. A light would be farther back than other options, creating even more shadow. I don’t run a vertical grip on a full size shotgun. I simply see no benefit other than a lighter wallet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benji716 Posted August 10, 2020 Share Posted August 10, 2020 Would love to know if there are any updates from the OP. Did you end up keeping the rails? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StrangerDanger Posted August 10, 2020 Author Share Posted August 10, 2020 2 hours ago, Benji716 said: Would love to know if there are any updates from the OP. Did you end up keeping the rails? I still have them, but I don't use them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimbo45 Posted August 10, 2020 Share Posted August 10, 2020 I agree definitely better than the M80 but I'd fine switching to something else. I'm hoping someone actually gets one of the agency forends soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evolution Posted August 10, 2020 Share Posted August 10, 2020 17 hours ago, StrangerDanger said: I still have them, but I don't use them. That's because nothing made yet beats a pair of nicely stippled OEM handguards. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StrangerDanger Posted August 11, 2020 Author Share Posted August 11, 2020 11 hours ago, Evolution said: That's because nothing made yet beats a pair of nicely stippled OEM handguards. Completely agree. Lighter too. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evolution Posted August 11, 2020 Share Posted August 11, 2020 As you say lighter and, with the slim profile, to use a made up word; unbulkiness of them is very hard to compete against. Concerning modifications with anything, I'm a person who always weighs aesthetic qualities with functionality. If something works well to my needs but looks like hell, I'll usually ditch the idea completely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DailyEDC Posted September 9, 2020 Share Posted September 9, 2020 Over time the holes from the set screws will probably get bigger as the gun vibrates. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benji716 Posted September 22, 2020 Share Posted September 22, 2020 I ordered the Briley 8” MLOK forend from Dissident Arms. Will update here with a picture at some point. No idea when it will ship though. I’m new to the m4 world and have been lurking here like crazy for several months now consuming all your opinions. I already got on the list for a Carrier comp mag tube lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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