DD Upper: AR15 Lite Rail or Omega X Rail?

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12-10-10, 04:01
Vegas

DD Upper: AR15 Lite Rail or Omega X Rail?

Hi All,

I am new to the AR platform and I'm in the process of putting together my first rifle. I just picked up my lower today and I'm trying to figure which way I am going to go with my upper. I plan on ordering a Daniels Defense midlength upper from Smartgunner.com. I'm trying decide between AR15 Lite and Omega X Rail systems. What are the advantages of each? I have to be honest and say they look very similar to my eye. I have handled an Omega X and it seemed extremely light.

The other choice I am stuck on is whether to order with the fixed front sight or go with the low profile gas block and a flip up front sight. I plan on buying a Magpul rear flip up for sure and will eventually get an optic of some type. When I asked about running a fixed fsp with an optic at the local store, the gentleman there had the opinion that it cluttered the view in a SD situation.

Being this is my first rifle, it's tough to know what I want until I have bought and used it for a while and figure out my needs. Apart from range use and (hopefully not) SD/HD, there is a chance I might take some classes at a later date.

Thanks for any input you can provide, and in general as this forum is a great resource for a new guy like me.

Cheers,
Matt
12-10-10, 06:24
mtdawg169

Does anyone know the weight difference between the 12" Lite rail and Omega X?

Sent from my Droid using Tapatalk
12-10-10, 06:43
mtdawg169

Double tap
12-10-10, 06:43
Brahmzy

Quote:

Originally Posted by mtdawg169

Does anyone know the weight difference between the 12" Lite rail and Omega X?

Sent from my Droid using Tapatalk

Weights are all listed on DDs site.
12-10-10, 07:00
Vegas

Quote:

Originally Posted by mtdawg169

Does anyone know the weight difference between the 12" Lite rail and Omega X?

Sent from my Droid using Tapatalk

They weigh the same at 15.3 oz.
12-10-10, 09:26
rudy99

You might see if this article answers your question: "Which Free-Float Rail System Should I Buy for my M4?"
12-10-10, 09:29
Icculus

For reference and anyone else who hits this thread searching for rail weights; here's the link to rob_s rail chart

http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?k...en&output=html

It shows just over an ounce difference between the two
12-10-10, 09:57
Vegas

Quote:

Originally Posted by rudy99

You might see if this article answers your question: "Which Free-Float Rail System Should I Buy for my M4?"

Thanks for the link, it was an interesting read but it talks about the Omega rail and not the Omega X. I believe there is a difference but don't recall what.
12-10-10, 10:22
Dos Cylindros

Main difference between all of them is the mounting method. The Lite Rail is probably the most solid, followed by the Omega X, then the drop in Omega. That being said, they are all quality rails, and even the drop in Omega is extremely solid.
12-10-10, 10:42
Icculus

Vegas, here's another short thread where I was trying to sort out some of the differences. Maybe it helps some

https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=43329

As to you fsp question I have found that having a fixed fsp does not really clutter the sight picture with non magnified optics (T1) as long as you are using a lower 1/3 riser instead of an absolute co-witness. Now what I did find bothered me was the fixed rear sight. I replaced the DD fixed rear with an mbus and while lite I think I'll be trading it for a troy. ymmv
12-10-10, 10:46
outrider627

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vegas

Hi All,

I am new to the AR platform and I'm in the process of putting together my first rifle. I just picked up my lower today and I'm trying to figure which way I am going to go with my upper. I plan on ordering a Daniels Defense midlength upper from Smartgunner.com. I'm trying decide between AR15 Lite and Omega X Rail systems. What are the advantages of each? I have to be honest and say they look very similar to my eye. I have handled an Omega X and it seemed extremely light.

The other choice I am stuck on is whether to order with the fixed front sight or go with the low profile gas block and a flip up front sight. I plan on buying a Magpul rear flip up for sure and will eventually get an optic of some type. When I asked about running a fixed fsp with an optic at the local store, the gentleman there had the opinion that it cluttered the view in a SD situation.

Being this is my first rifle, it's tough to know what I want until I have bought and used it for a while and figure out my needs. Apart from range use and (hopefully not) SD/HD, there is a chance I might take some classes at a later date.

Thanks for any input you can provide, and in general as this forum is a great resource for a new guy like me.

Cheers,
Matt

The Lite Rail is slightly smaller in diameter than the Omega rails. It's thinner side to side making the shape more oval.

Both the Omega and Omega X have built in QD sling mounts on the receiver side of the rail. They are also removable for easier cleaning under the rails, if it needs to be done.

The difference between the Omega and Omega X is that the Omega is a drop in free float rail. It uses the standard barrel nut and delta ring assembly. The Omega X uses its own barrel nut and requires removing the FSB for installation.
12-10-10, 10:49
Brahmzy

Quote:

Originally Posted by outrider627

The Lite Rail is slightly smaller in diameter than the Omega rails. It's thinner side to side making the shape more oval.

Both the Omega and Omega X have built in QD sling mounts on the receiver side of the rail. They are also removable for easier cleaning under the rails, if it needs to be done.

The difference between the Omega and Omega X is that the Omega is a drop in free float rail. It uses the standard barrel nut and delta ring assembly. The Omega X uses its own barrel nut and requires removing the FSB for installation.

No. The Omega X is THINNER than the LITE rails. I have a lot of both. I personally like the Omega X's as they have a thinner, sleeker contour, don't weigh anymore than the LITE rails AND they have integrated QD sling sockets, which you'll have to add to the LITE rails (adding weight, making the LITE's actually heavier and even more bulky.)
They are not as solid as the LITE's but they are plenty solid - never had an issue with one loosening up ever - very strong mount.

I just wish DD made OMEGA X 10's, 11's and 308 offerings.
12-10-10, 12:06
The_War_Wagon

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vegas

They weigh the same at 15.3 oz.

I've got a DD Lite 12.O, and an Omega FSP 12.0, and they both feel about the same - amazing! :eek:
12-10-10, 12:11
Brahmzy

AR15 Lite Rail™ 12.0, Rifle
Width: 2.06"

Omega Rail™ 12.0, Rifle
Width: 1.90"

Omega X Rail™ 12.0, Rifle
Width: 1.90"
12-10-10, 15:34
boomhower

I went through the same decision last month. I went with the Omega X due to the thinner profile and integrated QD mount. You really can't go wrong with either. I also went with the front site post. It's going to be a work weapon so the increased durability and reduced time to deploy back-up was worth it being in the site picture. As mentioned if you use lower third cowitness mounts it's not an issue.
12-10-10, 16:11
warlord260

i dont mean to derail this thread,but i am new to the ar platform.
i was wondering about a spikes quad rail. any insite would be helpful.
Thanks,
12-10-10, 16:25
Vegas

Quote:

Originally Posted by warlord260

i dont mean to derail this thread,but i am new to the ar platform.
i was wondering about a spikes quad rail. any insite would be helpful.
Thanks,

Made me chuckle :) I don't know anything about the Spikes rails but I'm sure someone will.

Thanks for all the great replies, exactly what I was looking for. With it's slightly thinner profile and sling mount, sounds like the Omega X is the right choice for me.

Icculus: the lower 1/3 method sounds like a good compromise. I'll check out some pics.

Thanks,
Matt.
12-10-10, 16:33
Biggy

Quote:

Originally Posted by warlord260

i dont mean to derail this thread,but i am new to the ar platform.
i was wondering about a spikes quad rail. any insite would be helpful.
Thanks,

Just Google Spike's SAR or BAR rails and you will find all you need to know about them.
12-10-10, 18:27
BBJones13

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vegas

Thanks for all the great replies, exactly what I was looking for. With it's slightly thinner profile and sling mount, sounds like the Omega X is the right choice for me.

That and $25 cheaper at smartgunner is why I chose it.
12-10-10, 19:04
Brahmzy

Get the SAR rail, it's a LOT thinner and a LOT lighter than the older BAR. SAR comes with a titanium bbl nut and is lighter than a DD LITE rail.

They're JUST starting to ship now and in the next few weeks.

Quote:

Originally Posted by warlord260

i dont mean to derail this thread,but i am new to the ar platform.
i was wondering about a spikes quad rail. any insite would be helpful.
Thanks,
12-10-10, 21:04
warlord260

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brahmzy

Get the SAR rail, it's a LOT thinner and a LOT lighter than the older BAR. SAR comes with a titanium bbl nut and is lighter than a DD LITE rail.

They're JUST starting to ship now and in the next few weeks.

Cant find any info on this, i searched. Can you help me out?
Thanks,
12-11-10, 00:07
warlord260

just canceled my spikes order. Ordered the daniels special with the omega rail from smartgunners. The spikes quad rail was back ordered 2 months. Not acceptable. Will let you know, optic is already here waiting.