Just how bad are the UTG rails?

[ghostman1960]

I haven't heard very many good things about them but I also have heard a few people say that they are not that bad. I was given a new mid length set and want to use them on my middy until I can afford a better rail system.

They fit on my rifle rock solid with no movement what so ever. They are a little heavy though but not enough to make a difference to me anyway.

The rail covers that came with it are ugly as sin. (They are free to anyone that cares to pay the shipping on them. Let me know) I ordered some Magpul XTM covers to use instead.

So will my rifle disintegrate or spontaneously combust if I use them for a while? Will they at least be serviceable until I find something better? TIA!

[citizensoldier16]

UTG is an airsoft company. STAY AWAY!!

Do they fit on a real rifle? Yes...
Will you get quietly laughed at during range sessions? Yes...
Will they work for now? Yes...

Do they BELONG on a real rifle? NO!!

"Buy once...cry once." Save your money for a set of Daniel Defense rails. If you've already bought and installed them...obviously I'm not going to tell you to take them off. If they work for you, great. But just realize that they are not made to .mil spec and they're heavy as crap. I would have dealt with the plastic handguards for a while and saved my money.

[ghostman1960]

Do they make mid length ar15 airsoft guns?

[glock281]

I had a set on an M4 I had several years ago.
They WORKED perfectly.
No problems with them coming loose, no problems with mounting, no problems at all.

They ARE cheap but for a starter set (either those or regular Handguards) I would go with the UTG.

NOW I found KAS RAC M4 Rails for $150 so I'm upgrading all my rails to them (hey the price is right) and I"m selling the UTG so I'm only out $100

[TehLlama]

I've successfully broken UTG items off of plastic airsoft guns.

If they're just going to the range, sure, why not. If any other use is on the table, it's worth it to buy something nicer. The TROY MRF-DI, KAC Blemished/Used RAS, DD Omega-DI, DoubleStar and Ergo drop-in rails - all are quality options, and very affordable.

[shadow65]

Well put and an honest reply. I tested a set of carbine rails before they were released during 9 months of E.R.T. training on the PD. They are heavy and wide but they did work. The design has a couple flaws. I wouldn't use them for a serious rifle but as stated, for the range they will work and locked up tight.
I don't know anything about the new free floats.
I run DD Lites.

[JonnyVain]

If it's free, use it. Probably a little on the heavy side, but whatever.

As long as you don't mount optics to it, it's not like it will affect anything.