View Full Version : Guys I can't decide on what rail to run on my "do all" 14.5 AR
Stopsign32v
09-05-22, 17:31
Well I don't have a rifle that I would grab if I had to leave everything else behind. I need a end of days do everything AR. I've pretty much narrowed everything down to the rail and I can't decide on it.
I love retro picatinny but I want something that doesn't weigh much. I was looking at the DD RIS II, but again, weight...
I will rattle can this but I want a top tier rail so the choices are limited to Geissele, KAC, DD, etc...So far I'm looking at the below, what is your opinion?
Geissele MK8
https://www.nrcfirearms.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/DSC01359.jpg
KAC URX 4
https://i.imgur.com/rlNol7A.jpg
Ah what the heck...DD RIS II
https://www.swatmag.com/app/uploads/swat/2018/07/C-3.jpg
Centurion C4 Mlok
https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.6435-9/96822251_2286790754690713_6866916901096783872_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=730e14&_nc_ohc=RsMCtWRusboAX9KN3VJ&_nc_oc=AQlGv7YLccaDkDpFvtNqSlCzdSZGk96V7-sJm34WLFWBvLef_2ueFHMoEUmEx5PWIMg&tn=AGFL1HJKGXgWOiLY&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AT-jjiG12g3YlppDXGE9b0GltbUqZBk6whEnfzbeyzVf8Q&oe=633C2E29
Any of those will work, would also look at the Centurion Arms Mloks.
Geissele does make a quad rail that is compatible with the Mk4/8 barrel nut. I’d go with Geissele personally…any flavor.
Stopsign32v
09-05-22, 19:19
Any of those will work, would also look at the Centurion Arms Mloks.
Ah yea I forgot about those! I'll add them to the list above
Well I don't have a rifle that I would grab if I had to leave everything else behind. I need a end of days do everything AR.
No FSB?
Stopsign32v
09-05-22, 19:31
No FSB?
No, I'm going to run this optic setup and don't want a shadow in the 5x.
https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/gallery/80/full/133308.jpeg
Stopsign32v
09-05-22, 19:34
Go with the quad rail
They are so dang heavy but I can't help but go back to this. I absolutely love an old school quad rail!
It sounds like you know what you want, but if you do go MLOK the Midwest Industries Night Fighter (https://midwestindustriesinc.com/night-fighter-m-lok-handguard/) may be of interest.
OutofBatt3ry
09-05-22, 20:10
+1 on the MK8
Kind of a weird set of choices really.
I’d go with a Geissele MK14 for slim, light, and tough.
Another Centurion Arms vote, in either 1913 or MLOK.
hotbiggun42
09-05-22, 22:14
My go to has a Midwest industries drop in picatinny hand guard. I would also use a DD drop in omega rail if they are still being made.
I like the ease of taking it off and cleaning the barrel under the handguards.
I also like the Spikes BAR picatinny rail. So many choices. Good luck
Defaultmp3
09-05-22, 23:26
Obligatory pedantic statement that you're talking about handguards, and not rails, the linked handguards only have rails at the 1200.
The deeper question is, what is the purpose of this handguard? A handguard that you're just gonna hang a light off of and not much else with no expectation of mag dumps is going to be quite different from something where you're concerned with flex due to the use of an MFAL but still also am concerned about heat from a mag dump.
ODgreenpizza
09-05-22, 23:55
10" DDM4, shorter rails are lighter.
OP, I’ve got some experience with the first three that you mentioned, especially the URX4 snd the RIS II. All three are great, differentiated mainly by mass and glove size. The URX4 is lightest and gives up no strength. The RIS II is still in SOF use, and its not because they’re poor. If you like quads, I’d also consider Larue and DDM4. They are a little skinnier and lighter than the RIS II. https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?229872-Cheese-Graters-2021&highlight=
I'm assuming carbine gas? If so, the KAC RAS fits your desire for a lightweight quad. Thing is, you're going to want to get into night vision at some point, meaning you'll need the rail to hold zero, and the RAS pretty much leads the pack in that regard, especially for how lightweight it is. It's scarcely heavier than the plastic handguards, and honestly you really can't tell a difference just by feel. KAC hit it out of the park on that one. The Geissele...haven't heard great things about it in that regard. It's light enough, but it sounds like about all it's good for is mounting lights and grips, which of course some 25 dollar plastic MOE handguards can do just fine.
Id go 1, 2, or 4, whichever is lightest.
The mk 8/4 is IMO a not as nice urxiii with no front site and self-installable. I just built a rifle with a mk8 and love it. That (urxiii) is still one of the best rails ever.
Go with the quad rail
No doubt.
Stopsign32v
09-06-22, 08:53
So I will be going with a quad rail. I just can't get on board with the skinny mlok I don't think.
davidjinks
09-06-22, 10:25
Go with the quad rail
This
I’d go with DD RIS II. Which is what I use for my go to DD rifle that’s free floated. Non free float is KAC M4 RAS.
All three are great, differentiated mainly by mass and glove size.
Speaking of glove size, I wear a medium and the DD Lite Rail I have is one of the largest at 2.42" tall. Maybe I just think it's OK because I am $married$ to it? Is it likely my control suffers?
This
I’d go with DD RIS II. Which is what I use for my go to DD rifle that’s free floated. Non free float is KAC M4 RAS.
Both great rails.
Stopsign32v
09-06-22, 11:43
I will have the 5x on it and would like the ability to shoot accurate out to 300-400 yards realistically with my match loads if I need to. So with that said I think a free floating quad would be a better option. Absolutely love my KAC RAS on my MK18 though!
So you guys think DD RAS II or is there a lighter option out there quad rail wise which is free floating?
I will have the 5x on it and would like the ability to shoot accurate out to 300-400 yards realistically with my match loads if I need to. So with that said I think a free floating quad would be a better option. Absolutely love my KAC RAS on my MK18 though!
So you guys think DD RAS II or is there a lighter option out there quad rail wise which is free floating?
If that is the rail you want, its a nice rail, but you are picking one of the heaviest rail options. One of the sexiest, but also heaviest.
Stopsign32v
09-06-22, 12:20
If that is the rail you want, its a nice rail, but you are picking one of the heaviest rail options. One of the sexiest, but also heaviest.
I know and that is why I'm curious if there are lighter weight options that are also free floating
I see the Centurion C4 in 12" is 15.3oz
The DD RIS II is 17.7oz
If you’re set on a quad rail, look at the BCM QRF12. probably stronger than a RISII and definitely lighter.
If you’re set on a quad rail, look at the BCM QRF12. probably stronger than a RISII and definitely lighter.
I love BCM. But stronger than a RISII??
If you’re set on a quad rail, look at the BCM QRF12. probably stronger than a RISII and definitely lighter.
I think a one piece will typically be stronger than a two piece. Not that a 2 piece DD or Centurion Arms is going to give you any trouble.
Speaking of glove size, I wear a medium and the DD Lite Rail I have is one of the largest at 2.42" tall. Maybe I just think it's OK because I am $married$ to it? Is it likely my control suffers?
Thats about the same as Centurion. Its probably fine, especially if you use ladders or no covers, but yeah, its on the tall side. When I shoot my Kino/Centurion, I don’t think the rail is holding me back, although I’d like it to be a little less tall.
So you guys think DD RAS II or is there a lighter option out there quad rail wise which is free floating?
DDM4 is lighter. Better feel, too, for me.
If you want picatinny there are a ton of good options that have already been mentioned here, I have Larue and DD Ris II but my favorite Picatinny which imho doesn’t get enough love is the LMT MRP platform. I have multiple MRP upppers and they are SOLID. These are back in stock after having been out for years:
https://www.rooftopdefense.com/product/lmt-mrp-rifle-picatinny-quad-rail-13-25-upper-receiver-chassis/
Stopsign32v
09-06-22, 13:37
DDM4 is lighter. Better feel, too, for me.
That looks pretty good! I like the DDM4 and will have to look more into that when I get time. It looks real similar to their RAS II, not much difference or is it different and just looks similar?
That looks pretty good! I like the DDM4 and will have to look more into that when I get time. It looks real similar to their RAS II, not much difference or is it different and just looks similar?
Same concept, pear shaped from the front, but slimmer in every dimension and lighter. I think it might be the lightest and slimmest feeling quad on the market. It also might be the most expensive.
Also consider the LaRue. Its got the same pear-shaped feel, its slim for a quad, and its only a little heavier, with the extra couple ounces being stored in the barrel nut where its mostly inconsequential to balance. And its crazy solid. Call before you order, though… the website doesn’t do live inventory.
Check out that thread I linked on page 2.
Stopsign32v
09-06-22, 14:09
Same concept, pear shaped from the front, but slimmer in every dimension and lighter. I think it might be the lightest and slimmest feeling quad on the market. It also might be the most expensive.
Also consider the LaRue. Its got the same pear-shaped feel, its slim for a quad, and its only a little heavier, with the extra couple ounces being stored in the barrel nut where its mostly inconsequential to balance. And its crazy solid. Call before you order, though… the website doesn’t do live inventory.
Check out that thread I linked on page 2.
I will be checking out the thread tonight when I get home. HUGE price difference in the DD vs Larue so I might go with the Larue but we will see. Price really isn't a concern but if it's just as good why not.
Hammer_Man
09-06-22, 15:00
I’d go KAC URX-4 or Centurion Arms CMR for a slim handguard, they’re both tough.
I recently got the BCM QRF rail for my Colt/BCM rifle. It feels great and isn't too heavy. I dont know if it's as strong as a RISII but I dont think it would be far behind.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51598598110_2066e24b01_o.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2mBAixU)20211010_180326 (https://flic.kr/p/2mBAixU) by chase (https://www.flickr.com/photos/157376915@N07/), on Flickr
Stopsign32v
09-06-22, 19:14
Check out that thread I linked on page 2.
Well I checked out the thread and it was a little informative but I'm still stuck on 2 rails
DDM4 (is the Lite III no longer made?)
or
Larue quad (I like everything except the non extended top rails due to the ring)
studenygreg
09-06-22, 19:26
I feel like all of mine are do-it-all. They just do somethings a little better or worse than the others. [emoji2369]
Sent from my SM-G991U using Tapatalk
I love BCM. But stronger than a RISII??
RISIIs aren’t all that stout, they’re just heavy.
The_War_Wagon
09-06-22, 20:22
BCM MCMR - replaced a DD Omega rail on my HD rifle (a 14.5" upper) with the MCMR a few years ago and the rifle suddenly felt like it weighed half as much after that!
davidjinks
09-07-22, 10:11
Both great rails.
They are excellent rails.
My 2 precision rifles I’m using the V7 keymod rails. So far they’ve been solid as well. Very minimal deflection when loading a bipod and/or sling and barricades.
However, my default rails for FF or fixed will always be DD RIS II and KAC M4 RAS.
However, my default rails for FF or fixed will always be DD RIS II and KAC M4 RAS.
I still wish I could get the Mk18 RIS II... even at the crazy prices they used to command.
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