New product for JP/Troy VTac fans...

[El Mac]

By way of background:
I'm not a huge fan of the four rail picatinny type forends as I view them as unnecessarily bulky, weighty and generally feeling like I'm hanging on to a four sided porcupine. The rails while serving a purpose, are generally additional real estate that is not needed in many instances. Your mileage may vary but thats my feeling. That said, I'm stuck in certain situations with a four rail design and nothing I can do about it. However, on my personal sticks...whole nuther subject.

Once I was introduced to and tried the JP forends (previous to the Troy forend arriving on the scene) I knew that it was a great product and was the answer to my prayers. That said, when they get loaded up with rail pieces, they too can get weighty. But at least one could attach mission essential components where one wanted them and wouldn't be stuck with the obligatory 12, 3, 6 and 9 positions nor the excess "rail" estate. So why not direct mount the goods and avoid the additional weight caused by rail pieces? Well simply, none existed before now...

So another answer to my prayers came onto the scene: IWC's products for JP and Troy VTac forends (as well as the new Magpul MOE forends). I recently tried the new IWC Quick Detatch (QD) limited rotation "Mount N Slot" sling attachment point. I've attached a few pictures of this product and just a few comments to this unique and long overdue kit. My hat is off to the IWC Team for seeing a need and responding to it.

Top view of previous setup using short rail piece and Midwest sling attachment:
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f268/LWMcVay/IWC%20Products/SANY1490.jpg

Another view looking from top/front view to rear:

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f268/LWMcVay/IWC%20Products/SANY1491.jpg
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f268/LWMcVay/IWC%20Products/SANY1494.jpg

The componentry of the old 7 piece set up (note the female QD sling attatchent point is actually 3 parts):

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f268/LWMcVay/IWC%20Products/SANY1497.jpg

Illustration of the old setup minus the sling attached (note the height and bulkiness):

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f268/LWMcVay/IWC%20Products/SANY1493.jpg

Illustration of the weight of those 7 parts:

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f268/LWMcVay/IWC%20Products/SANY1501.jpg

Illustration of the height of the old setup:

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f268/LWMcVay/IWC%20Products/SANY1504.jpg

Now for the new IWC QD setup as delivered in their packaging along with the tools to assemble the unit:

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f268/LWMcVay/IWC%20Products/SANY1495.jpg

The IWC parts minus the packaging and tools (Note the IWC unit is only 3 parts TOTAL):

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f268/LWMcVay/IWC%20Products/SANY1499.jpg

Illustration of the weight of the new IWC parts in grams:

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f268/LWMcVay/IWC%20Products/SANY1502.jpg

Illustration of the height of the new IWC parts:

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f268/LWMcVay/IWC%20Products/SANY1506.jpg

The comparison shot of the old setup versus the new IWC mount:

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f268/LWMcVay/IWC%20Products/SANY1509.jpg

And finally the IWC setup mounted solo:

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f268/LWMcVay/IWC%20Products/SANY1508.jpg

On top of all that, cost of my old set up to include the JP 2" rail piece and Midwest QD mount was $68 give or take a nickel versus $30 for the IWC QD Mount. I for one appreciate IWC addressing a long standing need. Based on what I've seen so far, I expect good things from this company.

[CENTCOM_Survivor]

Thats pretty nice!

[MTechnik]

I wonder if that will work with the VTAC TRX Extreme rail... Very nice.

[jetspeed8]

I wonder if that will work with the VTAC TRX Extreme rail... Very nice.

I was thinking the same thing.... I have the Troy 11" Extreme TRX on my middy. Looks like they make one for my Troy rail.
Thanks for the great review El Mac.

[MTechnik]

I was thinking the same thing.... I have the Troy 11" Extreme TRX on my middy. Looks like they make one for my Troy rail.
Thanks for the great review El Mac.

Well, lo and behold they do make it for the VTAC Extreme battlerail.
http://store.impactweaponscomponents.com/qdrolimofor1.html

Looks like I need 3. One for each side of the tube... then one for the bottom side of the tube to use as a low profile handstop.

[seb5]

I will try one in the future. It looks difficult to mount it without removing the rail? What's your thinking on it? for the time being I've got 3 of these for my 3 Troys.

http://store.troyind.com/product_p/smou-000-l0bv-00.htm

They work great for a sling. The only thing I would change is to make them ambi, cause I'm a lefty! They can flip flop though, just not at the same time.

[MTechnik]

I'm sure it's a little tricky to get it, but I expect to be able to do it without removing anything.

[seb5]

After looking at your pictures I think you could use a dental pick or modified small screwdriver (bent tip) to hold it above your head from another hole or slot while starting the screw with the other. It might take a 3rd hand but wifes and kids have those. I think I'll go ahead and try one just to try it.

[El Mac]

I wonder if that will work with the VTAC TRX Extreme rail... Very nice.

Yes, it most definitely will.

[El Mac]

I will try one in the future. It looks difficult to mount it without removing the rail? What's your thinking on it? for the time being I've got 3 of these for my 3 Troys.

It could be done with the Troy. The JP tube is quite easy to remove however so I didn't give that aspect a second thought.

With the Troy, I suspect you could use a magnetic tool/small thin screwdriver to come at it from the backside to hold the nut. Incidentally, the mount package from IWC comes with a thin plastic strip device that can hold the nut 'backer' in place while you turn the screw through the actual mount. Couple of options there for you. Its really easy money.

[SeaSoldier]

That's some good kit. Waiting for someone to come up with a light mount that pulls the light in closer to the rail.

[stifled]

And here's me, who just today ordered an upper with a VTAC TRX rail and thinking if only there was a better solution to attach a sling than what I ended up with on my SPR, which is exactly what your "old" setup is. Smaller, no places to snag, lighter, simpler, less expensive... thank goodness IWC started making these!

Ordering.

[El Mac]

That's some good kit. Waiting for someone to come up with a light mount that pulls the light in closer to the rail.

Weeellllllllll.................hold tight. I expect that your wish may soon be granted. Expect a direct attach mount for Mini-Scout, TRL/M300 & G2/6P in the next four weeks or so. I think you will like what you see. I did.

And yes it will fit the holes of the Troy TRX and the slots of the VTac Extreme.

You can get in line right behind me. :)

[LonghunterCO]

Weeellllllllll.................hold tight. I expect that your wish may soon be granted. Expect a direct attach mount for Mini-Scout, TRL/M300 & G2/6P in the next four weeks or so. I think you will like what you see. I did.

And yes it will fit the holes of the Troy TRX and the slots of the VTac Extreme.

You can get in line right behind me. :)

I was at the gun show in Publeo CO with past weekend and the IWC guy was there setup with their stuff (to include a couple future prototypes). Very nice kit. Very well made, thought out, and finished. To top it off and heck of a nice guy. I am very interested in the Mini-scout mount for my SBR and a sling mount (for Magpul M2s sling).
-I am not affiliated with them in any way. I just like good kit.

[seb5]

That's some good kit. Waiting for someone to come up with a light mount that pulls the light in closer to the rail.

I have mounted my Scouts on a Danger Close mount right on the top rail. It puts it right at either 1:00 or 11:00 and pretty tight. It's great except that you cannot remove without having to rezero.

[MTechnik]

My set arrived today. I got 3 - one each as sling points and one for an index point/handstop on the bottom.

At first I somehow missed the plastic tool strips. I emailed IWC, they responded back quickly on a Friday evening! They offered to fedex me a plastic tool strip the next morning, for arrival Monday AM. GREAT service. I cannot overstate that enough.

I tried using the strip for install, but I found it easier to place the little mounting tab through the slot, then hold it in place with an allen wrench through a nearby slot. That was enough for me to easily hold the nubs to the rail and screw it in.

I checked to see if you could put them in the upper set of slits, but it has to be the side or lower.

I installed the three as such (shot of underside):
http://i.imgur.com/v9tB0.jpg

Here's a side shot:
http://i.imgur.com/sx8kc.jpg

And the mandatory full shot, yet fuzzy from the bad cell camera hold:
http://i.imgur.com/yVCST.jpg

I am able to hold the front of the rail, with my pinky crushed against the lower stop just fine. If I hold the rail closer to the magwell, my index and middle fingers split over the nub on the side of the rail across from my palm, making for a very secure grab.

Awesome nubs.

[SeaSoldier]

I have mounted my Scouts on a Danger Close mount right on the top rail. It puts it right at either 1:00 or 11:00 and pretty tight. It's great except that you cannot remove without having to rezero.

Thanks for the tip. I just ordered one of these mount's.

[stifled]

MTechnik, I like the idea of using these as an index, especially because they are so light and would be comfortable.

Mine came today so they were shipped quickly. It installed easily in my VTAC handguard. It feels solid and doesn't move a bit.

I plan on installing the other sling mount I bought in a Magpul MOE handguard on my first AR.

[jetspeed8]

Hmmm. I need to get busy and order a couple for my VTAC too.

[El Mac]

I checked to see if you could put them in the upper set of slits, but it has to be the side or lower.


Thats the beauty of the JP version of the VTac vs. Troy's version. More options.

[patrol120]

What, if any, are the advantages of this over the mount by AR15performance.com?

I am, however, very interested in the direct mount for the Scout light...

[Zeus]

The one with the nylon nut?

[nickdrak]

IWC is supposed to have a prototype Mount-N-Slot handstop and front sling attachment point designed for the MS2 sling, for the Troy/VTAC Extreme BattleRails floating around out there somewhere. I am hoping these come out on the market soon....

[Zeus]

Myself and a few others are working with them on new accessory/sling mounts for the MOEs... have not asked about the Troy/VTAC Extreme BattleRails (if I were running anything else, it would be those though)... however, a few products will be released soon that I'm just giddy about.