Cheese Graters 2021

[1168]

Where are we at on quad rails? My newest design is a DD RIS II, and I’ve noticed that some others are slightly thinner and significantly lighter. I mostly shoot MLok URX4 guns, but a buddy of mine that wears size L exam gloves is considering a quad rail for a 14.5” P/W. If not pic rail, he’ll probably end up with a Mk8. I wear a size M exam glove, but helping him research a bit has made me curious, since they don’t look as thicc anymore.

Those of you still using quads: which ones, and why? Numbers, such as dimensions and weights would be very useful. Needs to hold zero with a PEQ after riding in the bed of a truck, having a trip and fall, or just being dropped. M203 mounting is not req’d.

[gunnerblue]

Larue: heavy and stout, a little difficult to install, the abbreviated bottom gives it a kinda rounded/pear shaped feel which inlike.

DD Omega: I think these only came in 7" and 9" lengths but they're thinner than they are tall (think I-beam) are lightweight and feel slim in profile.

Geissele: I use MK4's and MK8's as well as the originals. I lump these in with actual quad rails due to their shape. Installation is easy and very strong. My favorite is actually the original SMR as the corners are slightly rounded giving it a very round feel when held in hand.

[sinister]

Larue: heavy and stout, a little difficult to install, the abbreviated bottom gives it a kinda rounded/pear shaped feel which inlike.

DD Omega: I think these only came in 7" and 9" lengths but they're thinner than they are tall (think I-beam) are lightweight and feel slim in profile.

Geissele: I use MK4's and MK8's as well as the originals. I lump these in with actual quad rails due to their shape. Installation is easy and very strong. My favorite is actually the original SMR as the corners are slightly rounded giving it a very round feel when held in hand.

I really, really like the Larue for its "Short" bottom rail and "Skinny" profile. Put a Knight panel on the bottom with ergo ladders on the sides and it feels good, with thermal protection when you get to shooting a bunch of magazines (not the proverbial "Mag dump," but shooting lots of targets). Con going against it is spotty availability during covid craziness.

The Daniel Defense Omega free-float drop-in is a good choice if it's an issue gun and you're not allowed to modify the base weapon (i.e., driving out the sight base pins and replacing the barrel nut and delta ring assembly) under threat of military non-judicial punishment.

If it's your gun and you are required (by unit or department policy) to keep quad-rails then I'd try a BCM QRF. I bought one last month for a full-length M16A4 equivalent for $150 from Primary Arms. It's a little "Fatter" than the Larue but not objectionably so. The SLR Rifleworks and Midwest Industries options are good-to-go as well.

[kyjd75]

I have a couple of Centurion Arms rifles, one is 11.5 with a 10" C4 quad rail, and the other is a 14.5 with a 12" C4 quad rail. I really like these rails. Very solid, very stout, and very well finished. No mistaking the quality of these rails. If I'm buying another CA upper, I'm probably going to go with another C4 quad rail, even though CA offers a plethora of rail choices.

[titsonritz]

I have a DD RIS II FSP and an Omega 9.0 and a Geissele MK4 hybrid. I do like pic rails and have been thinking of picking up a Geissele MK7. I have a couple Centurion rails but they are both M-Lok.

[gunnerblue]

I really, really like the Larue for its "Short" bottom rail and "Skinny" profile. Put a Knight panel on the bottom with ergo ladders on the sides and it feels good, with thermal protection when you get to shooting a bunch of magazines (not the proverbial "Mag dump," but shooting lots of targets). Con going against it is spotty availability during covid craziness.

The Daniel Defense Omega free-float drop-in is a good choice if it's an issue gun and you're not allowed to modify the base weapon (i.e., driving out the sight base pins and replacing the barrel nut and delta ring assembly) under threat of military non-judicial punishment.

If it's your gun and you are required (by unit or department policy) to keep quad-rails then I'd try a BCM QRF. I bought one last month for a full-length M16A4 equivalent for $150 from Primary Arms. It's a little "Fatter" than the Larue but not objectionably so. The SLR Rifleworks and Midwest Industries options are good-to-go as well.

Exactly why I went with the Omega in 7" length. I'm curious, since it mounts on a GI barrel nut,, how much flex would longer lengths have? Considering that the GI nut arrangement called for attachment points on both ends of the handguard. I suppose the same question could be applied to the C4 rails.

[sinister]

I have a DD 12.0 Omega on a flat-top 1-7 M16A1-profile barreled rifle and so far it's great. I didn't drive the pins out of the front sight triangle.

Granted I don't do fire-and-maneuver or parachute landing falls on it, so there's that.

[robbins290]

I personally done like quad rails, I only use weapon lights on my rifles. But my night hunting set up has a midwest quad rail. Its not the best, but it works for the little I use it. I needed a rail mounted pistol grip and a light on the side vs my normal set up.

[okie]

I've personally not had good luck with alternative systems.

[1168]

Thanks for the reply. The DD RIS also has a not-so-tall bottom, giving it a good feel for its size. Probably not as pear shaped as the Larue, though. Docsherm has preached the Larue rail quite a bit.

The Mk8 with Magpul covers is basically the same thickness as a quad with thin covers. In fact, a quad with ladders might even be a hair thinner. It looks like some lazy engineer went “eff it; just shave the cross slots off a pic rail if these sissies want a lighter rail”. Ironically, it has aged well as a competitor to the current crop of floppy ass skinny handguards because of that.

Larue: heavy and stout, a little difficult to install, the abbreviated bottom gives it a kinda rounded/pear shaped feel which inlike.

DD Omega: I think these only came in 7" and 9" lengths but they're thinner than they are tall (think I-beam) are lightweight and feel slim in profile.

Geissele: I use MK4's and MK8's as well as the originals. I lump these in with actual quad rails due to their shape. Installation is easy and very strong. My favorite is actually the original SMR as the corners are slightly rounded giving it a very round feel when held in hand.