Couple questions on handguards

[Diamondback]

As I look for parts for a few clone-builds, I find myself with a couple problems, and browsing Grant's shop gave me a couple ideas.

1. KAC never made a mid-length drop-in RAS between the M4 and M5, and the middy free-float RAS they did make is long out-of-production. Would an original Midwest #18 (not the new MCTAR-18G2 with its sling-mount slab-ends) possibly pass as a "Looks Close Enough" once KAC panel covers were racked on?

2. Similarly, the Daniel Defense 8040 FSB-slotted quadrail for the Mk 18 FSB family is out-of-production, other than being short on the bottom-rail with that under-FSB hole how far off is the original Midwest #17X? (Admittedly, for my Mk 18-inspired build I'm penciling out the VLTOR CASV-EL is more available, more budget friendly and two more potential mount points for rails, but the CASV is more Limited Issue having been mainly bought by Navy EOD and if I'm going to go "Pistolized Clone" rather than "Inspired By" I'd rather replicate a more common configuration--and no diss on DD intended, but I'd like to do at least *some* of the assembly work on the URG myself. My first AR I bought a prebuilt upper, and while I have no regrets about what I bought it's just not quite the same pride-of-ownership as the lower it's on where I can say "Oh Yes I *DID* Build That!")

Failing these, what would you guys suggest as "commercial ringers"? (Meaning not counterfeits or Airsoft knockoffs, but quality parts that you'd have to look twice to tell I didn't somehow get KAC to do a custom one-off or get DD to fire up another run of FSB-slot RIS II's...)

[Stickman]

First, don't feel bad if this gets kicked out of the technical forums, as this doesn't come close.

Regarding clones, it is all a matter of what you are personally looking to do. To me, no, it isn't even a little bit close enough as the rail is one of the dominant features of a clone. Get a KAC rail or don't bother doing it. If you have a midlength, you don't have anything close to a clone anyway so it is a moot point.

With the DD FSB cutout mk18 rail, that isn't something that really went anywhere with the military, so not much point in that unless you just want one. Get the DD MK18 rail if you want to do a MK18 clone.

Clone stuff isn't cheap, but there isn't anything that says you need to build a clone.

[556BlackRifle]

For carbine length, these are a killer deal. Sometimes you cant even see why it's a second. Keep an eye out and hopefully they'll be back in stock soon.

[10MMGary]

deleted

[Diamondback]

Stick, I'd be fine with a move to AR General--I actually spent half an hour debating whether to post here or there, as I thought I could see valid arguments for each. No offense taken--and a little offtopic, you still with Rainier Arms? I may have a complicated one to run by somebody there...

If we really wanna get technical on clones, only 07/SOT's with Letters can have true clones, as without a 3-position selector and a 14.5" barrel with shorty comp (or on XM177, whatever length with live moderator) we're all basically doing the equivalent of body-kitting a Pontiac Fiero to look like a Ferrari. (An argument I've actually used to get some milder anti-gunners I've known to rethink things with some success.) Speaking for myself, if I *must* have that annoying extra inch-and-a-half to avoid Nuisance Forms Avalanche... well, I'd rather have that length be somewhere usable (like extra sight radius), and as a bonus maintain proper bayonet-to-muzzle spacing in the Better Odds Of Winning Three Consecutive Powerballs-level-unlikely event of actually having to fix bayonet. Isn't the game for all of us "how close can we get within whatever limits we face"?

[Stickman]

Stick, I'd be fine with a move to AR General--I actually spent half an hour debating whether to post here or there, as I thought I could see valid arguments for each. No offense taken--and a little offtopic, you still with Rainier Arms? I may have a complicated one to run by somebody there...

My relationship with Rainier Arms continues, the owner is a personal friend and I help him out however I can. If someone wants to find me at the store or something, that won't ever happen. Either way, I'm happy to try to help you out however I can. I do not post over on ar15.com anymore due to the availas deciding that I posted pictures they could be charging companies for. Even though just about everything in my pictures are items Rainier Arms carries, the Avilas didn't like that I posted nice pictures of the products, because it could be promoting those companies and it looks like not all those companies were paying the Avilas. They made a large deal out of me posting pictures outside of the Rainier Arms forum, which I did on a regular basis to answer questions and help people. While I could have tried to make a big deal about it, it would have ended with me being banned and Rainier Arms being damaged when they started to jerk them around. In my opinion, the Avilas tried a shake down, and I'm not going to have any part of that.

I would also point out they asked me to do a large writeup for a new forum on how to take pictures of weapons. For some odd reason, they evidently thought I would lay out how I do things so everyone else could copy me. I get copied bad enough as it is without spelling out how we shoot our pictures, the last thing I want to do is give away decades of knowledge for free to get copied by everyone. When I didn't play along with that, they jumped to me posting pictures as stated above.

Lastly, they let a company owner post my name, and threats about my personal information multiple times. When told about it, they refused to ever do anything. They let him post over and over like a loon foaming at the mouth, and refused to ever do anything about it. Multiple people have contacted me to let me know they were banned for replying to personal attacks from that same company. I replied to one of his personal attacks, and was immediately lectured by the admin about having to be nice, they would not answer why his behavior was allowed. Mod and Staff there have previously commented to me that single company owner was allowed to do whatever he wanted and no matter how bad it was they were not allowed to do anything. Those comments were made in private, but I have no reason to think they are untrue.

I have also been told the Avilas are a sue happy group of people, so I will make it a point to say the above is my personal opinion and recollection of things. In no way does this board take any blame for my personal thoughts and opinions.

There is a reason why every notable person of any credibility has left ar15.com. I stayed to help a friend, and perhaps in hindsight that was a mistake, but that is a closed chapter. I feel bad for good people there who get a load of misinformation. I can understand why people go there, which seems primarily because it used to be a source of credible information and they have stayed on. It is also a large forum with a lot of information posted, though most people are unable to tell what is credible and what is not. When factual information is posted contrary to bad info, the false info is never corrected that I've ever seen. The general section over there has good humor, and lots of news posted, which is great, but not why I go to a firearms board. There is no doubt there are good people posting over there, and I bear none of them any ill will. The trouble makers, scumbags, and people who post less than credible information, those I do hold in contempt, though they aren't worth dwelling on. Much like guys I've arrested, they are forgotten quickly, there is no point in arguing with children, criminals, or the insane. All of which are groups I routinely have dealt with in decades of wearing a badge. There is no reason to deal with those same types of people in my off time.

I spoke with the board owner over here. I was extended a forum of my own, and based on my industry work, MIL, LEO, armorer, firearm instructor, and published articles was noted as a SME. I was given ZERO restrictions for my little slice of heaven in my forum. I can post as little or as much as I want, about topics I want, and any pictures I want REGARDLESS of whether they are board sponsors or not. My forum will soon get into training aspects of things as I work with my nephews in topics such as firearms, martial arts, physical training, and other aspects of turning them into combat droids (functional young men).

I know this ends up being long, and goes into much more than what you were asking, but the question has come up multiple times asking why I left ar15.com. It is easier to put it out in the open and let people decide whatever they wish. I am of the opinion there is no doubt the Avias are free to run their site as they see fit. I am also of the opinion that I do not need to frequent or support a site which engages in the activity I have attempted to explain and condense.

For anyone over there who reads this, you have my greetings, and a warm hello. Feel free to stop by and post in my little area over here, you are certainly welcome there.

https://www.m4carbine.net/forumdisplay.php?257-Stickman