How many of you consider a handguard rail system essential?
I’m trying to decide whether, on a new AR, I should treat a rail system as a foregone necessity and cough up for a rifle that already has one. I don’t have the skill/tools to add one myself later, with the possible exception of the DD Omegas. The only gear I know I’d want to put on a forward rail is some type of flashlight mount… and unfortunately, I’ve not gotten to handle one with rails to see if there’s any substantial “ergonomic” differences. So, any advice?
Are you talking about a free float rail? If you get a drop in, you dont need tools for installing it. Take a look at the Troy drop ins. They’re not too hard on the wallet and lock up solid. Its definitley cheaper than buying another rifle with a rail already on it. If you want another rifle though, thats a different story. If you can find one for a fair price get one.
“Essential?” Certainly not. Depends on what you want, need. I did a full combat tour in A-stan as an advisor to the Afghan Army and never mounted anything on the rails. I wasn’t clearing rooms all the time (did it once) and I didn’t want a foregrip getting hung up on stuff. The one time I cleared a compound, I used a handheld surefire.
I’d buy it sans-rail and use it for awhile. If you want to add a rail later get a drop in like the DD Omega or Troy.
There are very good reasons for and against a rail system.
Simply mounting a light is not a terribly compelling reason to get one.
Simply attaching the light to the FSB is a viable option.
Then again, if you want to free-float the barrel to avoid POI shif when shooting from support, provide better cooling to the barrel, employ a VFG, attach supplemental optics, or in some instances shave some weight, then there are good reasons to go with a FF rail system.
I think what I meant by “essential” was, is it something that most operators decide is desirable after gaining some experience with the platform. I don’t currently have an AR or any AR-specific experience other than a couple of chances to put a few rounds through one several years ago… so I’m in the position of trying to spec out a first rifle without knowing what my preferences will be. Almost all the photos I’ve seen of customized ARs seem to have a forward rail system of some sort.
My idea of a “rail” is one of the systems that replaces the handguard with an assembly having four rails up, down, left, and right. I don’t think that’s necessarily limited to free-floating ones, but maybe it is. I’ve considered two reasons why I might want the forward rail: to mount a light, as I mentioned, and to have the option of a front sight that I could remove or replace (as on the Noveske Lo-Pros and the LMT CQB MRP). I don’t know whether I’d ever want a vertical foregrip or not, but maybe a bipod for hunting. Does this make sense?
Maybe a good question would be, has anyone put a rail on one and hated it? If so, why?
Or, would you recommend something like an MRP or VIS as a first and possibly only rifle? Pretend that cost is not a consideration.
Or, would you recommend something like an MRP or VIS as a first and possibly only rifle? Pretend that cost is not a consideration.
With cost no consideration that’s a good way to go. I actually ended up with an LMT CQB MRP Piston upper as my first (and probably only) AR type rifle for quite a while. I won’t even mount anything to the rails until after my next deployment when I can afford more stuff…even then an optic is first, then a light mount and perhaps a VFG.
I only got the MRP because I found it in stock (for a couple hours) at a non-inflated price. I like that I can change calibers, barrel lengths and even to a DI system later. I’d have been happy with a standard LMT or BCM mid length upper though and gotten that 1st if in stock at a reasonable price. In the position of not knowing what I wanted or having experience with rails…I’d wait and add one later.
You could always wait for the Magpul MOE grip.
It’s not free float, but it’s a good replacement for your basic grip and will allow you to mount a VFG and or lights/frickin’ lazer beams - if you’re into such things.
I personally have installed Daniel Defense 12.0 Lite Rail’s on all my 16" uppers only for the sake of extended sight radius (with flip sight at end of rail) over standard fixed sight locations & to free float the barrel. The extended sight radius to me makes a significant difference in accuracy & maybe a slight accuracy advantage from free floating the barrel. Some may say my reasoning for doing so is not necessary, but it works well for me. Also, flip sights are nice with red dot optics.
Are there any issues with rails being too large, too small, too rough, not heat-shielded enough, etc, that would make plain handguards more desirable (again, not considering cost)?
Are they essential? Well…to pass the CSM’s inspection yeah, but when I teach, including when we’re using night vision equipment, I’ll have a carbine with a JP-VTAC handguard on it and rails placed where I want them.
The biggest concerns that you have (in my opinion) with conventional rail systems is feel. You either adapt to it or don’t with the rails digging in to your hands. Rail covers can fix this as well as add some girth to them if the guard feels small.
In the end, try a couple of different systems out and find what you like, and don’t fall in to the trap of thinking that what you have now is the best there is forever.
If the AR is for CQB/HD then no a fore end rail is not essential. For this purpose all you need to mount is a light and red-dot sight. Light weight, simple, and solves the scenario.
My last two ARs are without rails and I’m liking them very much that way. As mentioned above, the Midwest Industries MCTAR-01 and MCTAR-04 work well on the front sight base to hold a variety of light options. My favorite is the MCTAR-04 with a Surefire X-300 on it.
The same mount can be used with a Surefire G2 in a Vltor Scout mount to save a little cash if needed. It works, but I like the X300 setup better.
I am going off of other’s advice here, specifically rob_s, since I do not use a FSB mount. If he says that they work for him I am sure it will work for you (depending on support hand grip position) unless you have a job that issues you guns and crap, and even then it will probably work for 70% of what you need it for.
Slick set-up Rob. I’ve got a 6520 that I’m trying desperately hard not to change into another M4, but a light and RDS are pretty much mandatory I’ve found.
I like that MI mount you’ve used, does it stay together pretty well? Do you know if it will clear a M4 style side sling mount (the kind that mounts at the bottom of FSB)?
Also, I know you weigh all the stuff on your rigs, do you happen to know what the weight delta is between the standard A2 upper vs the flat top + LT Buis + T1 you’ve got? I was considering going with an Omega rail and mounting the T1 and light to it, but the solution you’ve got seems a lot cleaner.
I consider them more or less essential. The Daniel Defense Omega Rails are extremely easy to install and actually are free floating the way they lock onto the barrell nut. I’ve got a pair of those on my Colt which I’m moving to my Bushmaster. The Colt is getting Daniel Defense Light Rails shortly. I consider them essential because I prefer a forward grip as well as a place to mount other accessories. The flashlight is the main one but bi-pods and other accessories can be desired as well depending on the design goal of the rifle. Ergnomically I think the rails are fine even without a forward grip so long as you use comfortable rails and panels.
