What is the real advantage if any to purchasing a rifle with rails already in place vs. purchasing a rifle with the standard handguards and then purchasing a rail system? Most rifles with rails already are priced higher than if you just bought say a DD or LT rail and added afterwards. Just curious.
There is no advantage unless the price is right or the rail isn’t available separately.
Just do some comparison shopping and decide which makes better financial sense to you. Be sure to factor in the cost of installing the rails if you don’t already have the tools necessary for the job.
The advantage is that you don’t have to purchase rails separately and install them (or have them installed). Consumers, in general, like convenient and easy things, hence the myriad of “package deals” available out there. Sometimes there are cost savings, others it’s just a marketing thing.
Don’t over think it – just do the math on the costs for that individual setup, and factor in your ability to do the work yourself and costs that could incur, and then make a choice. It’s not advanced calculus here: if their version of 2+2 adds up to more than your version of 2+2, it’s probably not a good deal. If you need to spend an extra $100 on tools to duplicate it, maybe it is a good deal.
Yeah, just a matter off doing the math to see what works out better in the end. Don’t forget to factor shipping if ordering online for the best price.
In some cases if wanting a rail that will cover the gas block one as to decide if they have the ability and/or desire to remove the FSB and shave it down to accommodate the rail they want, or factor in the expense of having it done.
In some cases you my just decide that you can fund a rifle and leave the additions for later, solely as a practical financial matter.
In the case of the DDM4, it would be hard to assemble the rifle with identical features for less then just buying it. So it just depends.
Are you referring to monolithic rail systems, i.e. Colt 6940?
There is a Noveske on SGCUSA that has a FSB and a rail system already installed and then the same rifle on Noveskes page without the rail. I believe it would be much cheaper to but the rifle direct from Noveske and install the rail but I don’t believe I can get the same rail that Noveske uses (which is on the one at SGCUSA) that is what I was referring to. If that makes sense.
Thanks for all the inputs. I figured it would just break down to the cost.
Noveske uses a custom SWS rail and they typically aren’t available as a stand alone item. If you are lucky you’ll see them for sale on TOS but that’s extremely rare.
sorry, what’s TOS? 
If you KNOW that you want rails and what rails you want, and the carbine you’re looking at comes with said rails, then buying the gun with them in place may be a good thing.
If, however, it’s your first AR I strongly suggest buying without any widgets and just change out the pistol grip and get out there and shoot it.
I’m always ready to help a Loggie…
TOS = The Other Site (arfcom), if I’m not mistaken.
Figured someone would catch my username eventually.
21R = Logistics Readiness. Guilty as charged.