Can't Decide - Centurion C4 7" Carbine or C4 Carbine Cutout?

AR/M4 AR General Discussion
1

From Centurions site:

C4 7" Weight: 8.5oz with screws

C4 Carbine Cutout Weight: 10.5oz with screws

It looks like the C4 Carbine cutout weighs 2 more oz than the C4 7"

I’m trying to keep the weight to an absolute minimum and this has me leaning toward the C4 7".

It’s also why I have decided on the Centurion. The built in QD socket saves an oz over having to mount a QD socket on the rail.

I’m adding the rail to free float the barrel not to mount a bunch of stuff on it. I might want to put a flashlight on it one day. But I doubt it.

So what possible argument is there for the C4 Carbine cutout and the 2 extra oz. over the C4 7" Carbine?

2

The cutout gives a little longer reach, which may, or may not, be important to you. I use it and I highly recommend it.

3

The 2oz weight penalty would not even phase me considering the extra rail space you get with the cutout version.

7" rails suck.

4

I wish I had the cut-out rather than the 7". I bought mine before the cut-out rail was an option. I will sell you my lightly used 7" if you want and I’ll get a cut-out to replace it.

5

We are quite fond of the C4 cut-outs. Very little weight penalty while allowing one to keep the FSB. Monty makes good kit.

6

If I was running a carbine length gas system with a traditional front sight, I wouldn’t get a rail at all and mount my light to the front sight.

7

Go for the cutout version. I love my DD 9.5FSP. The extra rail space is great for more grip and light placement.

8

I’m going to get the cutout for my mid-length rifle, I think. Slightly more weight, but the rail space being further out is fantastic (especially when you’re a hair under 6’4").

9

I have a Centurion 10.5" upper from before the cutout was available. I would prefer the cutout.

10

If limited to the two options you have listed, I’d go for the carbine cut. The extra rail space is more than worth the extra couple of ounces. However, as long as the barrel length I was working with was 12.5" or longer I’d go with the 12" FSP Sight Pocket rail Centurion offers. 15.3 oz. installed weight is trumped by the additional useful real estate. You could mount a Surefire X300 at the 12 o’clock position in front of the front sight and have a nice lightweight light set up.

11

OK. Just ordered the last 2 C4 Carbine cutouts that Rainier Arms had in stock.

If I don’t like’em I can always put’em on EBAY.

Finding the right rails for my Colt LE6920’s has been a nightmare.
I have everything else on my AR’s the way I want but I can’t seem to find a rail I’m happy with.

Tried MOE hand guards. Light weight but no QD socket. Adding a QD socket required adding a section of rail, then a QD socket. QD socket ended up sticking an 1" off the side of the guard. Bugged me. Wanted something lower profile. Got some surplus KAC RAS rails. Super strong but heavy and no QD sockets. Added Gear Sector low profile QD sockets. Thought I has happy. Actually I was happy. Then my friends tell me I need FF rails.

Tried DD Omega’s. Light weight with QD sockets. I could have lived with the DD Omega’s but the little hex bolts that tighten the rail to the barrel nut bugged me. The little hex bolts just didn’t seem big enough. I kept worrying they were going to loosen up for some reason.

Maybe the Centurian C4 cutout rails will be the trick. But that 2 extra oz. is already bugging me;)

12

Cutout or FSP.

Functional takes precedence over weight, on what are already very light handguards.

I’ve got a very lithe 14.7" LW rifle, and it’s getting a C4FSP because I can run a smaller lighter pistol light at 12:00 adding functionality and only adding a grand total of 5oz over an MOE carbine handguard.

13

Consider saving $155 but gain 4.1 oz. Comes w/ QD sockets too.

MI Gen2 Two Piece Free Float Handguard, Extended Length Carbine
The MCTAR-20XG2 EXTENDED MODEL WILL NOT WORK WITH GAS PISTON SYSTEMS. Weight 14.6 oz, Length 12.5 inches, Width 2.3 inches, Height 2.43 inches $195

http://www.impactweaponscomponents.com will install or you can buy and install a flush mount Mount-n-Slot QD on your MOE handguard, if you still have it.

14

I cannot tell you which one to buy (as I don’t have experience with either), but I just wanted to say that the owner of Centurion (Grinch on the forum) is a quality guy that I like a lot.

C4

15

Consider the value of an anti-rotating railed handguard.

16

I have the 7" right now and will soon upgrade to the cutout. The extra space aids in adding a light without inhibiting your grip and not making you feel as cramped.

17

I have a 7" rail on my carbine and wished I’d gotten the extended with FSP cutout. Same reasons as most, just a little more reach for your arm.

18

You should fix that. :smiley:

Great guy, great product.

No question in my mind, I would go with the extra rail if for no other reason than to reduce barrel shadowing with a light.

19

Looks like I should be able to pick up a 7" cheap pretty soon… :stuck_out_tongue:

20

I just swapped out my Omega 7 for a Centurion carbine cutout last week. I haven’t had a chance to shoot it yet, but I really like the added hand space the cutout gives.