I recently assembled a new upper and decided on the Centurion Arms 12" quad rail. I am using this on my competition upper. I chose to use the quad rail over a tube rail becuase I wanted the ease of adding accessories. What’s more, this thing is super light! Weighing in at a slight 14.2oz’s, I don’t feel I’m giving up much weight. It’s mounted on a 18" rifle length barrel, with LP gas block. The rail ends right where the GB is mounted. It’s a very clean look.
The rail appears to set up nice with my MUR upper. The 1913 rails line up perfectly and almost seem continuous. I haven’t attempted to disassemble the two piece rail, but the locking clamp seems pretty secure for a true free float system. As for the diameter of the rail, I would compare it to a Knights rail. The overall circumference fits comfortably in my hand. Unlike DD, this rail is true round vs. oval. The rail also has FOUR sockets for QD attachments - two forward and two rear. I would change the fact that they are not rotating sockets, like the Knights.
My main complaint about this rail is the color. If you want an all black gun, this rail will disappoint. The color is closer to a blue/black. Match that with the MUR brown/black upper and Knights true black lower, you have three shades of black. A bit off for particular people like me.
My other concern is the size of the 1913 rail’s. I had to use a lot of force to get my Magpul AFG2 on, and I mean force. I had to use a hammer and beat the AFG off the rail! I easily attached Magpul rail ladders. I don’t know whether the polymer accessories are out of spec, or Centurion, but there is definitely a mismatch. I haven’t put a ruler to it, but my Magpul accessories are a tight fit. My Tangodown vertical grip fit easily.
All in all, I am very pleased with my choice. For quad rail choices, the light weight, round shape, uniquie two piece rail and clamp system made by Centurion is a definite buy. I definitely think it will serve both competition shooters as well as people looking to build their SHTF battle rifle. I’ll try to post some pics.
It’s most likely the rail. I wanted to like the Centurion Rail, but after two attempts, I gave up. I tried two separate Centurion Rails, and both had rail dimension issues. I have several Gear Sector rail mounts that would not fit over all four rails. Those same mounts fit perfectly on Larue, Daniel Defense, and KAC rails that I already had. I sent the first rail back, hoping for a fluke, but the second rail (of a different length and configuration) wouldn’t work either. The rails were definitely out of speck when the Gear Sector mount would slide onto two rails, but not the other two on the same quad rail.
True about the color being a little off too, but that didn’t bother me. I love the simplicity of it, and ease of maintenance with it bolting on to the existing barrel nut with out having to remove the front sight. I like to go through the whole rifle once a year taking off the hand guards and everything.
I liked my midlength so much that I just bought a 12" for my rifle length AR.
I used to have the YHM’s, but they were like carrying iron weights around. IMHO the centurion is a good buy, and lighter than most.
ETA: Also about the rail being slightly out of spec, I was able to slide on all my KAC-NIGHTS rail covers without using the metal clips that come with them. They fit so tight that they pushed on really hard, and they arent going nowhere. To get them back off I had to use a screwdriver in one of the slots where the clips were, and tap it off.
I have the 9" Centurion C4 rail on my BCM middy. I have had no issues with the rails being out of spec (whatever “spec” for a pic rail is anyway) and my gear sector light mount slid on without any issue. My KAC hand stop fits on no problem, my Tandgo Down rail covers and VFG also fit without issue, as do ladder covers of all brands, and Magpul XTM panels.
I think the Centurion C4 rails are some of the best on the market. Previously I have used Troy, Daniel Defense and KAC rails and I much prefer the Centurion rails.
I believe Monty commented there were tolerance issues with some out of the first batch. The Gear Sector mounts have also been changed so they “rock” onto a rail now instead of sliding on.
So it would appear that we have people making judgments on Centurion stuff based off of old information.
Both rails that I have purchased have been spot on and I have had no issues installing KAC rail covers or accessories. The TD rail covers were hard to slide on and I could tell it was due to them being new.
I am also 100% sure that if there is an issue then Monty will make it right. I think people need to remember that no person, company or entity is above making a mistake. It’s what they do to correct it that makes the difference.
my Centurion rail C4 Midlength Cutout is my favorite rail in terms of strength, weight, elegance of design and included QD sling mount points.
it’s finish is of no concern to me but their customer service is possibly the best I have ever experienced. nothing but Centurion rails for me from now on…
As stated, the tolerance issues were in early batches… I have witnessed them first hand. All newer rails seem to be spot on. I would not hesitate to equip a fighting weapon with one of monty’s rails.
The C4 midlength cutout rail that I just received is right on. I have absolutely no issues and love it. Monty was also great and answered all of my questions before ordering.
I concur:cool: I love my Centurion rails!! I have tried a few of them, and now feel my Centurion’s will be a permanent fixture on my rifles. I believe they are right up there with DD.
I made the statement about my KAC-Nights covers fitting tight, because I actually am glad I didn’t have to use the clips.
I had a 12" C4 rail for a while. I never installed it, but it was a very nicely made piece. I mocked up various rail accessories like covers, sights, light mounts, VFGs and everything fit perfectly.
I never installed it and eventually sold it because I came to realization that I was spending too much money on accessories instead of worrying about practicing. Whenever I feel like getting another rail, it definitely will be a Centurion Arms C4. Hopefully the low profile bottom rail versions (like the DD RIS II) make it to production when I’m ready to buy another one.
My judgements are based on a recent purchase. If there is/was an acknowledgement by Centurion that a “batch” of rails had spec issues, they should have recalled them from all vendors. I purchased mine from Rainier Arms and trust their reputation for delivering quality merchandise.
I have not extensively tested my rail with every brand of accessory I have. Magpul seems to dominate my inventory. However, the issue appears more noticeable with items that “slide” on as opposed to light mounts, qd attachments, etc… where an accessory is made to be tightened down on the rail.
As mentioned in my review, I like this rail. I have no intentions of going through an exchange. This rail is solid, light weight and locks up tight to my upper. However, I wouldn’t object to Centurion offering to cerakote my rail BLACK! :eek:
i use a RIS II a great deal and have had huge issues with sliding on accessories, that is not a hit on DD but on the slide on accessories in general tend to have really lose tolerance control.
At this point, I would buy Centurion rails over any other. After getting my first one, I want to swap all of my rails. Has the perfect combination of weight, strength, and features.
I will add, all my future CL barrels will be Centurion too.
Here is a photo of my 12" C4 Centurion rail. It’s pretty clear the color is more blue then black. I have black Magpul rail ladders and XTM panels attached.
I want to point out that I have been contacted by Centurion with an offer to “kote” it black. An excellent follow and customer service from Monty.
I know you’re the guy that worried about receiver play on the SR15, so I probably shouldn’t bother ……. but what’s the bid deal about the shade of black?
With full disclosure here, I ordered a FDE RIS II and got a black one, which I wasn’t looking for. It was going to be a time consuming swap, so I decided just to keep it after some complaining. Luckily, the shop building my upper said they’d swap for a FDE one. So, to some extent I understand color…
But, if it’s black, and it’s just a slightly different shade, I wouldn’t be bothered by that. If anything, I’d just hit the whole thing with Krylon. I’ve had factory rifles where the lower, upper and rail were all different shades.
Maybe if I spent a quarter mil on a H&H I’d be upset about some colors not matching, but not on an AR. I’m just curious what the concern is. Do you come from custom 1911’s?
……. but what’s the bid deal about the shade of black?