There are a plethora of non FSP M4s out there today - sights on rails. VTAC, DD, S&W, etc. i have total confidence that DD’s Lite rail and Monolithic platforms have no issues with keeping the irons intact during abuse, but what about VTAC extreme and DD MFR tube rails, or even the OmegaX based v5? Others? Any experiences with rails knocked lose? Thanks.
I run the TRX on an 11.5"
I have no problems. The rifle is a few months old and I really havent had a chance to be hard on it yet…yet.
But Im not going gentle now either.
I run the Troy HK style front folding sight, its fine so far.
Im honestly considering a different rail though. Im not sold on the TRX mounting system. Its held on by 2 bolts clamping at 6 oclock.
I guess that is my question - are some of these mounting systems good enough for bruising work? Some are held on by small tension screws. They are solid by all reports, and fine for work with an FSP, but what about BUIS when the going gets tough?
I’ve used several. For the last couple of years and maybe 10,000 rounds I’ve used the sometimes maligned Troy tubes. These have been through many training days, several classes, and many SWAT call outs. They are not babied and are well used. I’ve not had a problem one. My latest build is similar but using the Centurion 12" rail. I haven’t had any issues and don’t expect any. In the past I’ve used other systems from PRI, various DD’s, and SWS. Never had any issues. I don’t think the question is are they rugged enough for BUIS, but the answer is that the various Aimpoints are so good.
I can’t say that I have had a problem with a TRX Extreme from hard use. But, my opinion is that the mounting system is not very strong. I’ve had a couple of them and I was able to move the rail on the barrel nut when it was installed properly. My preference would be to at least use a rail with a more substantial mounting design (DD Lite and Larue are a couple examples). I’m interested in that DD MFR rail, in particular the mounting design, but I haven’t found any details or had one in my hands yet.
I have to admit, I’m a big fan of the FSP because Murphy’s Law is always chasing me down.
I have a DDM4 V5 with the Omega X 12" rail with Troy HK style front BUIS. I’ve only had it for a couple months and around 700 rounds through it and I haven’t noticed any play in the rail or movement of the front sight. Seems pretty solid to me, but I haven’t run it very hard at all, yet. Other than the range, I’ve only run it once in a half day class and that wasn’t very rough on it. I’ll definitely be running it harder in the future.
There are really two issues with non FSB setups.
One is the gas block alignment.
Two is the rail / sight alignment.
A gas block, even a low pro under a rail, should be pinned for hard use.
Rail lock ups vary greatly and a monolithic is probably the only sure bet.
Even the SCAR, a monolithic design, integrates the front site into the gas block.
A FSB is hard to beat for ruggedness.
We have Mk 18 uppers at work with DD Lite rails covering the gas block. The gas blocks aren’t even pinned and I’ve not seen or heard of any problems. The front sights are KAC.
The gas block not being pinned in most cases is why I ended up staying with the FSP. I’ve never heard of quality rails and sights having issues. But I have heard of quality low pro gas blocks drifting. I just wouldn’t trust them without being pinned.
Just turns out I prefer the FSP. But if you go without one, I’d get it pinned.
Thats exactly why I grind my stock FSB down.
Thanks to a few of the guys here, I dont have to worry about gas block drift…oh and I saved money
Before
After
Thats what I do is grind down the FSP and have used both Troy and centurion free floats with zero issues.
What did you like better between the Troy and Centurion?
Was it the TRX?
I have a 2 Troy tubes and 2 Viking tubes as well as 2 Centurions. If I am only adding a light and sling the tube is for me. If I want to add a Dbal, VFG, bipod, or handstop the railed forend is the right tool. I’ve tried to turn my 4 tubes that I installed and I can’t turn any of them. Maybe I torqued them too much! They do not move on my carbines. Before any of you wonder about the number of carbines 2 belong to my 2 kids and 1 is the wifes.