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Noveske’s website states the NSR is made of “Hard Coat Anodized Aluminum”. Due the hollow designs of FF tubes where there is nothing at the front to brace it, how durable are FF tubes, the NSR in particular which appears thinner than early FF types? Do they dent easily? I would think even a steel tube could bend and dent.
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I currently only own standard Colt handguards (Older style Colt SP1-type CAR). I never liked the thicker feel of the M4 double heat-shielded handguards. How thick is the NSR WITH their accessory clip on handguards compared to my Colt CAR handguards?
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How is the heat shielding qualities compared directly with Colt CAR handguards?
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How does the weight compare directly with the CAR with all components necessary for the handguard conversion?
This video will might give you some visual reference.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-C1f_-upgOM&list=UUNn90bficsQbycHvrMBFdfw&index=19
If you will search around youtube, you will find several installation vids. Look closely at the barrel nut length and mounting.
While this rail is a ton lighter, there is no weakness that I have found.
I am currently running NSR’s on all my guns. I cannot say enough on the quality and performance. The only problem I could see would be that not many people have them still, so finding someone at the range to let you actually see one may be hard.
I will say this, buy one and if you do not like it I will buy it from you. Noveske is at the top with their products.
The NSR is very solid setup, so have no fear. With the longer than average barrel nut, it makes for a very solid rail.
Side to side, my 13.5 NSR is ~1.5" and a little less than 2" top to bottom. They don’t call it the NSR (Noveske Skinny/Slim Rail) for nothing!
As far as weight, I want to say the 13.5" is around 11oz w/ the barrel nut, so it’s pretty light for how solid it is.
When we first got an NSR to play with, I figured out that NSR meant… NOT a SERIOUS RAIL.
It felt like a joke. But after installing it… it seemed pretty solid. The downside… at least for now, is that you effectively have a tube that you can only mount shit to the top of.
I hate tube style handguards beyond belief… so this thing would have had to be a Christ like miracle to win me over. But if you’re all about light and lean… or are looking for a competition style handguard, by all means.
As far as this keymod thing goes… it remains to be seen as to the willingness of the AR realm to adopt another mounting standard. 
I assume you mean that native keymod mounts are still limited in availability; considering you can mount rail sections where ever you’d like and thus mount whatever you like, where ever you like.
-john
Exactly. If the NSRs came with rail sections like the Geissele for example… it’d really be a non-issue I guess…
Just a choice between a soul-less tube that looks like a retail clothing display fixture and a work of art. 
You mean besides hand stops, two kinds of light mounts, sling swivels, bipod mounts, and rail covers?
I’m not sure what you’re getting at. We couldn’t mount any of that stuff.
That sucker is NSR history anyway. Sold it off.
I haven’t had any issue mounting anything on my NSRs. If you’re not into the KeyMod pic rail sections, Magpul’s MOE polymer sections offer a great, rounded-off, lighter alternative. Everything I’ve needed to mount has been mounted without issue.
Strong as hell, light and slim. They do get a bit warm though.
Why would you buy it without getting whatever hardware you needed?
My guess is it probably wasn’t a surprise the rail had keymod attachments. Just a guess tho. 
-john
I built it for a guy I shoot with. I din’t know he ordered it. He had me sell it for him.
I think it was an impulse buy. I did get choked up at having to let the Noveske MUR go with it. I wanted that sucker bad. 
Exactly.
The reason I like the NSR/keymod concept is because it gives the benefits of lightweight, low profile modular rails less the “adapter upon adapter” mounting of other designs. Since with modular rails (say a 11-12oz 12" DD MFR), once you start mounting 1913 sections on the order of 1-2oz each, you negate what ever weight savings you gained over a full rail (a 15oz 12"DD lite for example). Essentially I am sold on the direct mount, lightweight, keymod concept (15" of NSR weighs only 11.6oz!), but I am gonna be the sucker if the industry doesn’t come around with more keymod attachments! Namely a stubby vertical grip and a bi-pod.
Prospects for attachments look good though with the Knights URX 4 and new Vltor VIS-KM coming out. We’ll see…
Yeah… there’s no doubt that if weight savings are a concern, the NSR is right at the top. I can see it’s appeal for some guys. It’s just not my thing.
Speaking of the Noveske MURs… they stopped even showing them on the Noveske site? Anyone know what the scoop is on those ever being available as a stripped upper again?
The Magpul MOE 5 slot rail section weighs .7oz. The MOE 7 slot rail section weighs .8oz. This is with all hardware/screws. Noveske specifically built in the channels to accept the MOE backplates on the NSRs.
There is not a significant weight gain to add rail sections where you need it. Unlike a TROY tube, for instance, where you’re adding those large rail chunks.
The point of the keymod is to eventually do away with rails minus the top. Making for a slimmer package WHILE the accessory is mounted.
-Jax
Good point.
Though they only balance the weight issue for compatible mod rails, and you still have the annoyance of screwing with the backing plates. For the keymod, the Magpul rail sections are still an adapter upon an adapter, which negates the improved mounting concept (and bugs OCD types like myself:p ) Anyway though, the sections are probably the best interim solution if trying to maximize weight savings afforded by the rail.
Line 173, the weight of the double shielded CAR handguard pair is 7.5oz (add .5oz for the delta ring and handguard cap), and the standard barrel nut weights about 2oz for a total of about 10oz.
According to Noveske the 7" NSR w/ barrel nut weighs 7.5oz, add maybe 1oz for the Noveske panels and your at 8.5oz–9oz total. So if you we’re going to swap handguards and keep your FSB you would maybe save 1oz, gain a free float barrel, but would probably lose some heat shielding effectiveness.
If you are gonna take it a part to do the swap, it might be more beneficial to ditch the FSB for a lo-pro gas block and longer rail:
10oz CAR handguard setup + 4.5oz FSB (no bayo lug) = 14.5oz
1.5oz lo-pro GB + 8.7oz 9" NSR setup + ~1oz panels + 1.1oz Daniel Defense fixed front sight = ~12.3oz.
Gain 2" of free float rail and lose about 2oz over your current setup. Not bad considering you would also gain a mounting system.
Thanks jerrysimons.
Exactly the info I was looking for.
The thread kinda took off on a different tangent. Thanks for getting it back on track.
Another question…
The NSR plastic panels don’t seem to go all the way back to the upper receiver (There are no “mounting keyholes.”). Is that normal? I guess the screws that attach the handguard to the barrel would get in the way, yes? Wouldn’t the handguard in that area get considerably hot considering the chamber is right about there?
Thanks again.
You are supposed to grip it further down the rail. Unless you have money to burn, the NSR may not be what you are looking for.
Like all modular and railed handguards, if utilized with attachments (BUIS, laser, light) and shaved/low profile gas blocks you get mounting options, additional rail estate, and a longer free floating platform. It seems a waste if you are simply replacing standard M4 handguards.