There are a staggering number of options both for a base rifle and (even more so) for rails! I’m struggling. I’m hoping for help narrowing down my options! The choice on the base rifle (Colt 6920 vs. BCM LW 16" middy) is largely made. There’s a thread on that elsewhere, and I believe it will be the BCM, mostly due to gas length preference.
My two larger issues:
Whether to shave the FSB for a longer rail (and afford a favored 12:00 light positioning) or keep it and use a shorter rail.
What rail to go with!
I have a LW DD 16" using a 13" Troy extreme. I like using a long ‘rapier’ grip on that, but mainly because it’s so light and the rail is small in circumference. If I keep the FSB, I’m wholly torn between something like a Troy drop in, DD Omega, or even the Centurion middy cut-out. If I don’t keep the FSB, I’d like try the 12" Centurion rail.
Keep the FSB and use a shorter rail + something like a G2 in a VTAC offset mount for a light? Or ditch it and get some magpul sights and an x300 at 12:00?
Oh, meant to add: I have a DD OmegaX 12.0 just collecting dust. I don’t plan on using it only because it feels… ‘tall’. I’d like something more round, or equally proportioned.
Edited again: Just found this pic by Stick… Maybe the difference in length isn’t enough to worry about, just keep the FSB and use the offset light?
Travis Haley’s company just came out with a few new light mounts that would put the light very close to the 12 o’clock, right next to the FSB. Seems like they could be at around 11 or 1 o’clock, depending on which side you do them.
On a side note, I will probably do that Centurion Arms mid length cut out for my next build, I like how it does not have as much extra rail in front of the FSB as the DD AR15 Lite 12.0 FSPM.
Ive put a lot of thought into this topic myself recently. Ive decided to shave the FSB and get a longer rail. Im leaning towards the DD 12.0 Lite rail… but depending on the asking price of your 12.0 OmegaX I may go that route… pm me a price
I still like the light mounted at 11 o’clock or so and the use of a VFG as a stop with my hand positioned on the front of the VFG.
That said I like the longer hand guard to get my support hand out front further which also requires mounting the light out as well. With a standard carbine length rail I have to grip at the very end, leaving nothing to easily attach a light.
I would like to try a 12 o’clock light mount but am currently out of “modification” cash.
My son is going to get a 16" middy and I recommended the Centurion with FSP cutout if he has enough dough. He is going to have a better setup than I got when he gets done.
Since you already have a lo-pro gasblock/extended rail set-up, why not try out the fsp.
If your preference changes later down the road you can sell off your least favorite.
Personally, I like FSP’s and have been drooling for one of those Centurion rails. I like the 9.5 with cut-out, but I think (I might be wrong)that they are coming out with a 12" FSP middy cut-out which you could wait for if you’ve become accustomed to reaching really far out on the Troy tube you already have.
I am a huge fan of the shaved FSP and long rail. As soon as I got my BCM BFH 14.5" I shaved the FSP and added the Centurion C4 12". The extra rail space for grip has really worked for me. I can in all honesty, which is a huge surprise to me, say that this set-up is perfect for me I have no complaints. You could always wait for the new Centurion 12" cut out and just keep the FSP but I see no need for it. If for some reason you shave the FSP and want to switch back they are cheap enough on Bravo and you could sell that rail in a few hours here on the EE and get the cutout. Running a T1 I like being able to fold the front sight down.
