Im in the process of building a carbine with a mid-length handgaurd setup and Ive been trying ways to cut costs down a bit. One thing Ive been looking at is my FF rail. Then I came across this:
Leapers, Inc. - Hunting/Shooting, Sporting Goods and Security Gear
About $90 and every review it has reads solid lock up but heavy. So this got me thinking… What do all the other middy quads weigh to make this thing seem heavy. Turns out nothing! The following are some popular FF middy quad rails with their weights and website prices:
UTG Leapers PRO 9" -12oz - $90
Leapers, Inc. - Hunting/Shooting, Sporting Goods and Security Gear
Daniel Defense LITE 9" -11.6oz - $365
https://danieldefense.com/rail-systems/ar15-lite-railtm-9-0-mid-length.html
Midwest Ind. T series 9" -11.7oz - $159.95
Midwest Industries: 9" Mid-Length T9
Samson Star-M 9" -13.5oz - $289
Samson STAR-M (AR-15 Mid-Length Rail) : Samson Manufacturing
Yankee Hill LIGHTWEIGHT 9" -12.4oz - $142.50
Midlength Lightweight Forearm [YHM-9634] - $142.50 : YHM, Yankee Hill Machine Co., Inc. | Makers of High Quality Firearms, Accessories & Sound Suppressors, Makers of High Quality Firearms, Accessories & Sound Suppressors
Troy BattleRail MRF-M 9’’ -13.49oz - $199
Troy BattleRail MRF-M 9"|BattleRail Accessories|BattleSlings|Sling Accessories|Sling Mounts|Troy Industries| | Free Float Rails
Centurion C4 9’’ -10.7oz - $259.95
2. C4 Rail System - 9-inch
The Centurion is the only one with significant weight reduction but I cant justify paying $170 more for 2 ounces. My first choice was the YHM rail but its more than twice as much and it weighs a bit heavier. Plus the Daniel Defense is $275 more at retail!
What is it that makes all these manufacturers cost so much more? Could it all be from a different kind of anodizing UTG doesnt do? Because a good dose of Cerakote can fix that quick. Maybe its me trying to find a deal, or that they make airsoft products too but I dont get why you would spend that kind of money when a great option is sitting right in front of you. If anyone knows why please tell me. Not being a smart a**, I just dont understand.
Thanks! 
Condition1