While trying to decide between the purchase of 3 different handguards (KAC URX3, Rainier Arms Revolution, and Noveske’s NSR) some questions came to mind. What is the future of handguards. Obviously smooth, bolt rails are hugely popular. The pluses are obvious to shooters on this site so I dont think I need to waste the bandwidth.
Standard picatinny rails are still going strong as well. Noveske’s system is extremely interesting because it will use a standard rail but its Keymod system plans to eliminate the rail on some accessories. Here is some info on it from Rainer’s website http://www.rainierarms.com/?page=shop/detail&product_id=3112
"The KeyMod inter-locking rail system is a collaboration between Vltor Weapon Systems and Noveske Rifleworks. Separately, both companies were in development of their own systems, but later realizing that both systems were similar, a standardization of the KeyMod system came to be.
The KeyMod system offers a mounting platform for a variety of (future) accessories and components. The days of the Picatinny Rail (MIL-STD-1913) are numbered. The future of the direct mountable accessory is here and now. The KeyMod self-contained components/mounting hardware index and V-block onto the platform, achieving a secured and accurate hold to the system, while separate lugs take the recoil force off the fasteners. The pass through attachment method eliminates the need for loose screws and backing plates that can easily be lost, or difficult to install. Another advantage of the KeyMod system over the 1913 system is the direct attach eliminates the need for the 1913 system as a “middle Man” thereby reducing weight and accessory off-set from the center of the handguard.
Finally, in the near future, the direct-mount KeyMod components will include items such as, 1913 rail sections, polymer covers (in various lengths and colors), hand stops, QD-Sling Mounts, bipods, K9 barricade supports and more. Also, the NSR handguard system will have an optional heat shield which installs through the front and does not occupy any KeyMod holes."
Interesting concept in reference to eliminating the picatinny rail and I really like the idea of minimizing offset length. I doubt the pic rail is going anywhere but I wanted to start a discussion on where people think handguards are going. Are the bolt on rail sections guard here to stay, will the standard fixed rail type still be the mainstay, or is a completely new mount type (such as the Noveske KeyMod) going to be the new standard down the road?
Pic quad rails are here to stay for a while. The Keymod is still very proprietary and will stay that way for a while. Pic’s the std. and will be for a long time. But the trend is definitely moving away from the quad rail,as most folks typically don’t need all that rail and/or weight.
The traditional 4-sided rail is quickly becoming the dinosaur of the AR. The adaptibility of bolt-on rails far outweigh any perceived advantage of a quad rail. The next evolution of the rail system will be the Power Rail. A rechargeable battery will power all the components attached to a rail instead of having to carry batteries for each item. Whomever can get a quality version to the market first will make quite a lot of coin.
that may be true in the civilian world, but I wouldnt hand 500,000 joe’s a rail system with bolt on rail pieces that they could and will lose when you turn your back for 5 seconds.
Excellent point man. Reminds me of all the guys I saw lose KAC panels while I was in the army.
I am curious to see where the military/LEO will go with handguards. The tradition for years was for civilian/competition shooters to pick up new gear/techniques from the military. That tradition has been flipped in quite a few areas.
Rails do have a certain jury rigged feeling to them. Many accessories need an adapter so that they can be mounted to a rail. I think it will be some time before a standardized replacement will be developed.
Here is one direct mounting solution posted on Lightfighter
If I were running a company supplying AR accessories, I would be developing a free float tube and rails made from carbon fiber or polymer
It seems like a lot of people/companies are moving away from the full blown quad rail design and for good reason. Whether the military does so on a broad scale is hard to predict but I don’t think it will happen any time soon. For my weapons I go with a tube design. I like the Troy Alpha rail for it’s light weight, simplicity and use of the USGI barrel but there are other on the market that look decent too. The move toward direct-mount is inevitable for things like forward grips and lights. You just don’t need all the extra weight and complexity of a picatinny rail section for mounting something as simple as a grip. It would be awesome to see some industry standardization but who knows when that will happen.
I don’t think Wilcox’s battery powered rail will catch on any time soon. They want $2170 for them and the idea of having one battery that powers everything via the rail is flawed. If that single power source fails in any way then none of your stuff works. I like having a battery for every thing that needs a battery. The Wilcox rail with battery foregrip is heavy as shit, almost 20oz. They can keep it along with their $900 NODS mount.
I’ve handled the new Noveske rail and it’s really nice and very light. I’d like to see how it does with heat but I use Troy’s tube rails without issue so I don’t expect any problems from the Noveske.
I like tubular hand guards just fine, but I certainly do not see them making railed hand guards obsolete. I can’t remember the last time I saw a respected firearms trainer besides Kyle lamb using one regularly (see them run on occasion, just not as a regular on their primary rifle) and of all the classes I attend, the training I do or the people I work with, I don’t see all that many in comparison, though I still see a good bit.
Someday I’ll do a build with an MFR, but there’s a number of things I’m not sold on. So far, every one I’ve handled has heated up quite a bit more than my URX or RIS II’s with just ladder covers or laRue index clips (not to mention KAC panels), but this was also in South Texas summer heat. Also, I use stubby vert grips and prefer them to slick rails. I’m not sure how well I like the way they attach to a tubular hand guard just yet. I’d love to see Tango Down come out with a tubular mounted version.
As for mounting accessories, I could get by just fine with a tubular hand guard. I can run Scout light in an IWC or Haley Strategic mount. Everything else will run on the top rail.
I’m debating on how to set up a 12.5" right now. I’m leaning towards a Centurion in a Kino set up, but I may give in and try the MFR. I’m not sold on their durability just yet (tubular hand guards in general), but the MFR seems to be at the top in that regard.
I just pieced together my first AR and I choose a DD Upper with the MFR 12 rail because out of inexperience and/or, I felt I did not need a quad rail hand guard. I really couldn’t think what I would mount other than a grip and maybe a light some day. If I would have purchesed a quad, I would have installed rail covers which would add weight and really make all that space being covered useless.
The really cool thing about the Rainier handguard is that they incorporated a " Quick Detach" section that’s removable instead of just throwing on another piece of picitanny. The DD MFR only comes with 3 rail sections, so I would need to attach an after market QD adapter to one of the rails.
I think the first bolded part is due to the second bolded part. Kyle Defoor (and I believe Travis Haley) has been seen with the tube rails also, although I’m not sure if he’s stayed with them, but Defoor’s philosophy seems to be one of simplicity and light weight as possible (ounces turn in to pounds kind of thing…)
I, too, don’t trust the durability yet, but the Noveske NSR seems to be one of the better ones with the barrel nut that they have. If the weight savings is more than about 8oz, and they get some accessories out for the rail itself, I will most likely be switching all my uppers to VIS NSRs when they come out…
Dick Swan is gonna sue for making the 1913 picatinny obsolete!
:sarcastic:
I like the direction things are going with modular handguards.
It’s good to see someone attempt to set another industry standard.
I wish Noveske and Vltor luck with this.
The really cool thing about the Rainier handguard is that they incorporated a " Quick Detach" section that’s removable instead of just throwing on another piece of picitanny. The DD MFR only comes with 3 rail sections, so I would need to attach an after market QD adapter to one of the rails.
No need to do that. Impact Weapon Components makes a direct mount sling QD for the MFR tube. I’m actually using none of the included rail sections on my V7.
I looked on the website and could not figure out which one you are referring to. Could you please tell us what style you are using and maybe a PIC for me…
Never mind…I found it…thanks for the heads up BTW.
Wow. That is just…terrible. And now he’ll have to buy a new rail once he figures out why that configuration is un-sat.
Not that direct mounting can’t work or be a good idea, and he certainly seems to have executed it well from a mechanical perspective, but if you’re going to do something permanent, it should probably make sense! But still, good concept.
I’m on team slick rail, especially with the Noveske NSR entering the market.
I can’t think of a reason why a civilian would need a quad-rail over a configurable slick rail. At most he (usually) mounts BUIS, a light, and a fore grip/handstop.
Most quad rails I see are covered almost entirely by rail panels. It’s always struck me as a bit odd. Some of them can get pretty heavy up front and can make it difficult to “hang on”.
That’s right, I’ve seen Defoor using them regularly… forgot about that. I saw Haley using one for the Panteo (sp?) videos, but all his others seem to be railed.
I’m just not there yet either. I’m having a hard time deciding on a 12.5". It will either be a Centurion mid length cutout or a Daniel Defense MFR. If there was a stubby vert grip from or like Tango Down’s, it would be an easier decision.
I’m not a fan of quad rails because of the girth once you add panels and I have short fingers. However I like to shoot allot and every bare metal hand guard I’ve come across heats up way too much. Once you add panels to a tube your right back were you started and would be better off with the quad rail. I don’t believe I should have to be tied to putting on gloves to use my rifles (although I do often use gloves training). I’d really like to see a direct mount panel for tubes that hugs the tube really closely.
I don’t understand where the appeal in quad rails are, aside from the fact it is somewhat easier to move accessories around. Why do you need to do that in the field though? And if you do, shouldn’t you have the rail section on there anyway?
A quad rail weighs at least 14 ounces (talking about full-length 11" rails here). A Troy Alpha/Noveske NSR (the 11" and shorter ones, at least) comes in under 12 ounces, and you don’t need many, if any rail panels.
On a training or competition gun where weight is less of a factor (on a training gun it might be a good thing as additional heft will make your go-to gun feel lighter) a quad rail might be a good move. But ounces make pounds, and my gun is probably heavier than any one other item I’m carrying (excluding plate carrier). Anything I can do to mitigate that is saving me calories and keeping me in the fight longer. Admittedly, as a civilian it is unlikely any gunfight I might find myself in will last longer than five or perhaps ten seconds at most. But the proverb says “better to have it…” especially when we’re talking about a defensive tool. Anyway, at 3am I’m fighting exhaustion, lethargy, sheets, two cats who will be in my way and total darkness. I won’t be on my A-game, to sum it up. The gun shouldn’t be any heavier than it must be.
