My old Colt lightweight upper is getting a little ragged. I picked up a SOCOM 14.5 barrel from G&R and I am getting ready to send it out to ADCO for to pin and weld a Surefire Socom FH on it (so I can run my .308 can on it). I am thinking about putting a MLOCK rail system on but I want the lightest 13 inch one that won’t come loose. I presume it is basically a coin flip between BCM and Geissle? I don’t keep up with the AR game as closely as handguns, so set me straight if there is a better system out there. I am planning on running a PEQ if that is important.
Geissele Mk2 13" (out of production) not the lightest but good size and strong.
Geissele MK8 mlok - light weight, easy install.
Centurion CMR 13" they offer a mlok and easy install and light weight
Noveske NSR 13" is pretty light, both keymod and mlok is offered- pain in the ass to install.
I would recommend NOT pinning and welding your FH, BATFE issued a statement that says silver solder is excepted and approved method of attaching FH permanently to achieve 16 OAL. Its better because if you ever change your mind on FH/MB, you can simply apply heat and remove without drilling.
My KMR has been good for a few years and I just replaced an NSR with an MCMR and I like it a lot. They’re not the only game in town, but I’d pick one of the two you mentioned. The G rails will probably maintain your zero better, though there’s a weight trade off and I haven’t actually seen any proof that a BCM rail will fail at that, minus anything crazy.
I won’t use ADCO though. I’ve got a thread on here from a few months ago that’s worth looking up where I got a bunch of alternative options to for shop services. I’ve only had one experience with each, but Retro Arms Works was far better than ADCO in every single way.
Geissele would be first on the list, but the ALG EMR V3 would probably be the best bang for your buck considering price and features. Geissele/ALG has a sale today too so prices aren’t bad at all.
Those Centurian Arms rails really look nice, sometimes I think we forget there are different rail options out there aside from Geissele and BCM. Thank you for posting Stickman.
I only have a sample size of one BUT, I just got a BCM 13" MCMR on a 16" ELW BCM upper and I absolutely love this thing. Keep in mind all my others are quad rails so take it for what it’s worth. I can’t see how anyone wouldn’t be happy with the MCMR.
Geissele MK13/14 would be my choice especially if using a PEQ. The barrel nut is very long and robust- more so than the KMR. I own both along with a 11” NSR which is sturdy but needs to be timed if that’s an issue. I have no experience with Centurion rails but they certainly look nice.
This is the way I’d go. I am not a fan of metal handguards because they are hot in the summer and cold in the winter and adding plastic covers increases weight and girth. But I got the chance to handle a Colt CCU with the covers installed and the setup was light with a surprisingly small cross section that’s comfortable in my hands. Of all the aluminum handguards I’ve tried, this is the only setup I like enough to buy. In fact, I’m waiting impatiently for the group buy for the Centurion handguard to go through that Stick is so graciously sponsoring for us.
