what are the differences in the quality of the two? are KAC really worth the extra money? I’ve herd good things about both. please tell me about the pros and cons thanks
What are the weight differences?
I have the 12" MRF-R Troy. It installs easily and clamps onto the barrel extension securely. It also weighs a lot less than the Midwest Industries counterpart at 8.75oz
I have no experience with the KAC
Wow I just looked at their sight. Their M5 rail is 17oz. Plus 1 for Troy.
I have no experience with the KAC rail, but with the prices you can find them for on AR15.com and other sites like M4C, the price shouldn’t be an object as they end up being the same new and used as the Troy.
My buddy has a Troy rail and I’m very impressed with it. It didn’t add much weight over the standard M4 hand guards, and it locks up very tight. There is zero play in his VFG or light either one.
KAC is a time and combat tested rail system still in use today.
You can find like new to new sets in the $150 range if you look around. No one but an idiot would pay 325 or whatever MSRP is on them.
+1 for KAC RAS, as stated earlier… tried and true
Going rate is about $150 for rails, VFG and a set of panels
Your best bet is to get your hands on the KAC SAS lower rail, which has a locking tab as well. This will ensure rock solid lock up with no movement at all.
I’ve owned Larue, Daniel Defense, and Troy rails… all very nice, but find myself going back to Knights, it’s classic.
The KAC RAS rail systems weigh 8.8 oz (2.4 oz heavier than the stock plastic handguards) and are heat shielded. The Troy rails weigh about the same but don’t come with heat shields, however have integrated sling swivel attach points. See this thread.
You see lots of KAC drop-in rails out there on Army and Marine Corps M-4s and M-16s, and the Air Force also uses a lot of Troy drop-in rails for their Security Police.
Whatever works best for you.
I forgot to add this, as well. When you buy KAC RAS rails, you get rail covers and a vertical forward grip - Troy comes with just the rail. Go on Ebay and you can find the RAS for about $150.
You’re comparing the KAC Carbine rail at 7" to the Troy Rifle rail at 12". The 12" KAC is over a pound.
No, I’m not.
Well please post a link with where you’re getting your info, because the site I’m looking at says 17oz.
What about the DD Omega? Its light and very sturdy. At least it feels that way on my upper.
I’ve tried a few non-KAC rails and have gone back to KAC, Mack!
I don’t like rails systems that deviate KAC rail width and height. The top rail matches the flat top other and the bottom and sides are recessed relative to the bore. That’s the way it’s supposed to be.
And anyway… you can get the KAC blemishes from knightarmco sales site for $150. I have bought 3 of the RAS blemish units.
I got my brand new kac from ebay for $135 with full a full rail panel set and the broomhandle.
First of all, we’re talking past each other. If you actually bothered to read my post, you would see that I did source my information with a link. Additionally, you would see that we’re discussing carbine length rail systems here, not rifle length. The closest KAC analogue to the Troy MRF-DI is the M4 RIS or M4 RAS.
Also, the link that you cite says the RAS weighs 11.6 oz (and the picture includes rail covers, so I’m sure that explains the extra weight along with the fact that it has heat shielding, unlike the Troy).
My department has been using Troy drop-in rails for about a year now with no complaints. Super solid, with no play at all. Troy rails are also the only four-rail systems that fit on our Big Sky Racks. While the Troy doesn’t have a heat shield, I really don’t see the need for one, none of our patrol rifles are full auto, and I’ve shot magazine after magazine without burning my hands, so I don’t really see the need for it.
Im using the Troy and it is solid with zero play, and the TD VFG is good and tight on mine. It has 4 slotted screws that secure the two halves, but I don’t think their completely necessary because it’s solid without the screws installed.
I have KAC RAS on my carbines and they work fine. For $160 including the vertical grip and panels I find them to be fair deals. I only attach vertical grips and lights to my rails and a tiny but of lower rail movement does not bother me. A friend has the Troy Battlerail Drop-In CAR/M4 model (the KAC RAS equivalent) and it works fine as well. The KAC RAS has a leaf spring and a clamp with screw on the upper portion of the rail which locks it into the handguard cap and delta ring, respectively, nice and tight. The regular RAS lower just drops in like the handguards and has a heat shield. The Troy Drop-In just drops in like the handguards, however, the upper and lower pieces screw together. The Troy also has holes for QD sling swivels. I can get you pics of both if need be. I like the Troy design better to be honest (the rail bolting together to become “one piece”) but the KAC works fine and is battle tested. Also, I believe the reason for the leaf spring and clamp with screw design were to minimize any possible movement on the upper piece of the RAS so that components mounted to the rail, such as a PEQ or the like, would maintain their zeros. Lastly, you can mount a M203 to your rifle if using the RAS, but I do not know if this is possible with the Troy rail.
First of all, point to where the OP stated he was looking for a carbine rail. I was the first person to post anything about a specific length, so maybe I should be saying we’re talking rifle length rails here.
Second, your ‘source’ states carbine rails. I already told you that you were comparing rifle to carbine, and you said you weren’t. Now you’re trying to say I’m not paying attention because I didn’t know you were talking about carbine.
Third, if the KAC carbine is equal in weight to the Troy rifle, I wonder what the difference between both carbines would be? I looked it up. The Troy carbine is 4oz. http://store.troyind.com/7_MRF_C_Rail_Systems_for_all_M4_M16_Type_Carbines_p/srai-mrf-c7bt-00.htm
So the Troy is still half the weight.
We’re not talking past each other, you’re just not thinking before you speak.
OP asked a question and I was just trying to help him out. You’re just confusing the subject.
I’m pretty sure KAC makes the Army issue rails we have on our M4’s and FWIW the top sections break pretty regularly. Last I checked, out of a sample size of 12 we had three broken top sections (as in what was supposed to be one piece of aluminum was now two). They break just past the delta ring.
I had the KAC drop-in rail on my issue M4. It was sturdy and completely reliable.
KAC makes all the rails for the M4’s, M16-A4’s, and SAM-R’s that we use in the Marine Corps. I’ve never seen one break or have any trouble.