Still relatively new to the AR world but starting to at least know what questions to ask.
I’m looking to add a two piece rail to which I plan to attach a VG, but not a light. I would like the handguard/rail to be relatively small in diameter and as I mentioned, a two piece as I don’t want to free float at this time. (At least I don’t think so due to added cost and complexity)
I looked at the DD EZ rail today, but it seemed a bit bigger/wider than I really want. I also found on line two piece rails from the following.
Magpul, but I like the more traditional look so I’ve ruled this one out.
YHM, Midwest Industries, Doublestar seem like viable options. Can anyone give me a pros or cons of any of these two piece rails?
Anyone care to talk me into free floating? Unless the world goes down the tube I’ll probably never have to use my AR for more than sport. Mostly just enjoy shooting.
sounds like you’re a good candidate for the KAC RAS… locks in nice and tight, not too fat… i can wrap my fangers around it pretty good. they can be found for $150 if you shop around.
unless you’re a precision shooter, free-float is unnecessary, and not even necessarily beneficial. the daniel defense Omegas are two-piece drop-in, and they’re very slim.
The only thing I can tell you is that I just went ahead and switched to a free floated rail after running a set of Magpul MOE handguards for a few months. I specifically wanted a longer rail and worry free attachment of sling mounts and bi-pods. The MOE (basically plastic handguards with rails attached) did just fine with an AFG for me…not any problems.
It’s not really much more “complex” to go free float. I’m actually right in the middle of installing a free float troy rail. I’ve had to shave the front sight base (or I would have had to replace it with a lo-pro gas block) and replace the barrel nut (proprietary one comes from Troy). I’m using the tools that my FFL dealer has to do the swap, and I spent a few hours tonight grinding down the FSB (yes, I took an angle grinder to it, along with a dremel and a high speed dental motor). The layout cost for a (quality) rail is higher, though…
Just sharing my own experience, as I felt the same as you regarding rails at one point.
In the beginning I was happy with the job my 2-piece drop-in carbine length rail was doing. I chose them for the same reasons you are considering them now.
But as my shooting evolved the length of the rail became the issue for me. I could shoot fine with the carbine length rail, I just felt I could do better with my hand further out. I had my light on the rail also and I couldn’t maintain a forward grip and have the flashlight in easy reach, I was compromising my support hand grip because of this.
This, and not any inherent defect or problem with two-piece carbine length rails, led me to switch to a longer free-float rail system.
During the time I was using them (2pc carbine length rails), they did their job just fine.
About the complexity, I got over it…the more I shot the more I realized I’d have to learn to deal with my gun sometime.
Would it be accurate to say that in very general terms, the non free float is going to be less expensive over all than a free float rail?
I figure with the non free float you’re only buying the rail. With a free float you’re buying a rail, an adapter (not sure what the actual name of the part is) and a gas block.
I’m really going back and forth; after watching a couple of videos on youtube the whole free float process doesn’t seem so bad. Plus I’ve got a neighbor who builds AR’s and said he is willing to help me with the free float if I want to go that way.
If your neighbor has the tools, it’s not hard to install a free float rail. The rail comes with a barrel nut specific to that rail system.
Remove the hand guards, remove the flash hider (hopefully it’s screwed on and not pinned), remove the pins from the FSB, remove Delta ring and the barrel nut, and install the new one.
So far as the gas block, it depends on what you want. If you want a low pro to fit under the free float, you can buy one, such as the Daniel Defense or Rainier is also making them. I just used one on a build.
You can also cut down your existing FSB to a low profile gas block.
If you want to keep your FSB with the sight, you can still use a free float. Just take it off by removing the pins, install the free float, and re install the FSB.
A pinned FSB is always sturdier than a set screw type.
Rainier pinned my Low Pro for me.
Wow, that Omega rail sounds pretty good; course you pay for quality.
I’m getting closer to knowing what I want in regard to a rail. In the meantime, I figured out I want/need/whatever a La Rue EOTech riser. I’m sure on that so I’m going to get one of those ordered.
I got a Troy VTAC FF tube on my rifle and love it. I was looking at all sorts of 2 piece and was going to go the Omega but after reading an article about it chose this and have been very happy with the decision.
Again, just another option, and I only paid about $194 total from VTAC for this new w/ the proprietary wrench.
I would not install a FF rail unless you know what you are doing. This only extends to rails where you have to take the barrel nut off, and install another one. Drop in rails should be user install items if you have more than 2 brain cells to rub together.
IMO non-FF rails are a relic of the past. Even on a fighting gun FF have their advantages. In a stressful situation you don’t realize how hard you are gripping the weapon, and something like a VFG on a non-FF rail runs the risk of “flexing” the barrel enough to miss a shot.
For FF Id go with LaRue, DD, or KAC. Pick your flavor, and have someone professional install it.
Not to take this thread in another direction, but why isn’t magpul’s handguard w/ the (2,6,10) rail position getting more nods? As much as everyone here loves magpul I’m surprised that the Omega is getting the most references.
A few posters in this thread have said that the Daniel Defense Omega rail is a drop in. Does this hold true for the 12.0 Omega with FSP cut out? This one. The DD website states that it uses a proprietary barrel nut, so that is why I ask.
“This two piece free float rail system secures to a proprietary barrel nut with our AR15 Lite Rail Barrel Nut Wrench so initial gunsmithing is required for installation.”
That’s why I was confused, as some other members have said the Omega’s were drop in. I didn’t know if they were only referencing the 7" length or were referring to all the Omega rails.
You are talking about the Omega X™ 12.0 FSP. The Omega X product line does require gunsmithing. A totally seperate line, the Omega Rail™, is described as “a high quality, light weight, two piece Free-Float rail system that requires no modification to the weapon.” 2 seperate product lines.
