Why have KeyMod rails become the new rage? What advantages do they offer versus an upper like the Aero Precision COP upper other than weight? I ask because I am in the process of building my first rifle. I have a 6920 issued by my department but this will be the first I own. So far I have been dead set on the Aero upper that is until five minutes ago when I saw the Mega Arms MKM Keymod.
Typically it is lighter weight, and slimmer profile.
Keymod is universal, which is a big help
Why was disco so popular back then? I dont know either… Disco blows! (No pun intended) However, KeyMod is the future!!!
What Stick said.
Also they have the same benefit of other modular rails, put stuff only where you need it, but with a standardized direct attach method. So no adapter upon an adapter.
1913=DC-3
Keymod=707
They are a more mass-efficient way to attach components.
The 1913 standard was the first practical standard but not optimized.
Keymod is the next step in that optimization.
A lot of it is BRD, the quest of buying and adding new parts to the BLK RIFLE.
This.
Next time you go into a Wal-Mart or any big box store for that matter pay attention to the end caps. You’ll notice that the commercial shelving industry has been utilizing this “new technology” for a couple of decades now. Seriously look at them, the “key holes” are there.
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Less weight. Accessories mount to a negative hole instead of a stud of metal
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More slim because of the above. It doesn’t feel like you are holding a football.
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You don’t have to cover the entire rail with panels which covers up rails that you never used anyway.
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Accessories such as IR lasers and visible lights have gotten smaller and all that rail space is not required anymore.
KeyMod is a much better way to attach stuff to rail tube. Anybody that has had to mess around with threaded backing plates will understand this.
This has merged well with the trend towards slimmer “tube” rails without picatinny 1913 all over.
So instead of quad tails where 80% plus of the picatinny is unused and covered with heavy rail protectors we have nice slim tubes, with accessories only where needed.
Smaller, lighter, and it’s new.
What do you attach to your handguard? Sling, light, front sight (since the FSP is disappearing). If something can be lighter and do the same job (ie. attach stuff to your handguard), then why not?
I think Geissele might be onto something that that new ALG rail.
Few more years and the handguards will be CF.
This is the part I just can’t get past. Maybe I’m old fashioned, but I just can’t get over the pallet racking slots. I’m all about slim rails and direct mounting, but I can’t help but think “Costco” when I see it. Maybe I’ll get used to it.
Personally I am not a big fan. I don’t need that much modularity, some designs get way too hot with the minimalist tube theme and quite frankly the keymod shape as far as aesthetics go, is ugly. I own one and that is enough of that design for me.
A new storm of tacticool M4 types with pencil weight barrels and 25 lbs of add on crap to stimulate the accessory market. The American mass consumer , hook line and sinker!!!
That is what I thought as well.
I thought the same thing. Only I probably won’t get used to it.
I think they’re very foward thinking and will become the standard as far as civilian and competition go. As far as people not liking it… You can’t teach an old dog new tricks it seems. When I first saw the ctr stocks aimpoint micros and fde on ar’s I thought they were gross and I proclaimed I would never be caught dead with them. Guess what all my ar’s wear now.
Adjustibility. No need to have rails all over if your not using them. Adaptability in design also. No longer limited by the 12/3/6/9 ordeal. Companies can now put keymods at whatever slot they feel like. IE 45 degree incremenets etc, thus allowing even more adjustability for the end user.
IMO the Aero mono rail is a thing of the past, as well as the Vltor mono rails also. Excessively heavy, uneeded rails etc. NTM with the Aero upper there is a gazillion screws holding the thing together which IMO is just un needed.
Some companies like Fortis are combining keymod with rails. Some are all keymod. Much more choices around now.
After having used the Vltor CASV, and Magpul forends, you can keep a standard 1913 rail.
I’m mounting a light, and MAYBE a VFG and laser. The rest of the rail is wasted space, and serves as a cheese grater for skin.
Reduction in a bulk is a good thing.
For me, if I was still using Carbine-length gas systems, the full picatinny rail would make more sense. On a mid-length or rifle, four rails at 9" or more is a weight penalty with no benefit.