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  #1  
Old 02-18-2012, 10:17 PM
grnidkjun grnidkjun is offline
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Default hand guard w/rail kit vs a quad rail

Has anyone used a kit like this? I'm wondering on the stability vs an actual rail. The kit looks more comfortable but if it's not stable for attachments the rail would be better.

AR-15/M16 MOE HANDGUARD & RAIL KITS - Brownells

Thanks! I'm headed to a gun show tomorrow and hope to get some hands on with some options.
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Old 02-18-2012, 10:31 PM
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Id bet it's stable, I've seen lots of them furnished.
I like the quad slipons too. YHM has a fancy one. But there's cheaper ones.
For my weapon, I like the factory guards.
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Old 02-18-2012, 10:43 PM
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I had one....used it for two weeks before it loosened up. Piece of junk, in my opinion. I'm not the only one that has seen it happen....saw others on the forums say the same thing.

If you want something that will last, buy a quality rail, once.....no reason spending the money twice.


Daniel Defense Omega 7.0 is a nice free float drop-in quad rail. My Omega install.




If you don't require a free float rail, then a Troy drop-in Battle Rail does very nicely too. My Troy install.

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Last edited by arizona98tj; 02-18-2012 at 10:59 PM.
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Old 02-18-2012, 10:47 PM
grnidkjun grnidkjun is offline
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So what did you change to?
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Old 02-18-2012, 10:51 PM
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Thats no good. Were you able to identify how it loosens up. Is it the plastic ?
I no on other weapons, mini 14, m1 carbine, the upper slide covers come loose over time, however there wood and can be tightend or finagled to fit tightly.
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Old 02-18-2012, 10:55 PM
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Added info to my previous post.
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Old 02-18-2012, 10:56 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SSgt M View Post
Thats no good. Were you able to identify how it loosens up. Is it the plastic ?
I no on other weapons, mini 14, m1 carbine, the upper slide covers come loose over time, however there wood and can be tightend or finagled to fit tightly.
Yes, it was plastic/poly. That is why they are so cheap.
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Old 02-18-2012, 11:22 PM
grnidkjun grnidkjun is offline
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What are the benefits of free float vs drop in?
I appreciate the info.
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Old 02-18-2012, 11:27 PM
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Those are both good lookin,

They sure sell a **** load of that moe furniture.

I wouldnt mine the stock guards if your done with them!
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Old 02-18-2012, 11:28 PM
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Magpul stuff might be cheap to buy but the quality is generally top notch, they didn't get the name they did from making substandard stuff. I own one and it's what I prefer. Steel/metal quad rails IMO are just unnecessarily heavy. Plus they are too sharp and end up either cutting, scratching or are just generally uncomfortable. That leave people to end up putting rail covers on them leading to more money and more weight and makes the shroud super thick. Poly is the way to go, keep it light and tight.
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  #11  
Old 02-18-2012, 11:39 PM
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I agree with that Capt.
I see moe on half the guns I see seems like, must be something to it. Mostly comes down to looks for many.

Most free float s need a gunsmiths touch, or so I've read,
The others just slip into the existing retainer.

I'm not sure there's a real performance gain in this platform between the two.

Last edited by SSgt M; 02-18-2012 at 11:42 PM.
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Old 02-18-2012, 11:41 PM
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I had an MOE hand guard and it both loosened and the inner metal clamp separated from the Plastic part. You could snap it back in but it got looser every time.

Too bad because it fit my grip very well and I really liked the shape.

the newer ones are said to be improved.

I switched to a Troy free float (MRF-C) that you can install fairly easily (you DO have to cut off the soft alum. Delta ring but that is easy).

I think the most solid ones are aluminum, not polymer.
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  #13  
Old 02-18-2012, 11:46 PM
grnidkjun grnidkjun is offline
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Weight is a consideration. I'm not a big woman and I want function as well as keeping it fun to fire. I had a blast with it yesterday.
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Old 02-18-2012, 11:52 PM
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I would advise you to go to a shop that has both types and just grab both and see how they feel, women that shoot with us generally have small hands so the moe may work better in your case.
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  #15  
Old 02-19-2012, 01:25 AM
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my MOE is loose too. Went and played with the factory S&W MOE edition and it was tighter than tight however. ***! I'm with MPDC, it feels great but not much else. Kind of like that chick that would always lead you on but never gave up the goods.

Yeah to be honest my loose MOE handguard has shot down my tacticool fantasy of Chris Costa screaming at me as I roll under a car with a fully loaded clip...AHEM magazine and my MOE throws my shots and the Chicom Gun Grabbing Grateful Dead Tour Zombies keep coming....

Quad rail is in the mail people!

Last edited by Splittiebus66; 02-19-2012 at 01:59 AM.
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Old 02-19-2012, 01:56 AM
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One thing thats cool for the MOE and owners of properly fitting ones looking to mount 2 point slings is the Impact Weapons Components Mount and Slot QD system. $25 to have installed back and forth or do it yourself. If you havent seen this, it is a really great idea...... Magpul should offer a MOE model with this sort of thing standard. They would sell alot of them





I considered adding a slot to mine for a minute but spending any more on an ill fitting guard is obviously unfrugal.

Last edited by Splittiebus66; 02-19-2012 at 02:00 AM.
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Old 02-19-2012, 02:25 AM
grnidkjun grnidkjun is offline
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Thank you to all of you for answering.
Ok, so I'm going to be doing some looking around to possibly find a rail that will work for me. Doesn't sound like anyone has a preference of drop in or float.

The guy at the shop called the AR Barbie dolls for men because of all the options.
I can see already how they can become addictive.
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Old 02-19-2012, 03:03 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by grnidkjun View Post
Thank you to all of you for answering.
Ok, so I'm going to be doing some looking around to possibly find a rail that will work for me. Doesn't sound like anyone has a preference of drop in or float.

The guy at the shop called the AR Barbie dolls for men because of all the options.
I can see already how they can become addictive.

^^^^ this. Goodbye money.........
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Old 02-19-2012, 10:35 AM
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I have the MOE handguard with one small rail on the bottom front that I use with a bipod or a vertical grip. If you don't use lock tite it will come loose. With out lock tite it was loose after only 150 rounds with lock tite 600 rounds and counting.
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Old 02-19-2012, 10:42 AM
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I saw a how to installation video for the little short rails like I put on my stock handguard. It was quick and easy but I noticed one thing. They sent star lock washers with the mounting hardware and they didn't use them or even mention them. They are made to keep the screws from loosening up, I am not saying you shouldn't use locktite, but I installed them on my lower front rail, and hope they do what they are supposed to do. If not then I have some locktite I will use.
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Old 02-19-2012, 11:54 AM
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I always use lock tite on scope bases and rings it just made sense to me to use it hers as well.
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Old 02-19-2012, 12:14 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wihunter View Post
I always use lock tite on scope bases and rings it just made sense to me to use it hers as well.
You are exactly right...the only reason I havent yet is I have to find it and am not walking all that good yet
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Old 02-19-2012, 10:49 PM
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Well, I feel like it was a successful trip to the show today.
Got a quad rail with the rubber covers, two more pmags, flashlight side mount and folding forward grip. I spent $115 out the door and don't feel that was too bad.
I would just like to get some Hogue grips on there and a recoil pad, just because I want one.
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Old 02-22-2012, 09:52 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by grnidkjun View Post
Thank you to all of you for answering.
Ok, so I'm going to be doing some looking around to possibly find a rail that will work for me. Doesn't sound like anyone has a preference of drop in or float.
You have things confused. You can have a drop in hand guard that is free floated or not free floated.

The term drop in usually refers to the fact that you do not have to remove the barrel nut, etc. in order to mount the hand guard. Some free float hand guards require that you do. The Omega 7.0 that I use is a free float that requires no special effort to install.

Hope that helps you understand it a little better.
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Old 02-22-2012, 11:08 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by arizona98tj View Post
You have things confused. You can have a drop in hand guard that is free floated or not free floated.

The term drop in usually refers to the fact that you do not have to remove the barrel nut, etc. in order to mount the hand guard. Some free float hand guards require that you do. The Omega 7.0 that I use is a free float that requires no special effort to install.

Hope that helps you understand it a little better.
If it's a free float, does it touch any part of the barrel from the barrel nut forward, such as using the factory handguard hardware.
The picture looks like it locks in like a standard handguard. Or just looks that way. I'm assuming a true free float only attaches to the receiver via barrel nut. Or is that wrong?

Last edited by SSgt M; 02-22-2012 at 11:13 PM.
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Old 02-23-2012, 10:56 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SSgt M View Post
If it's a free float, does it touch any part of the barrel from the barrel nut forward, such as using the factory handguard hardware.
The picture looks like it locks in like a standard handguard. Or just looks that way. I'm assuming a true free float only attaches to the receiver via barrel nut. Or is that wrong?
My Omega 7.0 does not touch any part of the barrel past the barrel nut. It is free floated.

The Troy handguard I used at one point was not a free floating unit, which can be clearly seen in the photo I posted.
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Last edited by arizona98tj; 02-23-2012 at 10:59 PM.
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Old 02-23-2012, 11:59 PM
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I have a GMG handguard that fits quite well. Will it hold up?
I think it might as it fits quite well.
Here's a pic. BTW I've moved the bi-pod back quite a bit to balance better and am using a much better mount to eliminate that gap that is visible.
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Old 03-03-2012, 09:30 PM
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What size would fit?
Carbine,mid,specter length or any of them?
Thanks.
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Old 03-03-2012, 11:14 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Breechloader View Post
What size would fit?
Carbine,mid,specter length or any of them?
Thanks.
Fit what? You purchase the rail based on what you are going to mount it on.
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Old 03-04-2012, 03:46 AM
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Ok thanks.
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