M-Lok vs standard Magpul hand guard?

Techse7en77 · Jan 4, 2015

Hi all, I'm new here... Just bought a M&P 15 Sport!

I bought the standard Magpul carbine length hand guard from Cabelas but haven't installed it yet. After some research I've seen the M-Lok version and I was wondering if anyone has compared the two? Is the M-Lok a lot better... And does it make accessories sit more flush to the guard? IVe been trying to find a picture comparing the two but I've had no luck. I heard somewhere that accessories stick out farther on the standard, is that true? Thanks!

JaPes · Jan 4, 2015

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GnS9AvFRVYA

Techse7en77 · Jan 4, 2015

Thanks! Will watch when i get done work.

Techse7en77 · Jan 5, 2015

Good video, but not exactly what I was wondering about. I'm trying to see the difference between the standard Magpul guard and rail vs. the Magpul m-Lok ones. Thanks!

SoCoRuss · Jan 6, 2015

I have a M&P 15 MOE with the MOE furniture. I went to a LGS to pick up a couple rails and grabbed the MLOK thinking they were the MOE since I have never heard of MLOK's. OH NO they cant be the same that would make too much sence. They are bigger at the mounting points than the MOE so they wont work. So I have rails that wont fit what I have. In small print they talk about an adapter but cant seem to find a listing for that, so I'm emailing Magpul. After looking at the MLOK forends, I have no interest in them, they stick out front more and cover the front sling point and they cover more of the delta ring so getting the forend off with be more than normal fun.. So guess what you now have to buy Magpul sling mounts to go on the forend. but with limited rails space on a carbine length forend you have to get LONG rails if you have light mounts or such on them! So now there is less space for your hand to grip the forend. BUT now you can buy their tiny vertical grip also or another rail and add a grip for more money of course. What a marketing tool.....

redwood0_7 · Jan 6, 2015

You might want to look at the MI Key Lok drop in. I have these on both my ar's and love them.

jwalts27 · Jan 6, 2015

Don't you love when they do that? When I bought my Stag Model 3 I had to get the special rail sections for Diamondhead handguards because they have to be different than the rest of the universe. Now we have KeyMod and Mlok. Geez

JaPes · Jan 6, 2015

Techse7en77 said:
Good video, but not exactly what I was wondering about. I'm trying to see the difference between the standard Magpul guard and rail vs. the Magpul m-Lok ones. Thanks!

Standard Magpul handguard = uses legacy Magpul attachment accessories. It's like the difference between the Magpul RVG and Magpul VFG.

M-Lok Handguard = uses the new Magpul M-Lok system.

IMO, pick one. It's in essence the same plastic handguard, the interfaces are different. From what it looks like is that M-Lok is competing with KeyMod. From that video I posted, M-Lok looks like a pain in the butt compared to KeyMod.

gunny4053 · Jan 7, 2015

Techse7en77 said:
Good video, but not exactly what I was wondering about. I'm trying to see the difference between the standard Magpul guard and rail vs. the Magpul m-Lok ones. Thanks!

The M-lok rails are designed to attach while the hand guard is installed on the rifle, the same as the Keymod is. The standard model requires the removal of the hand guard from the rifle to effect installation. Other than that, the only difference is the design difference that allows those rails to attach without removal. I don't know, but the M-lok rails may even attach to the standard Magpul hand guard slots. Might be worth a look.

I have the Troy Alpha on my Sport, and adding rails can be somewhat painful. This is what makes the Keymod so appealing for folks wanting to free float their barrels, as accessories can be added or removed on a whim.

Good Luck and good shooting.

sgtsandman · Jan 7, 2015

I'm just curious on the durability of the Mlok since the hand guard is plastic and some of the installable components. Whereas the key lock system seems that everything is some kind of metal.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

jwalts27 · Jan 7, 2015

I just went from a Troy Bravo 13" handguard to a Midwest Industries Keymod in 15". Its like night and day with the weight saving of the Keymod even at 2" longer. I put a Minimalist stock on it and its light as a feather.

FrostKing · Jan 8, 2015

jwalts27 said:
I just went from a Troy Bravo 13" handguard to a Midwest Industries Keymod in 15". Its like night and day with the weight saving of the Keymod even at 2" longer. I put a Minimalist stock on it and its light as a feather.

Can you post a photo? I like to see what it looks like with those 2 on it if possible.

ctandc · Jan 9, 2015

New here, but not really new to AR's. Just been a while and I'm amazed at how much more selection / options shooters have for their setups.

I bought a M&P15OR and I'll be installing Magpul furniture. I've had experience with the regular MOE stuff and the BIG difference I see with the MLOK is the fact you do NOT have to pull the handguard to install rails or accessories.

That's why you have to set the depth of those nuts - you set it for the thickness of the rail your working with. I'd rather do that than have to pull the hand guard, EVERY time I wanted to add something or even when I wanted to find the optimal position for say a vertical grip.

Pick your poison, pay your money and set it up the way you want.

As for the person who asked about the MOE / MLOK adapters...

Magpul M-LOK to MOE Adapter Kit - MAG478 - Primary Arms

Allow mounting of M-LOK stuff to MOE hand guards.

M-Lok vs standard Magpul hand guard?

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