Full Rail Covers vs. Ladder Rail Covers

[no clever name]

I'm curious to find out some opinions on full rail covers vs. the ladder rail covers. I'm wanting to outfit my 15-22 with one of these but haven't had a chance to handle either of the two. Any and all opinions / suggestions appreciated!

 

[chrisj6061]

Ladder covers are nice because they have a thinner profile on your quad rail but offer less protection to your rails. Most are rubber so they can provide a sticky grip as well. Some rail covers can have rubber though most are plastic that have been ribbed or checkered. Like mentioned a larger profile, more protection. And sometimes a better grip depending on design and cut.

On my personal rifle I have both, covers for primary hand placement, ladders on the remainder. Most the time its preference of size and looks. Even color.

 

[DownRange&Upwind]

If you look in the picture thread, you will see that my 15 22 has Magpul XTM Dark Earth rail covers on the sides, and a rubber ladder on the top and bottom. I have since removed the rubber laddders, for the same reasons that stated above this comment.. is that they dont protect the rails nearly as well. Also mine started to slighlty discolor from being placed in and out of the bag, shooting gloves on them etc etc.

The Magpul XTM covers are a hard plastic compound and snap into place, and offer VERY secure and durable protection. Where as the ladders are just pressed into the slots on the rails and while they do stay in place, they are easily snagged if they are not 100% pressed into place. Thus allowing the corner to come out and actually rip into a few pieces, as what happened to my first set of ladders. It all comes down to personal preference as they do offer a more rubberized grip ( obviously). But Id prefer protection over rubber grip any time. And if you have good shooting gloves, the rubber grip isnt a issue.

 

[Rustpot]

It's also very easy to stipple plastic panels for a more secure grip. I use the XTM panels since I have very large hands and don't mind the size added when they're on all 3 sides.

I haven't stippled mine since I have no problems using a .22 for plinking. If I was using the same panels with a .223 in a competition I would probably do it.

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

on a .22 grip preference and accessory wire routing are the considerations. On an AR with a metal quad rail there are heat issues to consider.

 

[chuck s]

I think it cost me less than $12 to put the Ergogrips ladder type covers on my rails to make the rail more comfortable to hold. The full rail covers make the handguards the size of a loaf of white bread (but much more firm!).

-- Chuck

 

[Scuds03]

I use ladders on mine because they are lightweight and don't increase the diameter of my rail (I dont want it to be any bigger). They are easy to cut to the sizes you need (to leave room for lights and stuff). Plus I am cheap and they are the cheapest solution haha. Different covers do different things, its one of those things where different covers are going to feel better to different people so you just need to find the one you like the best.

 

[shawnr5]

I have Troy rail covers on mine. They are hard and knurled and I like 'em. I got 3 for $17.00, shipped off Ebay.I am too cheap to pay $40 for Larue Index Clips.

 

[no clever name]

Thanks to all for the replies. I think I'm going to go with the full rail covers for the bottom / sides and maybe a ladder cover for the top. I have very large hands so the larger profile will be just fine.

Now to decide between the different options!!

 

[grimreaper21]

nice score on the troy parts, are they solid anondized steel or aluminum? seems like anything they make is $99.

I use ladders on mine because they are lightweight and don't increase the diameter of my rail (I dont want it to be any bigger). They are easy to cut to the sizes you need (to leave room for lights and stuff). Plus I am cheap and they are the cheapest solution haha. Different covers do different things, its one of those things where different covers are going to feel better to different people so you just need to find the one you like the best.

I think i found a new favorite! they look so clean! I'm sure the look is amplified by the multi-color combo but i wonder how it looks plain black on black. how cheap and where did you get em?
Edit : just noticed chuck has em too.

 

[Scuds03]

I found them on Ebay. It was $13 shipped for a pack of 4 18-slot rail ladders. They pretty much provide a non-slip rubber grip feeling.

 

[Nachtjager]

rail covers

I have the rubber ladder rail covers with the scalloped top covering the whole top rail and just got XTMs to use on the sides

I really like the ladder rail covers as they are light and the scalloped middle allows for a nice grip if you use them on the sides as well

the XTMs fit real nice and secure but they seem to add quite a bit of weight and increase the size of the griping area quite a bit as well

I am thinking of using the ladder rail covers for the whole thing to keep things slim and light weight. I am sure the XTMs provide better protection against nicks to the rails but they do seem more bulky compared to the ladders.

so I am going to try both ways or a combination of both to try to find the best fit/weight ratio that works for me.

 

[grimreaper21]

are you guys using the Ergo Grip, Magpul or others for the ladder rails? I can't even tell the difference by looking at their product pages, just wondering. Magpul seems to be about $10 per 18 rail and I've seen 4 packs of the Ergo grip as low as $25.

 

[Nachtjager]

@grimreaper
I got mine from RRAGES.COM and they offer magpul and a brand that has no name and sells for $14 for a pair (these are the ones I have). they cover 18 rail slots and are a hard rubber with scalloped tops. I tried them on the side rails and the scalloped tops gave a real nice grip feeling, they are light, and seem to cover the rail edges and top very well for protection against rail damage.

you can get a good look at them in my photos above, looking at the second photo from the top.