Quad rail upgrade question: Aluminum vs Polymer

[jasona]

So, I'm looking at adding a quad rail to my M&P15OR. Not going to replace the gas block, so it'll be a 6-7" rail.

I can get a polymer rail at Cabela's for ~$55 (Mission First), or I can order an aluminum for ~$49.97 (GunTec on CheaperThanDirt) Both are two piece, which it looks like I could install on my own (with some help from my wife.)

What I'd likely be adding to the quad rail (at least for now) would be:
Bipod
Front grip (probably a Magpul AFG2)

Neither would be getting taken off on a regular (or even irregular) basis.

So, any thoughts, comments?

Thanks

 

[JoseVazquez76]

Don't get the polymer one I feel like they would be very flimsy not as sturdy I bought an aluminum one for less than 35 dollars from monstrom I think it was a pain to install gave me a pretty hard time to tell the truth but I have no wiggle on it very solid it's a two piece and comes with a few screws to tighten them down. You may want to look into them

Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk

 

[Waywatcher]

Is there enough room on a carbine rail for an AFG and bipod? Is a bipod even worthwhile on this carbine? If a bipod is worthwhile, is the AFG? I'm not trying to be a buzzkill. I'm trying to get you to really think about what you are doing and why. Do you even need a quad rail?

 

[JaPes]

One piece of advice. A handguard removal/installation tool makes the job easier. They cost between $10 - $12.

 

[bhayles]

One piece of advice. A handguard removal/installation tool makes the job easier. They cost between $10 - $12.

First tool I bought. Best $12.00 I've spent.

 

[JaPes]

First tool I bought. Best $12.00 I've spent.

I was stubborn. I thought I didn't need the tool. I'd just man up and compress that delta ring by hand. After the 5th time I realized I needed a third hand, and got the tool. LOL

OP, here's a video I made about it.

AR Delta Ring Compression Tool - YouTube

 

[JoseVazquez76]

Is there enough room on a carbine rail for an AFG and bipod? Is a bipod even worthwhile on this carbine? If a bipod is worthwhile, is the AFG? I'm not trying to be a buzzkill. I'm trying to get you to really think about what you are doing and why. Do you even need a quad rail?

Yes there is enough room for a bipod and a vertical grip on a carbon length. my bipod legs when not in use are pointing in the direction of the flash hider so it does not interfere with my vertical grip

Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk

 

[Waywatcher]

Yes there is enough room for a bipod and a vertical grip on a carbon length. my bipod legs when not in use are pointing in the direction of the flash hider so it does not interfere with my vertical grip

Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk

Yeah, I figured there's enough room for a VFG and a bipod. I'm still skeptical that there's enough room for an AFG and bipod.

I don't have any problem compressing the delta ring and removing the fore ends by hand, but then again I do have 'hitchhiker' thumbs that I take for granted.

 

[bhayles]

I was stubborn. I thought I didn't need the tool. I'd just man up and compress that delta ring by hand. After the 5th time I realized I needed a third hand, and got the tool. LOL

OP, here's a video I made about it.

AR Delta Ring Compression Tool - YouTube

John, I knew ya before I knew ya! I saw that video before joining this forum, perhaps before buying my sport.

I had two thoughts:

1. That sure is impolite shooting a bird like that.

2. Man...that music sucks!

 

[Vinney47]

For polymer, consider the magpul one. Doesn't come with rails, but they can be added.

I'm skeptical of room for the afg and bi-pod. I have an afg2 (smaller than afg) that eats most the rail, left room for a sling attachment point and that's it.

 

[JaPes]

John, I knew ya before I knew ya! I saw that video before joining this forum, perhaps before buying my sport.

I had two thoughts:

1. That sure is impolite shooting a bird like that.

2. Man...that music sucks!

LOL. I have the that video set to private, so if you saw it you saw it on another forum somewhere. The music was from the royalty-free selection.

 

[eschoendorff]

LOL. I have the that video set to private, so if you saw it you saw it on another forum somewhere. The music was from the royalty-free selection.

I thought the video was great.

 

[Kadonny]

I lol'd at it, especially when you still struggle to get the second handguard piece on

I still liked it though.

 

[Ibmikey]

Take a look at the MI key mod drop in aluminum rail...not a large diameter so hand fits well.....put one on my Sport and really does a nice job.

 

[jasona]

Take a look at the MI key mod drop in aluminum rail...not a large diameter so hand fits well.....put one on my Sport and really does a nice job.

The funny thing is, just last weekend I was glancing through an AR15 magazine at the bookstore, and they had an article on the death of Picatinny rails and Keymod!

To everyone else, part of wanting to put a rail on is "tacti-cooling" the rifle, and some of it is wanting to play with longer range shooting (the bipod.) Realistically, I could probably do without the AFG. Although, if I go aluminum for the rail, I suppose swapping out would be an option, depending on what I'm doing at the time (long-range? three-gun?)

Thanks all!

 

[SiGfever]

A cheap rail is...well, a cheap rail. Save up a little and get a better quality rail, it will serve you better without as much buyer's remorse. just my $.015

 

[archertl]

If your not changing to a low profile gas block to use a free float rail I'd recommend the Magul carbine length MOE handguard. Its light weight well constructed and durable. you can add rail sections to it.
I really don't think you'll have room for both an afg and a bipod.

 

[bhayles]

If your not changing to a low profile gas block to use a free float rail I'd recommend the Magul carbine length MOE handguard. Its light weight well constructed and durable. you can add rail sections to it.
I really don't think you'll have room for both an afg and a bipod.

I'll second that. Its what I have on my Sport and works out great, but I'm with archetl...while you might get a vertical hand guard and a bipod (combine them by getting one that the bipod slides into the vertical grip?) on it, I seriously doubt you'd get an angle grip and bipod to fit.

 

[jasona]

So, new question on this topic...

Is replacing the gas block something a novice with a limited toolset can do, or would that be better handled by a gunsmith?

And of course, do you have any suggestions on a low-profile block? I'd presumably have to do the block and rail at the same time...

Thanks again

 

[78Staff]

The gas block on the OR is a PITA to remove, more so than the standard sight/gasblock combo. Some say you can spray the roll pin with penetrant and leave overnight which will make it easier, but I couldn't get mine off and neither could the LGS - they actually cut it off. Said they've had issue with several OR's being stubborn.

But other than that, it's pretty simple . Pull the old one, clean up the barrel, slide on the new one, you can reuse the gas tube and pin, and clamp/bolt it down. I used a Troy lo pro gas block since I was using a Troy Alpha Rail, but a MI or Bravo would work just as well...