New Magpul M-Lok

I remember when quad rails where the "In" thing, from about 2004-2008 in the AR world you HAD to have quad rails. People would get 10" rail systems to mount a flashlight, VFG and maybe a bi-pod (only accessories relevant to civilians), then cover the rest with rail panels. They would successfully turn a 6-7lbs run into a 12 lbs gun.


Tube style handguards had been around for a while but then Keymod brought them back into the light, now that's the "in" thing. Soon enough this will be. Unfortunately unlike the rail systems and accessories designed for them half of this stuff probably won't be cross compatible.


Kinda gimmicky if you ask me, look at the current proprietary keymod accessories, $100 hand stops (in other words a small bit of metal).


Look at the CF C7's, they just mount their VFG, flashlights, and ANPQ whatever directly to the stock A2 handguard with those little rails. Much cheaper alternative that does the same job.
 
mini15 said:
I remember when quad rails where the "In" thing, from about 2004-2008 in the AR world you HAD to have quad rails. People would get 10" rail systems to mount a flashlight, VFG and maybe a bi-pod (only accessories relevant to civilians), then cover the rest with rail panels. They would successfully turn a 6-7lbs run into a 12 lbs gun.


Tube style handguards had been around for a while but then Keymod brought them back into the light, now that's the "in" thing. Soon enough this will be. Unfortunately unlike the rail systems and accessories designed for them half of this stuff probably won't be cross compatible.


Kinda gimmicky if you ask me, look at the current proprietary keymod accessories, $100 hand stops (in other words a small bit of metal).


Look at the CF C7's, they just mount their VFG, flashlights, and ANPQ whatever directly to the stock A2 handguard with those little rails. Much cheaper alternative that does the same job.
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Just because the CF or any mil opts for something does not mean it is neither the best option nor a viable one. If you want the most madularity possible with the smallest impact to accuracy, and reliability, then attaching directly to the stock handguards is a bad choice. I agree that the fads in AR handguards is very much a short lived event and changes often. The M-lok looks to me as solid as the key mod system and it does offer benefits if you're interested in searching out the information. The basic premise is that is requires no addition rails, and is easier and cheaper to produce accessories. The M-lok is also marketed to be cross compatible with key mod handguards as well as with MOE drop in polymer handguards.

TDC
 
i think key mod is the one. that seems like the most simplistic system that gives all the advantages of rails without all the additional weight. M-lok is the same hoever the problem with the elongated slots means you're further limiting mounting space. for example a fore grip intended to mount using a single keymod slot, with the M-lock system that mount now takes up twice the amount of space with the one slot being used.

that said m1913 rails are here to stay as well. there's no arguing that for sight mounting thats probably the best option. i would imagine the top rail will always remain rail from now on and then something like keymod or m-lok for everything else. both for convenience of the user and ease of manufacturing
 
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mini15 said:
Look at the CF C7's, they just mount their VFG, flashlights, and ANPQ whatever directly to the stock A2 handguard with those little rails. Much cheaper alternative that does the same job.
Click to expand...

Except they aren't cheaper than a rail system and they don't do the same job. CF issued kit is almost never the best product and is never the cheapest option.
 
TDC said:
The M-lok is also marketed to be cross compatible with key mod handguards as well as with MOE drop in polymer handguards.

TDC
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I think you misread it. MOE accessories will mount up to the new M-lok slots with an adapter, but M-Lok accessories will not mount to the MOE handguards without modification. The slots are a touch narrower, shorter and more rounded on the MOE.

That being said, I was batting around the idea of picking up an MOE handguard for my AR, but I just might wait for the M-Lok.
 
Grizz Axxemann said:
I think you misread it. MOE accessories will mount up to the new M-lok slots with an adapter, but M-Lok accessories will not mount to the MOE handguards without modification. The slots are a touch narrower, shorter and more rounded on the MOE.

That being said, I was batting around the idea of picking up an MOE handguard for my AR, but I just might wait for the M-Lok.
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If I'm not mistaken the new generations of MOE handguards are to be produced with slots compatible with the M-lok system.

TDC
 
The vfg's are mounted with those cadex rail sections but the peq 2's and lights are mounted on the Triad dingus that is bolted onto the barrel.

mini15 said:
Look at the CF C7's, they just mount their VFG, flashlights, and ANPQ whatever directly to the stock A2 handguard with those little rails. Much cheaper alternative that does the same job.
Click to expand...

Big Red, I hope they don't pay more for those triads than they would for a full rail!
 
Back on topic!

M-Loc just killed Keymod. Keymod is actually pretty difficult to manufacture. It requires custom dovetail cutters to machine extremely difficult to measure features. This means additional time and additional costs. M-Loc is dead simple, super easy to measure and manufacture with tools that every shop already has. This means CHEAP!

Half turn T-nuts are nothing new. Machining has used them for years in t-slots for fixtures. Making the T-nuts is so simple compared to the Keymod nuts. Everything about M-Loc makes sense.

I am all for M-Loc and I see it becoming the standard in no time. Mark my words, Keymod is dead.
 
TDC said:
Just because the CF or any mil opts for something does not mean it is neither the best option nor a viable one. If you want the most modularity possible with the smallest impact to accuracy, and reliability, then attaching directly to the stock handguards is a bad choice. I agree that the fads in AR handguards is very much a short lived event and changes often.
TDC
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Of course rail systems offer benefits, not going to challenge that. How many of us though will mount more then maybe two accessory's. Or shoot in a certain way and also past a certain distance to the point where simpler solutions begin to cause a problem?

Picking the wrong fore end for the job nullifies one of the biggest original strengths of the AR design, light weight.

I agree that it looks like a solid system, this wasn't directed so much to M-Lock as it was to rail "systems" in general.

A lot of people are now looking back on the quad rail craze and shaking their heads. I imagine the same will happen to the HBAR barrel craze, the "thumb over" method and a heck of a lot of things once the "next thing" comes out.
 
Interestung development. Personally I don't see the keymod system going extinct, especially because quad rails aren't going anywhere either.
 
pics; http://www.guns.com/2014/04/23/magpul-releases-modular-m-lok-accessory-mounting-standard/

magpul-m-lok.jpg


magpul-m-lok-description.jpg


MK8-white-background-1.jpg
 
They have not shown anything other than rail sections being directly mounted to the M-Loc slots.
If rail panels must be mounted before accessories can be attached this system will become much heavier than keymod.
I had a Sampson Evolution handguard that required rail panels for attachment and it got heavy quickly.

I have converted to keymod.
I will keep an open mind and will look at the M-Loc once it and its' accessories are released.
Many companies have gone ahead and invested a lot of time and R&D to get their keymod production going.
I doubt that they will be quick to jump onto another bandwagon.
I will definitely not be the one pronouncing keymod as dead.
 
I have no doubts Magpul would have went with the K-mod if they could have made plastic parts that worked up to their standards and kept offering them at a competitive price point. But they couldnt, so they created something that works, thats what they do.
 
Armedsask said:
Back on topic!

M-Loc just killed Keymod. Keymod is actually pretty difficult to manufacture. It requires custom dovetail cutters to machine extremely difficult to measure features. This means additional time and additional costs. M-Loc is dead simple, super easy to measure and manufacture with tools that every shop already has. This means CHEAP!

Half turn T-nuts are nothing new. Machining has used them for years in t-slots for fixtures. Making the T-nuts is so simple compared to the Keymod nuts. Everything about M-Loc makes sense.

I am all for M-Loc and I see it becoming the standard in no time. Mark my words, Keymod is dead.
Click to expand...

You kinda lost me with your sweaty farmer taint thread. But you totally redeemed yourself with this one. :D I think you nailed it.
 
Well, Surefire may have both of them beat:

http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2014/03/11/surefire-rf-r14-minimal-ar-rail/

Note that it can mount mini-rails for dedicated Pica mounting...but by simply using the gaps you can mount right directly between the holes, using a mount meant for the original Pic rails! Meaning, you may not have to buy as many mini rail sections...or maybe none at all, and still be lightweight!
 
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