HKey vs Keymod: how the German makes it work

[greentips]

By now everyone has probably seen the MLok vs Keymod testing by Crane. In a nutshell, in drop test, Keymod rail failed between the slots, while M-lok rail tended to bend and the accessories slid within the rectangular slot.

This is quite reasonable Keymod has very little thickness to hold the nut and very little material between slots, in comparison to M-Lok





But what if the slots of Keymod are made smaller and the distance between two slots is 3 times as much. In addition, the edge holding the nut is 3 times thicker.

Yes, Keymod should be made like HKey in the first place.

 

[F22_RaptoR]

HK probably actually did engineering and stress testing to figure out what worked and what didn't when they did the Hkey testing.

With that said, all things considered equal I like the aesthetics of the Mlok more than the 'key' style cutouts anyways, but HK's system is likely substantially stronger than Keymod at any rate!

 

[Dietz]

John was pretty much lightweight-orientated in the keymod codevelopment. I don't think ultimate strenght was the main objective, which is obvious when you look at the design and how little mass is actually holding things.








Buckle up people.

 

[adamg]

Only HK would think making a large part on the firearm out of material triple the thickness as usual is a good idea.

 

[AB_blaster]

It looks to be an improvement over Keymod, but it is still labour intensive to manufacture both the rail slots and the necessary hardware for mounting. Mlok is cheaper to make, easier to make, and has proven to be a superior mounting method.

 

[greentips]

John was pretty much lightweight-orientated in the keymod codevelopment. I don't think ultimate strenght was the main objective, which is obvious when you look at the design and how little mass is actually holding things.

If the only thing being mounted on Keymod is a QD socket (directly ) or a "plastic light" such as the Inforce stuff it won't be an issue. But I will not mount any heavier stuff like Surefire scout or laser on MLok or Keymod, with a shape that can torque on the attachment point on impact. Rail machined to the hand guard is the only way to go for mounting heavier items that needs to be zeroed.

 

[Scotty454]

Only HK would think making a large part on the firearm out of material triple the thickness as usual is a good idea.

This. Keymod is far too thin, this seems like overkill. What's a happy medium?


...M-Lok. Lol.

 

[Dietz]

If the only thing being mounted on Keymod is a QD socket (directly ) or a "plastic light" such as the Inforce stuff it won't be an issue. But I will not mount any heavier stuff like Surefire scout or laser on MLok or Keymod, with a shape that can torque on the attachment point on impact. Rail machined to the hand guard is the only way to go for mounting heavier items that needs to be zeroed.

I agree.

 

[Devious]

It looks to be an improvement over Keymod, but it is still labour intensive to manufacture both the rail slots and the necessary hardware for mounting. Mlok is cheaper to make, easier to make, and has proven to be a superior mounting method.

HKey was developed long before Keymod/Mlok.

 

[AB_blaster]

HKey was developed long before Keymod/Mlok.

Wasn't concerned with what came first. Mlok is still easisr and cheaper to produce and tests show it to be a stronger mounting system and more consistent. The hkey is like HK's proprietary rail on pistols. Neat but still exclusive to HK.

 

[misanthropist]

also, Betamax is better than VHS

 

[Bartok5]

I reallly like the Geissele approach of providing screw-on rail sections with an MLOC-style, oval mounting interface to eliminate shear forces on the screws. The rail sections are rock-solid and may as well be directly machined. I have torn off a Keymod rail attachment by applying what I thought was reasonable sideways torque to a VFG. Yeah - Keymod, not so much....

 

[AFisher]

Only HK would think making a large part on the firearm out of material triple the thickness as usual is a good idea.

Something about making some of the best battle rifles and sub guns on the mil/leo market maybe. Made to be abused, not rest up against plywood barriers....

*joke