Rail covers in FDE, What are my choices / options?

[Hungry]

I could not resist swapping my mid length OD green 8.5" handguards for a pair of UTG 4 rail handguard set from Questar in Barrie. Now I need some FDE rail covers to match my outfit. Fashion Police might be on patrol!

I need some advice on covering the rails with some FDE rail covers. Magpul? Suggestions ? Price points ? Sources? Troy ? Daniel Defence? What works and what is a PITA?

Looking forward to hearing from the experts!

Cheers,
Barney

 

[RaTa]

I like the Magpul ones. They're firm, solid lockup and the profile isn't too large. Another thing I like about them is that they are short as apposed to other 1 piece setups, so you can place them around other fun bits you put on the rails. The KAC ones look good too but good luck getting your hands on those.

 

[canucklehead]

Of all the types I've tried, I keep coming back to Magpul. I use both the rubber 'overmolded' ones, and the new XTM ones. I actually prefer the older ones, as they give a better cushioned grip, but not good for small hands.

The XTM are slimmer (they feel like it anyway).

To be honest, I'm not a huge fan of the KAC ones. They are too slippery for my liking. Perhaps you could stipple it yourself, but at $30+/panel, you don't want to screw up.

 

[EvilDezel]

canucklehead, I am very envious.

Nice collection. I love the furniture swapping.

 

[300Spartans]

Nice collection for sure!

 

[Hungry]

Some panels might be a little fat for my small hands. Hmmmm those ladder protectors from Magpul sure look koool!

 

[canucklehead]

Back to the original question about where to get them - Dave's Tactical is always a good source. That, or I usually find mine in the EE.

FDE - It's the new OD baby... haha!

 

[Hokus Grey]

GP Tactical's got 'em.

Blaxun (sp?) on here has them in the EE.

 

[zykopat]

I've tried TangoDown's, Falcon rail ladders and Magpul XTMs. I have medium hands but the TD's and XTMs make the grip too large for what I consider comfortable. The falcons are the right fit for me. But you can't beat the XTM's aesthetics and you can create patterns.

What I did is put the Falcons on the 3 and 9 O'clock rails and the XTMs on the 12 and 6 O'clock rails.

 

[alexD92]

Larue index clips are amazing. They snap on tightly and have a low profile. Price wise it isn't too bad. Blaxsun sells a whack load of accessories for the AR platform. Check the EE for his ads.

The only problem you might have is if the rail is out of the spec the clips might not fit properly. I had a rough time to put the clips on my Troy Industries MRF-DI rail. But they clipped on easily on the upper receiver of my Bushmaster.

I had Magpul XT rail covers and it is a world of difference between them and the Larue. The only drawback might be the lack of aggressive texture.

 

[Hokus Grey]

Thanks Alex! I was looking at those and wondering about the Larue index clips. Hadn't heard much about them on non-Larue rails though.

 

[tacticalII]

I did lose a section of XTM but I think it wasn't quite snapped in since it hasn't happened again. Like them and the original Magpul covers.

 

[Suputin]

My favourite is the Magpul XTM. They are just the most versatile and best looking variation. We started leaving a space between each panel and it ends up looking better because it breaks up the monolithic slab sided look of a full coverage panel. It also allows more of that expensive rail to be visible.

The soft plastic ladder covers are probably the lowest profile option. They can be cut and trimmed to fit any application.