keymod

I've not tried one yet, but sure makes more sense than hanging cheese grater rails everywhere and then having to put on rail covers on them to keep your skin.

Never been a fan of rails other than on top for forward mounting an optic and/or BUIS and a short section on the bottom for a bi-pod, although a good sling stud can serve the same function with the right bi-pod.

I'm excited about one of the lightest and thinnest rail systems out there (Samson Evolution) introducing KeyMod models for 2014.

Midway is having a sale right now: http://www.midwayusa.com/product/28...mod-free-float-handguard-ar-15-aluminum-matte I ordered a 15" for my SDM-R build.

Mike

I'd like to use quality KeyMod mounts for things like optics, lasers, and backup sights but save some money on things like grips and lights. Who makes economical KeyMod rail sections?

Mike

5.5 oz for a 13" handguard sounds awfully nice. what brand/model did you mount? are there any 12" that have a cutout for the fsb on a carbine similar to the centurion c4 i have now?

thanks. upon looking at it closer, i realize that it's a one piece unit, which means an fsp cut out version is not in the cards.

I don't really have much use for key mod. I have modular free float handguards (Troy TRX and MI-SS Gen 2) on 2 of my ARs, and I don't use any of the add-on rail sections for mounting accessories; I only mount the section that has the integral sling socket, and only for mounting my sling. The only other accessories I would ever need to mount are a flashlight and an IR laser... and both of those can mount to the top rail. In fact, that's where I would prefer to mount them. If I ever set an AR up as a precision rifle and I wanted a bipod, I would most likely use a sling stud mounted model... my existing handguards both have provision for that. So no, much to the disappointment of the gear manufacturers, I will not be retrofitting all of my rifles to keep up with this latest fad and buying all new mounting hardware to attach all my accessories with.

I do like a nice skinny handguard. My MI-SS Gen 2 is even skinnier than yours, and I love it. It is also extremely light. It felt like it weighed about as much as the plastic handguards it replaced.

I am in the midst of two builds. One is a re-imagined left-hand Stag 3G(L) built to lightweight specs (versus the original which is just too heavy to enjoy). The same Samson rail (pre-keyhole) as the 3G but still a relatively lightweight part. The second is similar but chambered in .300 BLK and with a BCM keyhole rail. The rail is incredible. Much lighter, the keyholes are more interesting as cooling vents versus mount points, but no cheese grating, etc. I'm hugely impressed with it and can't imagine ever buying a 'conventional' rail again.
Anyway I'm building two but will sell one and keep the other. Just haven't decided which stays and which goes (sorry for the detour).
B

I'm excited about one of the lightest and thinnest rail systems out there (Samson Evolution) introducing KeyMod models for 2014.

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While I don't have the Keymod version, I do have the Rainier Arms version of the normal Samson Evolution rail on one of my ARs, and it is by far my favorite AR forearm system. Incredibly easy to install, very light, well-finished, and rock-solid.

I'd like to use quality KeyMod mounts for things like optics ...

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As far as I can tell, so far they all have standard rails on the top surface, the keymod slots are only on the other surfaces.

What convinced me to go with the keymod is how small it is in diameter (1.5") and how much lighter the magnesium/aluminum alloy BCM one is...

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Anyone know the ID on this? and/or others? I'm very happy with my UTG SS forearm, and my GemTec multimount slips right in but it looks like my new ISIS-2 is a bit too large in diameter

wally said:

As far as I can tell, so far they all have standard rails on the top surface, the keymod slots are only on the other surfaces.(

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I was thinking in terms of 30-45 degree backup sights and lasers.

Mike

PS. I have large hands and the 1.8" dia Sampson Evolution is on a sweet spot for me. The Troy .308 guards are only about 0.040" thicker and off the sweet spot for me. I can see why some would want even slimmer.

I have a KAC URX 4 keymod and I really like the size of it. I wear large gloves, but I certainly don't have huge hands. I think the URX 4 is light, easy to grip and gives the flexibility to mount things where you want them without wasted rails.



KAC has some keymod mounted irons: http://www.knightarmco.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=10&products_id=152

And HSP has a keymod light mount - I have one mounted abovehttp://www.ar15news.com/2013/07/19/new-hsp-thorntail-keymod-light-mounts/

I love them. Don't own one, but as soon as $130 makes itself available, I'll be putting the Midwest Industries Keymod rail on my Saiga, and whenever I get around to an AR build, I'll be using a Keymod of some flavor. Used one recently on a friend's rifle, and it just hit me... why did this take so long to catch on? The handguards are lighter, accessories are easier and quicker to install, it looks better, it feels better (I think they're a bit slick, compared to the cheese grater, but guess what... grippy Keymod panels would fix that), and by all accounts, Keymod-mounted parts are just a sturdy as 1913 rail-mounted parts.

I have played around with the keymod stuff and I like some of the products out there. They are definitely some of the lightest, slimmest stuff on the market. To all the guys looking for keymod scope mounts and keymod anything that directly attaches a device to the rail you got to look at how it works first.

Since the 2 bolts that snug up the key nuts have to be tightened from the top to snug it in, any mount that has that feature built in is going to have to be a 2 piece mount where one part attaches to the rail and then leaves access or comes apart to give access to snug down the key nuts. In that case...why bother since there's already 1913 keymod adapters on the market. You can make yours fit a 1913 and then everyone can use it whereas the keymod would be keymod only.

Now, someone could figure out some sort of a skeletal type design that allows this to work as a 1 piece..but unless keymod gets way more popular it wouldn't work at all with the large amount of 1913 users out there obviously. It would also have to be pretty minimal as far as material goes to allow for the rotation of those bolts.

In the meantime you have a whole bunch of bolts. You have the 2 bolts that snug up the key nuts on the 1913 adapter. Then you have the 1 or 2 bolts that secure your device to the 1913. So if you have a light and a vfg on a rifle, you now have up to 8 bolts holding those 2 devices in place. That is the only downside to this design....too convoluted as it stands with the stuff that's out there.

Edit: I should also add that the first person that makes a quick detach integral keymod aimpoint micro mount and a quick detach integral keymod 30mm scope mount makes a million bucks in no time flat.

If you just want lightweight and free floating and you don't care how stuff mounts, these are where it's at. I debated getting an NSR upper for a long time. Those Midwest industries ones look pretty good and they aren't crazy money either.

If you just want lightweight and free floating and you don't care how stuff mounts,

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That'd be me. I also want as thin (small OD) as possible as long as the ID will slip over my suppressor.

Since the 2 bolts that snug up the key nuts have to be tightened from the top to snug it in, any mount that has that feature built in is going to have to be a 2 piece mount where one part attaches to the rail and then leaves access or comes apart to give access to snug down the key nuts. In that case...why bother since there's already 1913 keymod adapters on the market. You can make yours fit a 1913 and then everyone can use it whereas the keymod would be keymod only.

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Could easily make a T1/RMR/FF/PA/TRS-25 mount that positioned the optic a couple inches back, allowing you to access the screws, but keep a low, solid mount.

Meh. Try a parallax tactical free float system. The older style without the keymod. Almost as light, rails where you need them, but not in the middle. Can use magpul rail sections in the middle if you feel you must.

http://parallaxtactical.com/products/parallax-tactical-gen2-15-free-float-super-slim-rail-ffssr

It looks like a good system but its expensive. Plus, the 5.5oz doesn't include any additional rails nor the mounting hardware. Still real light, but if you mount a couple items, the weights adds back up. If you aren't mounting a couple items, the keymod is an expensive way to do a basic float tube.

Personally, I'm not looking to swap in today's market. I think the ALG EMR fits my use equally well for half the cost (and only a couple ounces heavier). For a heavier duty use rail, something with fixed rails that won't come loose seems like a more reliable option. I would be interested to see what the total weight is when you add in two or three rails to mount a light, a grip, and maybe a 45* set of sights/red dot.

There is a lot to like about the keymod setup but for my use (mainly light duty range time) I can't see a gain over some of the light weight options at a fraction of the cost. It will be interesting to see how well that light weight of a rail system holds up over time.

I put the Seekins SP3R on my last hunting rifle. It is triangular and actually feels good in the hand, but excellent off ledge, fence post or rested against a tree, feels reel solid.

I'm kinda lost on the Keymod thing and don't understand how it works. What about all the stuff I have that mounts to a picatinny rail. Do I have to buy a adapter for those?

EDIT: I did a YouTube search and found out how they work. Looks really neat but I don't see myself buying one anytime soon.