#Ar keymod accessories install

C1, C2, C3 (Seekins) Average Shift (MOA): 3.2.

B1, B2, B3 (Midwest) Average Shift (MOA): 7.2.

A1, A2, A3 (Aero) Average Shift (MOA): 4.4.

The test optic was a PEQ-15 laser, and point of aim (POA) was measured before and after each handguard was uninstalled and then reinstalled. The purpose of this test was to see how much point of aim of an attached laser optic would shift when the handguards were uninstalled and reinstalled. Let's dive into the various tests conducted! Uninstall / Reinstall POA Shift

B1, B2, B3: Midwest Industries (KeyMod).

To make the data easy to read, NAVSEA labelled each rail systems alphanumerically: Their goal was to determine which of the two rail systems was superior. NAVSEA compared the most popular brands of M-LOK and Keymod rail systems (Aero Precision, Midwest Industries, and Seekins) by engaging in various torture tests. This comparison uses data and testing collected from the Naval Surface Warfare Center. We're comparing M-LOK and Keymod with this guide, since Picatinny is well established and quite different from the former two. Picatinny is a 'male' attachment system, in that the accessory to be attached uses a female attachment to clamp onto the exposed rails on the Picatinny guard. M-LOK and Keymod are 'female' attachment systems, in that the rail is the female side and the accessory to be attached uses small bolts and risers to affix to the handguard's various open slots. The three types are M-LOK, Keymod, and Picatinny. Q: Which attachment rail system is the best?Ī: We're going to break that down in detail in this guide. The LR-308/AR-10 uses its a physically wider handguard to accommodate the larger barrels, barrel nuts, and gas blocks, while all AR-15 handguards are 'universal' and can be installed on any type of AR-15, regardless of the caliber being chambered (300 Blackout, 5.56. The AR is split into two basic platforms: The AR-15, and the AR-10 or LR-308, which is the larger. You can get a guard that goes all the way to the muzzle, if you prefer.Ī: Mostly, yes. You'll probably want a guard long enough to at least cover the gas tube and gas block to protect them from damage.

#Ar keymod accessories install

If you choose a free-float handguard and your AR's equipped with a low-profile gas block that fits underneath the guard, you can install virtually any length you want.

If you prefer the military look of a drop-in/two-piece guard, you'll need to buy one that matches the length of your AR's gas system, since it connects to the gas block. Q: How do I determine the best handguard length?Ī: That depends on the type of handguard you want to utilize. While they may be less 'robust', they're still tough enough for combat conditions (we'll review military testing below) and they improve accuracy, especially at greater distances. These handguards are typically much lighter and more aesthetic. It only attaches at one point on the rifle or pistol, and that's via the barrel nut, which is secured to the front of the upper receiver:īecause the handguard is only attached via the barrel nut, it does not contact the barrel itself or the gas block. That's where free-float handguards come in.Ī: A free-float handguard quite literally 'floats' over the barrel and gas block. The drawback is that such a handguard, when affixed directly to the gas block and barrel, can reduce accuracy. This handguard is considered the most 'rugged.' It would take an exceptional amount of force - likely enough to bend the barrel itself - to dislodge this handguard. These types of handguards typically have a quad Picatinny rail for attachments, or they'll be smooth, provided only as a place to grip with your non-firing hand, like the one below. As the name implies, a two-piece handguard comprises two halves, which meet together at the barrel nut and front sight bus / gas block, clamping together around the barrel and gas tube. Q: What is a drop-in or two-piece handguard?Ī: This is the original handguard design found on commercial AR-15s, adopted directly from service-issued M4s and M16s. Is M-LOK better than KeyMod? Does a Picatinny rail still have its place on a modern AR-15? What's the difference between a drop-in handguard and a free-float unit? Let's clear it all up. With so many handguards available on the AR parts market, picking the right one can get a little confusing.