USASkeet shooter Posted January 26, 2015 Share Posted January 26, 2015 I am trying to decide on a new forarm for my 3gun setup. I am currently using a Daniel Defense Ambush rifle that comes with a 12" MFR that I would like to sell and replace with something a bit longer and maybe more versitile for accesory mounting options without adding much more weight.I have especially been looking at the Samson Mfg Evolution series 15" rails as is seems they are widely used in the 3gun community so they must be doing something right and they seem very comfortable.I am looking for suggestions on wether I should go with the standard Evolution rail, or if the diversity of accessories offered for the Keymod or MLOK would be worth the added expense? Also open to suggestions of other modular rails.Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oak hill Posted January 26, 2015 Share Posted January 26, 2015 The list of choices is long. There are many good options out there, many opinions about which is best. A good place to start narrowing your search criteria is length, diameter and as you mentioned, whether or not a given type of mounting system is desirable. For 3 gun rifles, most have nothing more than a sling mount on them, if that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scarabrick Posted January 26, 2015 Share Posted January 26, 2015 Ap customs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MickB Posted January 26, 2015 Share Posted January 26, 2015 Only reason to go Evo Keymod is that it is slightly lighter than the standard version... Mick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lead-Head Posted January 27, 2015 Share Posted January 27, 2015 The new mlok EVO is cool. Was released at SHOT. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steviesterno Posted January 27, 2015 Share Posted January 27, 2015 Samson. they support our sport, make great and light stuff, and you can put a rail wherever you need easily. so shoot a night match or want a bipod you slap it on there Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thehotrodpig Posted January 27, 2015 Share Posted January 27, 2015 I like the slimness of my midwest ss gen 2 15" handgaurds. Decent priced too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pcs352 Posted January 27, 2015 Share Posted January 27, 2015 I would sit out the m-lock and keymod debate as of now. One of the two options will reign supreme but as of now it is too early to tell who. Fortunately in 3 gun you won't be hanging blenders and the like from your rails. Occasionally a sling and possibly a light. I would handle as many rails as you possibly can and purchase the one that feels best to you. Like thehotrodpig said the Midwest rails offer quite a bit of value especially if you desire slimness and lightweight. I have one and for the dough they're tough to beat.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NateTSU Posted January 27, 2015 Share Posted January 27, 2015 I have a 12" Midwest Industries G2 and like it, really light weight and have tons of real estate, the only thing I have ever used it for though is a bipod and sling, but neither were for 3gun. Good value for the money and enough space to attach anything and everything. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reptoid Posted January 27, 2015 Share Posted January 27, 2015 Just installed one of these: http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/BCM-KMR15-Free-Float-Handguard-p/bcm-kmr-15-556-blk.htm Very light, very slim, and very stiff, and comes with 2 rails and tools Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hkmiller Posted January 27, 2015 Share Posted January 27, 2015 ALG Defense. Just got one. Very nice and low price. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uncledoc Posted January 27, 2015 Share Posted January 27, 2015 Pleased with my Nordic Components handguard.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shakman Posted January 27, 2015 Share Posted January 27, 2015 I started with the Troy Alpha 13" rail on my gun. Nice and lightweight with a good tactile feel to it. I've since switched to the Samson Evolution 15" mostly because it fits over the Adams Arms XLP gas block (and I had a coupon code for a hefty discount @ AA.) I like the Samson; its light, has a good feel, and is plenty long. As a side-note, Samson is located in my home-town of Keene, NH, so I feel it necessary to support them whenever possible especially given all the support they give to the game of 3-gun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nebwake Posted January 27, 2015 Share Posted January 27, 2015 +1 on the nordic. For the price its probably impossible to beat. It is kinda heavy though, especially compared to my AP custom which is super duper awesome and ultra light however they are rather proud of them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mkink Posted January 27, 2015 Share Posted January 27, 2015 I just bought a Daniel Defense V11 with the Slim Rail keymod hand guard. I really like. Its lightweight and very versatile. And the slimmer hand guard feels nice and points well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TyinTX Posted January 27, 2015 Share Posted January 27, 2015 I've got the MI SS Gen 2 on one upper, its light and small diameter feels good in the hand. Downside is the small diameter makes it impossible to get certain gas blocks underneath. Another upper I have a Rainier Arms Force on. Its still very light and most any low pro gas block will fit. They now have a mod 2 that is even lighter. I had a Samson on an upper that I sold. Felt in the hand like the Rainier just a few ounces heavier. I wanted to shave off as much hand guard weight as I could to help balance the rifle better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stlhead Posted January 27, 2015 Share Posted January 27, 2015 Get the black one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tnorman Posted January 27, 2015 Share Posted January 27, 2015 I've got the MI SS Gen 2 on one upper, its light and small diameter feels good in the hand. Downside is the small diameter makes it impossible to get certain gas blocks underneath. Another upper I have a Rainier Arms Force on. Its still very light and most any low pro gas block will fit. They now have a mod 2 that is even lighter. I had a Samson on an upper that I sold. Felt in the hand like the Rainier just a few ounces heavier. I wanted to shave off as much hand guard weight as I could to help balance the rifle better. I emailed Midwest with my concerns about the hand guard ID and I received a email back with a diagram indicating that it's 1.7 from the bottom of the handguard to the top of the rail. The 1.3 which is stated on their site is a left to right measurement. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
striped1 Posted January 27, 2015 Share Posted January 27, 2015 Give SLR Rifleworks a call and ask to talk to the tech guy. They will make a Solo ultralight without any rail on it. Get the Keymod with the ears. Super light. Lighter than any I have found. They are great to work with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TyinTX Posted January 27, 2015 Share Posted January 27, 2015 I've got the MI SS Gen 2 on one upper, its light and small diameter feels good in the hand. Downside is the small diameter makes it impossible to get certain gas blocks underneath. Another upper I have a Rainier Arms Force on. Its still very light and most any low pro gas block will fit. They now have a mod 2 that is even lighter. I had a Samson on an upper that I sold. Felt in the hand like the Rainier just a few ounces heavier. I wanted to shave off as much hand guard weight as I could to help balance the rifle better.I emailed Midwest with my concerns about the hand guard ID and I received a email back with a diagram indicating that it's 1.7 from the bottom of the handguard to the top of the rail. The 1.3 which is stated on their site is a left to right measurement. Not a lot of room to spare, and with the Carbon Arms gas block side to side you need a bit more. Its a great rail and can be had for much less than some others. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mpom Posted January 27, 2015 Share Posted January 27, 2015 Another recommendation for the Ranier Arms Force. Lighter than Samson and NO movement, which was not the case with Samson. OEM barrel nut has only so much surface area. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USASkeet shooter Posted January 27, 2015 Author Share Posted January 27, 2015 Thank you everyone for your responses! I am hear taking notes and expanding my options. Now that I look at them, in addition to the samson, I do like the midwest -Lightweight M-lok, the Rainier Arms Force Mod 2, and the AP Customs Ultralight Tac. All of them seem to be very comparable and would be good options I just bought a Daniel Defense V11 with the Slim Rail keymod hand guard. I really like. Its lightweight and very versatile. And the slimmer hand guard feels nice and points well. Belive me, if the V11 was out when I bought my ambush, I would have certainly gotten that one instead! Basically I am switching out the exact things that they changed between the two (Longer hand guard, different trigger, rifle gas system. I just need to sell my parts first) Another recommendation for the Ranier Arms Force. Lighter than Samson and NO movement, which was not the case with Samson. OEM barrel nut has only so much surface area. @mpom, I didn't notice movement or flex in the Samson but I have not held or minipulated many of them. Does their thermal bushing or whatnot, that goes around the barrel nut, does that not extend the serface area enough?Thanks again guys and keep 'em coming Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mpom Posted January 28, 2015 Share Posted January 28, 2015 Thank you everyone for your responses! I am hear taking notes and expanding my options. Now that I look at them, in addition to the samson, I do like the midwest -Lightweight M-lok, the Rainier Arms Force Mod 2, and the AP Customs Ultralight Tac. All of them seem to be very comparable and would be good options I just bought a Daniel Defense V11 with the Slim Rail keymod hand guard. I really like. Its lightweight and very versatile. And the slimmer hand guard feels nice and points well. Belive me, if the V11 was out when I bought my ambush, I would have certainly gotten that one instead! Basically I am switching out the exact things that they changed between the two (Longer hand guard, different trigger, rifle gas system. I just need to sell my parts first) Another recommendation for the Ranier Arms Force. Lighter than Samson and NO movement, which was not the case with Samson. OEM barrel nut has only so much surface area. @mpom, I didn't notice movement or flex in the Samson but I have not held or minipulated many of them. Does their thermal bushing or whatnot, that goes around the barrel nut, does that not extend the serface area enough? Thanks again guys and keep 'em coming The movement I noticed is only an issue if you have iron sights. I have irons as backup as gun serves 2 purposes, home defense and 3G. Noticed the shift in alignment between red dot and front sight post when front of handguard was pushed side to side. Not there with RA Force, plus Force is lighter and cheaper! Samson is OK, RA Force is much better, in my opinion. My guess is its made by Seekins for RA, just a hunch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USASkeet shooter Posted January 28, 2015 Author Share Posted January 28, 2015 I think it is worth much more to have a more riged construction. I do run offset iron sights so eliminated that bit of play certianly wouldn't hurt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jesse Tischauser Posted January 28, 2015 Share Posted January 28, 2015 I've been running the Samson evo on my rifles for several years. They are great. I haven't had a huge need to remove or add accessories. My sling swivel is always on. I guess a guy could add and remove rails for lights and lasers for the night matches and a bipod for open division. I get tired of switching rails and such so I just built different guns for every division/match. The one thing I really like is a top rail for my Dueck defense offset sights. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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