When it comes to handguards, you’ve got a few options. For many, the military standard 1913 Picatinny rail system is their first, only, and last choice and they don’t see the need to upgrade further. For others looking for the latest and greatest, the Keymod rail system might be an option. But in recent years, a variety of private manufacturers have created a myriad of handguard options. One in particular has garnered more than its fair share of attention: the M-LOK.
The M-LOK rail system has exploded onto the scene, offering a dynamic new way of mounting rail covers and AR accessories. They say that necessity is the mother of invention, so what was the necessity that inspired this handguard design?
As a leading provider of AR-15 rail grips, we’re always exploring the development of related products, including the M-LOK platform. Let’s take a look at the origins of this popular handguard.
The Beginning of the M-LOK Design
In 2007, Magpul helped to design the Masada Concept Rifle. Eventually, this rifle would go on to become the Bushmaster ACR, and while it failed to impress the military in trials to replace the M4 Carbine, it did offer some innovative new features that intrigued Magpul and other manufacturers.
In particular, the rifle featured three slots on the handguard that allowed for accessories to be quickly mounted to the forend. Based on this design, Magpul released their MOE handguard line that utilized that same slot system. After several years of R&D and trial and error, Magpul eventually refined the MOE rail system. The result was the release of the M-LOK rail system in 2014.
The Defining Characteristics of the M-LOK System
The Modular Lock System — or the M-LOK system, for short — was designed in response to the Picatinny rail system. Picatinny rails make use of a series of slots and ridges along the sides of the handguard. Accessories like foregrips, handstops, optics, and lasers can be mounted to these rails. The useful nature of this system means that it has been deployed with militaries and police forces around the world for decades.
The system is undoubtedly effective but isn’t without its failings. For instance, this rail system is fairly heavy and bulky. Newly-made handguards have pronounced points which can hurt the operator. The designers of M-LOK decided to create a system that addressed these issues, doubling down on the benefits at the same time.
The final vision was to create a rail system that allowed more opportunities to attach accessories while still being lightweight. In order to realize this goal, Magpul created a handguard that used rectangular cutouts rather than raised ridges and rails. AR accessories are fitted to the rifle by using the T-shaped lugs on the bottom of each accessory. The lugs are pushed through the cutouts and secured in place by tightening them with an Allen key. The long, rectangular shape of the cutout allows for the accessory to be moved forward and backward to meet the operator’s needs.
The immediate benefit of this layout is that any AR accessories can be quickly mounted to or removed from the handguard. This is perfect for AR-15 owners who may use one rifle for a variety of different purposes and have different accessories for different styles of shooting.
Adopters of the M-LOK Rail System
The success of the MOE, and later M-LOK rail systems, wasn’t limited to just the private sector, however. In 2017, the Naval Surface Warfare Center announced that it was beginning trials to replace the iconic Picatinny system. These tests would pit a variety of modular rail systems against each other, testing things like durability, retention, and ability to maintain an optic’s zero after being removed and reattached.
The results of the test found that the M-LOK rail system was a clear favorite, as it far and away excelled in all areas of the test. When compared to other modular rail systems, the M-LOK system was the easiest to use and maintained an optics accuracy closest to zero. Accessories could be mounted, removed, and mounted again to the same location on the M-LOK rails and the point of aim would only shift 1.3 MOA. Moving accessories on the M-LOK handguards did not diminish the effectiveness of AR accessories like scopes, lasers, and other optics.
In fact, in drop tests, it was found that the M-LOK handguards also retained their accessories better than other modular handguards. It was only when subjected to high pressure or severe abuse that the M-LOK rail would release its attachments.
Rail Covers and Hand Stops For Your M-LOK Handguards
One of the advantages of the M-LOK system is the unrivaled third-party support for it. Dozens of accessories have been developed for these handguards to make them easy to manipulate and have a greater sense of recoil control over.
Naturally, RailScales has developed a line of rail covers, grips, and hand stops that are specifically designed for your AR-15 handguards. Browse our complete selection of products here and order them today!
Choosing Between KeyMod And M-LOK
Once you've decided on a rail system, you'll want to customize it so that your new gun meets all of your requirements. This means you may need to choose the right type of rail system for your firearm. Fortunately, at RailScales®, we're here to assist. We provide a number of distinct customization choices, including our signature RailScales. We realize that customizing your AR-15 is quite personal, which is why we try to accommodate our customers in every way possible. As an example, if you eventually choose to acquire a rifle with an M-LOK rail system, you won't go wrong with our G10 RailScales® in M-LOK. These one-of-a-kind scales are what started it all, and they may give you added grip, heat protection, and help you personalize your rifle. They're easy to install (you'll receive instructions), and they never require you to remove the rail system from your gun!
KeyMod Rails
The KeyMod rail system has several advantages over the M-LOK system, but it also has a few drawbacks. One of the most significant disadvantages of the KeyMod rail system is that it lacks nearly as much industry backing as the M-LOK system does. That isn't surprising, especially when you consider that the M-LOK system is backed by one of the biggest firearms accessory manufacturers in the world – Magpul. But perhaps a lack of industry backing isn't so bad after all, as it has forced manufacturers to come up with creative solutions. For example, there have been a number of companies that have introduced KeyMod compatible parts and accessories that utilize slings. The KeyMod rail system has several drawbacks. The lack of many accessories designed for this sort of rail system is one of them. This may be due to the fact that when SOCOM subjected the KeyMod system to testing, it was discovered that the rail was simpler to break. However, it's worth noting that SOCOM went all out with the testing, using a very extreme test that is not reflective of general use. The KeyMod system has also been criticized for its weak fasteners. Unlike the screws used in the M-LOK system, the KeyMod screws are hex head bolts that can become loose over time.
The M-LOK
The M-LOK system, like KeyMod, allows accessories to be mounted at the front or rear of any given slot. However, there are many individuals who find it difficult to attach gadgets to the M-LOK platform, at least when compared with the KeyMod system. Some people may find it simpler, but at the very least, before attaching accessories, removing the rail completely is easier. It's been observed that the M-LOK rail system is a little heftier than the KeyMod system. Keep in mind that the KeyMod system was created to reduce weight; if you're trying to build the lightest AR-15 possible, KeyMod may be a better option for you. A number of manufacturers decided to make accessories specifically for M-LOK, making this system slightly more popular than KeyMod. However, since then, not much has been done in this space, and KeyMod has taken the lead. Interestingly, Magpul licensed the M-LOK system to other companies, which could explain why it hasn't caught on as much as KeyMod.
Finding Your New Rail System
No matter what you need, you can always count on the team at RailScales to provide you with the best quality accessories in the business. You can explore our collection of G10 RailScales, custom grips, and more! If you have any questions about M-LOK or our other offerings, you can reach out to our team at any time.