Over the years, the evolution of the AR-15 style of firearm has brought about a number of improvements in both functionality and comfort, and few of these advances has been as drastic as the shift toward a more lightweight weapon platform, as well as the ar 15 accessories to outfit it. As far as the modern shooting world goes, a properly outfitted AR-15 should be light and manageable for the end user to properly make accurate shots. This hasn’t always been the case, as our military well knows. They suffered from using the bulky M1 Garand before M16’s became standard issue in later decades. The M16 variant has gotten smaller and lighter with every passing decade, shedding weight to assist our troops in combat theaters with comfort and maneuverability. Its civilian counterpart, the AR-15 family, has been the major driver of that trend. With the weight savings the AR-15 has gotten, it isn’t without the loss of an important feature that was built into the older quad-rail style of handguard.
Heat-Resistant & Lightweight
With the weight savings gained with MLOK hand guards, unfortunately the built-in heat protection of the thicker, heavier Picatinny style rails that were standard in the older hand guards. Fortunately, RailScales has continued to drive innovation in this space, and others, in the years since their namesake product was released, and they remain a steadfast name in the industry. RailScales has continued to evolve its accessory offerings, however their AR-15 MLOK rail covers still stand apart as the premier product for a variety of reasons. Utilizing the heat-resistant capability of G10, combined with its use as a durable and lightweight material that was machinable on CNC, as well as tight hardware tolerance specifications and made in the USA, RailScales found a niche in the industry that had been sorely missing. The advent of additional texture options to their lineup, and more recently new color options as well, only helps to cement their claim of offering the best MLOK rail covers in the industry.
Front Fixed Sights
Most don’t think of a front sight as a heavy-weight item, but when we are talking about a laser unit sitting on the front of your rifle that changes the story. The DBAL is a hefty little guy that accompanied by a flip-up front sight, gets the weight going on the front end. One of the more niche AR-15 accessory products that RailScales developed, which has increased in popularity now that more shooters are using night-vision gear, is the LEAF series of fixed front backup sights for the DBAL and ATPIAL night vision lasers. The LEAF was developed in an effort to shorten the number of Picatinny slots used by backup iron sights. Traditionally, a user would have to place a full front post in front of the laser unit to have the option for an accurate sight picture if their optic or laser went down. RailScales created the LEAF to sit directly on top of the laser and mount in preexisting threaded holes, thereby freeing up valuable rail space on top. Initially geared toward the military and law enforcement, this innovative AR-15 product has now become synonymous with a DBAL front sight.
Karve - A Must Have AR Accessory
Another lightweight product from RailScales, the Karve, is a great addition to any setup. Out of the box, the first thing that’s noticed is the compact size and lightweight design. Weighing in at a feathery 0.4 ounces, the Karve® won’t add any unwanted bulk to your rifle. The patented, low-profile design creates a comfortable, consistent placement for your support hand to lock into confidently every time, while still maintaining a clean, streamlined look and feel. Noticeably, though the Karve is lighter than even most polymer offerings on the market, its durability of design allows it to also be used as a barrier stop. Traditionally used in the “pull” configuration, the bi-directional Karve® can use the crimped “rear” of the handstop faced forward to push into a barrier, or alternatively keep the support hand clear of the muzzle on shorter rail systems. Whether it is being used to lock-in to a preset indexing point for optimum comfort in shooting position, pushing into a barricade, or keeping a hand clear of the muzzle, the Karve® allows for multiple functionalities in a sleek, lightweight package.
