The world of recreational shooting has undergone a drastic shift in the United States over the last decade, in large part due to innovations within the industry, as well as increased interest and access from the civilian market. The AR-15 weapon platform, which until relatively recently was considered a tool for use by the military and law enforcement, has now become one of the most popular and widespread systems for the modern sport-shooter. There are a multitude of reasons to which this can be attributed. As with most industries, as consumer interest in owning and custom building an AR-15 has continued to increase, so too has the number of product offerings available to accommodate them. Nowhere has this been more readily apparent than in the migration away from the legacy Picatinny Quad Rail to the more modern MLOK style of handguard, as this allowed for easier manufacturing of accessories that fit attachment specifications. While the lighter, thinner, and easily modifiable MLOK rail brought a new era of product innovation for both the consumer as well as companies who design and manufacture products around it, it simultaneously opened the door for a brand new product category to emerge.
Evolution In Rail Modifications & Comfort
The MLOK attachment method for the AR-15 weapon platform has revolutionized the way that consumers can modify their firearms, and has made building and customizing much more accessible for newcomers. However, one of the drawbacks to the thinner, lighter rails that quickly became noticeable to early adopters of both Keymod and MLOK handguards was how to account for heat transfer from the barrel while firing the weapon. While the Picatinny rail system did allow for the attachment of rail panels, their primary function was to reduce discomfort from grasping the rough edges. One of the first companies to recognize the need, and provide a solution for the increased heat transfer of these more modern rail systems is RailScales. First introducing their hardware-mounted G10 panels back in 2014, RailScales has continued to add diverse and innovative solutions to their product lineup to complement their namesake product.
Cost Savings w/ Heat Resistance & Texture
Almost a decade later, the need for MLOK rail covers has only continued to increase as rail manufacturers attempt to appeal to the ever-growing market demand. As more companies began to introduce their own version of rail covers, the need to innovate and design products to provide additional functionality and aesthetics became apparent. RailScales has done so by adding a lineup of polymer products in their HTP Scales that are heat resistant and give additional grip texture, at a fraction of the cost. The modern shooter wants their AR-15 to be a personalized tool, and RailScales has made this possible with modular rail cover accessories in a variety of materials, colors, textures, and lengths that not only improve the user experience but make it their own.
Accessories For All Types Of Shooters
As the industry continues to grow and expand, new and innovative products will continue to arise in order to meet customer needs and functional demands. RailScales has consistently shown they are dedicated to designing accessories for everyone in the modern shooting industry, whether they are a newcomer to the AR-15 platform or have been at it for years. While militaries of the world and many civilian shooters are moving to more modern systems like the SIG MCX series, one can rest assured that RailScales will continue to create products that feel custom-made for their AR-15.
