M-LOK or KeyMod

[Datawraith]

Originally Posted by BobbyDangerous

Neither


RIS

:P

Well that's the thing, the tests seem to prove that M-Lok outperforms even Picatinny. So you get a slimmer, stronger, lighter mounting system that's easier to machine. Why wouldn't you want that? Short of doing a complete Low Speed High Drag setup... XP

[BobbyDangerous]

I hate Keymod. I had one and I hated it. But that's me. Maybe I'm old school and like a DD rail.

[SuperHog]

Originally Posted by Datawraith

Didn't say anything about it being cheaper to machine (though that's almost definitely true); I said it's easier to machine. I've been thinking about machining my own handguard as I have access to a 5-axis CNC milling machine. I'd definitely do M-Lok as opposed to Keymod.

You do not need 5 axis to make KeyMod rails. The rails blanks are extruded and just need to rotate on a rotory table. The inner chamfers are done with dovetail end mill.

Also, purely from an engineering standpoint, with such a complex geometry, more things can go wrong with the Keymod design. The corners could wear or fracture off and that attachment point is useless. From what I can see, there's literally nothing on the M-Lok rail short of the entire rail fracturing that could damage the mounting point beyond repair.

If you want to go deeper and look at it from a quality control standpoint, it's also simpler to check M-Lok. Just get a set of digital calipers and run it the length of the rails. Good luck checking Keymod. And if tolerances are off, your attachments won't be as secure.

My KeyMod rail is real steel Strike. You are talking about junk made in China. If it is M-Lok or KeyMod, betcha everything is off.



But... Keymod is also a tight friction fit... Why wouldn't the Keymod system do the same thing?



Since when has that ever stopped airsoft manufacturers...

No one says it stopped airsoft industry using. It is just not authorized on paper by Magpul as a legal M-Lok maker.

[Datawraith]

Sigh, I feel like you're not completely reading the entirety of my posts.

I have access to a 5-axis CNC milling machine that I can use to machine my own handguard. I will tell you right now, there's no handguard manufacturing company in the world that will sell you blanks, so I'd have to make my own from billet.

I don't care if yours is real steel. That's good! That means the probability they QC'd it is high! However, I'm pointing out that by virtue of it's design, Keymod does have failure points and QC for Keymod will be a little more difficult than M-Lok. The rails used in USSOCOM's testing were real steel; the Keymod still fractured while the M-Lok remained intact.

I don't know what you're arguing; we have quantifiable proof from USSOCOM testing that M-Lok is superior...

I'm also not getting your last point at all... If you want a real M-Lok rail, you buy a real M-Lok rail. If you don't care, you either keep the airsoft one that came with the gun or you buy an ACM clone. Same thing with Keymod and any other rail system. Everybody's been doing that ever since airsoft started...

[pestobanana]

Originally Posted by SuperHog

I have both and over a period of time, the M-Lok accessories rips up the inside of the rail surfaces and exposes raw alum. Because it is a tight friction fit, the satin finish is abrasive.

M-Lok is friction fit on a flat surface. KM is friction fit on an angled undercut. If the surface is abrasive, you're probably using clone stuff where individual manufacturer QC has more of an affect than the platform you chose to use.

Originally Posted by SuperHog

M-Lok is not exactly open source. Rail makers have to sign an agreement to use the M-Lok logos or make any reference to the M-Lok design. The agreement I don't believe is available to airsoft manufacturers.

M-Lok dimensions are open source, their tolerances are not. I designed and made several M-Lok foregrips and handstops. You have to do something through Magpul to get the actual manufacturing tolerances in order to call it M-Lok because Magpul wanted to ensure compatibility between M-Lok accessory manufacturers.

Originally Posted by SuperHog

Big contracts and $$$$$$, things happen behind closed doors.

Maybe, but there has clearly been very OPEN testing by independent third parties that concluded M-Lok to be far superior.

There is no denying that M-Lok mount system:
-is cheaper and simpler to manufacture
-is a stronger accessory mount
-is more versatile in that accessories can be mounted in both forward or backward orientations
-does not by design compromise handguard integrity to the same degree because the slots are not so close together that they act as a perforated line

[Derpystronk]

Originally Posted by pestobanana

There is no denying that M-Lok mount system:
-is cheaper and simpler to manufacture
-is a stronger accessory mount
-is more versatile in that accessories can be mounted in both forward or backward orientations
-does not by design compromise handguard integrity to the same degree because the slots are not so close together that they act as a perforated line

And more importantly, MLOK looks better both that it is consistent with current modern firearm styles that are in fashion, and that it doesn't have tiny dongs all over your rifle handguard.

[SuperHog]

It doesn't matter how well M-Lok performs in the military. Your guns are just toy pot metal plastic bb shooters. Picatinny, M-Lok and KeyMod will all work for our toy guns.

Yesterday, Picatinny was as standard, for awhile KeyMod took a spotlight, and now Magpul is doing everything to ensure M-Lok is the standard. In the future a new rail system will blow M-Lok off the face of the earth.

[Derpystronk]

I think it's important to note that since China loves to use crappy, less durable materials, having a standard that just had more raw material available is going to be better.

Keymod had breakages in the study which, when you think about the amount of material available, isn't surprising. MLOK accessories mostly just displaced (slid, but stayed attached) in the slot whereas Keymod blew up. And this is on real steel, quality rails... Not China pot metal. Once you add in Pot metal I think its safe to say it's gonna be bad memes

I'm not a Material Sciences student or anything but just looking at why Keymod failed in testings, and why MLOK didn't, it's pretty obvious and consistent if you employ common sense. More available material is better.

It's a shame Keymod didn't experience some good benefit from being the one that requires much more precise machining to manufacture.

[graff]

I think some people are just butthurt they spent money on keymod and its clearly inferior and ugly looking

[cetane]

Originally Posted by graff

I think some people are just butthurt they spent money on keymod and its clearly inferior and ugly looking

Very true. I spent a grand total of $10+shipping for my boneyard keymod front end. It'll work fine for me, and only has a stumpy vert grip. If I were to pony up my hard earned pesos, it'll be m-lok

[Azathoth]

Not that it's relevant for this but Neither MLOK or keymod have return to zero. It why you see 1913 rail at the very front of some handguards.

[pestobanana]

Originally Posted by Azathoth

Not that it's relevant for this but Neither MLOK or keymod have return to zero. It why you see 1913 rail at the very front of some handguards.

Not really a big deal unless you have an 90's setup with a side mounted PEQ-2 lol