Pros & Cons of quad vs round rails?

[Yoshi]

Trying to decide on the multitude of rails on the market... With respect to the square'ish v. the rounded rails, what are the pros and cons?

I am leaning towards the round version because I am a minimalist and won't be attaching a lot of accessories. So, I wont need any rails on the bottom. And, I like the fact I wont have to deal with the corners of the quad rails when shooting from improvised, supported positions. Having said that, I realize that a rail on the bottom can be beneficial in some situations.

Thanks,
Ken

 

[snavematt]

I personally prefer the quad rail, I put rail covers on the rails and slots I don't utilize.
It all comes down to personal preference

 

[armed ferret]

weight/ergos are the main factor. both are fairly subjective for folks, so finger-fark as many as you feel necessary till you find something you like.

 

[erwos]

I would never buy another full quad rail. Weight hit is simply not worth it.

 

[USMC 0311]

I prefer quad rails, but it ultimately comes down to personal preference on what you want to put on your rails (grips, lights, lasers, optics).

What accessories are you planning to use?

 

[Pwilliams1]

I'm deciding the same thing for the 11.5 upper I have coming this week. I have quad rails on my other ar's

Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk

 

[F-Stop]

I started with full rails and now most I have are round with a small section of modular rail at the front for a light if needed.

 

[derwingnut]

I too went with a quad rail at first. The daniel defense lite. Its an excellent rail but over time I found that a modular tube is perfect if youre not mounting everything known to mankind on it.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

 

[BradMacc82]

Started with quad's as well.

Find myself moving away from them. Have a few BCM KMR rails to evaluate, might love 'em, might hate 'em - got to finish up some builds and run them before I make any decisions.

 

[4095fanatic]

Use something like a YHM Todd Jarrett Rail or an SQR rail that PSA sells on most of their uppers... or go with something MOE/Keymod/M-Lok and add on the sections you need.

 

[mbz300sdl]

I like the Samson rails no sharp edges and I like that

 

[iH8DemLibz]

Pro...

If you're having a spaghetti dinner, you'll never have to ask "Where's the cheese grater"?

It will always be where you left it.

In your safe.


PS: Never owned a quad.

 

[Brent]

I like the Samson rails no sharp edges and I like that

+1 for the samsons

 

[Yoshi]

+1 for the samsons

Just looked.... Pretty cool!

 

[BradMacc82]

View attachment 118426

I'm liking this, 13" BCM KMR.

It's worth a consideration at least.

 

[ObsceneJesster]

The KMR is one of, if not the best rail on the market right now. Besides the weight and diameter being perfect, the barrel nut and lock up method is just pure genius.

It has definitely raised the bar for free float hand guards.

 

[armed ferret]

your mom has raised the bar for going to college.

 

[ObsceneJesster]

your mom has raised the bar for going to college.

College??? What's college?

Sent from my SM-G900T using Tapatalk

 

[Jimbob2.0]

I have all of the above, generally prefer a plain MOE to the others. Simple, cheap, not to much in small hands.

 

[photoracer]

Some of the choices can be either preference or the type of shooting you plan on doing. For instance most 3-gunners go with long modular rails because the favored shooting grip for 3-gun requires a long handguard. Tactical use can require a quad rail due to the amount of lights and lasers you might want to mount on it. In cases where I used to use quad rails I always had Ergo ladder covers on them to cover any sharp edges.
These days I use only modular handguards, my favorites being Troy, Samson and AP Custom.