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RailScales

By on May 24, 2014 in Guns

RailScales are KeyMod compatible handguard covers that are made from G-10 – a material that all you knife enthusiasts are already familiar with due to its use as knife handle slabs. G-10 is a fiberglass reinforced epoxy laminate material that is a great insulator, basically impervious to solvents, can be machined to be very grippy, and is very impact resistant.

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As someone who appreciates the durability, grip, and protection that well shaped G-10 or Micarta knife handle slabs can offer, I have long wondered why no one had adapted these materials to be used on AR-15 handguards. There was at least one maker who made G-10 and Micarta bolt-on rail covers in very limited numbers but never with the intent of making them a production item.

On one hand, I find it strange that no one has done this yet but on the other hand, I am glad Bill Coye is behind the effort to bring RailScales to market. If anyone knows how to make a functional and comfortable G-10 grip, it’s him. Asset Weapon MFG is also lending their expertise to the project.

According to RailScales:

The first offering is a four grooved black panel design reminiscent of a Coye Knives custom handle. Numerous lengths, textures, colors, and other G10 accessories are already underway as well.

Launch date is on or before June 11th, 2014. Pricing and per-pack quantity information will be available at that time.

A product like this has been a long time coming! Check out GetRailScales.com.

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Review: V7 Weapons Systems Ultra-Light Forward Assist

By on May 23, 2014 in Guns, Reviews

Uppers with no forward assist have become popular with those who are trying to trim weight from their favorite AR-15 and yet, I can’t bring myself to go without one. I can already hear you telling me why I don’t need a forward assist. I know why I don’t need one and probably even shouldn’t use it in certain situations and yet, I still think it is nice to have. So, what is a guy like me who wants to save weight but not get rid of the forward assist all together to do? You check out the V7 Weapon Systems Ultra-Light Forward Assist.

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Overview

The V7 Weapon Systems Ultra-Light Forward Assist looks like a typical forward assist at a glance. The biggest difference is that V7, as they tend to do, replaces as many of the forward assist’s steel components with hard coat anodized 7075 T6 aluminum as possible. In fact, the only steel left is in the small hinged tooth that actually engages the BCG. This part is hardened 4140 steel.

The result is a forward assist that weighs just 9.2 grams compared to 22 grams for a standard forward assist.

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Observations from Use

You could save a lot more weight by just swapping your upper with a slick-sided upper but, if you just can’t let go of your forward assist, then the The V7 Weapon Systems Ultra-Light Forward Assist can shed some weight. It won’t save much weight but, when used in conjunction with other weight saving measures, it can be part of an overall weight reduction strategy.

There isn’t much to report about how the Ultra-Light Forward Assist functions. It works like a forward assist should. That is a good thing.

As far as any concern with replacing steel parts with aluminum, I would say it is a complete non-issue. I typically only use the forward assist in an administrative way which is to say I use it to follow up a press check. This isn’t exactly going to put a lot of stress on the part and it is hard to imagine what you could do with a forward assist that would really stress it. The Ultra-Light Forward Assist is made of steel in the one place that it needs to be which is where it engages the BCG.

I should also mention that, in terms of fit and finish, the Ultra-Light Forward Assist is excellent which I have come to expect from V7 Weapon Systems.

V7 Weapon Systems Forward Assist 1

Wrap Up

If you are on a quest to shave excess weight from your carbine down to the last gram and you just can’t live without a forward assist, the Ultra-Light Forward Assist is for you.

Check out the Ultra-Light Forward Assist at V7 Weapon Systems.

ALG Defense True Mil-Spec Buffer Tube

By on May 21, 2014 in Guns

No single AR-15 part abuses the term “mil-spec” more than the receiver extension (buffer tube). Many of the buffer tubes on the market that are sold as “mil-spec” are really only mil-spec in terms of their diameter so that they can accept “mil-spec” stocks. The actual mil-spec for receiver extensions is far more specific than just the diameter. It includes specs like 7075 T6 aluminum, hard coat anodization, a specific type of threads, and more. Chances are, you’re mil-spec receiver extension isn’t mil-spec at all.

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ALG Defense has just introduced their answer to the less-than-mil-spec receiver extensions on the market. Their new True Mil-Spec Buffer Tube is one of the handful of affordable and correct receiver extensions on the market. They also offer handy upgrades like a complete kit with spring, buffer weight of your choice, and mounting hardware and a very slick engraving option.

The engraving option is especially nice in that it works with all stocks, not just those with the witness hole in the top. It is meant to be read at the leading edge of the stock.

Check out the ALG Defense True Mil-Spec Buffer Tube.

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