Tag Archives | FCD

Forward Controls Design’s (FCD) new RHF rails are manufactured by CMT. The rails are based on the UHPR Mod2 but with some changes based on FCD’s input.

FCD’s changes include:

1. Omission of QD swivel attachment points to allow the user to place their own sling attachment point.
2. Barrel cooling vents changed to the classic round shape to pay homage to Knight’s Armament’s RAS and RIS where meaningful modular revolution began.
3. Simplification of the already understated aesthetics of the CMT UHPR Mod 2 handguard.

The RHF rails start life as 6000 series extruded aluminum which is then machined to its final shape. The barrel nuts are machined from 7075 aluminum and the mounting hardware is 17-4 PH stainless steel.

The RHF rails feature M-LOK slots at 3, 6, and 9 o’clock with a full length top rail. They have anti-rotation tabs.

Weight including all hardware:

6.7″, 6.5oz
9.5″, 7.9oz
13.7″, 10.2oz
15″, 10.9oz

FowardControlsDesign.com

If you are reading JTT, I like to think you and I have a lot in common. You probably enjoy seeing the otherwise unseen details that define a maker’s craftsmanship and thoughtfulness. This 17-4 PH Stainless Steel EMR-C from Forward Controls Design (FCD) is a great example of that.

AR-15 magazine release buttons are usually made from aluminum as are most of the EMR (Enhanced Magazine Release) variants that FCD produces. But what if you wanted to make one from stainless steel? Some manufacturers would be content to chuck some steel into the CNC and call it good. It would be just like every other magazine release… but marginally heavier.

FCD doesn’t work that way. They couldn’t call it good enough until they took as much weight out as they could. They added two little kidney shaped holes to the back of the button that bring the weight to “acceptable levels”. These holes are tiny, designed into the contours of a very small part, beautifully machined, and… COMPLETELY INVISIBLE WHEN THE EMR-C IS INSTALLED!

I love stuff like this. You likely wouldn’t notice the weight once it was installed. You’ll never see the lightening cuts after installation. That doesn’t matter. They still did it. It’s craftsmanship even when no one is looking.

ForwardControlsDesign.com

Forward Controls Design (FCD) has a knack for taking something good and making it just a little bit better. Their new CNF is a prime example. It is an improved castle nut that is machined from billet 4140PH steel and black nitride processed. It features 4 notches for staking (instead of just three) so that at least three of the notches will be accessible when the castle is torqued. The notches are also deeper, allowing for more secure and consistent staking.

FCD always does a good job of explaining the rationale behind their designs so be sure to check out the CNF at ForwardControlsDesign.com for more details.

The URF, or Upper Receiver Forward Controls Design, is now available. The new billet AR-15 upper is based on based on CMT’s URPR-1 7075 billet upper receiver and represents incremental improvements to the standard A3 upper.

FCD outlined the following design improvements:

1. Relief cuts on the section before rails start for better accessibility of a flip up BUIS’s sight stalk / flip up element.

2. Relief on the top of forward assist housing. The relief cut is specifically designed for ambi charging handle users. When the user uses his right fingers to pinch and grasp the CH’s right latch, the relief allows the index finger to reach down further, so the CH’s right latch is positioned in the middle of his finger pad, not the tip of it, for a more secure purchase, especially if the user has gloves on. When we use our left fingers to grab the charging handle’s left latch, there is nothing below the latch, but on an upper with forward assist, its housing stands in the way. The relief simply provides what room that can be spared on the FA housing so more of the user’s finger can have a positive purchase.

The FA housing relief is a simple broad stroke. In retrospect, we could have made its presence less shockingly obvious. The change we made is there to work, we didn’t give much thoughts to how it’d look, only that it’d create as much clearance as the FA housing can afford to give. Our design philosophy emphasizes utility, innovation and quality derived advantages, aesthetics is a super minority in this equation.

Specs:

• 5 axis machined from 7075 T6 billet
• M4 feed ramps
• Engraved “T” numbers
• 1913 picatinny Rail flat top
• Mil Spec Type III class II hard coat anodized Black
• Shell deflector
• Forward Assist machined into receiver
• Dust cover port machined into receiver
• Increased wall thickness for added rigidity
• Compatible with Mil spec parts
• Compatible with most aftermarket handguard/rail systems
• Lifetime warranty against manufacture defects
• Comes stripped without dust cover & forward assist assembly
• Compatible with “Tactical Link” Enhanced Battery Assist Lever
• Weight: 8.9oz

Check out the URF at ForwardControlsDesign.com