I'm looking to add a vertical grip onto my ar15 and I'm guessing that will require me getting a quad rail...
Any advice/experience on which manufacturer I should buy from?
Does anyone know what the military issues to soldiers?
Thanks
Rizzo and I both have the UTG quad rail and I also bought the UTG fore grip. Price is pretty good $60 and it feels pretty solid. There is better out there if you have the money.
If you want a surefire brand I can get them for 10% over cost.
Are you going to want free-float rails or a 2-piece system?
Also, I have a KZ hand guard, not UTG.
Personally, I'd look into LaRue, Surefire, or KAC (if you can find them). Magpul is also releasing a lower cost option this year for the AR's with carbine gas systems (MOE Handguards, $29.95 according to the '08 catalog).Any advice/experience on which manufacturer I should buy from?
I can't say for certain who all supplies rails; but as far as I know, KAC is supplying rails for M16's and M4's directly to Colt and FNH in addition to supplying to the DoD for retrofitting older guns that are already in service. There may be additional suppliers as well.Does anyone know what the military issues to soldiers?
That's exactly what I've run on my AR:You don't NEED a quad rail to run a foregrip. There are companies that make a short section of rail that attaches through the holes in the hand guard. Then you are able to attach your foregrip to that rail.
I've heard the term "free float" but have no idea what it entails
What are the pros/cons between the two systems?
No, that is what I had originally ordered, but it was on back order.I thought you told me you had the UTG?
The downside of free floating guards is that installing them requires removing the front sight base and gas tube, and the re-installing them.
free float rails are usually more stable and rigid than any 2 piece design.
Daniel Defense recently introduced the Omega rail, which is a free-floating design that requires NO modifications to install. It's fairly expensive, but you can't beat the convenience. It's also stupid light (a whopping 8 ounces), has an ergonomic oval shape like the standard M4 handguards, features built-in sling swivel sockets with rotation limiters, and includes rail covers. I've got one that will go on my LMT shorty upper, when it finally gets here...
Finally, the "stick a piece of rail on your standard lower HG" works OK as a quick-and-dirty solution for mounting a light or laser, but it really isn't well-suited for a vertical grip. I've seen more than one guy inadvertently rip off his lower HG by putting too much pressure or torque on a VFG attached in that manner.
I resolved myself right then and there that the ONLY option was a true one-piece free floated forend. I maintain that philosophy to this day, that is why I have zero knowledge of the rail systems that shooter and rhino seem to know oh-so-well.
The extra added bonus, for me at least, was that I am now very familiar with mounting (and dis-mounting) the entire gas system and FSB.