Rail system prices

kg4kpg

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Just curious, why do rail systems cost so much? The engineering seems pretty simple, especially for free-float tubes. I was looking for a full length and it looks like I'll be with stock hand guards for a while.
 
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at a gun show i was offered a YHM carbine system for 50 bucks.

just to let you know, i did get one later. i used a red dot with no problem. when i put backup mbus sights on it then came the problem.

i wasnt able to line up the rail so that the red dot and the backup sights are both on target. since its a machine gun,red dot breaks just spray and pray, i just put the mbus sights on another AR, one without sights. (happened to have a spare lying around with no sights.)
 
Check Rainier Arms. I got a Samson Evolution 12" Free Float for around $160.

ARBuld.jpg


They make different styles and have a lot of different manufacturers on their site. Rainier is awesome.
 
Very nice, I like that. I'm going to see what might turn up at the gun show this weekend and go from there. The barrel isn't on the receiver yet so I've got time to look around and explore my options.


Anyone have a spare A4 carry handle you don't need?
 
I have the 15in version of the Midwest Industries SS-series free float rail. It offers a monolithic style and light weight. I also like how this particular MI rail attaches over the Troy version that is similar.

http://www.midwestindustriesinc.com/ind ... ory_ID=268


As far as price between manfacturers, I don't know how they price them. Most of them appear to be nothing more than anodized, machined, aluminum, extrusions. Some machined alot more than others which equates to a higher cost. The freefloats all have their own way to attach, and everyones is better than the other guys.
 
armedpig said:
As far as price between manfacturers, I don't know how they price them. Most of them appear to be nothing more than anodized, machined, aluminum, extrusions. Some machined alot more than others which equates to a higher cost. The freefloats all have their own way to attach, and everyones is better than the other guys.


The Samson rail has two aluminum semi circular grooved pieces that clip into the factory barrel nut that the rail tube slides over. You tighten with an allen wrench. I like any rail system that does not require any special barrel nut or tool to install.
 
Samson and Midwest are producing high quality rails at a responsible price Larue and Daniel Defense better get with the program lol
 
To answer the original question:
They need to pay for the patents, lots of machining time, and all their overhead. Most of these are not produced in high volumes; i.e. 250,000+ runs. Maybe not even in 5,000 pc runs. This means slower processes and higher cost.
 
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