Let me just say...thank you SO much for actually showing this. I read and re-read the explanation of how this system worked on magpul's website, and just couldn't quite grasp it. Now that I SEE it in action, I will definitely be picking up their hand guard, flashlight mount and vfg! Also, the fact that they left their mounting system patent as open source just makes me like them that much more!
Holy crap. Thank God I found this video. I bought a Springfield Saint AR and I finally figured out it has the M-Lok hand guard, which a search finally led me to this video. Now I can order one of these and get my new Streamlight Protac HL-X installed! I'm a little new to the AR world, so don't judge me too harshly. I realize this video was put out a while back, but thanks!!
@@crippleshot4810 neither of those things are true lol the only thing key mod has on m.lok is m lok takes a piece of.your soul every time you spend an hour installing a fucking rail or forward grip lol.
IHate Goths yup. Sadly. And my best AR is actually Mlok. Not a fan. Recently heard that the military is switching over to M-Lok.. which really is confusing to me. Why? Because while Mlok might LOOK kinda cool, it makes for MORE pieces required to attach to the rail system. With picatinny, you just attach your light or your optic or whatever, and carry on about your day.... With Mlok, you require that additional accessory (rail section) to even attach your optic or your light or your laser or whatever Gucci gear your gun is rocking. Why would they do that? Example given-I left my favorite gun shop about a week ago. It’s about an hour drive from my house. I got everything I had needed, including a rail section. The packaging (aside from the words), are IDENTICAL to the MOE as well as the keymod. I had accidentally purchased a MOE rail section, opposed to the correct Mlok. This simple problem is likely to become a HUGE logistical issue for all Supply Sergeants down range. Why would you complicate a process that already works fine as is...? You know? As for me; turns out I said I want my fucking money back; and I got my pressure switch installed with a small tiny set of zip ties. Low tech, saves the day.. (and $7 bucks. Lol) How is everyone else liking it....? Y’all boys like the system or hate it... ?
@@My_Alchemical_Romance The Army released a power point and the primary reason is because keymod only locks in one direction, forward. This is perfectly acceptable for stuff like mounting lights/lasers, etc, but failures were seen when using it for bipods (loading the bipod), handstops, and mounting equipment like an M320. The point of negative space systems like mlok and keymod is to reduce weight. Mlok is much lighter than a quad rail. Quad rails make sense if we are swapping stuff often, but often this is not the case. There is an argument for heavier but stiffer quadrails in order to maintain zero on a laser, however the issue is mostly negligible.
+alfred astorga I was hesitant about this, too, but I went ahead and did it. I really love the m-lok handguard. Also, I rarely used the front sling point. I only use a single point sling now.
I use to work for a company who built all types of industrial guards, tables and robots with a very similar product Bosch makes. Basically long extruded square tubes with t slots all the way down each side. It was a super secure fastener.
I have just got into my first platform, I have the MOE magpul hand guard with angled, stock and grip from magpul. I have now seen with this company that they care for their products. Everything so far with magpul is very easy install and instructions. I love magpul and there work!
Great Tutorial ✌️🇺🇸 I went through 4 videos and they talked about the m-lok for 5 seconds then the rest was about there Gun.. now I know where to go to get things done ✅
+soloiconeternal it's like 35inlbs not much force at all. tightening until resistance is felt is close enough. it wont go anywhere... i guess if your an actual operator out in the field it may more critical, otherwise hand tightening should be fine assuming you had the gap between the t nut and screw right in the first place...
Thank you for the video. Both systems can work very well. You can mount M-lok devices onto keymod, flip the t-nuts around and slide it all the way into narrow part. You will need a wrench on the t-nut so it won't spin.
Keeping it real. What i like to see. Sootch is a good one been watching for years. First video I seen was on HM defense and their mono gas block barrel and special bolt.
Both the M-Lok and Key Mod slots would be cut on a CNC milling machine, I doubt their would be much difference in time to manufacture, so they should be about the same price in theory, the key mod has more holes so their is a little more fine adjustment fore and aft on your hand guard. Also with Key Mod you don't have to set the locks up just right before installation, just loosen the screws and install. If you're adding and removing things pretty often on your hand guards, trying to make sure your M-Loks are set just right could be a pain in the butt, plus you need a second tool to do it, instead of something to just turn the screws. As long as you stick with Aluminum rails and mounts for your Key Mod you won't have any problems.
Thanks for the video! I'm building an AR and it's nice to see a variety of mods, and how to install or remove them. Makes things clear for me in the future!
Nice Job again Sootch, you always have useful, and entertaining, advice on most new products. You know that you can do the voice-over after you string together your videos so you can get it right before you attach sound to the video, but then, we would not get the funny out-takes. I really like the Magpul SL line; still waiting on the mid-length versions to come out. Well done, once again.
Sootch, i have to tell you, you're not quite getting how the M lock system works. The design of the nut is such that once the nut makes the quarter turn in the slot, it cannot turn any further allowing you to tighten the screw as much or as little as you want. You don't have to necessarily preset the nut depth. Don't feel bad, it seems like everyone gets this part wrong.
If you tighten the t nut all the way down before you place it on the handguard then loosen the t nut until you feel it turn it gets a perfect fit everytime. It can also help if once the t nut catches the rail you quickly torque it to the right and it will hold a little tighter.
Extremely well done video. Thanks for the exquisite attention to detail and not only the comparison but the thorough explanation of how MLOK works. I've had (have?) my doubts as to whether a polymer can withstand the riggers of some applications with this system, not so much for lights or vertical grips, but for a sling mounting point. Time will tell. I'm curious as to whether the guys in the trenches who have used this system in combat vouch for it's ability to stand up to these types of tasks. A failing sling mount at the wrong time would probably make for a lousy day especially if lead is coming back at ya.
GREAT VIDEO...... u really explain clear and complete..... after watching, I placed order( UGT S/Slim m-lok) thanks for ur time.... would like to add----- m-lok accessories mounts r thinner than keymod. WHO WILL GUARD THE GUARDS
M-Lock - Great looking set up. I want a full length hand guard. I'm digging the looks of the Bravo Company Mfg. / BCM series of KMR hand guards. Midwest has a good looking rail. While it has Keymod, I can't tell if the long slots are M-Lock or not.
I love the design of the KMR hand guard. It's the lightest hand guard I can find. However I've been doing research and it just seems like M-LOK is a better-designed lock-up mechanism. Keymod relies completely on screwdriver tension for bracing against anything other than rifle recoil. M-LOK has bracing via a strong buffer on both sides. So I think I'll buy the Midwest Industries hand guard w/ M-LOK and bite my tongue on the extra two ounces.
I run my AFG2 backwards intentionally. I don't like the c-clamp grip (or whatever you call it). With the AFG2 backwards, the backside of it is the perfect angle for me, almost like the old "Tommy gun." I've run it in tactical rifle club competitions, and it is my favorite set-up. You can't do a "broom handle" grip, but otherwise, for me, it is the best of all worlds. If for that reason alone, the pic-rail has the upper hand.
There is an easier way. Just apply loctite then in the AM, line it up with the rail so it drops in. Reverse screw until it spins freely under the rail, the reverse your screw again. Should lock up perfectly. It’s basically this step but in reverse.
I've always liked how sootch adds a little bloopers skit at the end. Reminds me that all these guys on the RU-vid are just as tongue twisted as the rest of us. lol Can the M-Lok be made to fit into a Keymod rail slot?
Thank you for the review! I really like the direction that this is going. Less than 10 years ago, the standard rail system (KAC) would turn an M4 into something that weighed more than an M16.