An Actual Rail Extension Vs. Extended Rails
While the AR-15 has been quick to embrace what many perceive as significantly improved ergonomics of extended rails many legacy platforms and even a few new ones have opted to keep their handguards short. Certainly, no one can argue that a short handguard is ineffective considering the uber-short option on most AK’s, one can argue increased effectiveness with longer rails.
Further, one can look to the SCAR to see how extended rails can assist with weapons employment. Various aftermarket offerings have popped up from milled aluminum sections to purpose-built carbon fiber options. But, what about those platforms who have smaller followings or which have more complex interfaces?
It would seem that Alien Armor, a new company, has a potential solution. Teased on an in-development website is their in-development product, a snap-on rail extension that purports to work with various platforms including the mentioned SCAR, the Galil ACR, Sig 556, and others.
Their Extended Rail Guard looks to interface with the standard Picatinny rails on many common firearms and uses a tab-style catch to hold the rail in place.
Unfortunately, few details are available at this time, but we’ll keep our eyes peeled for the product, especially looking to go hands-on at SHOT Show if Alien Armor is there.
One of TFB's resident Jarheads, Nathan now works within the firearms industry. A consecutive Marine rifle and pistol expert, he enjoys local 3-gun, NFA, gunsmithing, MSR's, & high-speed gear. Nathan has traveled to over 30 countries working with US DoD & foreign MoDs.The above post is my opinion and does not reflect the views of any company or organization.
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I am actually kind of excited about this. I have an LMT ar with the monolithic upper (upper receiver and handguards are all one piece). This is great, until you realize you're stuck with a carbine-length handguard, so, no way to extend your grip out further without grabbing barrel itself.
I've tried all manner of frankenstein options short of just chopping off the damn upper part of the rail from the receiver and making it a two-piece, and the reality is the only option that makes sense financially and logistically is just buying a new upper receiver and handguard setup, and rebuilding the whole deal.
This sure seems like an ad.
Edit: nevermind. No seems about it. This is an ad.