M-LOK or KeyMod
 

Recently read an article about some test (drop test, endurance, failure load ...etc) between KeyMod vs M-LOK. In conclusion shows KeyMod is a bit superior in some point. What do you guys think?

M-Lok
http://www.evike.com/products/70014/

KeyMod
https://www.crownairsoft.com/products/dy-ras25p-c-bk

M-Lok is better in my opinion. Keymod is very difficult to machine compared to M-Lok, and I like how M-Lok feels on a rail when gripping it. Also, M-Lok gives more freedom for positioning attachments.

Care to provide the article comparing the two? I doubt within reasonable operating stresses there's major discrepancies... For modular rail systems, it seems most armed forces are adopting M-Lok.

One thing Keymod has going for it over M-Lok is at the moment, it has more accessories available as it's been around longer. However, M-Lok is rapidly catching up in that regard.

I like the overall look of most of the M-Lok rail but KeyMod gives me a more confidence on the grab tension somehow... it is really difficult to make a choice ~:D

I remember reading some time ago on DT6, that there was T&E being conducted by a certain US Army unit on M-Lok vs KeyMod. I thnk M-Lok came out on top with KeyMod apparently having durability issues in colder temps.

IMO m-lok is more durable but more tedious to set up. KeyMod imo is easier to setup, but less durable.

Archangel is correct.

http://soldiersystems.net/2017/03/31...apon-programs/

M-Lok is superior to Keymod. Keymod is shit because the way it attaches results in a much smaller distance between slots. Paired with the degree of undercutting, the length of the Keymod slots is a major weak point in comparison to the rest of the rail.

I had a Keymod rail a few years ago, realised the system was shit, and switched to M-Lok pretty much as soon as it was released. M-Lok is much stronger because the distance between the slots is much greater, and doesn't compromise integrity in the same way, since the attachment points fit in and rotate, instead of sliding along the length of the slot.

gib me plis

That test showed almost the exact opposite

Also M-LOK outsells Keymod about 2-3 to 1. And M-LOK looks sexier.

more details on the USSOCOM test

http://soldiersystems.net/2017/05/05...at-nswc-crane/

Nice find!

Ouch on that Keymod damage though...

M-Lok rails cost less to machine than KeyMod. Why do you care?

I have both and over a period of time, the M-Lok accessories rips up the inside of the rail surfaces and exposes raw alum. Because it is a tight friction fit, the satin finish is abrasive.

M-Lok is not exactly open source. Rail makers have to sign an agreement to use the M-Lok logos or make any reference to the M-Lok design. The agreement I don't believe is available to airsoft manufacturers.

Big contracts and $$$$$$, things happen behind closed doors.

I like my KeyMod rails and won't be dumping them anytime for M-Lok.

Didn't say anything about it being cheaper to machine (though that's almost definitely true); I said it's easier to machine. I've been thinking about machining my own handguard as I have access to a 5-axis CNC milling machine. I'd definitely do M-Lok as opposed to Keymod.

Also, purely from an engineering standpoint, with such a complex geometry, more things can go wrong with the Keymod design. The corners could wear or fracture off and that attachment point is useless. From what I can see, there's literally nothing on the M-Lok rail short of the entire rail fracturing that could damage the mounting point beyond repair.

If you want to go deeper and look at it from a quality control standpoint, it's also simpler to check M-Lok. Just get a set of digital calipers and run it the length of the rails. Good luck checking Keymod. And if tolerances are off, your attachments won't be as secure.

But... Keymod is also a tight friction fit... Why wouldn't the Keymod system do the same thing?

Since when has that ever stopped airsoft manufacturers...

>using rail attachments for airsoft

wew lads

Neither


RIS

:P

Well that's the thing, the tests seem to prove that M-Lok outperforms even Picatinny. So you get a slimmer, stronger, lighter mounting system that's easier to machine. Why wouldn't you want that? Short of doing a complete Low Speed High Drag setup... XP

I hate Keymod. I had one and I hated it. But that's me. Maybe I'm old school and like a DD rail.

Sigh, I feel like you're not completely reading the entirety of my posts.

I have access to a 5-axis CNC milling machine that I can use to machine my own handguard. I will tell you right now, there's no handguard manufacturing company in the world that will sell you blanks, so I'd have to make my own from billet.

I don't care if yours is real steel. That's good! That means the probability they QC'd it is high! However, I'm pointing out that by virtue of it's design, Keymod does have failure points and QC for Keymod will be a little more difficult than M-Lok. The rails used in USSOCOM's testing were real steel; the Keymod still fractured while the M-Lok remained intact.

I don't know what you're arguing; we have quantifiable proof from USSOCOM testing that M-Lok is superior...

I'm also not getting your last point at all... If you want a real M-Lok rail, you buy a real M-Lok rail. If you don't care, you either keep the airsoft one that came with the gun or you buy an ACM clone. Same thing with Keymod and any other rail system. Everybody's been doing that ever since airsoft started...

M-Lok is friction fit on a flat surface. KM is friction fit on an angled undercut. If the surface is abrasive, you're probably using clone stuff where individual manufacturer QC has more of an affect than the platform you chose to use.

M-Lok dimensions are open source, their tolerances are not. I designed and made several M-Lok foregrips and handstops. You have to do something through Magpul to get the actual manufacturing tolerances in order to call it M-Lok because Magpul wanted to ensure compatibility between M-Lok accessory manufacturers.

Maybe, but there has clearly been very OPEN testing by independent third parties that concluded M-Lok to be far superior.

There is no denying that M-Lok mount system:
-is cheaper and simpler to manufacture
-is a stronger accessory mount
-is more versatile in that accessories can be mounted in both forward or backward orientations
-does not by design compromise handguard integrity to the same degree because the slots are not so close together that they act as a perforated line

And more importantly, MLOK looks better both that it is consistent with current modern firearm styles that are in fashion, and that it doesn't have tiny dongs all over your rifle handguard.

It doesn't matter how well M-Lok performs in the military. Your guns are just toy pot metal plastic bb shooters. Picatinny, M-Lok and KeyMod will all work for our toy guns.

Yesterday, Picatinny was as standard, for awhile KeyMod took a spotlight, and now Magpul is doing everything to ensure M-Lok is the standard. In the future a new rail system will blow M-Lok off the face of the earth.

I think it's important to note that since China loves to use crappy, less durable materials, having a standard that just had more raw material available is going to be better.

Keymod had breakages in the study which, when you think about the amount of material available, isn't surprising. MLOK accessories mostly just displaced (slid, but stayed attached) in the slot whereas Keymod blew up. And this is on real steel, quality rails... Not China pot metal. Once you add in Pot metal I think its safe to say it's gonna be bad memes

I'm not a Material Sciences student or anything but just looking at why Keymod failed in testings, and why MLOK didn't, it's pretty obvious and consistent if you employ common sense. More available material is better.

It's a shame Keymod didn't experience some good benefit from being the one that requires much more precise machining to manufacture.

I think some people are just butthurt they spent money on keymod and its clearly inferior and ugly looking

Very true. I spent a grand total of $10+shipping for my boneyard keymod front end. It'll work fine for me, and only has a stumpy vert grip. If I were to pony up my hard earned pesos, it'll be m-lok

Not that it's relevant for this but Neither MLOK or keymod have return to zero. It why you see 1913 rail at the very front of some handguards.

Not really a big deal unless you have an 90's setup with a side mounted PEQ-2 lol