Easy install AR free float hand guard?

[Pnut]

I have an older AR with a Troy quad rail I installed by myself over 15 years ago. The rail has performed great, but after getting an AR with an MLok rail, I love the slimmer profile and lighter weight.

I’ve been wanting to upgrade my hand guard but don’t want to tear the whole gun down to install and rail! From my minimal research, I’ve found the Troy SOCC which attaches to the factory AR barrel nut.

Does anyone have any comments on the Troy or have any other recommendations?

[WobblyPossum]

Centurion Arms also makes rails that install using the standard AR barrel nut. I’ve heard good things but have not used them personally.

[Sig_Fiend]

I have an older AR with a Troy quad rail I installed by myself over 15 years ago. The rail has performed great, but after getting an AR with an MLok rail, I love the slimmer profile and lighter weight.

I’ve been wanting to upgrade my hand guard but don’t want to tear the whole gun down to install and rail! From my minimal research, I’ve found the Troy SOCC which attaches to the factory AR barrel nut.

Does anyone have any comments on the Troy or have any other recommendations?

Troy Industries Handguards

I have one of the SOCC rails and several of their regular BattleRail M-LOK series. I can recommend either, differences being a matter of personal preference. The mounting system is fine for what it is but, I definitely recommend using a Loctite blue on the screws.

The SOCC (ID: 1.25", OD: ~1.5") is much slimmer in diameter and the regular M-LOK (ID: 1.58", OD: 1.75") is quite large in diameter compared to the current trend of slim rails out there.

The regular BattleRail is quite light for what it is. IIRC, I believe I've weighed several of the 13" at exactly 11oz with mounting nuts and screws. The SOCC is lighter by several ounces, depending on the length.

Only pics I could find SOCC 9.5 on a 10.3" and M-LOK 13" on a 16" Colt 6920 upper. If it was me and I wanted something slim and lightweight, the SOCC would work. For more of a general purpose carbine, I really like the BattleRail M-LOK. That larger diameter fills the hands better and is similar in diameter to a KAC URX4, which makes for a very positive and comfortable grip on the handguard.

100833
(If anyone asks, no, I'm not using that stupid riser. Just a brief experiment. lol)

100834

Also, this is an apples to oranges comparison but, it's the only pic I have handy and is in the ballpark at least. Here's a comparison of the outer diameter of a Centurion C4 M-LOK (closer to the SOCC) vs. a KAC URX4 (closer to the Troy BattleRail M-LOK). Hopefully that puts the size difference in perspective.

100836 100837


Centurion Arms Handguards

Short of the Troy GI barrel nut mounted offerings, the Centurion C4 series are excellent. Main issue is they're substantially more expensive at anywhere from ~$100-150 more, depending on model and size. That said, Monty offers some nice options for length, quad vs M-LOK, FSP cut for those that have it, etc. They're very light, easy to install, and lock up solid.

Here's a Centurion C4 M-LOK 12" on a 6920 16" upper.

100835

[Lex Luthier]

To the best of my current knowledge (I did go *deep* down this rabbit hole when building up my "not-really-a-6720" (https://pistol-forum.com/showthread.php?37867-Honestly-tried-to-get-a-6720&highlight=6720) a couple years back )

Troy still currently makes the M-lock and SOCC slimline M-lock models in various lengths. I have a VTAC Alpha rail on my carbine. I'd probably go for a SOCC slimline when it's time to upgrade.*

Centurion has the C4 M-lock in 3 or 4 lengths

Midwest Industries makes a two-piece M-lock in both free float and drop-in style

Fortis still offers the Rev II M-lock rail in several lengths


All require a decent torque driver for proper results.

*(due to the company's socio-political weirdness, I try to buy their products secondhand. YMMV.)

[Pnut]

Thanks everyone for your input. I think I’m leaning towards the Troy based on my previous positive experiences with my old Troy quad rail. My only concern now is needing to upgrade all my bells and whistles to Mlok… forward grip, light mount, etc.

[fatdog]

I have three of the Centurions that fit the factory barrel nut and I have been very pleased with them FWIW. But probably not the least expensive option.

[Pnut]

Just checked out the Centurion gear and it looks nice… but the price is high.

[dontshakepandas]

Just checked out the Centurion gear and it looks nice… but the price is high.

The price is high, but the quality you get is higher also.

Monty and Corrie are great and went out of their way to take care of me to resolve a problem that they weren’t even remotely responsible for. I would much rather give them my money than Troy considering some of the choices they’ve made in the past.

[Pnut]

I haven’t been keeping up its any of the industry drama! Last I heard was in the early 2000’s when there was drama between Troy and Samson over stolen design infringements?!?!

[Jason M]

ALG and BCM rails are very easy to install.

[randyho]

Centurion Arms also makes rails that install using the standard AR barrel nut. I’ve heard good things but have not used them personally.

My favorite's. Being 2 piece (at least the ones I have), you can install them without removing a standard gas block.

[Pnut]

A friend of mine also suggested Fortis, so he search continues.

I should add that my AR has a pinned/welded muzzle device. That’s why I don’t want to replace the barrel nut.

[Sig_Fiend]

A friend of mine also suggested Fortis, so he search continues.

I should add that my AR has a pinned/welded muzzle device. That’s why I don’t want to replace the barrel nut.

I never saw you mention this but, do you have an FSP? It sounded like you don't. Just wondered, since that will limit options.

If you don't have an FSP, here are another couple of options. These are older and have been around for years. They're not all M-LOK but, they're also not quad rails either if the rounded profile was more what you were looking for.

Samson Evo (https://www.samson-mfg.com/evolution-series-standard.html) - Just beware these are larger diameter (ID: 1.56", OD: 1.8").

Apex Handguard (https://www.apexhandguard.com/handguards/)

And here are a couple of the previously mentioned two piece rails that could also work for an easy install with an FSP.

Fortis Rev II (https://fortismfg.com/rails?applyfilter=Z%2BHEITAH5ij4s1g0IKgJUigV9GPQ6n sITgFTPdQDKLc3dHKxZyelbTAR7Io%2BzKZkOV9OFn9bM8k0%0 D%0A4SW5cNx58DOQeU8O%2F%2B5O)

Midwest Two Piece M-LOK (https://midwestindustriesinc.com/two-piece-ar15-free-float-m-lok-handguard/)

[Pnut]

No front sight post on my AR, just a BCM lo-pro gas block!

[TGS]

Not sure if it's really what you're looking for, but VLTOR re-released the CASV in MLOK format.

Given it is indeed a free float MLOK rail that attaches very easily using the factory barrel nut/slip ring, I figure it's atleast worth mentioning even if a bit archaic.

[akriet]

I really like the Fortis. Light and easy to install.

[Pnut]

I ended up going with the Troy SOCC due to price. It is WAY slimmer and lighter than my old Troy 2 piece quad rail. Install was easy as well.

After removing the existing 2 piece quad rail, I installed the new rail’s 4 retaining shims/screw onto the rail. I then slid the rail over my muzzle device/barrel/gas block. Once it was seated onto the factory barrel nut, I lightly tightened the retaining screws. I then used an old removable AR carry handle and secured it across my upper’s pic rail section and the pic rail of the Troy hand guard to hold everything in alignment. I then torqued down the 4 retaining screws. There were no torque specs but I went with 50 in/lbs.

Here’s a pic of the SOCC vs the Quad
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[Pnut]

One downside to the rail upgrade… I now need to buy a bunch of Mlok compatible accessories to replace my old pic rail stuff! I wanted to get some RailScale covers but 2 panels cost more than half the cost of the rail!!!

[titsonritz]

ALG and BCM rails are very easy to install.

I think ALG is an option any more sans the used market.