Warning

 

Close
Confirm Action

Are you sure you wish to do this?

Cancel Confirm
AR15.COM
AR Sponsor
2/22/2015 11:38:33 PM EDT
Good Evening.. First time on the forum. Heard there's lots of great information on here so looking forward to the experience. I'm currently looking into parts for my first build. Im shopping around for a rail. The purpose of the rifle will be for SD/ carbine classes / SHTF/ (maybe some boar hunting here and there). I'm hung up if I should go with a 13" or 15" rail. Will the weight difference be VERy noticeable? Any suggestions on rail brands or in general would help. Thanks
2/23/2015 12:44:42 AM EDT
[#1]
If/when using iron sights, the longer the rail is the longer the sight radius will be, which means higher accuracy potential. Also, if you have longer arms and like to hold further out, the longer rail will accomodate that. Depending on the type of rail, the weight difference can go from noticeable to needing a postal scale to tell.

For a serious combat ready, go-to, quality rifle remember the phrase "buy once, cry once". I personally found that at BCM. They offer the widest selections of complete upper configurations. Good place to start looking.
2/25/2015 12:42:44 AM EDT
[#2]
You should consider building your rifle around it's heart, the barrel, based on how you intend to use your rifle.

Then get an appropriate rail.
2/25/2015 8:11:46 AM EDT
[#3]
Consider weights on 2 popular rails.

BCM KMR
13" - 7.7 oz
15" - 8.1 oz

Troy Alpha
13" - 9.92 oz
15" - 11.12 oz

all weights include barrel nut.

not a ton of weight difference.  

That said, I have long arms and my KMR15" is probably more rail than I need.
2/25/2015 8:55:52 AM EDT
[#4]
Me personally.... I think the 15" handguard on a 16" barrel is kinda played out.  If it was me I'd do a 13".

2/25/2015 9:11:21 AM EDT
[#5]
A lot of it is personal preference as the guys stated above.

If you stick with brand name rails, there will not be a huge difference in weight.  

I have long arms, so I started with a 13" rail but ended up going to a 15" so i could mount a light at 12 o'clock, forward of my front BUIS and still have space for my hand to mount comfortably.  It works for me, but depending on how you want to use your gun and how it fits you, you would most likely be fine with a 13"
AR Sponsor