As my needs in gear become more high-speed, I keep watch for little tweaky things that will simplify my life or make it easier. I need to be able to trust my life and the lives of others with my equipment, and I can't waste my time or money on B.S. doo-dads, fancy slings that tie themselves in knots, silly mag clamps, or anything that gets in the way or simply does not work. My life could be lost or saved by my reactions to a given situation, and I cannot risk any questions when it comes to the performance of my gear.


Here's something I ran across recently here, and couldn't wait for the release date. I was fortunate enough to receive a set of Dark Parts rail covers for evaluation, courtesy of John Carney, from Excalibur Arms (He posts here as Bandit-ExcaliburArms, website www.sr-25.com). I immediately tried them out on a few different rifles, and left them on these, a Bushmaster w/ Knight's RAS, and a DPMS w/ Knight's RAS. The DPMS is part of my standard load out. I have an Olympic FIRSH tube on my "varmint" gun, and these also work on it, with no modifications at all.

These are polymer rail covers, overmolded with soft yet stiff rubber. Very similar to the process Hogue uses, it looks like. They lock onto the rails very securely, I'd say they're more secure than the Knight's covers, with NO rattles at all. They really stay in place.

The benefit to the overmolding is GRIP. These things are so non-slip it's not funny. wet hands, dry hands, muddy gloves, chocolate, bloody mess, whatever.

They have a very matte finish, so no reflections. No rattles, so no sound. no slip, so no dropping the weapon unintentionally.
That's 3 variables removed from my rifle, quickly and easily.


Anyway, I could write for days and it would only get more boring. Here's the part you're looking for, the pics:

Standard gear:


A little closer view:


The rail cover itself:



I give these covers 3 thumbs up out of a possible 3.

I'm technically "unemployed".

I do have preban firearms also, I just don't beat on them the way I do these. Out of the 7 or 8 ARs that I own these two get the most use, especially the DPMS in the foreground with the EO Tech..


[This was a reply to a post that's been deleted]

My age is 31. As to your other questions, I'm just like everyone else. I sit behind the computer and pretend I'm Rambo. [:)]




[This was a reply to a post that's been deleted]

Maybe I should've skipped all the late night blah blah blah stuff and gotten straight to the point...

I consider the Dark Parts panels to be an improvement over the Knight's design, or anyone else's. I will continue to use them.

Simple. To the point.

[:)]

Yes. I haven't cut any of mine, but John says it's been done sucessfully.
More info [url=http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=7&f=22&t=150862&w=myTopicPop]Here[/url].

I've got 3 of the israeli ones, and the one I've used has sealed up perfect and worked well. If I breathe in deep with the seal still on the filter, my eyes start bugging out of their sockets. There's no air getting in anywhere but through the filter, period. If someone else needs something fancier, fine for them. I believe this will work for me.

Read.
Comprehend.
Post.
[;)]

Excalibur Arms. [url]www.SR-25.com[/url], or [url]http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=7&f=22&t=150862&w=myTopicPop[/url]

pyro0021's reply is correct. I actually removed the top half of the fore-end, put the cover on, replaced the top half, then slid the cover enough to get to the screw. I tightened the screw, then slid the cover back over it.

Sure you can, just not with a BUIS and electronic sight installed. You could remove them, slide the cover over the upper and the rail, then replace them. On an A1 or A2 upper, you'd have to install the cover to the rail system before installation of the rail system.
[b]Same thing with the Knight's rails.[/b]

It doesn't translate directly, so depending on your interpretation, it says either "comfortable grip", or "secure grip", or "sticks to your hand".

The manufacturer is now ready to supply pre-cut panels in commonly used lengths.

According to measurements I took in 3 different places, the total difference in thickness between the DP panel and the Knight's panel is less than 0.100. Makes for a total diameter difference of less than 1/4" if panels are used on both sides. I like it.

Yes, they can be drilled. A brad point wood bit works well.
They can be painted, but I don't know how well it will adhere. These were painted with Rust-Oleum fast-dry satin enamel, after scrubbing the surface with acetone and a toothbrush, to remove all traces of mold wax. I'll rough them up after the paint cures, to see if it lasts. Another possibility is to lightly brush the surface with a fine wire brush, to create more of a mechanical bond.

BTW, the manufacturer can produce these in any color.

[img]http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid52/pb2ed07626602f89573da2305d46e080e/fc945b9b.jpg[/img]

Actually, it's a deep dark secret...I could tell you, but then...:-)

It's actually Run-in-to-Home-Depot-and-grab-least-glossy-camo-like-sprays.

Neil, these panels ended up on almost every rail at the SHOT show at one time or another, and there were a lot of them.

You might have picked up a carbine at DPMS's booth. We put a set on one of their display guns. Their rail is fatter than a KAC RAS, and most others I've tried.

As Treetop said, these panels are slightly thicker than Knight's. I just had an inquiry from a military officer who is interested. Some of his soldiers don't like using a vertical grip, but can't get an adequate grasp on the standard issue rail panels . He feels that the fatter rubberized panels might be the answer.

Tha designer and manufacturer welcome feedback from users. An awful lot of thought and planning, plus lots of testing, went into this product before it's release. Even so, if they see a way to make this fine product even better, they will.

[url]www.SR-25.com[/url]

I'm waiting on some BowFlage to get here, I'll probably be camoing at least one carbine with these panels on.
I'll get some pics up when I get done.

[img]http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid54/p9eeeda71166b9030a644f068a77621da/fc8abaa6.jpg[/img]

Dark Parts [red][b]ULTIMATE GRIP[/b][/red](c) Rail Panels

For when there's only one perfect fit...

The manufacturer is now offering pre-cut panels in six standard lengths, by special order.

[url]www.SR-25.com[/url]

TRY THE RUSTOLEUM CAMO PAINT KIT AT WAL-MART.

PAUL E HAS DONE SOME NICE WORK WITH IT.

WES

I'm running a group purchase special on the panels. Details in the Equipment Exchange.