Picatinny handguards and Pic rails in general have been “old reliable” for 30 or so years now, and countless AR-15 and AR-15 style rifles have been made with them during that time. 

But it’s the modern era and we are in a space where, if you are going to buy (or build) a sporting rifle, tropical handguards and Pic rails are not your only option. 

Namely, one of the best alternatives that comes to mind is an M-LOK rail system; and, on that note, here are 4 of the best reasons either to upgrade or make your next build with one. 

It’s Lighter

Picatinny rails by their very nature use a lot of material and therefore are very heavy, at least relatively. 

They use a series of slots and grooves, whereas M-LOK rail systems use only flat aluminum (generally) with slots machined out. This inherently makes them a lighter option. 

You can shave off a considerable amount of weight from your rifle just by swapping out the handguard, even making no other changes. 

It’s More Comfortable

Picatinny rails have a lot of surface area and some raised edges as well, which means they offer good purchase to an operator, but the flipside is that they are not particularly comfortable to handle, especially without gloves. 

M-LOK rail systems are smoother on their surface, which means that even if you don’t have a very grip or forend grip installed, and just handle the rifle by the handguard, it’ll be a lot more comfortable. 

It Won’t Snag on Anything

On the same note, all of those ridges and slots on a Picatinny rail system are prone to snag on your gear, and at the very least, they won’t carry the most comfortably. 

This is not the case for an M-LOK rail system, which will carry much more comfortably, which will be easier to handle, and which entirely lacks raised edges that could snag on any of your gear. 

Every Year, More and More M-LOK Compatible Accessories Come Out

Lastly, there are some who might shy away from M-LOK rail systems just because Picatinny systems are older, proven, and there are so many shooting accessories that are compatible with them.

There is something to be said for this, but though M-LOK rail systems are certainly newer than Pic rails, they are no longer new, and there are tons of accessories that are already compatible with them. 

Moreover, more and more accessories that are compatible with M-LOK rail systems come out every year. 

Start with an Assembled Upper with an M-LOK Rail System 

Thinking these virtues of an M-LOK rail system might make it worth it for you to upgrade, or to start your next build with one?

Visit MCS Gearup. They carry a wide range of assembled uppers and many of them come outfitted with M-LOK rail systems, though you can also buy M-LOK rail systems piecemeal there as well. 

They also carry a wide variety of upper and lower parts as well as short uppers for ARP builds. Visit their website for more information and get in touch with them at Sales@MCSGearup.com if you have any questions.

For more information about Buffer Tube Kits and Pistol Braces Please visit: MCS Gearup.