Ridiculous tac rail prices.

I have to say; at least in my tax bracket, that the prices of a lot of these tac rails are like MLB players salaries; way too high. You could almost purchase a complete upper for what some of these rails cost.
Anyone know of good rails under $100?

I would love to see a rail that costs as much as a complete upper, or rather, the other way around. I'd be all over a complete upper for $250-300.

ETA: And as cliche as it sounds, you do get what you pay for, with diminishing returns right around the $300 mark. The most expensive rail I've bought was a KAC URX, and can honestly say it was completely worth it. I don't know of a rail more expensive than that.

I know what you mean about the high prices. Ive been shopping around a lot planning my build and from what I recall YHM has some of the cheaper rails (some close to the 100 mark I believe).
I ended up spending $240 on a SAR rail and it seems nice so far (not installed it yet).

If you want a non-free-float railed hand guard setup, why not go with a plain old Magpul MOE and add the rails? That'll cost you way less than $100, looks just fine, and gets the job done. And you can put rails where you need them instead of everywhere.

If you really want a full quad rail (I do like them), get a KAC RIS or RAS on the EE for just under $100.

If you want free float, you're definitely spending more than $100 for a quality setup.

Heres some YHM rails that are around the $100 mark depending on size. Seems to have good reviews and Joe Bob is a good place to buy from.
Click Here

You should see what the Europeans want for picstinny rails.. FN wants $700 for the top rail of an FS2000. I do agree however that rails Shouldn't cost over $300

UTG and CAA makes a set for under $100. They are plastic two piece.

When it comes to rails I have found you et what you pay for.

+1

I recommended the RAS a few weeks ago to someone in a similar situation who had only seen the MSRP and not shopped the EE. No need to pay ~$300 for a good quality rail.

Develop, design, produce, and market your own quad rail that's as durable, strong, and light as the good ones available on the market now, and sell it for under $100.

Your best bet will probably to look for a used KAC M4 RAS on the EE here. The MSRP on the units is $349, but they can be had used for about $120 all day long.

That's the closest you're going to get to your price point of any appreciable quality.

Avoid bargain brands like UTG and/or whatever other names they're selling under.

~Augee

Minus the bolt carrier and charging handle, but equal to or less expensive than some of these $300 rails.
http://www.dsarms.com/DSA-ZM4-A3-Upper-Receiver-With-16-Barrel––PARKED––M4––-ZM4CBUM4PARK/productinfo/ZM4CBUM4PARK/

Midwest Industries makes some very nice handguards and are priced fair. They are however over $100

If money is that tight for you in your "tax bracket" then maybe you should reconsidering wasting your money on a rail system? As nice as some of them are, they are not mandatory equipment and even a cheap rail is arguably a waste of money depending how it's utilized. Just something to think about.

That said, If I didn't have a lot of money to spend and felt like I had to have a rail, I would look at what Midwest Industries has to offer. Their GenII Drop-In Handguard seems like a pretty decent rail for the money

Many AR parts look the same. As has been said a million times here and on other forums: the similarities end there. Since you're looking at those types of uppers, I think that even the quality of a KAC RAS (which is fantastic for the price) is probably more than you want. In that case, a UTG or some other eBay brand will suit you fine.

One can purchase a "good" rail for $100 (new price) or an "great" rail for $300. It's all a matter of value which is subjective.

If you can't afford them then you probably don't own the gadgets that would use such a feature.

Its not a slam, but probably around 90% of shooters have rails that give 0 performance increase to them

+1. I love out shooting guys with tons of crap hanging off their rifle. For the most part I am a KISS type of guy. Sometimes less is more.

As in a lot of things, you do get what you pay for. Having said that, in the budget category I have read that the UTG Pro series (US made) rails are nice. I would guess that the cheaper rails will be heavier than the high dollar ones. If this is a trade-off that you can live with, then a budget brand might work for you.

I also with throw a +1 towards the RAS if you don't need a free float. I have several M4 and a couple M5 RASs on my guns. I buy them cheap all over the place.

If you really do want a free float I have really come to like the Viking/Troy set ups.

I wanted a rail, but for what? a VFG and a light.

I went with the MOE, does all I need without the weight and damage on my wallet.

Yeah you only need an expensive rail if you are hanging expensive stuff off it; if you just want to FF, get a tube.

Get the stake ready for me but the new UTG Pro line is made in the USA and their FF rails are only 2oz heavier than the same length DD rail. Under $100 almost everywhere.

Is it straight so it aligns perfectly with the upper rail, with rails in spec, with rotation stops and a solid lockup?

I agree. Well built and nice finish for the money.

If you found and upper for under or around 300 then its probably not complete... your lookin at another 130+ for a bolt and around 20-45 for a CH which would put you back to around 450 ish.....just saying. my .02

If you are replying to me then yes. All the reviews I've read say that they new line is very underrated.

Look at the rail sold by Primary Arms. I have one and it locks up tighter than Dick's hatband. Perfectly aligned, too. It's not free float, but for hanging crap off your gun it works fine. 40 bucks.

HERE

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Interesting. I'd give it a shot at that price.

I'm also waiting for reviews on the quality of the UTG pro FF rails, and a comparison of install time/tools vs the MI GenII ff rails, both seem affordable, but also harder to install than just quad non FF rails.

BTW, here is an old video showing the non FF UTG rails lining up pretty well:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3rb47k3KHtQ&feature=related

YHM has a ff/tube (rail or rails might be extra) for ~$100 that I think is anti-torque.

Surefire & KAC RAS

In my opinion a <$100 Quality Rail is an oxy moron.

You get what you pay for in this industry, try the Equipment Exchange and find something used

I just bought a UTG for 69.00. Fits great and is rock solid for a budget rail.

im in the same boat dont buy a cheap rail i did and i have already sold it too purchase a troy or samson tube 13in

KAC RAS seconds 2pc

Quad rails are so yesterday.

YHM is pretty good quality right around $100 little on the heavy side compared to most more expensive options but a good quality durable rail for sure I'd say it's a step up from utg as well.

I'm in the same boat as the o.p. want a rail for pushing out my eotech on a build I'm planning and for all future accessories. Besides the sopmod block II look is cool. I've got a few KISS rifles and this will be my tacticool show-off/go to rifle. However, I'm going to drop most of the budget on quality innards and barrel leaving a RIS II out of the question. So now I'm scouring the interwebs for something that looks similar, or just to my liking for a decent price. DD has a unique "squared" structure that only a few others come close to. Yankee Hill makes good rails for those who are looking, but the one I have is kind of heavy. Never tried Midwest but I may have to settle for those. Need light and with the recesses cut to lock up a KAC rail protector

i have this rail.. i like it better than my TRX

http://www.leapers.com/prod_detail.php?mitem=mount&level1=Model_4,_Model_15&level2=&itemno=MTU004&status=&mtrack=1m

it's sub $100.. i have had it few month and it's rock solid. i love the mounting system..




https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-cKehJfs6960/TrBxCnwSwvI/AAAAAAAAAPY/NSGIk0FqdPM/s640/CIMG1593.JPG

on my sbr

FYI everyone this is the UTG Pro series I was talking about.

arfan, i wrote a photo install review on this rail.. i tried to search it, but couldnt find it.. but it's in here somewhere.

Wow...I kind of like that uTG...I didn't think I'd ever say that...

here is the review thread.

http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_3_12/547963_interesting_design_change_on_UTG_rails___anyone_have_first_hand_experience_.html

Thanks for all the advise and responses. I could not pass up the UTG Pro 4/15 right at 100 bucks.

This OP just finished a build with a UTG pro FF rail solid works great no problems.

I agree what people will pay for a name is why rails cost so much.besides most people with 300+ dollar rails just like to tell you how much they cost.
Kind of like the same people who say someone else has no need for a rail for just a light or grip.
Look into the UTG why buy something used someone else did not want (if its so great) for more money than a new one.
Its your rifle make yourself happy and build a dependable rifle without spending money you don't need to.
Spend the savings on ammo

Thanks, I will dig around for it.

Is installing the UTG Pro ff rails, pretty much the same as installing the MI ff Gen2's? Appears the biggest thing is cutting off the delta ring with a dremel, but probably other tools would be useful?

If you've used or seen both, how would you rate the anti-torque of the UTG Pros vs the MI Gen2s?

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