The slot dimensions (used on handguards, etc.) are available on the web. [7] The slots provide metric 20mm (0.79in) length intervals, and accessories can be mounted either within a slot or bridging between slots, making it possible to adjust the position of accessories in smaller intervals than the length of the slot. The slots on an M-Lok handguard are approximately 32mm (1.260in) long and 7mm (0.276in) wide and space 8mm (0.315in) from each other. The radius of the corners is approximately 2.38mm (0.094in). [8] [9] [10] Attachment specifications [ edit ] Magpul M-LOK estimated dimensions". Archived from the original on 6 June 2019 . Retrieved 2 May 2017.

One of the main advantages of this system is that it’s a free-floating piece that slides over your rifle barrel. You may have to attach a barrel extension, but otherwise, you put the M-Lok over the barrel, tighten the screws, and secure it in place. Comfort– A Picatinny Rail comes with sharp edges, and new rails can sometimes cut the shooter. That doesn’t happen with an M-Lok. Attachment screws made by many U.S. manufacturers are often either #8-32TPI or 10-24TPI UNC threads, which respectively have major thread diameters of 0.1640inches and 0.1900inches (4.166-0.794mm and 4.826-1.058mm expressed in metric designation). Many M-LOK screws on the international market instead use either M4 or M5 metric threads to reduce cost. It was not long ago that shooters had one of two choices when it comes to forend accessory systems: the proven, yet slightly heavy and snag prone Picatinny rails. Or a variety of proprietary mounting systems that are lighter, lower-profile and unique to one of a variety of manufacturers, each requiring different accessory mounts. Now that firearms owners find themselves twenty years deep into the 21st century, when it comes to accessory mounting on handguards, the decision tree for forend systems has two main branches: the veteran Picatinny rails and the modern M-LOK slots. So, which one is right for you? Let's take a look at the details surrounding both M-LOK vs Picatinny attachment systems. Choices - M-LOK vs PicatinnyAs we’ll discuss, the original Picatinny Rail worked well as a modular system, but it was inherently heavy and uncomfortable. So, something like M-Lok was a welcome change to the traditional method. M-Lok Specifications With humble beginnings as an optic or sighting attachment system for rifles, development of a simple yet robust accessory mounting system for forend and handguard accessories started decades ago. Picatinny rail accessory attachment development began in the early 1990's and was finalized in 1995 as the MIL-STD-1913 accessory rail attachment system. The military, law enforcement and civilian shooting world finally had a standardized way to attach optics, sights, lights, lasers, night vision devices, bipods and other accessories made by manufacturers around the world. The purpose of an M-Lok system is to allow you to attach accessories to your rifle, such as scopes, flashlights, handles, and more. Are M-Lok rails better? This article contains content that is written like an advertisement. Please help improve it by removing promotional content and inappropriate external links, and by adding encyclopedic content written from a neutral point of view. ( November 2022) ( Learn how and when to remove this template message)

With a range of lengths, styles and colours to choose from, M-LOK Airsoft handguards offer more options than ever before and are available for almost every Airsoft rifle and SMGplatform on the market. Now is the time to upgrade to M-LOK and kit your primary out with the most recently designed vertical and angled foregrips, hand stops, flashlight mounts, rail covers and bipods so you can stay at the cutting edge. The 12” Free Float Super Slim M-Lok Rail is a 12-inch rail that installs around the barrel of an AR-15 rifle. This particular rail is super lightweight and easy to use. What is an M-Lok Split rail? To attach an accessory, you simply use the attachment’s T-nut mounting plates to fix the piece to the inside of the M-Lok slots. Then, you use a screwdriver to turn the nut so it stays in place. You reverse the process to detach the piece as needed. How to Install an M-Lok: Explained If you’re interested in hearing more on the mlok rail vs keymod systems, our article on the topic will make things much more clear. Best AR15 Hanguard

COMPATIBILITY

Between the military, law enforcement and civilian shooters, there are millions of carbines and rifles in use in the United States. And with a heavy focus on usability and practicality, the AR-15 style rifle has grown into a modular weapons platform that can be used for a variety of applications ranging from competition shooting to home defense. Becoming a platform is an important process; attachments need a solid and universal system that the industry can support with mounting solutions. And on top of all that, it needs to be light enough to avoid front-end weight, which can cause fatigue. I. M-LOK vs Picatinny - Details and Specifications The tool required for mounting, in addition to the thread size, also depends the screw head type. Hex keys are used extensively in the firearms industry, but metric and imperial hex keys as a general rule are not compatible. It is possible to damage the tool and screw by selecting a tool that is too small for the fastener, which can be done by using an imperial tool on a metric fastener, or the converse. An exception to this is 4mm hex keys, which are almost the exact same size as 5⁄ 32in (3.97mm). In many industries, this makes 4.0mm ( 5⁄ 32in) hex keys preferred for consumer products because end users can successfully use an imperial key on a metric fastener, and vice versa.

Besides the ability to add and remove accessories, two of the biggest considerations when selecting an attachment system is weight and bulk. In general, M-LOK systems weigh less than their Picatinny counterparts because they don’t require the extra mass of external rails. Launching as part of the MOE system from Magpul around 2007, the M-LOK system uses an industry standard size slot system. In combination with accessory mounting systems that use a rotating internal lever that is loosened or tightened with a hex key, lights, foregrips and a host of other attachments are securely fastened in a slot on a handguard. The M-LOK system can save on unnecessary weight, reduce the outer diameter of the platform itself and has a smoother outer face, reducing the potential for snags on other gear in use by the operator. Since M-Lok looks to be replacing the old Picatinny Rail system, let’s look at a few of the ways these two models differ: Another more recent player in the accessory rail system industry is KeyMod. This rail is similar to M-Lok, but it’s a bit lighter and more nimble. Anodized aluminum Picatinny rails for attaching accessories to M-LOK compatible hand guards and forends. DETAILS

Customer ratings for MAGPUL M-LOK RAIL 7 SLOT PICATINNY ALUMINUM BLACK 3.125"

Magpul MOE handguard on a user-assembled AR-15 semi-automatic rifle A STNGR USA 15in (381mm) HWK M-LOK handguard on an AR-15 A 15-inch M-Lok rail will have a 33 mm diameter, meaning it will fit over any AR-15 or similar rifle. Even with a relatively long shaft, this size rail only weighs 8.6 ounces. What is the 12” Free Float Super Slim M-Lok rail system?

While screw and slot dimensions are available on the web, the T-slot nut dimensions are currently under review by the US State Department to determine whether it should be regulated by ITAR, and until it is clarified drawings are only available to US citizens. An M-Lok split rail has two sections with fixed Picatinny-style ridges instead of ridges all the way along the top of the system. In the center are more negative spaces for fixing attachments. Is M-Lok the same as a Picatinny?

A prototype of the MOE slot was revealed by Magpul in late 2007 together with their Masada Concept Rifle (which would later be known as the Adaptive Combat Rifle). The MOE slot system was released by Magpul in 2008 as a feature on their MOE handguards, and at the same time compatible accessories such as Picatinny rail sections, direct MOE mounted light mounts, grips, bipod studs, etc. were released.