Light Weight Handguard: KeyMod or M-Lok?

[912dawg]

Hey guys I'm planing my first .308 build. 18" barrel that I'd like to be able to use for hunting and some occasional target shooting. I've seen some other threads on light weight handguard recommendations. I was wondering if their are any advantages in choosing one over the other(KeyMod or M-Lok)? I honestly don't foresee going crazy with many attachments. Probably just a bipod for target shooting. As always, thanks for everyone's input.

[98Z5V]

Depends.  My personal opinion - M-LOK is easier to machine, so I think it's going to go further in the future, and that's based on a manufacturing standpoint.  Keymod came out first, and a bunch of companies jumped on it, for accessory manufacturing.  Right now, there is more out there - for accessories - in the Keymod format.  I think M-LOK will eclipse that in the future, though.  Time will tell.

 

You can buy an M-LOK handguard, pick up a pic-rail section for it, and attach anything you want to that pic rail section.  In the future, you might see more specialized stuff for it.  You can't really go wrong either way.  Kinda like gambling, here...  but I think M-LOK is the way to go, overall.

Edited February 22, 2015 by 98Z5V

[Zebra644]

I have 2 Keymod systems a Noveske and my Daniel Defense. I love them but I don't use the rails for more than a free float / barrel protector and the ability use / put items like a light ect. where I want with out the weight of a cheese grader pic. rail

[AngelDeVille]

I'm going the m-lock route. The handguard I got was $40 cheaper then the key mod.

I just needed a threaded hole to add a sling swivel stud, so I could mount a Turner sling and a bipod.

[Malig8r]

As stated above M-LOK is easier to machine and let's not forget it's a Magpul design. There are going to be lots of options for it. Geissele only uses M-Lok for their rail products I believe.

Keymod was adopted by Kac, BCM, and I'm sure a few more so it should remain in production for quite a while. I do wonder if the market will support both indefinitely. Time will tell. For now I say your safe with either for support.