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SGC QD Rail Forend

  • Review
SGC QD Rail Forend

Let’s face it; we AR owners love to dress up our guns and SGC’s QD Rail forend seems like the ultimate accessory. I tested a pair of their Mk II 9mm LR9s, one had the standard round forend and the other the QD. At the time I said yes it looked cool but did not seem to have much function on this blow back design. I could see its point for the LR223 as it uses a gas/piston mech, which needs to be accessed for cleaning.

ON RECOLLECTION

However, on reflection it occurred to me that perhaps the forend does have a value outside of the LR223 on normal straight-pull ARs. CNCmachined from aluminium alloy and black anodised the build is skeletonised and can handle barrel diameters of up to 1”. There are two versions - 10 and a 12.6”, both are based on the former with the latter having a separate, 2.6”, 4-way, bolt-on nose section.

The rear (10”) section shows full-length Picatinny rails at 12 and 6 o’clock, with the sides (3 and 9 o’clock) being plain. Though there’s a short, 3”, Picatinny section rear/left and a 1” dovetail (no slots) rear/right. Both are machined for plunger-type, QD sling swivels. The forend includes a replacement barrel nut, as the original has to be removed and the new one screwed in and torqued up; not something to be done without proper AR tools!

LOCATE & LOCK

With the new barrel nut fitted the forend slides on and a pin, at 12 o’clock in the rear face, aligns with the gas tube port in the upper receiver. Underneath is a sprung plunger that locates in a slot in the barrel nut. Retention is achieved by an adjustable tension lever on the right/ rear that pinches the split end of the forend onto the nut. The end result is secure and offers a true ON/OFF facility! Weight-wise the 12.6” version adds a hefty 1.5 lbs to your rifle, which is significant!

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So what good is this rather Gucci accessory? Most immediately it allows access to the exterior of your barrel to keep it clean and rust –free. It also allows a more modular approach to accessories, for example if you had a 223 Speedmaster straight-pull you could buy a 12.6” version and use the shorter, 10” rail fitted up with a vertical grip for maximum control. Then if you were to go foxing re-fit the 2.6” extension to mount a light and laser along with a bipod adaptor slide. Conversely if you had the money get two separate forends pre-set up for accessories as I have detailed.

In use the rail proved its promise, as it offers a solid QD ability which retains the free-float 100%. I found the finish very aggressive and would definitely get some rail covers for the Picatinny sections.

PRICE: 10” £247.02, 12.6” £299.99
(includes fitting and postage on the upper receiver only)

CONTACT:
Southern Gun Co,
01208 851074
www.southern-gun.co.uk

 

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