Best Rubber AR-15 Picatinny Rail Covers ?

[billt]

This may seem trivial, but A LOT of these things are all but impossible to get on after installing a 4 rail forend. All of my older, (pre Cerberus), Bushmaster AR's came with them already installed.

I just installed a UTG Carbine Length Delta Ring, 4 rail forend on one of my AR's, and I'm very happy with it. But the rail covers that came with it are all but impossible to get on. (These are the full radiused rubber covers. Not the ladder type).

Has anyone else struggled with this? Are there some that fit better than others? Or are they all a pain in the ass? I don't want to use oil, or anything water based, for fear of it dripping on the barrel, and causing rusting issues. Or have the oil deteriorate the rubber.

If anyone has any tricks on installing these things, I'd love to hear them... Thanks in advance.

 

[tucaz]

are you talking about these things?

ERGO Low Profile Picatinny Rail Cover 7 Polymer Black 3PK

Rail covers perform several functions. Added gripping surface, protects rails in un-mounted areas, protects operator from being cut with uncovered...

www.midwayusa.com

i use that brand without any issues.

 

[Potsy]

I used the Ergo’s on my Troy without issue. They’re still there. Need to order another pack of them….

 

[billt]

are you talking about these things?

ERGO Low Profile Picatinny Rail Cover 7 Polymer Black 3PK

Rail covers perform several functions. Added gripping surface, protects rails in un-mounted areas, protects operator from being cut with uncovered...

www.midwayusa.com

i use that brand without any issues.

No, not those. Those are the ladder type. I'm talking about the radiused covers like these....

 

[billt]

Knights Armament has some nice ones that have a metal rib running the length of them, that you press a release band up front, and you can simply slide the rail into place. The only 2 disadvantages with them is you cannot alter the length, and they're expensive.

https://www.opticsplanet.com/knight-s-armament-picatinny-rail-panel.html

 

[billt]

This guy has a good idea I haven't heard of before. He uses both a microwave and a hair dryer to pre soften the rubber to get them on. He's using the ladder type, but I don't see why the rounded rubber types wouldn't benefit from the same treatment.

 

[oldrifleman]

I just use these, super simple

LaRue Tactical Picatinny Index Clips Polymer Black 72PK

These LaRue Tactical Picatinny Index Clips were designed to be attached on the rail, against optics, lasers and other MIL-STD-1913 mounted accessories,...

www.midwayusa.com

 

[ELCO82]

I just use these, super simple

LaRue Tactical Picatinny Index Clips Polymer Black 72PK

These LaRue Tactical Picatinny Index Clips were designed to be attached on the rail, against optics, lasers and other MIL-STD-1913 mounted accessories,...

www.midwayusa.com

I love these things too...

 

[tucaz]

No, not those. Those are the ladder type. I'm talking about the radiused covers like these....

View attachment 8523197

oh sorry. missed the not ladder type

i used kac ones for those. always fits wells and i likes the texture

 

[papershredder]

FYI - KAC panels are plastic, not rubber. They'll definitely stand up to abuse, but don't expect a soft, comfy feel to them. LMT covers are rubber, but I had issues with them sliding off my rails. You might want to look at Magpul or Troy Ind. I think their covers are rubber, but haven't tried or seen them in person yet.

 

[jcheng]

I use to use the Magpul XT panels and never had any issues

 

[Trigger Monkey]

I have the Magpul XT Panels on my Mock12 Modone rifle and like them as well. They're grippy, relatively easy to put on, stay put once they're on, and they can be cut down pretty easy for different purposes. I did that with the one I have on the bottom of the rail, I cut a panel off of it and cleaned it up so when I put it back on it looks like it's still a whole panel. If I want to mount the rifle to my tripod though, I just need to remove that little section, drop it into the head, and put the little piece up on top so I don't lose it, easy peasy.

I messed around with the Magpul XTM rail panels, fuck those things, such a pain in the dick.

 

[1911hombre]

Daniel Defense

 

[clcustom1911]

KAC rail covers don't "lock" onto every rail system, plus they add to the circumference (girth thicc) my KAC rail panels didn't lock onto my Colt 6940 pic rails or my Daniel Defense rails.....they slid on, but didn't lock.

I use Daniel Defense picatinny rail covers on just about everything (work and personal). They don't add much weight or size.