My PSR should be showing up today. Its got the ADM QD on it and I have a few polymer rail sections floating around the house. Are they OK to use together or should I get metal rail sections?
Atlas QD on polymer rails?
- Thread starter sam4886
- Start date
Short-term, the polymer should be OK. I've admittedly never broken one. But for an accessory that can apply significant force (such as a large bipod), I have a strong preference towards a high-quality aluminum rail segment.
The ADM lever used on the Atlas bipods has long clamping surfaces, which means the amount of force or pressure needed to hold it tight is reduced and it's spread out and less likely to cause damage from the actual "clamping" HOWEVER, now the bipod is tight to the rail, that rail MIGHT be the weak link IF you load your rifle heavy. Conclusion, you know how you'll be using the rifle, if hard use, I'd eliminate plastic from any high stress areas if possible. Personal rule of thumb, metal for bipods, scopes and lasers, plastic for lights.
A few years ago I ran a magpul short MLOCK polymer rail with my ADM quick disconnect on an atlas bipod. I think I even mentioned it here once when someone asked and I wasn't having any issues with it at the time. I must have jinxed myself because within the next couple of weeks I loaded that bipod and that polymer rail snapped right in half. At least it went down on me when I was just at the range and not during a local match. That would of really sucked. Go invest the cost of a good lunch in getting the right metal part. the $20 is worth the peace of mind because in my opinion its not a question of if your polymer rail will fracture, but when.
I ran Magpul Polymer MLoc Picatinny rails on a chassis using an Atlas until the polymer brails always had the fasteners loosen up on me. Switched to the Magpul Aluminum version with the de fasteners, no problems.
I was worried about that too, so I bought the magpul aluminum m-lok rails.
Pleasantly surprised with the tolerances they hold. I’ve bought 4 and all of them lock up tight with the same tension setting on the qd mount.
Pleasantly surprised with the tolerances they hold. I’ve bought 4 and all of them lock up tight with the same tension setting on the qd mount.
I'll add some metal rails to the buy eventually list. Short term the poly seems to be fine. I had the poly rails floating around already so I'm not in a rush to go buy new ones.
These are just range toys mostly anyway. Some rockchucks and stuff, but no real comps.
These are just range toys mostly anyway. Some rockchucks and stuff, but no real comps.
Yep - if you crank down the fasteners, the plastic "creeps" because the force is distributed over a very small area. This is a common problem in automotive parts and there are ways to avoid it, but adding more cost and mass to a plastic part kinda defeats the whole purpose.
