If you are running Key Mod, you need to check this out. VZ grips has a new Inter-lock for Key Mod rails.
I modified some pieces to fit a Samson Rail of mine, modified VZ’s hand stop to fit my AR pistol (that doesn’t have Key Mod), and used a couple of other pieces on my primary AR. My primary has a KMR hand guard from BCM on it. Since it is a Key Mod product, it’s the only gun tested for which these products were actually designed.
I tested the hyena brown Alien long and short pieces, and the hand stop in the same coloration. I already knew that I was a fan of the Alien grip pattern, having used them on my 1911s over the years.
After several months of hard use, I can say that the KMG line is durable for sure.
Ok, they’re tough, but how do they perform? Does one need an added grip on their rail? After all, modern Key Mod hand guards already have holes in them; these holes create natural friction. Is it worth the extra weight?
The weight is negligible. According to my scales, with hardware the long rail weighs .55 oz. They are thin enough to not make your thin rail bulky, and oh boy, do they add traction! The added grip is one more thing that helps mitigate muzzle rise. Muzzle control translates into rapid follow-up shots, and don’t we all want to achieve rapid follow-up shots?
The only possible weakness is that the screws are mated directly into the G10 material. I wouldn’t change this because adding metal reinforcement would add weight. The screws are not intended to be removed. Simply slide into the Key Mod rail and tighten. I say it’s a weakness just so that you are aware that with the thinness of the rail, you have a short screw and short threaded holes to match. I think that if one were to remove the rail regularly and make the mistake of removing the screws from the product, they could wear away the G10 threads. Since the product isn’t designed to be used this way, I don’t see this as a problem.
When they chose hardware, they chose wisely. They utilized BCM screws, which are potentially the best screws on the market. And you know, everybody loves a good screw.
All in all, I really like these grips, the design and function is so simple and natural that I’m kicking myself; why didn’t I think of it first? Since the above weakness isn’t one as long as the product is used as intended, the only real problem is that they aren’t made for other rail designs yet.
I’d love to see them in M-Lok and everything else, but until then, I’ll be a customer for my guns with Key Mod. Try them out. I bet you’ll like them too.
