Apex Machining Company, Inc. has a new rail on the market, and its toothed "Gator grip" makes it stand out from the rails you are used to seeing on your duty weapon. This free-floating, all-aluminum rail is a one-piece tube that attaches by way of cutting the delta ring and fastening directly to the barrel nut, which makes for a quick and simple installation. The rail can be run as a tube, or you can drop on accessory 1913 rails to a variety of places. It also features built-in QD sockets for sling mounts.
Click the image for more pictures and an overview of the installation.
The first step in working with any weapon system is pretty obvious, and if you aren't aware that you need to ensure the weapon is unloaded and safe, please stop and find someone who has those skills.
Below you can see the basic parts in the kit we will be installing. There are two locking collars, the one-piece tube, and 1913 spec rail sections. Not shown are the screws used for installation; however, they are included.
Remove the handguards, and then cut the delta ring off. Once the outer shell is removed, grab pliers and twist to remove the spring -- neither the shell nor spring are needed during this installation. With these pieces off, place one half of the locking collar in place, and you should be seeing something like the below image.
Place the second half on, and secure them with the provided screws. Make sure you use a thread locker.
Slide the one-piece tube over the two installed halves, and use the 4 screws to lock the tube to the collar.
Now you have the option of installing rails. If you are using this rail to free float the barrel and are only concentrating on accuracy, using 1913 rail sections might not have an appeal to you. If you are using this tube and throwing on iron sights, lights, a vertical foregrip, or other items, you are going to be putting 1913 spec rail sections on. Installation of these is simple. With the long top rail, you screw directly into the tube (which has threads). For the lower rail or side rails, a nut is used to hold the screw in place.
Shown below is the upper without the upper rail installed.
Here is the same upper with the top 1913 rail installed.
The 12.5" rail installed on the 11.5" barrel weights 15.1 ounces. Also available are
Carbine- 7.125" 9.76 oz
Ext. Carbine- 8.5" 10.5oz
Mid- 9.0" 11.0oz
To wrap this up, the rail feels good in my hands, and installation is simple. While prices are not yet set, I've been told that these should be pretty easy on the pocket. If you are looking for a free-floating tube or rail, or the ability to swap back and forth, the APEX Rail is worth a look.
300 Industrial Circle
PO Box 2576
White City, OR 97503
Phone: 541-826-3713
Fax: 541-826-1476
9am - 4:30pm PST
Mon - Thur
[nggallery id=195]
