Centurion Arms is getting ready to release their new "C4 Rails", and Military Times had a chance to check them out. The C4 rails are coming in 7, 9, 10 and 12 inch lengths to fit everything from carbine to rifle builds. These rails are coming online shortly, and Centurion Arms is having a pre-release sale, so you have a chance to save a chunk of money while still upgrading your carbine with a top of the line rail.
Click the below picture to get more information, see more pictures, and grab the link for savings.
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The images shown here are of the preproduction rail, and Monty LeClair has explained to us that based on feedback from certain members of the shooting community, that there are a few improvements that are making it into the production version. We'll start with the basic rail overview before we get to the improvements. These rails are 6061 T6 aluminum and hard coat type 3 anodized. The rails are the standard 1913 milspec, so any bipods, vertical fore grips (VFG), mounts, optics or other rail mountable items will fit without issue. While we handled the shown early model, we noted that all of our mounts worked fine. We checked accessories from KAC, Tango Down, Magpul, Bobro, ARMS, Larue, American Defense MFG and a few oddballs items that never quite made it into production, and all fit.
Monty explained to us that his goal with this rail was to create a rail system which was a lightweight, durable, 2 piece free float rail that gave an upper receiver a continuous upper rail (12 o'clock). A quick highlight that we noted was the mechanical block in the form of two short extensions which embrace the upper receiver. This is important as many users will be installing this rail themselves, and Monty can't verify the tightness of the barrel nut when this is done. By utilizing a system which will locks the rail to the receiver, there is no concern of someone loosening the rail and barrel nut when cranking on a VFG. I know that some people will think this isn't a concern, but as a police armorer, I've found a number of guys using duty weapons that came loose. This is a big plus in my book. You can check out the below pictures to see a close up of what we mean.
In the way of improvements, Monty is having the rails machined with Quick Disconnect (QD) socket mounts, which will give guys with slings a built in option. All will have multiple QD points, with the shortest rail (7") having 2 fewer due to its shorter length.
In handling the Centurion Arms C4 rail we found that it locked up nice and tight, and that there was no play or slack in it once installed. This free float rail allows for mounting of optics as there is no contact between the barrel and rail.
While we do not have an exact date for the release of the new rails, it sounds like we are within a few weeks or so of seeing production models. For a quality rail, and the chance to save a chunk of money with this prerelease special, check out Centurion Arms C4 Pre-Order webpage. Monty also builds MK12 uppers, so while you are at the webpage, you might want to check out the videos and info about those as well.
For people who want to see how well the Centurion Arms C4 rail holds up, or how cool it stays under heavy fire, you might want to take a look at these videos also.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mdfU_6EHtIQ[/youtube]
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9d0OVH2lSko[/youtube]
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