so my free float rail looks like this:   I didn't want a quad rail I'm not planning on a lot of accessories.. I know I just wanted an AFG on the bottom and a sight on top.

 

 

but now I feel like it just looks too monolithic black and I want to add some FDE to the sides.   However, I do NOT want to add picatinnys to the sides so that I can add ladder covers.  I love the look of FDE ladders but I just don't want to mimic a quad setup just for that.

 

So I'm considering panels that would screw right into the holes.  I'm thinking sort of like the Midwest panels but I dunno.. something about them seems not appealing.. 

 

 

 

what I found looking around which I think would be perfect is something like this, its panels for a Knights Arm URX3 rails.. what I like about them is they are slimmer than say a Troy Battle rail covers..

 

 

 

but I don't know if those come in a color close to FDE.   I almost wish I could just "glue" the ladder covers right onto the sides of the rails (of course I won't) it would give me that look without the bulk of adding picatinnys..   Or I could resort to any various number of panels out there that snap into the pic rails and merely drill holes in them and then fasten them onto the rail holes.

 

I welcome suggestions.  I'm having a bit of remorse with that free float rail.. its quite bulky..i think I like the look of the slimmer Midwest SSGen2.

 

(if someone tells me how to make the pictures bigger I will)

the KAC ones I doubt will work I think they will sit oddly..

 

who makes your rail? there should be specific ones available? 

ever think about just painting the hand guard? probably cheaper and easier than anything else. tape it off hit it with some FDE and you're good to go.

Handguard thickness is a important consideration to ergonomics. Consider what that would do before you add thickness for the sake of color. Paint doesn't have that problem.

This is all just for the sake of cosmetics? Do you have anything type of environment around you that warrants FDE?

Yup. All cosmetics. Does any majority of suburban commandos warrant FDE? Of course not.. It's personal preference

 

And Vladtepes yes I saw how the KAC are shaped oddly. I might look into a paint job. I'm pretty good with that stuff.

when I painted just to camo up a gun... rattle can worked fine.. because I just wanted it to be broken up.. and random.. no real right or wrong..

but I recently had a Saiga done in cerakote.. and there is a lot to be said for a professional cerakote job...