Maybe I've been under a rock lately but I got an email from midway USA about the new magpul SL line. First I've ever heard of it. From what I see its nothing that is making me want to run out and buy it but has anyone had any hands on?

 

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No hands on. But knowing Magpul's reputation I am sure it is solid and well thought out gear.

 

It seems to be Magpul's answer to the Keymod, only cheaper and not free-float.

 

I am intrigued....

I get the rail system and the sopmod looking stock but why another grip? That's what, 6 or 7 now?

 

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I know it doesnt impact those in NJ.. but the lock release on the stock looks horribly thought out..

I honestly was wondering what these were - I got the email and got intrigued but, to be honest, was too lazy to research what the difference was.

 

 

So it's a Magpul-branded Keymod style but not actually going to work with Keymod?  

I think magpul is throwing anything and everything at the wall to see what sticks. Their business model seems to be to introduce a pile of stuff every year, hope all their fans buy it, and that some items will have staying power for the rest of normal humans.

The SL line is taking existing products, redesigning them a little but more importantly, incorporating/launching Magpul's new attachment standard, M-LOK. Like Key-Mod, it is freely available to other manufacturers. I have a feeling we're witnessing the firearm industry's version of Blu-Ray vs. HD-DVD (or Beta vs. VHS for you old farts, of which I am one to remember the Beta/VHS slugfest).

The problem is Keymod had a pretty good headstart and a ton of companies have already adopted it (KAC, BCM, Noveske to name a few).

 

I was seriously hoping Magpul would hop on the keymod boat, but apparently they didn't think polymer+keymod work well together. Oh well..

The problem is Keymod had a pretty good headstart and a ton of companies have already adopted it (KAC, BCM, Noveske to name a few).

 

I was seriously hoping Magpul would hop on the keymod boat, but apparently they didn't think polymer+keymod work well together. Oh well..

M-LOK had more launch partners as far as handguard manufacturers go.  Key Mod stumbled with getting accessory manfacturers on board which is why it's taken so long to see KM parts like mounts, VFGs, etc.  For quite awhile, the solution to KM was to add a KM pic rail where you needed it then mount standard accessories which negated the lower profile feature of KM.  Now we're starting to see more direct mount stuff which should really show off the low-profile nature of KM.  M-LOK, OTOH, requires you to add a section of pic rail wherever you need it.  It's supposed to be a stronger interface than KM.  I'm curious to see how it plays out over the next year or two.

 

No hands on. But knowing Magpul's reputation I am sure it is solid and well thought out gear.

 

Like the "wait a minute vines" flanges on the front of the MOE handguards that wrap around the front sight block. All looks, no function (except to stop you in your tracks in the bush).

 

Like the "wait a minute vines" flanges on the front of the MOE handguards that wrap around the front sight block. All looks, no function (except to stop you in your tracks in the bush).

Looks functional to me.... if you shoot like Magpul's original dynamic duo advocate with the extreme forward C-Clamp.

 

I personally don't shoot that way, but it makes sense to design gear that compliments the methods you teach. In any event, I will take another 1"-1.5" of reach/burn protection on my handguards.

 

Also, I doubt WAMs are a huge concern on a manicured flat range, USPSA stage, or equivalent where 99% of these will be used. I doubt these are currently in high demand with the military types as they are not free float and are not conducive to the attachment of IR/Vis lasers and such.

M-LOK had more launch partners as far as handguard manufacturers go.  Key Mod stumbled with getting accessory manfacturers on board which is why it's taken so long to see KM parts like mounts, VFGs, etc.  For quite awhile, the solution to KM was to add a KM pic rail where you needed it then mount standard accessories which negated the lower profile feature of KM.  Now we're starting to see more direct mount stuff which should really show off the low-profile nature of KM.  M-LOK, OTOH, requires you to add a section of pic rail wherever you need it.  It's supposed to be a stronger interface than KM.  I'm curious to see how it plays out over the next year or two.

 

 

i think both will be here for the long haul, and as more and more manufacturers bring more and more of their machining inside the company, we will see rails (like geissele) that come in all 3.  the biggest disadvantage of keymod and mlok right now is a lack of quick detach.  this isnt as much of an issue with most things like sling mounts and light mounts, but it will be a big step forward when/if things like a keymod atlas bipod comes on the market.  

I have no experience with the SL line, but I understand the handguards are slimmer than the previous ones.  I'm willing to drop $20 on the new hand grip to see how that fares.

 

On M4Carbine.net, there are a lot of hints being thrown out there by MagPul reps suggesting that some new fixed stocks will be available in the near future.  Very curious on these.

 

Regarding M-LOK, I have no dog in the KeyMod or M-LOK fight.  From what I've read, I think M-LOK will win the battle between the 2.  The mounting system seems to make more sense, and while there are a bunch of manufacturers playing in the KeyMod world, a bunch are also playing in the M-LOK world.

IMO

 

M-LOK really won't win until they produce a free float tube with M-LOK attachments.

 

Their biggest advantage right now is how cheap the "entry fee" into the available M-LOK equipped parts is compared to the Key-Mod tubes.

IMO

 

M-LOK really won't win until they produce a free float tube with M-LOK attachments.

 

Their biggest advantage right now is how cheap the "entry fee" into the available M-LOK equipped parts is compared to the Key-Mod tubes.

 

a lot of free float tubes already exist with m-lok

 

well maybe not a lot.  but they exist.

 

http://slrrifleworks.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=66_70&product_id=130

 

http://geissele.com/m-lok-technology

 

etc

Intriguing.....

 From what I've read, I think M-LOK will win the battle between the 2.  The mounting system seems to make more sense, and while there are a bunch of manufacturers playing in the KeyMod world, a bunch are also playing in the M-LOK world.

 

some "bigger names" it seems in the keymod world though.  including a lot with military contracts.  who knows it that will help.  but HK, KAC, Noveske, Accuracy International, Vltor, BCM, etc.  Not discounting magpul's "pull" or any of the other competitors as small game, but these listed arent exactly the kind of companies that are here today and gone tomorrow.