Namely, M-LOK replaces KeyMod’s keyholes with elongated slots and KeyMod’s circular lugs with T-shaped lugs. The system works in essentially the same way as KeyMod, but with a couple of important differences. The M-LOK mounting system was released in 2014 by industry giant Magpul, known for their polymer AR-15 magazines and accessories, as an evolution of their MOE mounting system. With KeyMod out of the way, let’s take a look at its biggest competitor, M-LOK. To be fair though, you could always attach a strip of picatinny rail to the KeyMod, which should allow you to use nearly any accessory you want. It’s true that the KeyMod system supports every kind of attachment, but it doesn’t give you quite as many products to choose from as other platforms. The biggest downside to the KeyMod design is that it does not have the same level of industry support as other systems, especially M-LOK. The KeyMod system is great for three reasons: it’s lightweight, it supports every kind of attachment, and it makes accessory installation incredibly easy-simply insert a compatible accessory’s lugs into the wide end of the keyhole, slide them to the narrow end, and screw them in. To that end, KeyMod is open source, meaning any manufacturer can produce accessories using the system without having to get permission from its inventors-and without having to pay them royalties.ĭaniel Defense AR-15 With Picatinny Rail On Top, KeyMod on Sides and Bottom The KeyMod rail system was first produced in 2012 by VLTOR Weapon Systems and Noveske Rifleworks in an effort to standardize attachment systems in the firearms accessories market. The first of the two newcomers is KeyMod, named for its keyhole-shaped mounting slots and modular design. ( Check Out the List of Our Best AR-15 Handguards) KeyMod

The remainder of this guide will explore the differences between KeyMod vs M-LOK rail systems and help you to make an informed choice between the two.

With this shortcoming in mind, a couple of young-buck mounting systems have emerged in recent years that offer similar mounting capabilities with lower profiles and less weight.

While Picatinny rails offer significant improvements over earlier mounting systems, they are not without their faults, the most obvious of which is that they add a good deal of unnecessary weight toward a rifle’s front end. Daniel Defense AR-15 With Quad Picatinny Rail

Keymod accessories install