You may recall the IMR-Blue concept photo in the recent story about Air Force Small Arms modernization.
While not exactly the clearest of photos, you can discern that the rail isn’t something we’ve seen before. Turns out it’s a new DD rail variant, designed specifically to inform a sources sought inquiry by a Marine Corps Element. They required fixed Picatnny rail at 3, 6 and 9 o’clock st the business end, along with M-Lok along the rest of the rail.
Internally, DD is calling it RIS III Red. It’s their first hybrid rail. It uses the same six bolt attachment as the RIS II, which the Army’s SEP program determined as best in categories of durability and reliability during a recent test of Free Float Rails for the M4 carbine.
Unobtanium from Daniel Defense.
Tags: Daniel Defense
I kinda like it
Any more info on this SEP program? Is the Army actually going to modernize the M4A1.
The Army has zero plans to modernize the M4.
Well that’s dissapointing. Guess they’ll just keep chasing imaginary guns.
SSD any idea if the USMC has plans to upgrade the accessories for theor M27s???
Their*
None at this time.
So what was the point of running the recent test of free float rails for the M4?
One can only hope, but it will take some time for the Army to make up any solid discussion.
Contemplating what reaches consumer market first – the G Mk16 rail off the new URG-I or this DD RIS III. Mmmm….and weight differences between them. I like the look of this RIS III but I have an FN upper begging for the new URG-I rail. Of course, I might need a rifle with a Hodge Wedgelock…or maybe just a Hodge rifle.
How do you mount a suppressor with the rail covering up some of the flash hider?
I’d like to see a clearer shot of the muzzle. Interested to see if the front of the rail is the same as the RIS II.
It’s a RIS II profile.
As for the muzzle question- this demonstrator is built with a 12.5″ barrel. It would not be suppressor compatible in this configuration but is something we wanted to eval.
The 14.5″ Middy is the standard configuration.
The fixed Picatinny reeks of compromise, but whatever. I wouldn’t necessarily buy one, but I wouldn’t bitch too much about having it issued either.
I think it’s to minimize zero shift with lasers. Geissele makes the MK4 which is similar in concept.