Templar Custom FastRail: Initial thoughts
Mentioned before that Sean sent me a Templar Custom FastRail:
Short version: It’s a nice handguard that allows you to change the barrel with minimal loss of zero. A few notes:
This is one durable handguard. Solid as a rock and a lot of rail space. Being solid, it’s not something you want to put on your lightweight rifle build. But for standard AR or bench gun, it’s a good fit.
Make sure you have the instructions handy. I had a local smith install mine and the first time, he got it wrong and it wasn’t securely installed. No worries as I took it back to him and he figured out where he erred.
It’s a free float system, which will enhance accuracy.
You can break the system down and change in two minutes, so it’s good for a multi-caliber platform.
The positioning of the sling swivel stud isn’t conducive to any sort of forward grip. Not a big deal, since it can be removed and I tend to use single point slings anyway.
The finish is very nice and, frankly, looks a little too nice for my beat to Hell AR.
I’ll get it out to the range this weekend for some shooting and see how it does.
You can get one here.
February 22nd, 2012 at 4:29 pm
Thanks for the link. Keep in mind that your rail was not bead blasted before anodizing. Production models will be a matte finish. Besides, you can go out and scratch it all up to match your rifle if you want!
Rails go on sale the first week of March.
February 22nd, 2012 at 7:27 pm
(Disclaimer: I maintain Templar web site)
I’ve had the opportunity to actually abuse (not just use) the FastRail. I’ve stood on it (I go 170). I’ve seen Bob (Templar’s owner) stand on it and he is 200+. We both took a FastRail mounted on a Templar AR in 50 Beowulf (the selective-fire black SBR on the Templar site, in fact) and used it to beat chunks of wood out of a telephone pole before slapping in a magazine and ripping off a burst.
I wouldn’t advocate using it to fell a tree, but it’s as solid as they come.