Smyth Busters: M-LOK vs. KeyMod - Which is Better?

[@ryanpeck3377]

Behind the scenes, BCM wanted companies to pay to use keymod (to be true in spec keymod, companies have to pay a royalty and could be sued if they didnt pay) where as magpul said companies could use mlok free of charge and they would provide the technical specs, but just need to brand it with Mlok logo....thats part of why mlok has become more popular with manufacturers

[@ConSocialist]

Yeah, open source will tend to win, especially in hardware applications.

[@1.forestrunner]

HK is still trying what BCM wanted...

[@jasong6027]

Exactly

[@Leodigarius]

This actually isn't true. Keymod was developed by Noveske and VLTOR with the intention of being a free and open platform. Mlok was created by Magpul and requires a royalty for every rail sold with Mlok, along with the logo to certify it was within Mlok spec. Keymod lost the battle because too many companies played it loose with the Keymod spec, along with healthy amounts of FUD about it, which led people to no longer want Keymod and switch to Mlok. Magpul STILL charges royalties to use Mlok, but people happily do it because consumers believe in it and companies are forced to abide by Mlok spec.

[@fokker1138]

@@Leodigarius M-Lok is free licensed. You need their permission, but it is royalty free.

[@aaronshirk746]

Gorilla glue for that everlasting hold. None of your accessories or hair are moving.

[@brandonbeard8488]

I lost it at hair 😂😂😂💀

[@philipfreeman2863]

That's messed up. But I had to laugh at it.

[@PaulAmerican]

What a good laugg that was.

[@lincolnpascual]

"Or hair". Only in 2021 does that reference make sense. Jesus fucking Christ. 😂🤣😂🤣

[@joquin4618]

😂

[@kentuckyboy541]

I have two of each. Keymod was all the rage when I built my first two. Honestly they both work just fine. Not throwing away perfectly good handguard.

[@sleigh4019]

Well keymods got ya boned!!! Lol

[@universallaw8850]

My sentiments exactly 💯

[@scottlamp3097]

Key mod has one minor advantage: The hardware doesn't go in as deep as m-loc, so you might not hit things like the gas block.

[@pythonBlender7]

This is awesome. I went with mlok bcz strength but you're the first reason I have ever heard that would legitimately make me reconsider. I have had lots of trouble with this problem.

[@scottlamp3097]

@@pythonBlender7 If you run one of the m-loc bolts into the gas block, your barrel is no longer free floated. Most accessories can sit either in front of or behind the gas block, but every once in awhile it can be annoying. Also if you have found a silencer that fits nicely under your rail, you might notice you can't mount anything up front. Having said all that, I still take M-loc every time.

[@MAGAMAN]

@@scottlamp3097 I have to image you have one of those meme guns with every attachment available on it, for this to be a problem.

[@coreyswann8735]

@@MAGAMAN Nope, because I have run into that problem with extremely limited attachments.

[@DadsGetDubs]

can confirm, I hit my gas block when installing my foregrip.

[@AE1OU]

4:04 " One system is not necessarily better than the other" "BUT THE M-LOK is a little bit stronger" Guess m-lok is the superior one

[@VndNvwYvvSvv]

Statistically significantly stronger in controlled testing. ;)

[@slvrktman7824]

M-Loc is stronger...just in case your rifle tips over in your gun safe.

[@john-paulsilke893]

Exactly. And I love this “controversy” because cheaper parts with dick’s on them.

[@MrBossuporbowout]

😂

[@SerenGetter]

MLOK wins, just cuz of aesthetics. Thats all I need

[@chatnasty]

#bigfacts

[@MAGAMAN]

I can't lie, this is they reason I went with it. I did do a quick search, and they are really pretty much the same, so go with what you like the best.

[@Aphabet21]

Someone once called the key mod system the “babydicks” system. Now I can’t unsee it. I have two rifles with the babydicks setup... 😂🤣

[@gsxr1189]

Real shooters use KeySlot.

[@bioches]

💯💯

[@badmoon7549]

Both are good. I like M-lok but I found it hard to concentrate on the video because Caleb had a sprig of hair out of place. Very unusual.

[@handlebullshit]

He clearly needs a bit more Ballistol.

[@xXChaz9849Xx]

Agreed, I felt the same way!

[@thegreatshitstain]

He should be ashamed, and feel bad about it too. ; )

[@andreasschulz4086]

Bad hair day

[@AlphaRomeoOneFive]

Must have forgot to use the blue loctite today 😉

[@marzcapone9939]

Magpul also made M-LOK open source. Anybody can make the M-LOK rails or accessories, to my understanding. Magpul would then benefit just from all the accessories they sell.

[@Ocato92]

M-LOK is free-licenced. That's not the same, as being open-sourced. You still need their permission to implement it in your weapon, and they are some licence requirement. You just don't pay .

[@Iceaxehikes]

I am jealous of that hair. Holy smokes. Caleb has nice hair too.

[@opencarry3860]

Beta vs VHS / Bluray vs HD Disc. I am betting on M-Lok.

[@timelliott6036]

It would have been great to demonstrate identical items being attached using both systems.

[@onpsxmember]

This.

[@fatheroftheclyde]

You just turn a wrench. Not much to see.

[@blckandwhtknight]

M-Lok is the industry standard now. Four years ago this debate was still kinda going but today it's a non issue. Most major companies don't even make Keymod anymore. The advantage of Keymod at this point is, if you don't care much about accessories you can find a great deal on some rails on closeout sales. Not kidding.

[@BunyipDude]

Noveske was the first company that brought KeyMod rails and accessories to market, and they seem to have ditched it (quietly) around 2020. BCM still manufactures its KMR-A (KeyMod rails), and still seems to be pushing KeyMod, but I suspect that there's going to come a day when it's no longer economically viable for them to keep producing it.

[@AA-fg3wj]

Thanks for explaining the difference between the two.

[@AndyCigars]

Great, concise information as always. Plus... 1:00 great close up of the astronaut cat coffee mug and the synchro slurp at the end. My day is made.

[@timalexander7758]

Really enjoy all of your content! Thanks to everyone on this channel!

[@charisperissos1320]

I have both, I like the M-lok a lot better. The M-lok feels a lot better in your hand. I've also noticed that Keymods are dying, it is a lot harder to find keymod accessories these days.

[@oldschooljack3479]

Mine came with a key mod handguard... And I really have no opinion on which is better... But the market has shifted more to m-lok which limits my selection. So that is a factor to consider.

[@ralphsalerno4132]

True. i agree.

[@MrBossuporbowout]

I have a rail with keymod and Mlok on it and I don't know which to choose lol

[@charisperissos1320]

@@MrBossuporbowout Better verify that, I have a handguard n that looks like it accepts both. The slots are too narrow for m-lok. Nothing more than vents

[@MrBossuporbowout]

@@charisperissos1320 will do

[@Pitchlock8251]

KeyMod, M-lok, Its all just tactical shelving hardware. Change my mind.

[@oldscratch3535]

I put together my 3d printer the other night and noticed that some of the attachment mechanisms looked very similar to Mlok. Keymod is just recycled hardware store shelving attachments. What I never liked about Keymod is that the slots are the wrong way around in my opinion. Things can be knocked loose by hitting them or by recoil. Instead of relying on the rail to support the attachment you are solely relying on the clamping force of the screws. The slots should be reversed so that they support the attachment in the direction of most of the forces translated to it, which would be rearward.

[@VndNvwYvvSvv]

@Sean Westerman Correct. Anyone who's mounted a single picatinny or weaver scope should know this.

[@lifepolicy]

@@VndNvwYvvSvv Some manuals state that on a bolt action rifle you have to push it forward and on semi-autos, you have to push it backward. The reason for that is that the bcg hammering forward has a bigger effect than the actual recoil. (That's not my opinion, that's what the manuals say).

[@zerpblerd5966]

picatinny, of course

[@semajniffirg230]

I have some keymod stuff, have ran it hard through classes, never had anything come off. It works fine

[@silvergrizzly316]

I like both, although I did start out using Keymod and still continue to this day. So, Lets Stop Dividing this country!!!🤨 😆😆😂

[@garygrant91]

Duct tape is the superior mounting option. It can be used without mounting hardware or mismatched hardware. 😝

[@MildMisanthropeMaybeMassive]

I am a hose clamp and zip toe guy myself.

[@captlycanthro6251]

My last build pretty much came down to I had a spec in mind for the handguard and could only find one available in KeyMod. All things being equal, I probably would have chosen M-Lok But I'm not really concerned going with KeyMod.

[@Rubble1]

I started with keymod but am really only m-lok now. You get a finer adjustment with m-lok. The keymod lugs have to be set in the little sections only.

[@Osprey78]

"Today on Smyth Busters", "Elvis and Kenny Rodgers talk handguards!"

[@Orcinus24x5]

HAH! This needs to be top comment!

[@sideaccount6198]

I like how he's pitching him the questions and asking him to expand on it - From a beginner's perspective it makes learning much better because you know when to focus in and when to relax (mentally) lol

[@BunyipDude]

Fast forward to 2022, and Daniel Defense has just discontinued all of their KeyMod rails and rifle models. Noveske, the company which produced the very first KeyMod rails and accessories on the market, also quietly ditched its KeyMod products at least two years ago. I'd say these data points are a pretty good indication that the debate is settled.

[@warrior8197]

Also the company that designed KeyMod now makes M-LOK stuff, lol.

[@oldrocker1970]

I like what Wilson Combat was doing. They just drill and tap their shit. It's not going anywhere. The MLOK/KeyMod thing is dumb. Pic rails rule, and yes maybe Mlok is slightly better, and has more longgevity. But there is something to be said for DickMod - Dicks facing toward the enemy. Vs. MLok slits ... well they are slits.

[@BunyipDude]

@@oldrocker1970 Except I still don't think that KeyMod slots look like dicks. ;) And yes, I'm more of a Pic rail guy myself. Other than my BCM upper, which has their MCMR (M-LOK) rail, all of my uppers are quad rail uppers.

[@DrThunder88]

A while ago Strike Industries introduced a dual system method of attachment they called "SI Link". They had a specially shaped nut and a series of half lugs that would work with both MLOK and KeyMod. I have noticed more recently that the cheaper side of the Internet seems to have taken this one step further. Now there are dual system accessories that DON'T work with either MLOK or KeyMod. Usually they have two different types of nuts that can be interchanged and no lugs at all.

[@Mike-fz4cj]

I prefer Mlok. The design looks much cleaner and in my own personal experience it's more secure. I've had keymod mounts start to loosen up after a few months of heavy use. I've yet to have any Mlok stuff loosen up on me.

[@sanchez01hood]

Love them both

[@philgraves7814]

I never really thought about the advantages/disadvantages I just chose keymod on a whim and I like it

[@jasonmccomas7220]

Just purchased a BCM KMR A LW Recce and this is my first go with the keymod rail. I’ve been mlok for a decade so I’m very curious how the keymod functions.

[@jerseyjoe8637]

With that said, it comes down to looks. I myself like the way the key mod looks.

[@julian-estrada]

I work at a franchise gun store and we carry nothing but M Lok. Accessories and guns alike. My customers think that Keymod is some kinda new thing that hasn't taken off and have never heard of it

[@timelliott6036]

M-lok that have the spring loaded attachments are the best.

[@rogerj412]

The company that invented KeyMod has started making M-Lock. Just let that sink in.

[@CalebSavant]

It was either that or stop selling handguards!

[@stonegiant4]

Keymod is slightly phallic and therefore better. Imo

[@garand1911]

So do refer to it as "dik-mod"

[@michaelkennedy996]

Next, Steve and Caleb debate proper toilet paper orientation

[@austinpowersfasha8878]

Sturdier and more accessories. All i needed to hear. Thanks!

[@onionhead5780]

In sync coffee drinking never gets old. 😂

[@awolfalone2006]

I've gone with mlok purely for the cleaner look.

[@martincolvill5453]

Finally! Thanks for explaining them.

[@_ArsNova]

I have an AR with an M-LOK barrel shroud, it's good and it looks nice (not that it matters), but holy hell it attaching things like foregrips a pain in the ass.

[@lisamccabe2474]

Thanks I really enjoy your videos

[@JD-gn6du]

From a manufacturing standpoint m-lok is cheaper to manufacture and simplistic in design

[@rmossman88]

Keymod bcm rail is my favorite. Love the look

[@davidball9480]

+1. Just bought a BCM Recce-14. Chose the Keymod version because I thought it looked better. Now I’m second guessing myself.

[@rockyhooks3372]

I just wish I had all picatinny instead of mlock and keymod both. The attachments I use have picatinny mounts so I have to buy mlock to picatinny conversion strips

[@SoloRenegade]

i'd rather buy adapters than have rail everywhere all the time.

[@Ethan-oq2ds]

I find Keymod a lot simpler to install and honestly feels more robust. MLOK is good as well but don’t know why Keymod is hated

[@wonderwhy5824]

Thanks for the lesson. I'm new to firearms and your channel really helps. God Bless You

[@mmelgoza1983]

Key mod's been going on clearance.

[@warrior8197]

Whatever system was on GG&G free float handguards was the original "negative space" mounting system and that existed back in the 2000s. It looks kind of similar to M-LOK.

[@DStancu]

If one understands the CORRECT way to install M-Lok, it is a no brainer which system is the winner. If you do it right, you would be suprised how easy they are to install! Here is how you do it: 1. tighten the bolts on their T- nuts ALL THE WAY (finger tight) and position the T-nuts in the same direction with the M-Lok elongated holes 2. insert the M-Lok device's T-nuts through the elongated holes at the desired position on the rail 3. loosen each bolt just untill its T-nut rotates freely FOR THE FIRST ROTATION on the other side of the M-Lok hole 4. now tighten the screw back, and this time go for the desired torque (don't go crazy, the torque depends on materials, and on the size of the thread) - done! You dont actually have to be overly careful. If you examine the position of the T-nuts (peek through the adjacent free M-Lok holes) after tightening, they are now "miraculously" positioned almost perfectly perpendicular (90 deg angle) over the M-Lok hole!

[@DinoNucci]

Mlok is easier / quicker to manufacture. Might not seem like much, but 30 seconds saved per handguard x 1000s = profit. That's the main reason.

[@ViktoriousDead]

Call me crazy but I don’t like either.. I served in 2nd Ranger battalion, worked with SF, CAG, one of the SEAL teams and never saw anyone with an MLOK, hand guard. EXCEPT for a CAG security detail running integrally suppressed 300BLK. Not sure which units under SOCOM would have them. Picatiny all around,

[@rodneychi8162]

Buying what ever in stock

[@Tula1940_LB]

If you're new to this go with M-Lok simply because you have more people making M-Lok attachments but if you have Keymod there's no compelling reason to replace it. Yes M-Lok is technically stronger but I don't think you're attaching your rifle to a tree and pulling your handstop with a truck so...

[@jonathanwick1265]

Keymod is like HD DVD. M-Lok is like Blu Ray. Keymod still works, but the accessories and support are not as widely available. It will eventually end up dying off.

[@andygrew4832]

I believe Keymod offers repeatable zero, a point worth mentioning.

[@fabiangonzalez-cortes8894]

Look up the NSWC Crane testing on Keymod. It does not hold zero nearly as well as M-Lok.

[@andygrew4832]

Not referring to holding zero, although that is certainly a valid point. Repeatable zero, as in being able to dismount and reattach a zeroed attachment and maintaining zero. I'm not claiming Keymod is superior, just pointing out a noteworthy feature.

[@sethrich5998]

@@andygrew4832 That’s actually a “feature” Keymod failed on. In the NSWC Crane testing that was mentioned Keymod had an average shift of 4.9 MOA compared to 1.3 MOA with M-Lok.

[@andygrew4832]

You're right with an important caveat. "KeyMod did a much better job of self-aligning the accessory during mounting while M-LOK required more attention.". Apparently, the improperly installed M-Lok accessories exhibited an 18.4 MOA shift on average while there was no mention of "improperly installed" Keymod accessories.

[@notsosilentmajority1]

I have mostly M-LOK but I actually prefer Picatinny. I'm no longer in the military and a few extra ounces doesn't matter when you're at the range or heading to a tree stand. It's just easier for me as I age, get old, can't see, lost strength and can't hear......... and none fo those are the first thing to go.

[@charlesvale807]

Laughed in pic rail 🤣🤣🤣

[@randomgeneratedname1264]

Also drags heavy ass picatinny covered rifle reluctantly.

[@randomgeneratedname1264]

On a serious note, I got tired of having a 15 inch quad rail handguard. The shit is absolutely thicc. Ditched that shit for a 7 inch mlok. Looks bitchin', but the closer we get to an actual apocalypse, the more I start thinking about weight and practicality.

[@jeremiahheidle747]

I'm still a fan of keymod but I do believe it will slowly get phased out due to mlok being more common and popular. I even went through the trouble of adapting a magpul afg2 directly to keymod without a picatinny section on my AR, possibly the only one around.

[@gunnutmike]

In my experience, m-loc is more comfortable to grip with bare hands. I’ve replaced all my keylock foreends with m-loc for that reason, plus availability of adaptors in m-loc.

[@g45sp4]

Keymod lets you hang your rifle to a nail

[@njrivetelite]

I am building my first AR.. And I wanted a larger circumference handguard.. I had held one and it felt good.. many of the Mlock handguards I was looking at were skinny. The only thicker Handguard was Keymod... Id prefer Mlock overall because it seems the accessory choices are a bit wider in variety. If I build another it will be Mlock

[@WickedDealer]

There is no comparison, M-Lok won and has like 50 times the things that Keymod has.

[@JimYeats]

The answer is MLOK. Unclear why a video is needed.

[@frankstabler1920]

I have both and the keymod accessories have all worked loose over a day’s shooting.

[@justjeff1506]

Magpul developed Mlok because keymod tended to pull through polymer hand guards. Obviously would not be good for Magpul’s stuff (or sales).

[@seanhobbs4868]

Jeff, I agree M-LOK was developed to be able to attach to polymer ...and primarily to add to Magpul’s profits by pushing initially their own proprietary design. I have seen many more M-LOK hit gas blocks and/or heavy barrels and spin one or more attachment points out of engagement when tightening, but never with Keymod. Keymod is easier to assure full engagement at all points. The sliding only affects the sequence of installing immediately adjacent items, but is otherwise far more foolproof. Keymod rails require removal of more metal in manufacture, so they are virtually always lighter-weight and thereby also more expensive to make, hence the push towards M-LOL by manufacturers.

[@robwilkerson4413]

Awesome video! Learned a lot, thank you!

[@Exl6243]

It feels apparent what the weakness in Keymod is: It's the fact that you can slide it in easily by pushing forward then tighten means that enough force in the opposite direction will push your accessory back into the large hole, dislodging your accessory. M-lok on the other hand, when positioned correctly, means that a backward force won't dislodge the accessory. With Keymod, if you have a backwards force, the only thing keeping it on is friction, whereas with M-lok, the rail itself and friction keeps it in place.

[@explodojones]

Incorrect. Properly-designed KeyMod accessories will have a lug that "hooks" into a slot forward of the attachment point, preventing any rearward movement as long as the screws stay tight. It's not just friction, it's a solid mechanical stop that keeps the accessory from being able to move backwards.

[@zarmindrow5831]

As a locksmith, of course I need to run with KeyMod.

[@kenhoch3486]

I saw the barrel resting up against a wall and bending myth, what about a suppressor on a barrel hitting against something? Does that have a chance of the bore not being aligned?

[@すどにむ]

It always depends, tensile strengths of metals are finite, so you can rightfully dig up Eugene Stoner from his grave and yell at him if your AR breaks under normal use

[@p47rr]

I own both. More mlok choices. But if you shop. There are some deals on Keymod accessories and handguards.

[@magdowskii]

If the performance is similar, i always pick what looks better, so i pick keymod. Very vibey

[@IrnMaiden304]

Heard alot of people bash key-mod, some of them might not have actually fastened it correctly ( push forward and tighten ) and that could have been the case or maybe it wasn't, I don't know, I wasn't there and it's not mine. All I know is I haven't had any issues over here using it.

[@petesheppard1709]

Good, fair discussion. But when they stated their (different) preference, I had this mental image of a coin flip for who would favor which...

[@FlatBlackCaddy]

I love these videos, Brownells has found the perfect pairing of your boring second cousin discussing things with that random uncle. The only reason I watch this stuff is cuz...guns.

[@elguero7385]

I prefer keymod most of my lightest handguard are keymod but I'll use M lok too every now and then

[@mikejackson3564]

Keymod was open source and thus free to use, while M-Lok became free to use, Free License (I do believe, and please forgive me for not using the Trade Mark symbol oh great and powerful Magpul.... LOL)

[@mckenzieb92]

So is there a difference in spacing for picatinny rails that are meant for mlok and picatinny rails meant for keymod? The holes in the picatinny rails for the screws I mean

[@RichardNixion357]

M-Lok Reigns Supreme I have no empirical data but will fervently push for key mods destruction.

[@lagoonlane]

You guys are great ! Thanks !

[@tomszrodak]

I own both. It doesn't matter, key mod or mlock. What matters is how you shoot.

[@MrJbedo]

Whatever you can get your hands on

[@moparproud3978]

I prefer the look of m lok as well. A bunch of keyholes on my grip doesn’t appeal to me

[@bernardomontell873]

These two guys are just great.

[@SA-hk8xj]

I’m sure I’m the odd ball out…but I still like my picatinny rails. While I understand the idea of shedding weight, the extra weight FOR ME is fine for me and I feel it’s a bit more rigid. Just my two cents

[@SoloRenegade]

you can add picatinny rails to M-lok handguards.

[@thomasfox8027]

Still prefer Picatinny over either either of those. To each their own.

[@richardlahan7068]

Since Magpul is allowing other manufacturers to make MLOK products without licensing agreements, MLOK is quickly becoming the most common method of attaching equipment to AR15s.

[@metanoba4099]

Does mlok attachments for example handstop grips for mlok would it fit to keymod? Because it seems that it’s the same attachment but keymod has to be moved forward.

[@chrissmith-rv5ro]

KAC quad rail for the fact it actually is a HAND GUARD. I have rifles with m-lok and keymod, they both suck for heat past a civil war rate of fire. I have the bs bcm panels. If you couldn't attach anything with m-lok or keymod they would be barrel shrouds.

[@jwilsonhandmadeknives2760]

that’s no joke. they both suck for heat. I love polymer all day unless you absolutely need free float or specific attachments.

[@citizenoftheninthdivision]

This still a thing? MLOK won years ago now.

[@callsignmohas5190]

All three of my bcm rifles have a 1913, key mod and mlok. All three have there place but mlok is sure the popular one now

[@465fire]

MLOK just looks smoother, thats why people like it

[@nammie12345]

Confused why one would be stronger than the other, both use similar attachment screws onto handrails that are made of the same material. So where does the added strength come from?

[@nithia]

My only issue with M-Lok is that some manufactures will put slots in places that look like M-Lok but are just a fraction too thin to actually get the attachment points in. Such as on the top of a non monolithic handguard, or at the 45 degree points. I have one handguard that has a little bit of picatinny that extends from the upper receiver and a little bit at the front for a sight and then a bunch of M-Lok shaped cutouts between the two sections but they are just a tiny bit too narrow so I cant attach anything up there like light switches, DBAL, or PEQ. But this has more to do with the manufactures then it does with M-Lok really.

[@bykrydr21]

For a future video: Is there any problem storing a blued revolver in the holster for storage??? I have heard both: don't due it It can ruin the bluing and that it's OK It will not cause any problem Thanks

[@Aphabet21]

If you do it, you want a silicone lined leather holster.

[@FrankBroughtonNY]

I like full M-LOK on all 7 sides the best

[@ryangosiaco3092]

Will an M-Lock attachment fit on a keymod rail?

[@havoc1zero]

It’s sturdier because it can’t move in either direction whereas with key mod, it can move backwards if loose. But really, only when loose.