VZ2008 Bonesteel upper hand guard rail install

[1eyedfatman]

I've been trying to install the Bonesteel upper hand guard rail.  The pin does not want to go in.  I've tried to push it as far forward as possible, but the pin doesn't want to go.  I think it needs to move forward a little bit more.  Anybody else have to do any fitting to get the pin to go in?

[cci24]

use the align key and loosen up the 2 screws (very tiny) in the front a

the main pin should slide in after that.

[1eyedfatman]

That worked and its on!  I had to put a rubber mallet to it to get it through the other side, but I didn't have to strong arm it.  Thanks!

[CitizenPete]

That worked and its on!  I had to put a rubber mallet to it to get it through the other side, but I didn't have to strong arm it.  Thanks!

If you installed this with in conjunction with the BS lower, I would love to hear your feedback and thoughts on the set, with possibly a few pics?

[RSR]

Here are my thoughts from awhile back.  In brief, the bonesteel is short and squat (too wide in hand heightwise encourages a c clamp grip which really doesn't work with irons or red dot...  You can put your thumb atop the rail, but that's the hottest part of the grip for me...  I suppose rail spacer on the bottom rail might work to correct the issue.

End of story, I sold the bonesteel.

Bottom, only the small rail will fit.  And the small rail is sufficient to mount an AFG or other grip. 

Support hand side, I like the long rail for heat deflection as well as a continuous surface for my hand being mounted against. 

Opposite side, I have a small rail for flashlight mount or other accessory if needed.  Better to have and not need, than not have and need...

Also, NEA does sit slightly higher than bonesteel.  But it is a much more substantial rail in pretty much every respect.  And its design is also such that it prevents things from falling into the handguard, unlike Bonesteel.  Whether NEA is "overbuilt" or that extra bulk is critical is quite fairly up for discussion.  But that's my primary takeaway.

Lowers Bonesteel is better ventilated and has much more rail space -- for NEA, more rails means less ventilation.  Also, Bonesteel, you don't have to worry about rails working themselves loose.

But, for Bonesteel in hand, the lower is almost too wide.  Wider than AR quad rails.  And I haven't mounted it yet to try, but I also don't think the bonesteel will be friendly to the gogun gas pedal, which it and the AFG make a pretty much perfect forehand grip w/ my Troy/NEA, and do a very good job of minimizing heat on the support hand.  Without the Gas pedal on bonesteel, support hand thumb ends up on top rail right next to where the pistol in exhausting the gas (point of greatest heat).  Not ideal.
My Daniels Defense Omega rail: 1.9", 48.3mm.
Bonesteel: 2.15", 54.5mm.

In comparison my Midwest Industries Galil Quad Rail is 2.25"/57.3mm, but feels much narrower -- I think it has to be something to do with the wide rail sitting so low to the palm of the hand, but not certain... 
**PAUSE**
So ran through these again.  Bonesteel the meat of thumb ends up atop the side rail.  NEA is about 2/3 on and 1/3 off the rail and the Midwest and Daniels both run palm entirely on the rail.  That's the hangup with bonesteel.  I can rotate my palm more under the barrel , but then I'm not using the same grip on the afg as I"m used too...  Not sure if I'm describing correctly, but the meat of the thumb, portion of palm connected to thumb is what I'm describing...
Bottom line, bonesteel is high enough that my thumb sits atop the side rail and is the only quad rail I have where a c-clamp grip would be described as natural.  It'd be hot, but natural...  Without an AFG that grip would probably be worse... 

Looks like I've gone and convinced myself to spend more $ on upgrading my 2nd tacticool VZ2008 to an NEA fore-end at some  point...

So I've posted before about how low the Bonesteel side rail sits, so thought I'd post some pics today while I was snapping some pics.

Here's the Galil Midwest Industries top vs the Bonesteel bottom.  As mentioned, my thumb rides the top of the bonesteel rail, making a C clamp grip natural -- but that doesn't work if you're running a co-witness red dot...  Otherwise, your thumb right there puts it at hot central...



Bonesteel top vs NEA/Troy bottom (though perhaps not entirely obvious from the pic, the NEA has about 2x the distance between rails as the bonesteel):

*Worth mentioning that the bottom rail, I leave the front most hole open for increased ventilation there as well as most support for the AFG.  And the long NEA side rail, allows some venting at the foremost side rail hole, and the sling swivel attachment hole offers add'l ventilation on the rear...  To mount the gas pedal where I needed it, the sling swivel attachment hole would've been covered so I sent it to the rear...  W/o the gas pedal, would probably help w/ ventilation/cooling to the front if you don't need to mount a sling...

And here's just the setup of the go gun gas pedal and AFG that I really like for the VZ58 -- this is the aluminum version that runs about $50 vs $15 polymer airsoft ones you can find.  (Need to order some ODG rail covers...)



In summary, the NEA handguard fits my hand similar to my AK/Galil and AR handguards where my thumb and the meat of my thumb rides the rail.  Bonesteel has my thumb and most of the meat of my thumb riding the top of the side rail.

*Should mention that I'm looking to sell this Bonesteel rail and will separate w/ it at cost plus shipping.  Didn't use Bonesteel's screw adhesive, just blue loctite, so all the adjustment screws should be easily removed and no modifications were made to the rails.  Also have a black aluminum gas pedal I don't have an immediate need for that I'd sell for $50 delivered (installed but never left the house) if anyone is looking.  Essentially same price as gogun but free shipping.  PM me for either.

http://store.gogunusa.com/Gas-Pedal-for-Rifles_c5.htm