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

It’s a debate almost as heated as Ford vs Chevy or Colt vs Smith & Wesson. Some folks say M-LOK® is superior to KeyMod™. Others say KeyMod is way better than M-LOK. Today the Smyth Busters, Brownells Gun Techs Caleb and Steve, take it on. Which really is better, KeyMod or M-LOK? Both are systems for attaching accessories to firearms, typically AR-15 handguards. M-LOK employs a clamp that latches into an elongated slot with two screws. KeyMod operates similarly, but the slot looks like a keyhole. Both were preceded by the MIL-STD 1913 Picatinny rail. The advantage of the newer systems is they allow handguards to have a slimmer profile and weigh less. KeyMod is a little easier to install, but once you have your M-LOK mount set up, it’s easy to remove and re-install - and it’s particularly good at retaining zero on sights. M-LOK is also a slightly stronger system. Steve asks the $64,000 question: What is the military using? M-LOK, says Caleb, and right now, it has pulled ahead in popularity, with more M-LOK accessories on the market than KeyMod. If you’re still using KeyMod, don’t worry - it’s plenty strong for most applications. So the myth that one system is vastly superior to the other is.... BUSTED.