The debate has been raging for a couple years now about which is better, the established quick-attach system known as “keymod” or the Magpul designed M-Lok competitor. SIG SAUER seems to have taken the side of keymod, while others are transitioning to the M-Lok side of the force instead. The latest M-Lok convert is a fairly big one: Canada has chosen it as the rail attachment system of choice for their next generation of infantry rifles.
According to Calibre the Canadian government chose the M-Lok system because most of the end users preferred it over the keymod equivalent. Also because it’s a little stronger and more resilient than the keymod equivalent. There was also something about the cheaper production costs.
The decision to select M-Lok over its chief competitor, Keymod, was credited largely to M-Lok’s preference among Colt Canada’s LEO and military customers. However, additional performance metrics such as tear-off strength and ease of manufacture were also taken into account. We will be following up with Colt Canada in the coming days to get more information on their selection of M-Lok over Keymod so check back over the next couple days for more on this story.
There’s little doubt that M-Lok is a lot easier to produce than keymod, but with keymod being an already established standard there’s some question about which one will eventually win the debate and become the next attachment system of choice, superseding the current strategy of “just put Picatinny rails on every available surface and pray it works.” Despite being a keymod fan from the beginning I’m starting to come around to M-Lok’s benefits, especially with the introduction of Kinetic Development Group’s fast attachment system.