MOUNT-N-SLOT MOE QD Sling Mount

[Joeywhat]

This review is for the MOUNT-N-SLOT Magpul MOE QD sling mount, designed to attach directly to the MOE handguards without the installation of extra pic rails.

http://store.impactweaponscomponents.com/mountnslot-mounts.html

Intro to MOUNT-N-SLOT

MOUNT-N-SLOT is a part of Impact Weapons Components (IWC) making drop in attachments for Magpul MOE, VTAC/JP Inc. and some other handguard systems. They are design to offer a more slipstreamed mounting option for lights, slings and similar attachments for AR15 and similar rifles. They caught my eye over on M4carbine.net as a few members posted T&E products before they were out yet...looked like the best thing for mounting stuff to MOE handguards so I had to give them a try...

First Impressions

I ordered direct from IWC's store, the unit price was $32.95. Checkout was easy enough, they use a Yahoo store and you can checkout with Google checkout and a few other similar options for those who do that...certainly a convenience for some including myself. About a week after ordering (only 3-4 business days) I did get an email saying the parts were backordered but should be shipping out very soon. Not a huge deal, I don't mind a wait. I placed the order LATE Thursday Jan 27th, received the order in the mail today (Feb 12th). So about two weeks total, plus shipping typically takes 4-5 business days. Anyways, package came today shipped in a USPS small flat rate box. Inside were two smaller boxes (I ordered two things). Here is how it is packaged (with AA battery for size comparison):

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j151/joeywhat/Guns/IMG_6776.jpg

Opened up (notice installation directions):

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j151/joeywhat/Guns/IMG_6778.jpg

Sling mount itself:

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j151/joeywhat/Guns/IMG_6784.jpg

Back of package/mount, notice installation tool and where it was made (no Chinese crap here):

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j151/joeywhat/Guns/IMG_6787.jpg

Also inside the package was an invoice, which had a hand written note from Earl, the 'guy in charge':

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j151/joeywhat/Guns/IMG_6795.jpg

If you can't read that, I was refunded the shipping charges because they went out late. Completely unnecessary however still a great gesture. What a great way to start things off...it seems as if these guys really care about the customer.

The mount, all by it's lonesome:

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j151/joeywhat/Guns/IMG_6803.jpg

Installation

Installation was stupid easy. Put the mount over the slot in the handguards where you want it to be, then install the two supplied bolts. That's it...you're done. If you can't do it you probably should be living in a padded room.

Here it is once installed:

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j151/joeywhat/Guns/IMG_6804.jpg

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j151/joeywhat/Guns/IMG_6807.jpg

Top view:

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j151/joeywhat/Guns/IMG_6815.jpg

And with a sling attached:

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j151/joeywhat/Guns/IMG_6819.jpg

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j151/joeywhat/Guns/IMG_6822.jpg

[Joeywhat]

Function

I bought this mount as I prefer having at least one QD mount on my rifle, and because using the 'stock' FSB sling mount just plain sucks for me. I like having the front mount a bit further towards the receiver. This mount does just that for me, and it allows me to mount it anywhere there is a slot in the handguard and the surface is flat. The QD sling attachment I am using mounted securely to the cup, and did not fall out under heavy pressure. The mount stays secure even when applying considerable amounts of force at different angles via the sling. It does not slide along the handguard slots, and overall feels extremely secure. It is installed with good sized bolts that won't easily break, with 1/8" drive heads so you don't strip the freakin' thing after applying a little torque to it. The QD swivel moves freely inside the cup, and doesn't bind or have excessive play. The overall 'package' of QD cup and swivel + sling is a bit large and probably not as low profile as some other options...but at the end of the day it's not obtrusively large and costs a bit less then similar, smaller options after the addition of a pic rail...plus you don't have that excess rail sticking out and getting in the way. I don't have any other mounts on hand to measure against, but I bet this is smaller then a lot of other rail mounted QD mounts anyways.

Critiques/Other Comments

My main beef so far with this mount is it's size. And it's really not an issue for me. I'm sure it could be made smaller, but perhaps at that point it wouldn't be as secure or sturdy...I really don't know. As I said before there are other mounts out there that are even larger...also the bolts and washers could be colored black instead of left in the white...again, a very minor and completely insignificant issue...but it would be nice to see. You can see the washers through the handguard slots. As I've said about other things like that on a fightin' rifle...if anyone can see it they're probably staring down your muzzle and have bigger issues to worry about.

Per the IWC website, the mount is "CNC Machined from 6061-T6 aluminum; Hard anodized Type III matte finish per MIL-A-8625F". The hard anodizing is something to look for, some companies don't do it and either paint it or do a 'normal' anodizing which doesn't make the surface as hard. Ultimately with a part like this it's not a huge issue anyways, but it's nice to see the extra effort being made. The hard anodizing isn't exactly a deal breaker for these sorts of parts...but if they're spending the money to have it done it probably says something about the rest of their business practices.

Conclusion

Overall I feel this is a terrific sling mount option for those with MOE handguards. It's very easy to install, mounts direct to the handguard to avoid pic rails everywhere, and most importantly it's rock solid. And to top it all off the company making these has been top notch thus far and I hope to see other great products from them.

[Batman]

Nice review Joey! Thanks.

[mitommy]

Nice review. I have one of their Hand Stops - AKA Weapon Control.

http://store.impactweaponscomponents.com/wecomo.html

As Joey said I liked being able to add a simple accessory and not have to add a whole section of rail. Well made products, at a reasonable price.