Background

Knights Manufacturing's first solution to the MWS requirement are described on the RIS and RAS Page. These units use MIL-STD-1913 "Picatinny" rails in special grips that replace the factory handguards of AR15 and M16 weapon systems to allow the addition of military attachments such as lasers, forward pistol grips, optics, masterkey shotguns, and m203 grenade launchers. This page provides a description of these two units including distinguishing characteristics and markings. Related to this page, I have also created a page that discuss using a M5 RAS on an Armalite AR-10 as well as on a Bushmaster Dissipator.

The RAS concept was improved by KAC in the form of a free floating tube as described on my KAC Free Floating RAS Page. This system provides the same mil-std-1913 as the RIS and RAS system but adds a solid free float tube that supports the weight of accessories to improve accuracy. This page lists the various models of Free Float RAS tubes that Knight's Manufactures and uses on weapon systems such as the SR-25 MK11 Mod 0 Sniper Rifle system as well as other special SR-15 and SR-25 rifles. Included with these pages is a brief page that shows how to mount a FF RAS on your AR-15. I have also tried to find a way to use an Free Floating RAS on my Eagle Arms AR-10 only to discover that the SR-15 and SR-25 FF RAS tubes are significantly different and completely non-interchangeable. You can see details of my attempts described On This Page.

The latest refinement to the RAS line is described on the KAC RAS II Page. This system is scheduled to be released later this month (September 2002). The RAS II is a new RAS system that provides some of the advantages of the standard RAS plus some of the free floating advantages of the KAC FF RAS described above. I have three PDF files that contain information that I have received from KAC about the RAS II. The first document describes the Advantages of the RAS II, the second provides Installation Instructions, and the third lists Parts Numbers for the RAS II.