Jody Lewis reviews the newly introduced GPR V2 Gen 3 rail from Special Ops Tactical.
Florida based Special Ops Tactical (SOT) maybe a newer company in that they were formed just a few years ago, but they are certainly not new to the industry. SOT is the brainchild of Garrett Potter and Clint Hanson, who gained their experience working previously for Spike’s Tactical.
I recently had the opportunity to chat with Mr. Potter regarding some of the new products SOT recently released including their new generation 3 rail. “We are constantly taking customers feedback and using it to innovate new products”, said Potter. In-deed Potter and company release great new products each year and have an extensive offering of complete rifles and accessories.
Potter sent me their newest rail, the GPR V2 Gen3 to have a go at. Upon removing it from the package, the first thing I noticed was how hefty the rail felt. It is beefy where it needs to be and the lightening cuts on the sides bring the weight in at 18.2-ounces with the proprietary barrel nut. Compared to some of the ultra-light rails on the market, that is pretty impressive considering an ultra-light 14” Fortis rail weighs in at 11-ounces without the barrel nut and utilizes a less robust mounting system. Add a mil-spec barrel nut to that Fortis and have comparable weights.
The GPR free float rail features 8 QD sockets providing multiple attachment points for a sling and it made from a single piece machine extruded piece of 6061-T6 aluminum. The Mil-Spec Type 3 hard coat anodizing enhances the sleek appearance.
For those who plan on running a suppressor inside of your rail, this is not a rail for you. With a 1.28” internal diameter, it won’t accommodate a can.
Specifications
- Free Floating
- CNC machined from 6061-T6 Aircraft Grade Aluminum
- Single Piece Machined Extrusion
- Weight: 18.2 oz.
- (8) QD Sockets
- Anti Rotation Design
- Sleek Appearance
- Mil-Spec Type III Hard Coat Anodized
- Inside Diameter: 1.28″
- Width: 2.09
- Provides a Continuous Upper Rail
- Made in the USA
Includes
- Barrel Nut
- Shims
- Hex key
- Instructions
- Screws
Installation
I often use billet upper receivers rather than mil-spec forged, so I ran into a few uppers that were not compatible with this rail, namely those who have not designed their upper to be compatible with anti-rotation tabs. If you decide to try this rail and are using a non-mill-spec upper, make sure your upper will accommodate a rail with rotation tabs built in. During tests the rail worked with uppers from MEGA, CMT and Seekins Precision with no issues. I chose to use CMT as I liked the look of the combo.
The barrel nut requires timing to line up the screw holes, but the included shims made this pretty easy. I started with the smallest shim and it took a couple of try’s to get a good combination. The barrel nut doesn’t require any special tools, just a good ole Crescent Wrench. I tightened up and slid the rail on where 8 hex screws secured it in place.
The GPR rail mated up to the CMT upper very nice and felt extremely sturdy. Installation took about 30-minutes and was effortless for the most part.
Initial Testing
The GPR provides a very comfortable platform, which will accommodate a plethora of accessories. The continuous upper rail is an added bonus. I will be honest, I typically cannot stand quad-rails, and for me it is over-kill and a waste of real estate. Typically I opt for less rail as I find them more comfortable and I do not use my weapon professionally, so I can be picky. That being said, I found the SOT GPR to be extremely comfortable while shouldering due to the recessed area on the rails side that allowed my hand to find home without thinking. The transition from rail to flat is smooth and feels natural.
Final Thoughts
If you are looking for a tough rail that provides the best of quad-rail performance blended with recessed sides in a lightweight package then look no further. If you want the lightest possible rail on the market, look elsewhere, this rail is not it. The GPR rail is a great combination that offers a decent amount of real estate for accessories, strong enough to take a serious beating and light enough not to make your rifle a boat. The GPR retails for $299 on the Special Ops Tactical website.
