Damn it looks good but at that price I wont be purchasing one. Most likely I am gonna go cheap and attach a rail to the current design or buy some of the univ rails and "make" my own. Thanks to SG for the $25 dollar gift card and $10 coupon I can do that pretty reasonably.

 

It does look cool and the price isn't that out of line for what you're getting, but I'm not planning on removing the stock front sights on mine.  I like keeping as much original equipment on my stuff, should I decide to trade, or sell it later (and even though the stock front sight isn't the greatest, I do like the looks of the gun with it on it. ).  Since this Requires the removal of the stock front sight, it's knocked itself out of the competition (for me).

I haven't decided to go with the KT Quad Rail, adding a 2nd rail to the top of the stock forend (like another member did), or a universal rail build.

 

Having been slow at work yesterday I surfed around and found different universal options..basically the same from each company so the choice is just how big a mount with how many rails etc.

Some of them are longer than the NcStar quad rail mounts so it would be a little cheaper to use those even though they are designed for shotguns I think they would work well for the s2k and the triple rails are flat on top and would not interfere with the folding abilities.

 

If you all don't mind I would really love to hear 3wbdriver's opinion of this red lion forend I now have two sub 2000s, one needing some modifications (wink)

 

Some of them are longer than the NcStar quad rail mounts so it would be a little cheaper to use those even though they are [highlight]designed for shotguns[/highlight] I think they would work well for the s2k and the triple rails are flat on top and would not interfere with the folding abilities.

If/when you make the decision you need to find the ones for rifle barrels.  The shotgun size is too large to fit the Sub2K barrel.  Tron1, you won't get any user feedback on this Red Lion one for a bit yet.  One of our members is getting one within the next couple weeks and will be doing an extensive review of it.  But for what you would be getting the price looks about right to me.  Certainly not overly expensive, although I do understand the concern about needing to remove the front sight to mount it.  Anyone who is interested might take a look in the SU-16 and PLR-16 forums.  Red Lion has already been selling railed forearms for both of those and they seem to be very well received so far.

Let's try to keep discussion in this thread on the subject of the Red Lion forearm folks.  Pros and cons.  The universal mounts can be and have been discussed extensively in other threads for several years now.



Cobraeye I appreciate your confidence in my opinion, but I had to beg off doing the review on the Red Lion forearm, due to work scheduling and inability to promise a timely review.  I've been in touch with them and the mystery tester, and we should hopefully have some news by mid-March.

I will however hopefully be testing and reviewing another product in the near future.    

 

Yesterday, Feb 26 2011, I placed my order.

I was attracted by the design which retains the folding feature and permits the installation of optics.

The front sight "required removal" solution is a surprise to me. I will look into re-installing it or its replacement later.
I beleive a replacement is available at Kel-tec [SR-154 Front Sight Assembly (153-155) In Stock SKU: SR-154 $10.15].

Bobkt

[quote author=molonlabe link=1298752020/0#3 date=1298817637]Some of them are longer than the NcStar quad rail mounts so it would be a little cheaper to use those even though they are [highlight]designed for shotguns[/highlight] I think they would work well for the s2k and the triple rails are flat on top and would not interfere with the folding abilities.

If/when you make the decision you need to find the ones for rifle barrels.  The shotgun size is too large to fit the Sub2K barrel.  Tron1, you won't get any user feedback on this Red Lion one for a bit yet.  One of our members is getting one within the next couple weeks and will be doing an extensive review of it.  But for what you would be getting the price looks about right to me.  Certainly not overly expensive, although I do understand the concern about needing to remove the front sight to mount it.  Anyone who is interested might take a look in the SU-16 and PLR-16 forums.  Red Lion has already been selling railed forearms for both of those and they seem to be very well received so far.

Let's try to keep discussion in this thread on the subject of the Red Lion forearm folks.  Pros and cons.  The universal mounts can be and have been discussed extensively in other threads for several years now.



Cobraeye I appreciate your confidence in my opinion, but I had to beg off doing the review on the Red Lion forearm, due to work scheduling and inability to promise a timely review.  I've been in touch with them and the mystery tester, and we should hopefully have some news by mid-March.

I will however hopefully be testing and reviewing another product in the near future.    






[/quote]

 

Yesterday, Feb 26 2011, I placed my order.

I was attracted by the design which retains the folding feature and permits the installation of optics.

The front sight "required removal" solution is a surprise to me. I will look into re-installing it or its replacement later.
I beleive a replacement is available at Kel-tec  [SR-154 Front Sight Assembly (153-155) In Stock  SKU: SR-154 $10.15].

Bobkt

If you have access to a heat gun you should be able to remove the front sight as a unit by heating the barrel behind the sight.  The possibility still exists that the plastic may soften enough on the collar to make it loose on the collar itself.  But yes I am sure that if you desire to remount the front sight it will be possible, even if it means buying a replacement sight.

 

3wbdriver,

I am a patient person, with more spare time than I need. I can wait for someone to post a review.

Oh, and thanks for bringing the thread back on topic.  

-------

bobkt,

Thank you for volunteering the information that you have placed an order.

When the forend arrives, would you be so kind as to describe your experience from the beginning (Placing the order, time in transit, initial impression upon receiving it, etc.) and progress to how it installs, how it fits, how it functions?

I (and probably many others) anxiously await your review.

Tron1

 

Tron1,

I will be glad to.

Ordering:
The ordering process went wiht out a hitch, I was not home when I attempted to place the order.
I had planned to use my paypal account during the checkout but could not. I had forgotten my paypal security key fob at home. I felt disappointed and could not wait to get back home.

Fortunately, the Red Lion customer service agents came to my rescue and reminded me that I could checkout by simply using my cc without logging into the paypal system. I was relieved and felt extremely happy after receiving the email confirming my order.

Preparations:  I am getting ready to un-install the front sight and I am looking for a loaner heat gun.  

I will also learn how to post pictures.

So much to do!

Bobkt

 

bobkt,

Is that enthusiasm I detect?

Good luck with the front sight removal.

Tron1

 

Tron1,

I will be glad to.

Ordering:
The ordering process went wiht out a hitch, I was not home when I attempted to place the order.
I had planned to use my paypal account during the checkout but could not. I had forgotten my paypal security key fob at home. I felt disappointed and could not wait to get back home.

Fortunately, the Red Lion customer service agents came to my rescue and reminded me that I could checkout by simply using my cc without logging into the paypal system. I was relieved and felt extremely happy after receiving the email confirming my order.

Preparations:  I am getting ready to un-install the front sight and I am looking for a loaner heat gun.  

I will also learn how to post pictures.

So much to do!

Bobkt

Me = excited. I'm doing my best to be patient too.

I like this setup because I can get rid of that horrid front site and put something more like the magpul folder on there, and either detatch or keep attached an optic (depending on needed stow size). The price is a bit high, but i'm not going to use side rails anyways, so not getting those will bring the price down.

 

I like the looks of the Red Lion forend, and like the fact that it does something, (rotates) . I have one on order now, and I cut my front sight off more than a year ago. As long as it can be rotated and hold zero, and not come loose, I will be happy with it.

 

RedLion order received:
My order from Red Lion was delivered this morning, Wed, the order was placed on Saturday afternoon.
The forend is 7 5/16 in long and 1 7/16 to 1 1/2 in dia.There are four flat surfaces at 90 degrees from each other for rail mounting.
The end cap has a beveled lip which precisely fits the opening in the front of the forend.
The forend adapter is secured to the coupler by a knurled nut with 3/4" wide grabbing area.
Once the knurled nut is unscrewed 1 1/4 turn the forend adapter can be rotated in increments of 90 degrees. The action can be described as a captive positioning on those 90 degrees increments.
The forend adapter has a 1" shoulder wchich precisely fits inside of the rear of the forend.
The installation instructions are very detailed. An exploded view with parts breakdown is included.
All hardware were supplied and I also received my 7 5/8 rail.

Sorry, no pictures yet!

Bobkt

 

As I am the beta-tester, I will speak up. It is a very HIGH QUALITY piece, no rough ness, or marks anywhere. It is very smooth.

The screws go in with a minimum of force, and did not require excessive attempts to make things line up.

i plan on putting it through the paces this weekend at the range, and then plan on having the wife take it to the yearly police officer games in april.

in the mean time, I may bring it to Knob Creek this month when someone picks a date, and we will get it lots of use with my wifes dept buddies....

 

bobkt & virtual_rjhauser,

Thank you both for contributing to my humble request for review of the Red Lion forend. With two independant users giving detailed descriptions of the forend (from their own personal, unbiased perspectives) we, potential buyers, can make better-informed decisions as to whether or not the forend will satisfy our needs.

I, myself, am very interested in knowing as much as either of you are willing to express - good, bad, or indifferent - about the forend. So, please, don't hold back; instead, let us (me?) know about the little things that you observe...

I know that I will be grateful.

Tron1

 

My Red Lion forend that I ordered last Friday came in today (Wednesday). It was very well packaged and insured, I had to sign for it. It goes on the gun with no problems, and everything fits with no sloop, I am very impressed with the quality of all the parts. Some parts of the instructions were open to interpatation, so I called Red Lion with some suggestions to make things clearer, and they said they would change them. I went ahead and put blue loctite on all the screws but the 2 biggest screws on the rear of the coupler. It only takes a couple of seconds to unlock, rotate and lock into firing position, feels good and secure. I will try to get to the range tomorrow, get my red dot sighted in, and see if it will return to zero. Photos hopefully in next post.

 

Love the look but I guess I am a cheap bast_rd. I have a hard time spending 200 bucks on a gun that I bought for 350

 

      this is what comes in the box

          locked in firing position

          locked in folded position  

And it is a good idea to order the T15 Torx wrench, it's only $2.00.  The forend is a very nice black color, the flash kind of messed up the real color.

 

lab-rat,

A third source of opinion? Marvelous! Now we are getting somewhere!

Thank you for the initial pictures you provided; regardless of the flash, they are well-focused and clear. Your description is short and to the point.

-------

Before anyone else posts pictures of their installation, may I request some that focus on the endcap and the forend adapter, with particular attention to the holes through which the barrel passes?

Tron1

   

 

Re: Red Lion Forend Reviews

And I would like to see some close ups of where the base mounts over the pivot block and secures the barrel nut, since this seems to be a problem area on previous attempts to mount anything.

So far it looks great and I like the indexing feature.  It's an innovative solution to a known concern over optics holding zero.  

 

I like how it looks. I may have to find another s2k to put one of these rails on.

Mike

 

I went to the range today with my new Red Lion forend, and was very impressed with how well it worked.  I fired 75 rounds to sight in my red dot and check the forend.  It worked great!!  After sighting in, I fired 5 rounds, unlocked and turned the forend 90 degrees, locked in folded position, then unlocked, rotated 90 degrees to firing position, and shot another 5 shots, repeat 5 times.  After coming home and inspecting the forend everything looks and feels tight, I like it.  I apologize for the crappy pictures below, but it is the best I can do with a very old camera.  I also take full blame for the wide group of holes in the target, please do not blame Red Lion, they did a great job.  Just to set the facts straight, I am 63 years old, I need new glasses, and my right hand shakes so bad, I have to use two hands to write with a pen.  I fired 30 shots at the target below at 25 yards at an outdoor range with high winds.

 

That first picture has all the detail I was hoping for. Thank you.

 

lab-rat,

Once again, thank you for your contribution. I appreciate the interest and effort you have shown.

There is really no need to apologize for the pictures; if you reduce the first one to 35% of its original size, the details become much sharper.

Also, as for the target, for what would there be blame? Let us say you mounted the red dot, shot 5 rounds (off-center and slightly spread due to high wind) and folded & locked the rifle, then you opened the rifle and shot 5 more to confirm that the forend does, in fact, retain "zero" (once again off-center). You made adjustments to the red dot and fired 5 more, moving the POI closer to center and repeated the previous sequence until you were confidently hitting center of target. Then you simply continued firing until you had shot the entire 30 rounds, folding, locking, unlocking and unfolding the rifle between groups. At rough count I see at least 16 impacts where the bullets clearly went through or nicked another hole already in the target; approximately 13 were in the center of the target.

Add to that the usual things we suffer on occasion (especially after firing numerous groups and taking breaks in between): different sight picture; incorrect breathing; trigger jerk; and, yes, age, eyesight & physical condition, and you have a normal target result for the circumstances.

It may not be up to your personal standard, but I think you did fine, all things considered.

Tron1

PS: Before I forget, would you please include some pictures in the "Sub porn pictures" section? I am sure many viewers would love to see what your rifle looks like with its new forend.

 

Tron, I used to be a lot better shot in my younger days. As a young man, if I needed a few bucks I would go to the range and shoot skeet for money, betting other shooters. When we went quail hunting, everybody else used a shotgun, I used a .22 rifle and bagged more than they did. It's just sad having to face reality, but thanks for the kind words.