FOG HORN a Twobirds Flying Publication

22July2011 By:SalPalma(FOGHORN)

OTISTechnologyTRSThePersonificationOfExcellence

Otis Technology enjoys an excellent relationship with the DoD, and a number of their products arestaplesin the federal supply system. They are known for their line of superb weapon cleaning systems. However, the companys design and engineering depth does not stop there, and today Otis Technology is a participant in the U.S. Armys Product Improvement Program(PIP),whichhasasitsobjective to enhance the Armys existing inventoryofcarbines. The PIP, managed out of PEO Soldier Weapons, is one leg of a twopronged approach to enhance the M4 carbine andultimatelyfinditsreplacement. Early in the year, OTIS Technology announced its Turned Rail System or TRS.

TheTRSisaMilSpecrailsystemthat replaces the M4s polymer hand guard with a Picatinny rail system on all four quadrants. Furthermore, the TRS free floats the M4s barrel to enhance accuracy and improveweaponcooling. Because the TRS provides a milspec railatthe12oclock,3oclock,6oclock and9oclockpositions,theweaponcan now be configured with a variety of accessoriestoincludenightandthermal optics, laseraiming modules and weaponmounted lights. Equipping the ArmysinventoryofM4carbineswitha highlyaccuraterailsystemenhancesthe functionality of the weapon and brings theM4carbineintothe21stcentury. The need for a reliable rail system has been recognized for quite sometime and a number of companies are manufacturingquadrailsinavarietyof lengths, which begs the question, why did Otis Technology enter a mature market with its TRS rail system. The answerisequallyinteresting. Company sources shared some of its backgroundwithme.Otiswasoriginally asked to develop a go/ nogo gage to test other rails the objective was to seehowcloselytherailstestedcameto meeting NATO specs. Interestingly, and

Copyright 2011, Sal Palma, d.b.a. Twobirds Flying Publication, All Rights Reserved.

FOG HORN a Twobirds Flying Publication

toOtissurprise,noneoftherailstested were fully NATO compliant. So, it was with that experience that Otis decided to manufacture a rail system that met allrequirements.Theendproductisthe TurnedRailSystemorTRS. I spent an entire day measuring every slotandeverydimensiononeveryplane andfoundnovariances.Prettyamazing Ihavetosay. The machining process, for which OTIS Technology has a patent application, is whatdrivestheTRSaccuracy. One of the more important functions thataquadrailperformsandthereason why accuracy is so important is that weaponaimingdeviceswillbemounted and dismounted on the rail surfaces; therefore, a consistent and repeatable pointofaimonanyplaneisessential. Togetafeelforitsaccuracy,Imounted alaseronthe12oclockrailandnoted thepointofaim.

Other than camera angle issues there wasnochangeinthepointofaim. The next two slides will succinctly illustratemypoint.

Figure1Notelaserdotposition(initial)

Figure2Laserdotposition(90ofrotation)

Ithenattachedthelasertothe3oclock rail and rotated the rail 90 noting the point of aim. I continued the process until all four quadrants were tested.

Any visible differences are due to camera angle regrettable but unavoidable in the absence of a well equippedlab. Any optic that I had available, retained itsoriginalpointofaiminanyquadrant

Copyright 2011, Sal Palma, d.b.a. Twobirds Flying Publication, All Rights Reserved.

FOG HORN a Twobirds Flying Publication

regardlessofhowoftenitwasmounted anddismounted. So, from this writers perspective you can take Otis claim of accuracy to the bank. TheTRSismachinedoutofT6061 aluminumincarbinelengthandfinished inatypeIIIhardcoatblackanodized surface.

Givenitsaccuracy,finishanddesignwhat reallygotmeexcitedwasits1.7internal diameter,whichwilleasilyaccommodate yourfavoritesuppressororgasblock. Forreaderscontemplatinga9mmARbuild, Istronglysuggestyougiveserious considerationtotheOtisTechnologyTRS. Youwillnotbedisappointed. AtanMSRPofjustunder$237,theTRSis notinexpensivebutitisasmallpricetopay forperfection. SP

Thetubeismountedwitharobust concentriclockingringsoitwillnotvibrate looseorchangezero,evenunderthemost extremeconditions. Alloftheslotsarenumberedandlaser engraved. And,ifthatwerenotenoughforyou,how wouldyoulikealifetimeguaranteetogo withyourTRS.

Copyright 2011, Sal Palma, d.b.a. Twobirds Flying Publication, All Rights Reserved.