P80 Rails New VS Old
- MGBs' Blog
- Dec 4, 2021
- 2 min read
Contributions from December 1791 and GSW10
There maybe some older P80 models cerculating around warehouse stock.
Let take a look at : New model vs old Rails in general white box vs black box
So I sent in my rear rail to P80 and the replaced both my rails. Huge difference.
It is so much easier to talk about them with pictures showing the difference. The 'New' style (lighter grey) fits in easier, will likely have far less fitment issues, and probably won't need to visit 'ze cool-ar' to be persuaded to fit into a frame. However, if you find one of these in your PF45 or PF940V2 Full Size kit (yes, they use the same block!), you will notice they also don't have as much contact area as the old style Locking Block (black) does. There have been a couple of discussions on these already, I don't think the new ones are bad, but I would rather have the extra contact area and actual support and have to spend a little time working with fitting the block than have the high thin arch of the new design. I do think the material used in the grey block may be superior, the older black block is pretty clearly MIM, but I am not really certain what casting process they used on the new style (it may even be forged, which would be awesome), so not sure if it is actually superior.
One thing is certain however; The newer block is proof positive that Polymer 80 has been listening to the Builders' Community, and has put in some work to re-design a major component that many people have had a problem with. Like the result or not, they should at least be given credit for making some kind of effort...
Thank for checking it out! Keep on building!
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So, this is from a pretty old discussion on these. I am so glad it got brought back out. There are indeed older FRLBs floating around in warehouses, but much more likely would be a Builder who has had an older P80 frame sitting on a shelf collecting dust... And when that dust gets blown-off and some weird hard-to-fit puzzle-piece Locking Block gets dumped out of its' little baggie onto the counter, it is great for people to see the difference, and understand WHY it is different...
Mine was the less-often voiced opinion in the Blog Post preferring the older Black Block to the newer 'Arched' Block. I still hold true to that opinion, for all the reasons I st…
I think you should do one for the rear rails also they made a change with that the biggest is the little notch they made on the right side to help with aftermarket triggers I have an New old PF940C frame with all the old rails (Front Rear) I can send Pics over if needed
Great post. Thank you
I definitely have been suggesting people ask P80 for replacement rails for a while. Thanks for the mention. I have to say them Rook rails are an upgrade tho regardless they fixed my PF45 occasionally jamming
So I am in the envious position of actually scoring a c l frame I don't know how I got it I don't know how this place had it I think they had one left and I just bought it but it was the old black box with the black rails. Based on what you're saying I'm going to see how well it installs with the black front locking block rail system and like everyone else has said use a rook for the rear or see if it works and fits in the rear