Keymod

The term Keymod refers to a standardized attachment system used to secure rifle accessories to a handguard. Keymod handguards have a series of specially shaped holes machined into them to allow accessories like lights, lasers, sights and sling swivels to securely mate and lock to the handguard. The system was designed in a collaboration between VLTOR Weapons Systems and Noveski Rifleworks around 2012. Keymod became increasingly popular because semi-automatic rifle handguards no longer needed to be manufactured with Picatinny rail sections. This contributed to a more elegant, streamlined, and lighter handguard design. Keymod systems have since been overshadowed by the simpler M-Lok accessory mounting system, with most semi-automatic rifle handguards now featuring an M-LOK mounting system design.