REVIEW: CQC Railkit for Steyr AUG A3

We are especially excited to introduce to you a very unique variation of the Steyr AUG conversion - for Europe. Today, Patrick reviews for SPARTANAT the CQC Railkit for the AUG A3, built and distributed by PJS in America. In the image above, there is a nice video from FPS Russia showing a CQC AUG in action.

No wonder the CQC Kit is so desirable, but unfortunately, it's hard to satisfy those desires: contacting the manufacturer doesn't help much – sales are limited to the USA only! The conversion kit was first seen when Steyr USA introduced the AUG A3 at the Shot Show. These prototypes were then used by the PJS Company (which has been importing the AUG into the US market since its introduction, in addition to offering service and accessories) as a model for their Railkits.

According to a Youtube source, there are about 200 of these Railkits in circulation in the USA, but nothing is known for Europe. One of the most prominent users is definitely Kyle Myers - aka FPS Russia - who appears with a full auto and 3rnd burst AUG in the video you can watch above.

Most Battlefield players are likely familiar with this version of the AUG from the computer. There is also a very good Airsoft version from GHK as a Gas Blow Back Rifle.

I have to admit, from an aesthetic point of view, the CQC is very "tacticool" and has long been at the top of the accessory wishlist. But how do you get it and what does it bring?

After doing some research a while ago, I found the manufacturer. But like many US products, it clearly states "NO shipping outside US!" After some time, I contacted a friend in the States (who owed me a favor). He ordered the kit for me and forwarded it to Austria. Legally, this is no problem, but it takes three weeks. Price-wise, it's only recommended for true enthusiasts, as you could get (almost) a new Glock for the price.

After one fine day receiving the package at the post office with an €86 customs fee, I got to work. The parts weigh 760g, minus the original Picatinny Rails, adding about 560g.

The craftsmanship is ok, the aluminum is anodized and has a slightly different color from the original (a light purple hue due to the anodizing).

The detachable rear sling swivel (as a replacement for the original stock bolt) looks good at first glance, but quickly proves to be rather impractical: it sticks out too far, due to the quick-release mechanism - so I stored it away for a different project...

Then onto the parts: disassemble the AUG, remove the barrel, and loosen the three hex screws of the original rails. Here, caution is advised, as they are secured with glue. You may need to carefully heat them with a soldering iron/bunsen burner and then loosen them with high-quality hex keys. The screws should not be damaged, as they are needed for installing the new rails. Remove old glue residues, place the CQC Rail on the housing, and screw it back in - I used flexible screw glue for added security.

Now remove the muzzle brake/threat protector or whatever is installed, and slide an aluminum centering ring onto the barrel. Slide it up to the beginning of the gas pressure device and secure/align it there with three set screws, serving to secure the second rail set. This installation took some time, as the channel where the ring is subsequently located is very precisely engineered - simply play with the three set screws until the front rail can slide over.

The locking system is a patented bolt/spring rotating lock that securely holds both parts together, but can also be quickly released. The gas pressure valve remains accessible, the original charging handle can be used, BUT... it can no longer be folded. I have now removed mine and will replace it with an aluminum folding handle from UTG Leapers. I tried one from a colleague and it fits well, is well-made, and looks great - unfortunately sold out at Armamat at the moment, so I have to wait. Of course, any other handle with a Picatinny mount can also be installed.

I have a 16″ barrel and mounting the original AUG muzzle brake is possible, but not optimal, as it disappears a third of the way into the rail housing - causing pressure and dirt where you don't want it. I didn't mount it initially and instead installed the supplied part for a closer look. The muzzle piece shown here is not allowed as a flash hider in Austria, it was only mounted for the pictures and immediately removed. If someone acquires this kit, please take this into consideration. I will either look for something new or have the original one remade, but about 1.5cm longer.

At the front of the rail is the new sling swivel with quick-release - here, I must say, the part fits well and can be removed when not in use.

Overall, the top rail measures 35cm in length - providing more space and adjustment options for optics - and it is almost 5mm higher than the original. This gives me a longer sight length for my Magpul MBUS Sights and I can use my Steiner BOS - reviewed here on SPARTANAT - without a spacer. I also tried mounting an Aimpoint PRO Patrol with QD plate and spacer - I might consider getting that too.

In addition, the shooter has two more rails available (left 12cm, right 6cm) to attach various accessories. Whether this is necessary for a sports shooter due to the lack of "flashlight legality" is up to personal preference. Drawback: the barrel can only be swung out if the front accessory is removed first.

With the CQC Rail, the AUG becomes somewhat front-heavy, but with my optics and a full magazine, it is nicely balanced. It is easier to control the CQC AUG when standing freely, especially during rapid fire. In total, mine now weighs 5.4kg with a 30-round magazine.

Unpacking it for the first time at the shooting range, of course, garnered some surprised and interested faces. Because of the modified assembly, I sighted it in quickly first - the point of impact shifted about 30 cm to 4 o'clock...
The whole setup feels quite agile for dynamic shooting, easier to control in my opinion, and I barely notice the additional weight.

After that, I shot at 100 and 300 meters, with Santa Barbara and Geco Target 3.6g FMJ producing similar groupings as before (only the shooter's dispersion and the AUG's trigger, unfortunately unsuitable for precision shooting, affected the results).

A nice bonus: after rapid firing, I often had a bothersome heat shimmer in the optics with the AUG - the Railkit delays this effect much longer and, in my opinion, dissipates the heat from the barrel better.

While cleaning it at home, I noticed that the barrel ring had loosened - so I centered it again and fixed the set screws with a small drop of exhaust paint, hoping it holds. A small flaw here - this could have been better addressed, for example using the existing barrel grip mounting system, similar to how the original Steyr Rail and others are attached.

CONCLUSION: A rather expensive enhancement for the AUG, with some useful features and several positives. If you like it, I can only recommend it - but if you're just looking for an additional rail, the original from Steyr is good, and Corvus Defensio is even better.

The kit fits on any A3 model (except the civilian SF model); for longer barrels, muzzle devices of any kind can be used without issue (CAUTION: the 508mm and 550mm barrels are thicker and the centering ring needs to be expertly widened!), the 16-inch barrel prompts tinkering. I

originally planned to omit the centering ring for free-floating the barrel, and to build a new, second lock for mounting the folding handle. The lock and the weight of the system, in my opinion, are the biggest weaknesses. A thin and lighter housing (similar to the AR M-Lock/KeyMod handguards) would be advantageous.

A few rumors I've heard regarding the differences between the Austrian and US variants: the only differences lie in the stock and locking system, trigger mechanism, and the quick barrel locking mechanism - otherwise, everything is compatible (apart from barrels and locks due to the locked bolt stop)…

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