Walker Defense Research has come out with some new rail panels. They call these “NILE”. Which stands for Non-Slip Inlaid Element, more on that later. Essentially these are Silicon Carbide grip panels for your M-Lok handguard. They are also 100% made in the USA, including the mounting hardware.

The NILE’s are very well thought out. Walker Defense uses a thin heat resistant polymer that is somewhat flexible. Then they lay the Silicon Carbide into a pocket that is molded into the polymer. Silicone Carbide is basically the sand stuff they use on sandpaper. This produces a nice “grippy” surface that is easily attached to your M-Lok slotted handguard. The flexibility also makes it easier to install the rails into the M-Lok slots because they aren’t rigid. The heat resistance also helps insulate your hand from excessive barrel heat, if that’s an issue.

When I say these are thin, they are. Of the 4 pack I received, they all measure right around ⅛” thick. Not even really enough to notice the thickness. They are 0.70” wide. So just enough to not hang over the flats of the M-Lok slots they mount into. Then they are 4.75” long, or they take up 3 M-Lok slots. The Silicon Carbide, or grippy part, takes up a little more than 3.5” of that length. 1 and 2 slot versions are also available, they are 1.5” and 2.125” long, respectively. Walker also offers custom combination packs. These let you choose what length rails you would like to get. That way you don’t have to order a 3 pack of 3 slot rails, and a 3 pack of another length if you only need one 3 slot, and 2 - 1 slots, for example.

The NILE rails also have an extra mounting feature. If you look at the back of the rail panels, you see a little clip or two. These are between the mounting screws. The clips push into, and lock the rail panels into the extra rail slots. It’s a nice little added feature that should help secure the rail panels under extreme circumstances. These little clip tabs make installation a little bit tricky. To install them, start at one end, then push them in along the rail. I had to tap on, some of them, with a little hammer to get them to pop through the M-Lok slot. The panels probably wouldn’t go anywhere, even if you lost the two end screws.

Some people like grip panels, some people don’t. I’m usually in the category of “don’t” because of the thickness of them. The Walker Defense NILE’s definitely changed my mind. Even when I ran one each at 3,6, and 9 O’clock, I didn’t even notice the added thickness. The panels sit nice and tight up against the rail too, probably adding to me not noticing the thickness. Or should I say slimness? I’m pretty much sold on these minimalist grip panels.

The Silicon Carbide inlays are really where the NILE’s shine. Now we can understand the name - Non-Slip (for the silicon carbide), Inlaid (it’s put in the) Element. They are super grippy but not so much that you’ll tear skin off. With gloves on, without gloves on, wet hands, dirty hands, either way the panels give a great surface to grip the forend. I really liked how well they feel over the normal “smooth” feel of a handguard. They definitely gave me better control of the rifle.

Another feature that comes to mind about the NILE’s, is their weight. They weigh about nothing. Each panel without mounting hardware is 7 grams! A 3 pack of 3 slot panels weighs 3/4 of an ounce. So you really don’t even notice them, at least weight wise.

Dirt can be a problem with these types of panels. The silicon carbide can pack up with dirt. Kind of like sandpaper does after use. Walker Defense has an option for a “Dirt Eraser”. Yes you heard that correctly. This eraser pulls the dirt out of the silicon carbide panel. No more scrubbing with a soapy toothbrush. Just rub the “Eraser” on, and it pulls the dirt out. Yes, just like that, and yes, it works. I’m pretty sure it’s some form of magic.

Walker Defense has done it again with a great product. The NERO brake was the first, now the NILE rail panels. The NILE’s were everything I wanted in a grip panel - slim, lightweight, and has a really good grip texture. The eraser is a nice touch too. Go check out the NILE’s, or anything else Walker Defense has to offer. They make top tier firearm accessories.