Military use and the consistent design of the Picatinny rail system have played major roles in the fall of the once popular Weaver system. The Picatinny rail has replaced the Weaver rail in almost every corner of the modern shooting industry. Another notable difference in the two systems is the bottom of the recoil slot, which is square on a Picatinny rail and rounded on a Weaver.Īre Picatinny and Weaver Rails and Accessories Compatible? 206 inch wide and have a consistent center-to-center width of. The key difference is the placement and width of the slots. Picatinny rails were developed after the Weaver design, and the profile of the two systems are virtually identical. This concept allows the shooter to slide accessories into place from the end of the rail and then securely lock them into place. The Picatinny design consists of a strip undercut to form a hexagonal cross-section with crosswise slots placed at consistent intervals. They commonly appear on rifles, shotguns, and modern handguns. Picatinny rails are also prominently used to mount a variety of accessories including flashlights, red dot sights, bipods, and fore grips. Because of their versatility, Picatinny rails have replaced fixed iron sights on many long gun models. Military standard, MIL-STD-1913 Picatinny rails (named for the Picatinny Arsenal where they were developed) was adopted by the United States military in 1995. However, because there is no standard requirement for spacing, there is incredible variety among Weaver rails. Once rifles with detachable magazines became more common, one-piece Weaver systems began to replace the original two-piece design. When the Weaver rail was first introduced, this two-piece design was essential for cartridge insertion, especially for rifles with internal magazines that could be fed with striper clips. This two-piece design made mounting optics time-consuming and proper alignment complicated. Initially, Weaver rails were made in two separate pieces. The Weaver rail design features a pair of parallel rails with several perpendicular slots. However, this mounting method often failed under rifle recoil.
Before the development of the standard weaver rail, rifles were often drilled and tapped for small screws to secure a mounted scope.
Also called a “tip off” mount, the dovetail rail allows the shooter to easily remove and replace mounted optics.Īlthough dovetail rails come in a variety of sizes, the most common are 11mm and 3⁄8 inch (9.5 mm).ĭeveloped by William Ralph Weaver, the Weaver rail was created in an attempt to standardize scope mounts. This same stable and secure joinery is employed in the dovetail rail system.Ĭommonly used on rimfire rifles and air guns, the dovetail mounting system features two grooves that run parallel to the bore. One of the oldest joining systems in history, dovetail joints are common in woodworking, often used to join corners in cabinetry and furniture. The dovetail rail gets its name from its trapezoidal shape, which resembles the fanned out tail of a dove. Knowledge is power, especially when it comes to firearms, so for the sake of education, here is a basic explanation of the three most common types of mounting systems. However, even seasoned shooters may have difficulty explaining the differences. It is easy for inexperienced shooters to think thinking this is basic firearm knowledge. New shooters are often wary when it comes to asking questions about these rail systems. Although some manufacturers use their own unique rail designs (Glock’s Modular Optic System for example), there are three main styles commonly used on modern firearms: dovetail, Weaver, and Picatinny. Rail styles vary between manufacturers and even between specific models. If not, an aftermarket rail can usually be installed with minimal effort. Modern firearms typically integrate some type of rail system into their construction. Understanding the differences will help prevent common mistakes and ensure your optics, laser sights, fore grips, bipods, and other accessories hold firm during shooting. There are several common types of rail systems available to easily attach accessories. This link must be secure enough to handle normal bumps and jostles, but must also be capable of holding tight during violent and repetitive recoil. Your rail or mounting system is the crucial link between your firearm and your accessories.
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