| Mil-std-1913 |
Website Links For Picatinny |
Information AboutMil-std-1913 |
| CATEGORIES ABOUT PICATINNY RAIL | |
| firearm components | |
| military of the united states standards | |
| mechanical standards | |
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The Picatinny rail is a bracket used on some Firearm s in order to provide a standardized mounting platform for Scope s and other accessories such as Tactical Light s and Laser sighting modules. The standard was first published by the Picatinny Arsenal and carries the official title '''MIL-STD-1913'''. The rail is typically placed directly on the weapon's Receiver , in the position normally occupied by the Rear Sight s. Shaped in cross-section roughly like a wide T, scopes are mounted on the rail by sliding them on from one end or the other. In order to provide a stable platform, the rail should not flex as the barrel heats and cools. For this reason most Picatinny rails are cut crosswise, to give them considerable room to expand and contract lengthwise. Originally used only for scopes, the rails were typically found only on larger caliber Rifle s. With the increased use of Night Vision scopes, they started to appear on smaller Assault Rifle s as well, to the point today where they are replacing the original "iron sights" with versions that can be mounted on the rails. Once the rails became fairly common, they started to be used for other accessories, such as Flashlight s. This has led to many accessories now designed rail-mounted, including Bipod s, Bayonet s and Laser Sight s. In turn, this had led to the introduction of "small rails" that can be fastened to guns in various locations, and in some cases, entire grips with rails built-in on all sides. Short rails now appear even on Shotgun s and Pistol s. SEE ALSO
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