- AIM Sports
- AirForce Airguns
- Big Joshy Swimbaits
- BKL Scope Mounts
- Browning Trail Cameras
- Burris Optics
- Celestron
- Cupped Waterfowl
- Daiwa
- Dead Ringer
- DNZ Scope Mounts
- EGW
- Evergreen Baits
- Fenix Flashlights
- Full Moon Optics
- Fulton Flashlights
- Gamakatsu
- Harris
- HIVIZ Sights
- Holosun
- INTEGRIX
- Kopfjager
- Luna Optics
- Moultrie
- NcSTAR
- Reaction Tackle
- RedRing Shotgun Sights
- SiteLite
- SPRO
- SRM Knives
- Talley
- Tech Sights
- The Grind
- UTG
- VISM
- Warne
Picatinny Rails
What Is a Picatinny Rail?
Also known as the MIL-STD-1913 rail or 1913 rail, the Picatinny rail is a standardized mounting system originally developed for the U.S. military and now widely used around the world. Picatinny rails are designed to securely attach optics, lights, lasers, and other accessories to rifles and other firearms. The goal is simple: Picatinny-compatible accessories should be interchangeable between Picatinny rails made by different manufacturers.
A Picatinny rail is a solid mounting platform with cross-slots along the top at regular intervals. Each slot follows the dimensions specified by the Picatinny standard, creating a consistent mounting interface. This standardized design allows accessories from different manufacturers to mount securely and consistently to compatible Picatinny rails.
This makes the Picatinny rail different from the Weaver rail, which is another popular mounting system. While Weaver rails remain a useful option for many applications, their slot dimensions are not standardized to the same degree as Picatinny rails. As a result, some accessories designed specifically for Picatinny rails may not fit every Weaver rail.
Picatinny Rail vs. Weaver Rail
| Feature | Picatinny | Weaver |
|---|---|---|
| Slot Width | Standardized | Varies |
| Slot Spacing | Standardized | Not standardized |
| Accessory Compatibility | Broad compatibility | Varies by accessory |
| Military Standard | Yes | No |
What Picatinny Rail Do I Need for My Rifle?
This is one of the most common questions when choosing a Picatinny rail. We've created a dedicated resource to help you identify the correct rail for your rifle:
What Picatinny Rail Do I Need for My Rifle?
Does My Rifle Use a Short Action or Long Action?
Many Picatinny rails are designed specifically for the action length of a rifle. Short-action and long-action rails are generally not interchangeable, so it is important to select a rail designed for the specific action length of your rifle.
Learn more: What's the Difference Between Short Action and Long Action?
Do I Need a 0 MOA or 20 MOA Rail?
A 0 MOA Picatinny rail does not add additional elevation to the optic's mounting position. For many hunting and general-purpose shooting applications, a 0 MOA rail is appropriate. A 20 MOA rail introduces additional downward cant to provide additional elevation adjustment for the optic, which can be useful for longer-range shooting.
Learn more: Do I Need a Zero MOA or 20 MOA Picatinny Rail?
