The 1913 rail (MIL-STD-1913 rail), also known as the Picatinny rail (1913 Picatinny rail etc.) is an American rail integration system designed by Richard Swan[1] that provides a mounting platform for firearm accessories. It forms part of the NATO standard STANAG 2324 rail. It was originally used for mounting of scopes atop the receivers of larger caliber rifles.
Once established as United States Military Standard, its use expanded to also attaching other accessories, such as: iron sights, tactical lights, laser aiming modules, night vision devices, reflex sights, holographic sights, foregrips, bipods, slings and bayonets.
An updated version of the rail is adopted as a NATO standard as the STANAG 4694 NATO Accessory Rail.
The M4 carbine with a 1913 rail system, Grip Pod vertical forward grip, and M68 CCO sight.History
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MIL-STD-1913 rail dimensions, cross section (dimensions in inches)Attempts to standardize the Weaver rail designs date back to the early 1980s from work by the A.R.M.S. company and Richard Swanson.[citation needed] Specifications for the M16A2E4 rifle and the M4E1 carbine received type classification generic in December 1994.[citation needed] These were the M16A2[2] and the M4[3] modified with new upper receivers where rails replaced hand guards.[verification needed]
The rail is referred to by many as the "Picatinny Rail", in reference to the Picatinny Arsenal in New Jersey. Picatinny Arsenal works as a contracting office for small arms design (they contracted engineers to work on the M4[4]).
Picatinny Arsenal requested Swan's help in developing the rail, but did not draft blueprints or request paperwork for a patent. That credit goes to ARMS Inc's Richard Swanson, who conducted Research and Development and achieved a patent for the rail in 1995.[5]
Swan has visited civil court against Colt and Troy industries regarding patent infringement. The courts found that Troy had developed rifles with rail mounting systems nearly identical to the MIL-STD-1913 rail.
A metric-upgraded version of the 1913 rail, the STANAG 4694 NATO Accessory Rail, was designed in conjunction with weapon manufacturers like Aimpoint, Beretta, Colt, FN Herstal and Heckler & Koch, and was approved by the NATO Army Armaments Group (NAAG), Land Capability Group 1 Dismounted Soldier (LCG1-DS) on May 8, 2009.
Many firearm manufacturers include a MIL-STD-1913 rail system from factory, such as the Ruger Mini-14 Ranch Rifle.[6]
Design
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The rail consists of a strip undercut to form a "flattened T" with a hexagonal top cross-section, with cross slots interspersed with flats that allow accessories to be slid into place from the end of the rail and then locked in place. It is similar in concept to the earlier commercial Weaver rail mount used to mount telescopic sights, but is taller and has wider slots at regular intervals along the entire length.
The MIL-STD-1913 locking slot width is 0.206 in (5.23 mm). The spacing of slot centres is 0.394 in (10.01 mm) and the slot depth is 0.118 in (3.00 mm).[7]
Comparison to Weaver rail
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MIL-STD-1913 rail side view (dimensions in inches)The only significant difference between the MIL-STD-1913 rail and the similar Weaver rail are the size and shapes of the slots. Whereas the earlier Weaver rail is modified from a low, wide dovetail rail and has rounded slots, the 1913 rail has a more pronounced angular section and square-bottomed slots. This means that an accessory designed for a Weaver rail will fit onto a MIL-STD-1913 rail whereas the opposite might not be possible (unless the slots in the Weaver rail are modified to have square bottoms).
While some accessories are designed to fit on both Weaver and 1913 rails, most 1913 compatible devices will not fit on Weaver rails. From May 2012, most mounting rails are cut to MIL-STD-1913 standards.[citation needed] Many accessories can be secured to a rail with a single spring-loaded retaining pin.
Designed to mount heavy sights of various kinds, a great variety of accessories and attachments are now available and the rails are no longer confined to the rear upper surface (receiver) of long arms but are either fitted to or machine milled into the upper, side or lower surfaces of all manner of weapons from crossbows to pistols and long arms up to and including anti-materiel rifles.
Impact
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Because of their many uses, 1913 rails and accessories have replaced iron sights in the design of many firearms and are available as aftermarket add-on parts for most actions that do not have them integrated, and they are also on the undersides of semi-automatic pistol frames and grips.[8]
Their usefulness has led to them being used in paintball, gel blasters and airsoft.[9]
See also
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References
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Picatinny Rail, What’s in a name?
Whether you call it a Picatinny Rail (pɪkəˈtɪni), pic rail, or piccadilly rail, we all know you’re looking for a scope base or interface to mount an optic to your firearm.
Named after the Picatinny Arsenal in New Jersey where the Picatinny rail was designed, developed, and later standardized as the MIL-STD 1913 rail in 1995. Picatinny rails share many dimensions with the original Weaver bases and rails. This new standard mounting interface allows sights, scopes, and other accessories to be mounted on your firearm.
Picatinny rails differ from Weaver style or Warne Maxima/Vapor scope bases in that they offer a series of slots that are deeper top to bottom and longer fore to aft and offer several different scope mounting positions allowing for more flexibility when adding a scope or accessories to your firearm.
The consistent groove and ridge dimensions (recoil slot) and locations on a Picatinny rail allow users to adjust for varying scope lengths and optimum eye relief for a consistent shooting position. Rails are also available in canted versions that aid long-range enthusiasts to “add” MOA (Minute of Angle) into the scope mount and “dial” to longer ranges by allowing more vertical travel for the scope’s elevation turret. Warne offers most of our Picatinny rails in a 20MOA version for just this purpose. For additional information on 20MOA please see our blog post20 MOA Explained.
In 2009 NATO upgraded the MIL-STD 1913 rail to a metric format and recommended a new interface clamping method; while the standard MIL-STD’s 1913 interface clamps on the 45° angles of the rail, the STANAG 4694 rail interface sits flat on top of the rail and clamping pressure pulls down increasing mounting consistency. NATO tests showed that there was a higher degree of Return to Zero capability with the new design.
In 2016 Warne launched Mountain Tech Tactical rails that are NATO STANAG 4694 compliant and backward compatible to MIL-STD 1913 as well as Maxima and Vapor bases (weaver standard). This allows all of Warne’s rings to be compatible with any of the 3 interfaces that are currently standard in the scope mounting market. Available in both Zero (flat) or 20MOA versions, Warne Mountain Tech rails are an excellent foundation for your rifle scope and rings.
So if your friend or store clerk recommended a Picante rail, Pictinny rail, Picninny rail, or a plethora of other names, we get it, and we have the rail you’re looking for.
Check out Warne’s full line on Picatinny Rails and scope bases by using our Part Finder, designed & engineered specifically for your firearm brand and model.
To find out if you need a Picatinny Rail or Weaver Rail check out Weaver Vs. Picatinny Style Bases - Warne Scope Mounts