Picatinny

Picatinny rail refers to a standardized firearm accessory mounting platform named after the Picatinny Arsenal in New Jersey. It is best known as MIL-STD-1913, a rail system used to attach optical sights, tactical lights, lasers, grips, bipods, and other accessories to firearms. The term is widely applied to the series of rails that allow accessories to be mounted in repeatable, repeatable positions along the length of a weapon.

Origin and standardization: The Picatinny rail system was developed by the U.S. Army at Picatinny Arsenal to unify accessory mounting across weapons and improve interchangeability and accuracy. MIL-STD-1913 formalizes the dimensions and the slot pattern used by the rail and its mounts. The standard helped replace a variety of previous mounting systems and contributed to the broad adoption of a common interface for accessories.

Design: The rail is a flat, rectangular surface with a series of evenly spaced, rectangular slots. Accessories attach via mounts that lock into the slots with clamps or screws, providing repeatable positioning and stable retention under recoil. The design also includes features intended to minimize movement and maintain alignment of attached optics and devices. Many manufacturers produce rails and compatible accessories to the MIL-STD-1913 pattern, enabling broad compatibility across platforms.

Usage: Picatinny rails are commonly found on modern rifles and carbines, and are also used on some pistols and other firearms. They are prevalent in military, law enforcement, and civilian shooting communities. Attachments commonly mounted include scopes, red dot sights, night vision devices, weapon lights, lasers, grips, and bipods, all of which can be configured along the rail to suit user needs.

Picatinny Arsenal: The name Picatinny also denotes the U.S. Army facility responsible for ordnance research and development at Picatinny Arsenal, which lent its name to the rail system and its standardization.