In our last blog post, we discussed fundamentally what a gun rail was and/or gun rail types. A gun rail is a part on your gun that allows you to add gun accessories, primarily a sight for more accurate shooting. In today's blog post, we'll take a more in-depth look at the most common types of gun rails available for your gun and offer advice on which one might be the best for you.
RailScales specializes in offering handguard rail covers, which are textured grip panels specifically designed to provide a better grip and to protect your hands from the heat of the gun barrel when firing a lot of rounds. We use only the most advanced technology in our rail covers, including the use of G-10, a high-pressure fiberglass laminate, that is extremely tough and durable and helps to mitigate heat. Continue reading below for more information on different types of gun rails, rifle rails, and order your rail covers today!
MOST COMMON TYPES OF RAILS
Dovetail Rails
Also called tip off rails, dovetail rails consist of two thin parallel grooves, and they look like a credit card scanner. You'll see these on almost every rimfire rifle and air rifle. They have almost become standardized due to this fact, and they are extremely affordable to make.
Weaver Rails
Weaver rails are characterized by slots cut perpendicularly across the rail (also known as recoil grooves). These rails are similar to Picatinny slots, but they differ in size and spacing. All Weaver rail slots are 0.18" across; however, the spacing between them can vary. But there's no need to fret; Weaver accessories understand this fact and are made to be flexible for slot spacing.
For example, scope rings can be placed at different points along the scope's body so it negates the different slot spacing on different Weaver rails. Weaver slots differ from Picatinny rails in that they are smaller, being only 0.180" versus Picatinny's, which are 0.206". Thus, it's important to note that firearm accessories made for a Weaver will fit a Picatinny rail. You just have to be sure if you do install a Weaver accessory on a Picatinny rail that you put the crossbold of the AR accessory in the recoil groove all the way at the back to ensure it does not move forward when recoiling.
Picatinny Rails
The main difference between a Picatinny rail and the Weaver rail is that Picatinny rail's slots are evenly spaced at 0.394". Thus, when purchasing Picatinny accessories, you need to be sure the slots are evenly spaced. Unlike Weaver rails, which fit on Picatinny rails, the converse cannot be said. Picatinny rails will not fit on Weaver rails. That being said, you may find some products for use on Picatinny rails but they will fit Weaver rails. Here, RailScales wants to remind you to ensure you push your accessory all the way to the front to avoid movement during firing.
Picatinny is the standard for gun rails. Most of the firearms you touch these days will be using the picatinny standard for rail mounting for accessories or optics. This is important to remember when shopping around for accessories or the firearm itself. The more educated you are about the process will mean you spend less money in the long run and don't have to be a constantly fixing an issue that was completely avoidable. Companies will predominantly be on the standard in todays industry, but there are still remnants of older products out there that are not, so be mindful. RailScales holds the standard for both MLOK and picatinny with our accessories and we stand by our products one hundred percent.
G10 XOS™ in MLOK
XOS Scales, our latest RailScales® variation, are a three-sided solution with twice the grip surface area in the same mounting footprint as our previous G10 machined RailScales. The XOS's™ winged design ensures that it tightly hugs your rail, while the 45-degree "wing" on each side allows for better wrap and a seamless grip area. These scales are available in a variety of textures and lengths, allowing you to set up your rail system no matter how little or much rail space you have. They will fit the vast majority of handguard rail systems.
The benefits of grip on your rail system are vast. Not only does a good grip give you more surface area to hold onto, preventing the gun from twisting in your hands under recoil, but it also allows you to mount accessories in locations that provide better purchase and stability. RailScales are designed to fill the gap between your hand and the rail system, giving you a full wrap-around grip and preventing any slippage.
If you're looking for a rail system that offers the best grip, look no further than our XOS™ Rail Scales in MLOK. With twice as much surface area as other scales, they provide unrivaled grip without taking up any more rail space. For the ultimate in gun customization, check out our XOS™ RailScales today!
Specifications of the G10 XOS™ in MLOK
- Offered in 3 or 4 MLOK Slots
- Width: 1.165"
- Thickness: 0.125"
- Weight: 0.6 oz each w/ hardware
- Length: 3 Slot - 4.724" 4 Slot 6.300"
- 416 stainless nuts
Solo's: Now Available in 1.5 MLOK Slot Length
One of our more popular lineup of RailScales panels, the Solo's, are now available in a 1.5 MLOK slot footprint. These still utilize only one hardware mounting location, but can be installed to give more grip textured surface area in front of or behind where the MLOK slot ends. Primarily intended for shorter PDWs and Sub-Guns, these Solo panels will help put the finishing touch on virtually any build.
What is G-10 Fiberglass Laminate?
The XOS RailScale's G-10 material is a composite made from high-pressure fiberglass laminate, which is also known as "composite." It's produced by stacking several layers of glass canvas and soaking them in epoxy resin before compressing the resulting material under heat until the epoxy sets. It's frequently manufactured in thin, flat sheets that are a few millimeters thick on average.
The G-10 laminate is constructed of genuine glass cloth, which is commonly seen in carbon fiber laminates. G-10 is the most widely used glass fiber resin laminate because it offers the greatest degree of toughness and versatility.
Affordability and Durability
The XOS RailScale is both affordable and durable, making it a great option for anyone looking for an MLOK rail scale. It offers twice as much grip as other scales without using any more rail space, providing a more secure shooting experience.
Versatility and Customization
The XOS RailScale also offers versatility and customization, allowing you to choose the color that best suits your needs. It is available in Black FR4 and TerraCore, (RailScale's version of FDE). Additionally, the scale can be mounted at different angles on the rail depending on your preference, giving you more customization options than other scales.
CHOOSE RAILSCALES FOR YOUR HANDGUARD RAIL TODAY
Rail covers are quickly becoming a must-have gun accessory. After all, more people are purchasing firearms, such as ARs, with greater firepower, and it's always nice to be able to grip your gun safely and comfortably.
RailScales is a leader in rail covers for AR-15s, 1911s, and more. Our company was founded in 2014 with the idea to create the best rail covers on the market that didn't come off and that actually protected you from the heat of your firearm. Using only the best materials that can stand up to hard use, our rail covers come with a limited lifetime warranty. Our materials, G-10, are made from fiberglass composite materials and are super thin, giving you grip but not girth. If you are looking for a more comfortable feel while shooting your firearm, visit us online, and order today!