Pictinny rails... Waht are the advantage or are they necessary

[Mobeasto]

Hi guys... Looking to buy a new scope and wondering about Those pictinny Rails..Is there some a real advantage from having it on a rifle...
Is it necessary to have it on a precision rifle or what ???

all thanks in advance

 

[JohnC]

the main advantage on a rifle is the ability to change optics or add on accessories quickly. for me , the ablility to mount a back up scope quickly in the field is important, so most of my main hunting rifles now use rails.

 

[dan belisle]

Personally, I find no great advantage to them at all. Multi slot base rails for scope mounts on the other hand, whether Weaver or Picatinny, are much more useful, allowing a much greater range of scope mounting depth on the receiver (for eye relief and focus). Picatinny is a military spec design for rails, used with different optics, flashlights, laser sights, drink dispensers, etc. You can use Weaver on a Picatinny (M13 spec, I think?), but not the other way around, if memory serves (which it does less and less, now days). - dan

 

[kimberman]

I have a couple rails on rifles, one of the best parts is the mounting options. If you have trouble mounting a scope in the position you want it, the rail gives you many more options to bring the scope back or move it ahead. Down side, the rail covers the top of the bolt, so it's tougher to get your fingers in to load or unload cartridges, unless you have a detachable mag.

 

[Can-down]

If you have several rifles and want to swap optics around it's easier if they all have the same slot spacing on the rails.