Nikko Stirling 1PC Alloy Weaver Base Howa L-Act

Also known as a MIL-STD-1913 rail, Standardization Agreement 2324 rail, or tactical rail, is a bracket on some firearms that provides a standard mounting platform for accessories and attachments, similar to the Weaver rail mount.

The rail consists of a series of ridges with a T-shaped cross-section interspersed with flat "spacing slots." Accessories are mounted either by sliding them on from one end or the other; by means of a Weaver mount which is clamped to the rail with bolts, thumbscrews or levers; or onto the slots between the raised sections.

The Picatinny locking slot width is 0.206 in (5.23 mm). The spacing of slot centers is 0.394 in (10.01 mm) and the slot depth is 0.118 in (3.00 mm).

The only differences between the Picatinny rail and the similar Weaver rail are the size of these slots and the fact that they are standardized. Weaver rails have a slot width of 0.180 in (4.57 mm), but are not necessarily consistent in the spacing of slot centers.

Some accessories are designed to fit on both Weaver and Picatinny rails; but most Picatinny devices will not fit on Weaver rails. As of May 2012, however, most mounting rails are cut to Picatinny standards, and many accessories come with the recoil pin cut to the Weaver-compatible diameter. Many rail-mounted accessories come with only a single recoil pin, avoiding the issue of differing slot spacing.