accessory rails

[thomis]

I'm pretty new to autoloaders. Recently purchased my first one, the Ruger BSR40C. It has an accessory rail. I'd like to get a light for it, or possibly even a laser. Are all accessory rails on these guns the same size? I mean is there a standard/ universal accessory rail size?

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

There is no real standardization among under-frame accessory rails. Some do meet a certain standard (M1913, or Picatinny, or some such), others are proprietary to the gun maker. However, I would hazard a guess that the accessory manufacturers would account for this by providing some sort of adjustability.

 

[M2 Carbine]

The length of the rail depends on the size of the gun. For instance, the rail on this full size Beretta PX4 can take a rather large Streamlight TLR-2 laser light. The same light is way too large for your compact Ruger.


There are smaller lights and small lasers that will fit your gun.

I am a big fan of Crimsin Trace lasers and Streamlight laser/lights (have something over a dozen of them).

A good one for the Ruger SR9/40C is the Crimson Trace like I have on my SR9C.



Understand, there is a learning curve to being able to use the gun mounted laser properly.
In low light the laser is King. Nothing approaches it for speed and accuracy in the hands of a knowledgeable user, but like iron sights, the shooter must learn the correct way to use it and practice.

Call 800 442 2406 and ask Crimson Trace for their FREE catalog and DVD. The DVD will get you started in how to properly use the gun mounted laser.

 

[minutemen1776]

There are certainly differences between the various accessory rails out there. The slot on a Glock rail is narrower than that of a 1913 Picatinny. The rails on Smith & Wesson's TSW series are also unique. Fortunately, when I bought my TLR-1 lights (I have two), they each included different inserts for different rail types. I have one set up for my Glock, and another fits a Picatinny rail on my AR15.

Specific to your situation, though I've not used a rail on a Ruger SR series pistol, I'd guess that it's compatible with either a Glock or Picatinny type rail.