Difference between AK scope rail?

[epijunkie67]

I've been shopping for a side mount scope rail for my AK recently and I've noticed a huge variation in designs. They all have the same outer edge profile but the internal cuts are all different. Some are solid rails, others are just a ridge of metal, and some seem to be mostly rail with metal machined out. Is there any functional difference between all of them or is it all just cosmetic?

 

[nalioth]

It's the outer edge that is the operating surface. So long as that is to the combloc standard, other factors are really just design choices (weight reduction, ease of fabrication, etc)

 

[rr2241tx]

If you are using a standard AK-style clamp, it indexes on the rear so designs with a square profile at the back will be easier on your clamp. SVD clamps index off a stop at the front and require a corresponding stop surface on the rail. As long as the rail and clamp are stop compatible they will work together.