What is the history of the Picatinny rail system???

[sturmruger]

I am interested in the history behind the Picatinny rail that we are starting to see on most new handguns. It seems like the first gun I started seeing Picatinny rails on were Glocks, but I am not 100% sure about that. Many manufacturers had their own proprietary system. A few that I can think of are HK, S&W, and Steyr.

I have a few questions.

1. Who was the first manufacturer to universally adopt the Picatinny rails?
2. A universal accessory rail has been a good thing what other items would you like to see standardized industry wide??
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   I think I would like to see magazines become more standardized. It would be great to be able to use one mag type for 3 or 4 differant pistols.

 

[sturmruger]

I guess no one knows the history behind this great accessory sytem.

 

[rayra]

I'll just take a guess and say 'Picatinny Arsenal' had something to do with it? MIL-STD-1913?

Try Google, I'm sure you'll find out all you want to know.

 

[Preacherman]

I think it started with the first Transcontinental railroad. Picatinny rails were tried, but the trains ran rough over them, so they went back to a more conventional system. Only with the advent of magnetic levitation did Picatinny rails become a viable alternative for mass transport...

 

[Hawkeye755]

IIRC the HK USP 40 was the first gun to come out with an integrated rail. Everyone else thought that it was great and joined in the fun.