Picatinny vs Weaver

**PennsyPlinker** · December 12th, 2008, 06:04 PM

Okay, I don't know everything, and apparently a lot of other people don't either. Is there a difference between a Picatinny rail and a Weaver rail? I just installed a Picatinny rail on my Walther SP22, and am surfing the web looking for an inexpensive red dot sight for it. I am finding a number of Weaver red dots, and a couple of Picatinny, but the Picatinny ones are more than I want to spend (translated, more than Mrs. Plinker will let me spend) at the moment. So what is the story here?

**Robert Kayland** · December 12th, 2008, 06:11 PM

I always thought the two systems were compatible... but check any mention of specific width when buying an add-on, just in case. Got this from Wiki:

The Picatinny locking slot width is 0.206 in (5.232 mm). The spacing of slot centers is 0.394 in (10.008 mm) and the slot depth is 0.118 in (2.997 mm).[1] 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 (4.572 mm), but are not necessarily consistent in the spacing of slot centers.[2] Because of this, accessories can be and are designed to fit on both Weaver rails and Picatinny rails; but most Picatinny devices will not always fit on Weaver rails.[2]

Sounds like Weaver is always a go on Picatinny, but not necessarily vice versa.

**General Geoff** · December 12th, 2008, 06:15 PM

From what I understand, weaver rails don't have as many notches in them. So any device that is designed to fit on a weaver rail will fit on a picatinny rail, but not every picatinny device will fit on a weaver rail.

**PennsyPlinker** · December 12th, 2008, 09:08 PM

Thanks guys! Now to try and find a reliable red dot!

**tdyoung58** · December 14th, 2008, 08:27 PM

Originally Posted by PennsyPlinker

Thanks guys! Now to try and find a reliable red dot!

ebay, type in tacticle / tactical laser / lazer play with the words some

**PennsyPlinker** · December 14th, 2008, 10:04 PM

Well, I just got home from my first trip to Walmart in months. Mrs. Plinker had some stuff she had to pick up there, so I went along to get some boolets, and look for a movie or two. While I was there, I spied a Tasco 1x42 red/green dot, so I brought it home. The dot looks like a smashed bug to my eye.

So I thought, maybe it is just because it is an inexpensive sight. So I hauled out my Aimpoint and looked at it. Same thing.

I can still do pretty well with cross hairs, but these dots don't look like they are going to be much help for me. Hopefully I will be able to try it out tomorrow afternoon. But right now I am not real happy about this.