rails

Post by **TOM R** » Sun May 15, 2005 10:54 pm

ok this has been gone over but I can't find it so here goes, rails left? right? same? I have 4 rails all supposed to be ww2 how to tell the difference

Post by **drooling idiot** » Mon May 16, 2005 5:13 pm

If you have two sets of WWII rails you are one lucky SOB . but i doubt they are or you'd see the anwser to your question.
OK let me try to get this right.
rails have a "flare" at the end nearest the buttstock and a "tab" 1 1/2" +/- from the forward end.
the tab locks into the receiver to aid in aligning the rails.
the flare is there to .. as far as i know... aid in the insertion of the bolt into the gun. to do this the flare on a WWII rail is only on one side of the rails facing downward when installed , giving you left and rights . Now after the war they smartened up and put the flare on the top and the bottom so one replacement rail can be used for both left and right as needed.
one flare = WWII / two flare = mg1/3
this is correct only as far as i know, i never served in the German army and i was no were near Europe in the early 1940's , thats my story and I'm stick-in to it.
I have a single flare right side rail and a post war mg1/3 double side rail that i intend to use. of the two the mg3 rail shows that its an evolved design , many small changes to make it work better/easier.

Post by **TOM R** » Mon May 16, 2005 5:56 pm

as long as one of us knows before we rivet them on,when you guys coming down?

1919gunner · Post by **1919gunner** » Mon May 16, 2005 6:11 pm

from what I understand on the rails one side is flatter than the other to clear the recup. tube am I right here?

Post by **TOM R** » Mon May 16, 2005 7:01 pm

ok guys make up your mind

i think what gunner says is what i remember reading think we need more input

Post by **Bullwinkle** » Mon May 16, 2005 8:03 pm

Left BOTTOM rail is thinner to aid clearance for the recoperator. Looking at the ends it hard to see much difference, lay them FLAT on a table and look down on the rails and you can really see the difference. Normal rail thickness is about 2.5mm bottom left rail is 1.75mmish. WWII rails were left and right side only. MG3 are ambidextrious...

And I'm not an armorer...I just slept in a Holiday Inn express last night!!!