Got Protection? Picatinny Rail Covers

Ever notice the covers on the rails of a real AR or M16?  Although they look super cool, they’re actually there for a reason.  Most picatinny rails that attach to a barrel shroud or handguard are made from milled, anodized aluminum.  They have sharp edges and can be awfully uncomfortable when you’re using the barrel shroud loaded with metal rails as the location for your front hand placement.

Picatinny rail covers do a few things.  They first and foremost protect the rail from damage.  Damaged teeth on a rail may not allow a scope, grip, bipod of laser to properly seat.  This is a major headache and can be a serious drawback in the field.  Also, dirt and mudd can clog the spaces between the teeth also preventing a proper install of accessories.  Covers also protect the operator from the sharp edges of the rail.  A covered rail is more comfortable for the ungloved hand.  Most rail covers are textured which also allows for a more secure grip on the front of the gun.

Install is very easy.  Rail covers are basically made of either thick rubber or flexible plastic.  Either way, install requires that you start the cover on one side of the rail snapping it over the edge of the other side.  That’s it!  If you have a front grip or bipod, you can easily cut a rail cover for a custom fit covering all the rail space that’s not occupied by a tactical accessory or some type of optics.

Again all you paintball players… think outside the box.  The mil-spec rails that are attached to your barrel shroud are probably the same style and width used by the military which means you can use rail covers that are sold for real guns.  Grab a set online, at a gun show or even out of a supply catalog.  Most of the picatinny rails covers available on paintball websites are basically version of covers made for the real deal just offered in the paintball market.