If you are planning to use a riflescope, you are faced with the question of how to attach it to the firearm. You have two options:
-
rings for a Picatinny rail – if you already have one on the firearm, this is your only option
-
rings for a dovetail – mounting directly onto the rifle without an additional rail using screws
Which rings to choose?
If you have a Picatinny rail on your rifle—whether from the factory or installed later—you can only attach the riflescope using Picatinny rings. If you do not have this rail, the choice is yours. What should you take into consideration?
When to choose dovetail rings
Dovetail rings are screwed firmly onto the dovetail of the firearm. You will always need tools for their
mounting and dismounting. These rings are not manufactured with a QD system and do not provide as wide a range of variability as Picatinny rings. Nevertheless, they have their advantages and might be the absolutely ideal solution for you. How so?
Advantages of mounting on a dovetail
-
simple system – without additional extra components, they are mounted directly onto the firearm
-
reliability – fewer joints in the system reduce the risk of losing zero
-
lower weight compared to a Picatinny rail mounting system
Who are dovetail rings best for?
From the characteristics mentioned above, it follows that you will most appreciate mounting directly onto a dovetail if:
-
you want to mount the riflescope once and not worry about it further,
-
you are looking for the simplest design,
-
you do not swap optics between multiple firearms,
-
you want the lightest firearm possible.
For some older CZ models (for example, older CZ rimfire rifles, including CZ Brno, CZ 452, and others), a Picatinny rail is not manufactured. The rail from newer models cannot be used because the ejection port on older and newer models is located in a slightly different position. The rail would thus obstruct the ejection of cartridge cases.
The situation can only be resolved by mounting the riflescope using dovetail rings, as the dovetail remains identical on both older and newer models.
When, on the other hand, you will appreciate a Picatinny rail
The Picatinny rail offers a wide spectrum of options for installing accessories. It is like a building set for adults. Some shooters fine-tune their optics setup to the last detail, catching even the smallest nuances. Others use multiple rifles and want to own a single riflescope to swap between them. For such shooters, the Picatinny rail is a perfect match.
Lest it sound entirely idyllic, it must be added that the Picatinny rail is an extra component that brings additional grams of weight and more joints that could potentially loosen.
