Most rifle hunters use scopes. Most varmint hunters would like something more secure than a "scope clip" for mounting a light. So why don't rifle manufacturers just put rails on the darn things at the factory?
One of the most noticeable things about the accessories section of any gun shop is that there seems to be a different mounting assembly for nearly every gun on the market. Even within a brand, nearly every model has a different pattern of tapped holes for mounting a scope or rail. Why not at least drill them the same, since the manufacturer is rarely the "proprietary" rings or rails will be bought from?
It seems to me that there would be little economic or engineering reason not to include a Weaver or Picatinny rail on every gun intended for a purpose where a scope, light, or any other mounted accessory would be useful. I know quite a few people that have bought AR-type rifles at least partially because they were so easy to get accessories for, when all those accessories would work just as well on any rifle with two Picatinny rails. (One up top for scopes, one below or beside the barrel for lights) I also don't know too many defensive shotgun owners who wouldn't prefer a gun with a rail either integrated into the forearm, or mounted alongside the barrel at the forward mag tube support.
One of the most noticeable things about the accessories section of any gun shop is that there seems to be a different mounting assembly for nearly every gun on the market. Even within a brand, nearly every model has a different pattern of tapped holes for mounting a scope or rail. Why not at least drill them the same, since the manufacturer is rarely the "proprietary" rings or rails will be bought from?
It seems to me that there would be little economic or engineering reason not to include a Weaver or Picatinny rail on every gun intended for a purpose where a scope, light, or any other mounted accessory would be useful. I know quite a few people that have bought AR-type rifles at least partially because they were so easy to get accessories for, when all those accessories would work just as well on any rifle with two Picatinny rails. (One up top for scopes, one below or beside the barrel for lights) I also don't know too many defensive shotgun owners who wouldn't prefer a gun with a rail either integrated into the forearm, or mounted alongside the barrel at the forward mag tube support.