ARCA Rails

Can I start out by just saying how I love American ingenuity? I am constantly presented with impressive new products from an untold well of small business’ that push the envelope. Today that product is from Area 419, some of you will be quite familiar with their products and for those that aren’t, prepare yourselves for fresh lust.
see video below
Area 419 is a precision rifle shooters wet dream, they produce custom rifles, precision loading equipment, muzzle brakes, suppressors and more. Its all done with top tier industry standards, and has kept 419 at the top of their game for some time.

As much as I’d like to evangelize the entirety of their products, today I must focus on one product in particular. The ARCALOCK rail system is Area 419’s proprietary version of the impressive and popular ARCA rail. The ARCA has become the go to accessory rail for precision rifle shooters in PRS and NRL style shooting. The 1.5 inch wide rail allows shooters an impressive host of rifle supporting equipment, it allows quick attachment and adjustment of bipods, clamps, bags, tripods and more.

The ARCALOCK system made by Area 419 features a serration like edge, with tiny radii down both sides. The ARCALOCK clamps that go with it have three hard steel pins that engage the serrations when tightened down. It does this while still retaining the reciprocal use of standard ARCA products from other manufacturers as well. The augmented engagement of the ARCALOCK system allows shooters to quickly and securely install and adjust their rifle support hardware.

How it works

The ARCALOCK rail attaches via machine screws to the bottom of your rifle chassis, it is available in various lengths to fit most rifles. It has a long slot down the center line to take advantage of most any attachment point. The dove tail of all ARCA rails give a broad clamping surface, with lots of surface contact. The added benefit of the ARCALOCK system is that with the clamp lugs engaging the rail, there is a mechanical engagement in addition to the clamping, which will reduce wear. Also in my experience, the ARCALOCK’s additional engagement translates into lower torque required to firmly secure your clamped on accessories.
I decided to install the ARCALOCK rail on my 25 Creedmoor, which uses the KRG Bravo chassis. The rifle is a perfect candidate for the rail, and I’ve wanted to add something like this to it since I first got it.
Once installed, I was immediately intrigued with its use. I played with both a Harris and an Atlas bipod that had been fitted with 419’s ARCALOCK clamp. The clamp is easily attached to the Atlas with two screws, the Harris does require an adaptor that Area 419 produces that only improves the mounting and use of it in my opinion.

It mounted up neatly in my tripod, which gave my rifle a firm foundation that locks up so tight it feels like you could stand on it.

My Cole-TAC Support bag attaches to the ARCALOCK perfectly for shooting from barricades or rocks. There are many other accessories made by Area 419 like barricade stops, weights, and bag riders. These all clamp right onto the rail, giving the shooter an impressive amount of support.

Conclusion

As I stated at the opening of this article, I am constantly impressed by so many great ideas that good people like those at Area 419. Simple yet brilliant solutions to advance our shooting sports.
After shooting just a short time with the ARCALOCK system, I find myself wanting to add it to all of my rifles. I don’t shoot as many matches as I used to, but I can see how this system would add trigger-time to the clock. Together with all the available accessories, it will absolutely help you stabilize your rifle, through transitions of all sorts.
I wouldn’t be surprised if this system continues to see proliferation, and offered as OE from precision rifle companies.
In the meantime, I think I may have to get a few more of these for my other rifles, because good rifles should be spoiled.
-CBM