History of Zeiss inner rail
In the past, a lot of European scopes were mounted to the rifles with the use of a traditional prismatic rail under the scope housing. This type of rail is today called LM rail, however, most of the scope manufacturers later decided to develop a new type of mounting rails for their scopes. The old LM rail needed cross screws for mounting and that meant that the gunsmith had to drill holes in the rail to mount it. To avoid this procedure new mounting rails were designed that are easier to mount.
Need Zeiss ZM/VM rail mount?
Almost all major scope manufacturers in the EU have their own mounting rail standards, however no other was as successful with their design as was Zeiss with ZM/VM rail. Their Zeiss ZM/VM rail standard is known also as
- Zeiss M rail
- Zeiss Inner rail,
- Zeiss Integral rail,
- Zeiss 45° rail or also simply called
- Z rail.
Scopes with ZM / VM rail
Today this type of mounting on a scope is used not only by Zeiss but also by the following manufacturers:
- Zeiss
- Docter/Noblex
- Leica
- Minox
- Meopta
Interested in scopes with ZM/VM rail?
Advantages of Zeiss ZM / VM mounting rail
Even though that ZM/VM rail mounting of Rifle Scopes is not as popular and common as mounting with rings there is really hard to find any disadvantage of this type of mounting. Maybe the only two objectives that are still better at rings mounts are the price and availability.
However, in all other regards rail mounting of the riflescopes is a better solution. Zeiss ZM / VM rail offers the following summary of advantages over ring mounting:
- Better stability of the riflescope
- Better robustness and reliability
- No stress on the scope tube
- No distortion of optics due to mounting stress
- Perfect horizontal leveling
- No mounting marks on the scope
- Easier adopting of the correct eye relief
Watch our video about Zeiss ZM/VM rail below
General design features of Zeiss ZM / VM mounting rail
Zeiss ZM/VM mounting rail is designed as a 45° prism with the inner niche for mounting elements. You can see the basic schematic representation of the Zeiss ZM / VM rail in the following picture.
Mounting elements for this rail in most cases consist out of at least 2 or 3 pairs of outer and inner mounting parts which hold the scope tightly. Mounting is easy and with some technical skills, a gunsmith is not needed.
Mounts for ZM/VM rail
Mounting with Zeiss ZM / VM rail is still only really popular in Europe, even though it has so many advantages over other mounting solutions. This is also the reason why almost all mounts for Zeiss ZM / VM rail are produced in Europe. There are mounting solutions for almost any type of mount type that include Zeiss ZM / VM rail mounting elements.
Need Zeiss ZM/VM rail mount?
To my knowledge the following producers of mounts are producing such mounts:
1. Pivot mounts for Zeiss ZM / VM rail producers
2. Weaver/Picatinny mounts for Zeiss ZM / VM rail producers
- MAK
- Recknagel
- EAW
3. One-piece monoblock mounts for Zeiss ZM / VM rail producers
4. Suhl Claw mounts for Zeiss ZM / VM rail producers
- Ziegler
- EAW
- Recknagel
This list is certainly incomplete and if you have any valuable information on which manufacturer should be added to this list, please write to us or mention this in the comments below.
Conclusion
This article is intended to highlight the Zeiss ZM / VM rail mounting system and offers as much information as possible to the users. If your search over the internet information about this rail is dispersed and in most cases insufficient to give a clear understanding. To make things short, I will write that rail mounting of the Rifle Scopes is one of the best ways of mounting and that Zeiss ZM / VM rail is among the best rail mounting solutions. I also think that in the future much more scopes will be mounted this way than they are now. There are just too many benefits to ignore.
Need Zeiss ZM/VM rail mount?
Hello Teodor,
I enjoyed reading your article. I live in Australia where unfortunately Rail Mounting Systems are not very popular. I have a couple of new European Rifles that I’d like to rail mount scopes to but can’t find any instructions on line. Do you know where I can get such information especially relating to correct screw torque settings to avoid damaging the mounts? The rifles are Blaser and the scopes are Swarovski Rail mount.
Any help or direction to online information would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you Teodor.
Dear Terry!
Some information is given in EAW catalog (http://www.eaw.de/assets/files/2014/EAW_Katalog_2014_Web.pdf), however I doubt you will find torque values for screws. At the same time I have to say that it is very unlikely that you would damage the rail of the scope. Just use your feeling any you will mount the scope fine. Rail mounts are designed for easy and problem free mounting.
If you will need any additional information, just write to me again and I will try to reply as soon as possible.
Best Regards,
Teodor
I have enjoyed your commentaries on the Leica 2.4×16 Magnus and the VM/zm zeiss mounting system I would like to purchase one of these Leica scopes but have been unable to find in the U.S. If you have any suggestions please let me know. Keep up the good work letting us know what’s new and how it performs. Thadd Mays
Hello Teodor.
I have a Blazer R 93 and I want to buy zeiss 1.5-6×42 rifle scope with rail mount from USA/it is cheaper/. Can I mount that zeiss on my Blazer or must buy zeiss without rail mount and buy saddle mount for Blazer?
Are there any mounts that I can use on leopould swing mount, that fits zeiss zm/ vm rail
BR
Jan Brun
Indeed a great scope. One have to mount this on their rifle.
Hi guys, I have just got myself an old (50s-60s) hensoldt wetzlar 6×42 Scope with the LM style rail under the tube. This is a great scope and I want to mount this scope onto an M1A 18.5″ Springfield, which has a weaver rail, but am having difficulties finding mounts for this. Rings ‘may’ work but due to the rail on the scope I am very restricted in the mounting location on my rifle and am not sure I will get the best eye relief that I would like. If anyone has any suggestions about what I can get this scope on my rifle it would be most appreciated!
Thank you. Chris
I have a zeiss rail mounted scope. I wish to mount it to my Sako 75 using the existing Optiloc mounts.
Is this possible, what additional fixtures do I require for this, if so please advise me on how I should proceed.
Kind Regards,
Larry
Hello Sir!
If the Zeiss features a ZM/VM rail for mounting, you will need a mount which suits this rail.
Here is the link to all mounts for the Sako 75, which are made especially to fit the Zeiss ZM/VM rail:
https://www.optics-trade.eu/en/mounts/shopby/ring_diameter-zeiss_zm_vm_rail/suitable_for_sako-sako_75.html
Many thanks,
Optics Trade
Thank you for this information! I have not seen this system in Canada yet can I use it on cz 550? Thanks
Hello Sir!
Yes, you can use this on a CZ 550, with mounts specifically designed for this weapon platform.
You can find the mounts here:
https://www.optics-trade.eu/en/mounts/shopby/ring_diameter-zeiss_zm_vm_rail/suitable_for_cz-cz_550.html
If you have another question, do not hesitate to leave another comment!
Thank you!
Hello Sir,
Can you please tell me if you have the same type of mount (CZ 550) but for Swarovski SR rail?
I appreciate your help
Thank you so much!
Thank you so much!
Hello,
I have a very nice Diavari VM 1,5-6X scope, which I bought for my .375 pre-’64 Winchester. The quick-detachable mounts I found for it have the scope far too high, and I was hopeful you can recommend a mount that will bring the scope lower. If not, I am considering having a machinist remove the rail and use Luepold rings and bases to mount the scope. I would prefer not to resort to mutilating this lovely scope, but it is of no use to me when it is sitting up so high.
Hi, thanks for reading our blog. It would be best to write this question to our sales team at [email protected] and they’ll be glad to help you.
I have a Zeiss 1,5-6×42 Divari ZM rail mounted scope on my Drilling. It is mounted with Suhler Claw mount (SEM). I would like to buy a rifle scope which has the same length and illuminated reticle. Which of the scopes you sell uses same Zeiss rail?
Hi, thanks for reading our blog. It would be best to write this question to our sales team at [email protected] and they’ll be glad to help you.
I never knew that having sights can improve the visibility of the user. Last night, my best friend told me that he wants to get himself some scope rings as a gift, but he has no idea where to look. Thanks to your insightful article, I’ll be sure to remind him that consulting a reputable arms dealer is preferable because they can answer all of his questions.
Thank you, John. We are delighted to hear this was helpful and you enjoy the service we provide.
Recently purchased a Kahles 8×56 off Ebay from Europe. Didn’t realize at the time it had the ZM rail. After some searching, I found a guy in Colorado that CNC’s mounts that attach to a Picatinny rail. (about $30) After many coin flips, I decided to mount the scope on my Marlin 336 30-30. I was 2″ low at 100 yrds. 2nd shot was bullseye. Never had a scope dial in so quickly. Scope and mount are rock solid. Will only buy rail mount moving forward. Awesome system. Thanks for the article.