MANAEL Arca Swiss Rail – Complete Installation Guide

What You’ll Need

Before starting your MANAEL Arca rail installation, gather these tools and materials:

Required:

  • MANAEL Arca rail and included M-LOK hardware (T-nuts and screws) – hardware may vary depending on the rail type.
  • Hex key or Torx driver – dependent on hardware used from kit

Step 1: Identify Your Stock/Chassis Type and Existing Mounting Points

Chassis and Rifle Stocks often have different options when it comes to mounting your Arca Swiss Rail. The first step is to identify what mounting options are already available on your stock and what you might need to mount your MANAEL Arca Rail securely.

Modern Chassis Systems – (MANAEL Chassis Systems, MDT, MPA, KRG, XLR, etc.):

  • Usually have M-LOK slots running along the foreend
  • Mount using M-LOK T-nuts and screws (included with MANAEL rails)
  • MANAEL Rails can be mounted in any M-lok slots that align on your chassis
  • MANAEL Original Aussie Tough Rails have extended slots to ensure easy alignment

Traditional Rifle Stocks – (Hunting stocks, Composite Stocks, Wood Stocks, Grayboe, McMillan, Manners, Ag Composites H&S Precision, factory plastic rifle stocks Lithgow, Howa, Remington, Tikka):

  • Many stocks have factory-drilled holes specifically for accessory rails
  • Look for sling stud mounting points. These unscrew and can be used for rail mounting.
  • If no mounting holes exist, spike nuts can be installed (included with MANAEL rails)
  • The front action screw can also be used as a mount point on some MANAEL Rails (check there’s no obstructions caused by the trigger guard or mag floorplate and the rail can sit flat)

Step 2: Plan Your Rail Placement

Determine Optimal Position

Where you mount your rail depends on your shooting discipline and preferences. Some shooters opt for a really compact or lightweight setup specific. Others seek maximum mounting options.

Start by considering what you’re mounting on the rail and where you need those accessories to sit. Often this will be near the balance point of the rifle. That is a good guide on where the rail should sit.

Here are some common placements based on style of shooting.

Competition Shooters (PRS/NRL):

  • Rail should cover the balance point of the rifle when resting in a barricade and the common positions for bipod and tripods
  • Common for long rails to be mounted along the whole foreend. This gives extended forward bipod positioning range and lots of room for bags and accessories.
  • Longer rails (4-5 slot) provide maximum real estate for accessories and can be mounted on shorter foreends for extra length

Hunters:

  • Consider balance point for tripods and bipod mounting position and ensure rail covers this area (or where you would normally want to attach your mounts)
  • May prefer a rail that doesn’t extend past foreend for snag-free field use – Shorter rails, Micro Rail or Lightweight Hunter reduce weight and are compact.

Not sure which rail is going to align best? View our guide here.

Step 3: Install Your MANAEL Arca Rail

Now you know where the Arca Swiss Rail will be mounted, and you have the mount areas ready, let’s install the rail.

We have separated the instructions based on which hardware you are mounting with.

Note: we don’t suggest using locktite to secure hardware. This will make adjusting the position or removing the rail screws very difficult in future.

Method 1 – Mounting using M-lok (Chassis Systems)

The MANAEL Arca Swiss Rail will be held in place using screws and M-LOK T-nuts (included with the rail).

  1. Identify which of the chassis’ M-LOK slots will be used for mounting.
  2. Remove any existing accessories from those M-LOK slots and wipe the slots clean to remove any dirt/debris.
  3. Assemble the screws and M-lok nuts on the rail to align with your chassis hole placement
  4. The screw goes into engraved side of arca swiss rail and the M-LOK is threaded on loosely on the other side of the rail.
  5. Push the assembled M-LOK Nuts and screws into the chassis holes. The M-LOK nuts will go inside the chassis. After insertion, T-nuts rotate 90° to lock behind the M-LOK slot edges.
  6. Make any final adjustments to position then tighten the screws until the rail is secure.

Note: If the screws interfere with the barrel or other components inside the chassis, swap them for a shorter length screw (included in most Arca Rail kits) or trim to length

Method 2: Direct Screw Mounting (Traditional Stocks)

The MANAEL Arca Swiss Rail will be held in place using screws that fit into threaded mount holes inside the rifle stock:

  • Sling Stud Holes: Most traditional stocks have sling studs on the foreend. Unscrew existing sling studs and use these threaded holes for rail mounting
  • Factory-Drilled Holes: Some stocks have pre-drilled, threaded holes along the foreend
  • Installing Spike T-Nuts: We include spike t-nuts which can be installed n
  1. Align the rail alongside the rifle stock.
    Note: MANAEL Original Aussie Tough will have engraving that faces away from the stock (the plain side goes against the stock). Meanwhile, Ultralite Hunter Rails will have an inlet which faces the stock.
  2. Place screws through the MANAEL Arca Swiss Rail into your mounting holes.
  3. Make any final adjustments to position then tighten the screws until the rail is secure.

Method 3: Combination Mount with Action Screw

Some MANAEL rail models include a front action screw hole for additional mounting security. You may need a longer action screw to accommodate.

To use this screw as a mount point, your rifle needs to be flat between the action screw and foreend, without any obstructions.

  1. Locate front action screw hole in your rail (if equipped)
  2. Remove original front action screw from rifle
  3. Use a longer action screw that passes through rail and into action
  4. Torque action screw to your rifle manufacturer’s specification
  5. Ensure the rail has 1-2 other mount points (using Method 2 or Method 3).
  6. Check the rail is secure and properly aligned.

When to Consider Professional Installation or DIY Install?

DIY install of MANAEL Arca Rails is definitely doable for most rifle set ups. We aim to make all MANAEL products easy to use and install and that includes our full suite of MANAEL Arca Swiss Rails.

You may want to seek professional install support if you need to create a new mount point (installing a Spike Nut into your stock).

If you have any questions or would like support, reach out to one of our dealers.

Final Tips for Success

✅ Take your time—rushing causes mistakes
✅ Skip the Loctite—your future self will thank you
✅ Dry fit first—catch problems before permanent installation
✅ Clean everything—contamination compromises stability
✅ Check manufacturer specs—your stock may have specific requirements

Ready to Mount Accessories?

Once your MANAEL Arca rail is installed, explore our other support guides:

  • Arca Clamp Compatibility and Adjustment
  • Choosing the Right Arca Swiss Gear
  • Troubleshooting Arca Swiss Systems

Welcome to the Arca Swiss system—built tough by Australian shooters, for Australian shooters.