An accessory rail and method for attaching the accessory rail to a firearm is described. An accessory rail includes a first block and second block positioned respectively at a rear end and forward end of the accessory rail. The first block is configured to engage a first receiving area of the firearm, and the second block is configured to engage a second receiving area of the firearm. The accessory rail can advantageously be connected to a firearm such as the Samozaryadnj Karabin sistemy Simonova (SKS) assault rifle by utilizing manufactured points present in the SKS. The first block may engage a receiver cover attachment point. The second block may engage a receiving area present in the rear sight. No machining modifications to the firearm are required.