Auxiliary device mounting system for firearms

A mounting system for a firearm, the firearm comprising a grip, a trigger, a cartridge, and a barrel, a distal end of the barrel defining a front end of the firearm, the mounting system comprising:

• a rail assembly extending along the barrel and positioned forward of the grip, trigger, and cartridge, the rail assembly including a plurality of rails extending in the direction of the barrel and distributed around the circumference of the barrel, the plurality of rails including a control rail and a set of accessory rails, the control rail including a plurality of attachment positions, each attachment position including a plurality of contacts accessible to a power supply, the plurality of contacts including a common contact and contacts uniquely associated with and in electrical communication with each accessory rail of the set of accessory rails, the set of accessory rails each including a plurality of access points that each includes a first electrical access at a first side position of the each rail in electrical communication with the associated contact and a second electrical access at a second side position of the each rail in electrical communication with the common contact of the control rail.