1911: Rail or Not?

[Model12Win]

For the 1911 pistol, I see some have rails now. They look cool, and useful for the mounting of a flashlight.

But, I've heard some say the rails are stupid. The rails are fat, don't allow so much of the different holsters, changes the balance of the pistol, are ugly (and stupid), and you are better off with NO RAIL on your Colt's semi-automatic belt pistol of army caliber. Instead, you are supposed to hold the flashlight in your support hand and do a crossed arms thing that looks pretty rad.

So, what gives yall?

 

[P71pilot]

No rail. If you can't accurately shoot a 1911, you probably can't shoot any handgun well. Because of the ease of accuracy they allow, there is no need for a lazer. I believe a flashlight just gives away your position so of you are using one humans would target you and animals would run from you. So I figure a weapon light Is useless, for me. I have night sights so I can see my sights.

Also it does make it much harder to find holsters, also the rail has been sometimes known to be a weak point in the frame and cause the frame to crack. I believe this is a reality for cast frames especially aluminum or alloy.

For me they are just a hinderence. Although they do look cool. Just not for me

 

[Whiskey6]

Myself, I don't care for a rail on the 1911 or a Sig for that matter. Most of them look like they have a gun on a rail not the other way around. I did have an HK USP that I really liked but, the rail was kinda subtle and the gun had always looked that way.

 

[JWT]

To me they just aren't a 1911 when they have a rail. Like them much better without one.

 

[Targa]

My 1911? Not a chance. Yours? Sounds like you like them, thats what matters.

 

[rwilson452]

no rail for me but at my age my night vision isn't what it was so I installed a CTC laser grip. no issues with holsters. Oh, no flashlight.

 

[44 AMP]

no rail, no light, no extended anything (especially grip safety) for me, thank you. The only improvement a GI 1911A1 needs is more visible sights.

 

[Hawg]

A rail? Awwwww Hail to the naw! I actually bought a 1911 that had an aftermarket rail on it. I took it off and tossed it in the trash. Coated the threads of the screws with JB Weld, tightened the snot out of them and filed them off smooth on the backside.

 

[2ndsojourn]

Either you can shoot or you can't. Rail mounted accessories on a 1911 is like training wheels on a bike.

 

[TunnelRat]

Either you can shoot or you can't. Rail mounted accessories on a 1911 is like training wheels on a bike.

This confuses me. I am not gifted with the ability to see in the dark. I guess I fail to see how using a rail for a weapon mounted light is evidence that someone "can't shoot."

 

[smee78]

I voted yes for the rail, I believe the addition of a light on a weapon is a requirement for a home defense gun. I like to keep my free hand open to use as required.

Weather the light is mounted on a gun or in your free hand it is still a light and the would be thief will still see it so your not really giving away your position with it mounted on your gun.

I cannot see at night and require a light to identify my target so a light is nessary item, I also have a set of night sights on my home defence gun to help them stand out against the bright light being used.

 

[WVsig]

I voted yes for the rail, I believe the addition of a light on a weapon is a requirement for a home defense gun. I like to keep my free hand open to use as required.

Weather the light is mounted on a gun or in your free hand it is still a light and the would be thief will still see it so your not really giving away your position with it mounted on your gun.

I cannot see at night and require a light to identify my target so a light is nessary item, I also have a set of night sights on my home defence gun to help them stand out against the bright light being used.

This is not the case IMHO. A light in the offhand is a very different tool then a light on a rail. The way you use the light is very dependent on how it is deployed. That is one of my personal pet peeves about rail mounted lights. Too many people deploy them the same way they use a light in their offhand.

I vote no but if the OP wants one and wants to learn how to use it properly who am I to say how he should spend his money. On the other hand it does not sounds like the OP knows how to hold a light in the offhand either. Maybe a link will help him/her.

http://www.thedailysheeple.com/why-you-should-carry-and-know-how-to-use-a-tactical-flashlight_072013

 

[BarryLee]

I’ve got a few 1911s and none have rails however, I don’t see anything wrong with them. Some say it isn’t a “true” 1911 if it has a rail or beavertail, external extractor, 80 system firing system, etc, etc. I understand these sentiments and have one 1911 which is a GI style gun and I like the very classic look. However, I do find myself strangely attracted to the new Colt M45A1 rail and dirt colored paint job included.

Style and technologies evolve and individuality is a good thing. So, bottom line, unless the folks that dislike the rail are planning to buy your gun for you go ahead and buy whatever you want.

 

[Tactical Jackalope]

I bought a Springfield Armory TRP Operator. Bull barrel, adjustable sights, and a rail.

Fast forward....

I now own a Springfield Armory TRP...



Does that make my stance clear?

 

[BigJimP]

No rail for me....but whatever you like, its your gun not mine.

I don't want a light, lazers, etc on my guns.../ if I need a light I'll use it in my other hand.

 

[Tactical Jackalope]

Don't get me wrong. I carry a gun with a Surefire X300U on it. I'm a HUGE proponent of WML's. Just not on a 1911....

 

[44 AMP]

I believe the addition of a light on a weapon is a requirement for a home defense gun.

This subject has been discussed at great length before, and will, no doubt be discussed a lot in the future.

I happen to think it is a very POOR idea to mount a light ON a home defense gun. Not for the oft stated, and valid, reason that it tells the bad guy where you are, but for the more practical reason that the majority of people are NOT trained professionals, and having a light ON their weapon means that they ARE POINTING A LOADED GUN at everything they use the light to look at.

Trained police and military type "operators" are one thing. Average citizens who jus think they are, are quite another.

 

[Don P]

Trained police and military type "operators" are one thing. Average citizens who just think they are, are quite another.

Amen! I have heard shooters state that **** is real life training.

 

[TunnelRat]

Not for the oft stated, and valid, reason that it tells the bad guy where you are, but for the more practical reason that the majority of people are NOT trained professionals, and having a light ON their weapon means that they ARE POINTING A LOADED GUN at everything they use the light to look at.

With lights putting out 500 lumens, you can keep the pistol at the low ready and the spill from the beam has no problem illuminating decent sized rooms. For that matter you could always use both if that's a big concern to you. I like a weapon mounted light because it makes sure I at least have that light with me and mag changes are a lot easier. It also keeps my supporting hand free to move objects and people. One way around this is to use a handheld light that has a strap.

Trained police and military type "operators" are one thing. Average citizens who jus think they are, are quite another.

The police where you are must be on a different level than those around here.

 

[WVsig]

With lights putting out 500 lumens, you can keep the pistol at the low ready and the spill from the beam has no problem illuminating decent sized rooms. For that matter you could always use both if that's a big concern to you. I like a weapon mounted light because it makes sure I at least have that light with me and mag changes are a lot easier. It also keeps my supporting hand free to move objects and people. One way around this is to use a handheld light that has a strap.

The number one contention that a weapon mounted light is no good is because you have to point a gun at anything you want to look at but if you know how to use one you really don't as you have illustrated.

The issue is that most people do not know how to "spill" the light properly from a pistol mounted light or a hand held light. Like so many tools the weapon mounted light is too often improperly deployed.