Are you sick of accessory rails?

[Defensory]

Posted by Correia:
Thanks Everybody! I'm going to go throw my $1,800 customized STI Tactical away and start carrying my S&W 1917, that I don't shoot nearly as well, but that way ya'll can appreciate the classic lines and styling. (except wait, it takes those Moon Clips, and I'm sure that'll offend the hell out of somebody here).

[sarcasm]Them there accessory rails, lights and moon clips are for SISSIES, son! Don't you know that you have to carry a separate flashlight in one hand, and load your bullets one at a time, in order to be a real MA-YUN?! [/sarcasm]

In all seriousness, a tactical light makes perfect sense when clearing a house, building etc.---because it leaves one hand free. If you're facing multiple assailants in a dark home, it's common sense to want one hand free to open doors, pick up a baby to carry it to safety, parry blows etc.

 

[basicblur]

rails don't take anything away or usually cost extra,but they do add versatility.so...whats the problem?

Because “we” say they are!

Put me in the category of those that would have voted on the poll, only to find how biased it was-like I need another biased opinion in my life!
Being a pragmatist (which immediately puts me at odds with the majority) I want a rail on every gun I own. I see no downside, since I don't think the fact that a gun has a rail makes any difference in concealability (doesn't in any of mine).

Hmmmm….I smell a poll coming on!
“Are you sick of opinionated people”?
1. Yes
2. Yes

Choose wisely!

BTW...I'm glad to see that whoever it was in here is no longer beating his wife (according to her)!

 

[Valkman]

No rails on my 1911's but I've come to like them on my 2 XD's. They are in my garage and shop and it is convenient to also have a light on such a gun. I guess I should add that there are no street lights here and it gets dark - you can't see someone standing in the road. So my answer is like the diapers - "Depends".

 

[IMTHDUKE]

I thought that they put those rails on to beat your wife with, I know someone posted that for sure...

 

[basicblur]

I thought that they put those rails on to beat your wife with...

Now THAT ought to completely change the poll results!
I'm a bettin' there's a lot of folks slappin' themselves 'bout now for voting before they found that out! :banghead:

 

[EdLaver]

I actually like having a rail on a pistol. To me, it makes the gun look better and makes in more versitale for different situations if needed. I figure if I can get as many options on a gun as possible, I am getting my moneys worth.

 

[conw]

First the cavalry started shootin' them newfangled black powder revolving pistols. Then they went and made those revolvers to shoot rimfire cased ammunition. Next, they stuck the primer in the middle of the case for more reliable ignition. Then the military went and adopted that semi-auto 1911 thing.

You forgot about one thing...it really pisses me off that they invented that gimmicky "double action" revolver. THAT'S what's to blame for our current situation.

 

[Bartkowski]

I like the versatility, but hate the way they look on handguns.

 

[jlh26oo]

I have pistols with rails, so they are not a deal-breaker by any means. They obviously don't hurt anything anyways. But considering it's a feature I don't use, and don't particularly care for the looks of, can you really blame me for not wanting it there- (well I read the thread so I know that you can L.O.L.)!

I just prefer a more svelte overall feel to the design, all else being equal. And if one doesn't ever use an accessory, all else is equal (for them). Y.M.M.V. but I don't personally hate anyone for liking rails.



I can't believe how lopsided the vote is though. I'm thinking the loaded poll question, in combination with the numbers seemingly validating it, is what got some people so angry. But understand just as those who voted pro-rail are NOT S.W.A.T.-wannabe's, those of us who don't care for rails are not necessarily calling you guys that either. Doesn't mean we all agree with how the poll is set up.

 

[usp9]

Are you sick of accessory rails?

I pay them no mind. I'm more interested in function rather than form.

 

[chriske]

Rails & bells & whistles

Oh no SureThing, youre not alone !

I for one have given UP on finding a decent 1911 WITHOUT :
- front slide serrations
- beavertail grip safety
- extended/ambidextrous levers/buttons of any kind (If I'm not ambidextrous, why should my gun be ?)
- rails & sundry attachments
- super expensive front gripframe checkering ( I'll stick some self adhesive skateboard tape on, thanks. Works just as well)
- squared/hooked trigger guard
and... what's wrong with straight up-and-down (= vertical) slide serrations ? Why are they all slanted nowadays ?

 

[countryrebel]

When I purchase a handgun I like to get one with the rail. And no I am not pretending I'm in SWAT. That is an unfair answer.

 

[ceadermtnboy]

I will specifically point to Sig Sauer for not offering the p226 or p220 without the rails. They could have sold one more pistol to me, if it were available as I was looking for a new p226 without rails, I am now looking for a used one.

 

[SureThing]

I'm amazed how many people here took offense to the way I worded the question. Honestly, I was just trying to be funny, nothing more. The motivation was because of so many guns that you can only get with rails these days, such as certain Sigs, and the Taurus PT92 I just bought.

Being that said, I'm also very annoyed at those who have whined about it. Give me a break....I know we live in the United States of the Offended these days, but I never thought that mentality would show up on THR.

Would you like some cheese to go with that whine?

 

[R&J]

Certainly Not!

Their inclusion on a pistol has no impact on the gun's function and leaves accessory options open to the user.

And your poll is crass and insulting. Better to proceed with the notion that I'm about as smart as you are.

For the umpteenth time, a good weapon light can flash-light an entire room, by skipping the beam off of the ceiling. You need not--nor should you--saunter through the house with weapon light and laser blazing! :banghead:

Face it, most of us aren't stone-cold, killer commandos...

A quality inboard or outboard laser is an outstanding training tool and has proved to be about the best SHTF point & shoot sight you can have! Why sight down the barrel when you can project your front sight onto the perp? For some guns, the rail-mounted laser is the best solution. See Crimson Trace's free DVD, Shots In The Dark, before you respond with pet theories as to why lasers don't work.

As with anything else regarding guns, lasers and lights require practice and intelligent use.

Other Progress I Did Not Fight:

- Pneumatic Tires
- Flush Toilets
- Anesthesia
- Television
- Voice Mail
- The Internet

--Ray

 

[basicblur]

I'm amazed how many people here took offense to the way I worded the question. Honestly, I was just trying to be funny

Just more proof that humor should be left to the professionals…

Being that said, I'm also very annoyed at those who have whined about it. Give me a break....I know we live in the United States of the Offended these days, but I never thought that mentality would show up on THR.

Annoyed are you? Well welcome to the party!
I’m sure many were as annoyed as I that we clicked on the subject to participate in a “poll”, only to be confronted with a complete waste of time!

Would you like some cheese to go with that whine?

Would you like some screwed up results to go with your “poll”?
I prefer rails on all my guns, but I did vote “Yes, I’m sick of them” just to screw your poll up.

I know…screwing this poll up is a bit redundant, ain’t it?

 

[R&J]

I prefer rails on all my guns, but I did vote “Yes, I’m sick of them” just to screw your poll up.

I just did the same, as a reciprocal lack of respect.

--Ray

 

[ugaarguy]

I'm amazed how many people here took offense to the way I worded the question. Honestly, I was just trying to be funny, nothing more.

There are things called emoticons - those little faces over over on the right of the text body when you type a post - used to show emotion, sarcasm, or the voice tone inflection lost in typed communication. If you click one of the emoticons the html code is inserted in the text. So, even if you can't insert one in the poll choice text, you can insert one in the body of the post, cut the html code text, and paste it into the poll choice.

Even with an emoticon I'd still not like your poll choices. If you want to be funny word both choices interestingly. For example:

"Are you sick of accessory rails?

- No, I like pretending I'm in SWAT.

-Yes, I'm a Neanderthal. How do you mount a rail on a rock or a club anyway?"

Or with emoticons:

"Are you sick of accessory rails?

- No, I like pretending I'm in SWAT.

-Yes, I'm a Neanderthal. How do you mount a rail on a rock or a club anyway?"

Wording one choice in a plain Jane manner and the other in an abrasive manner, without clarification, will upset people. As it sits your poll is quite poorly worded, and really not funny. As it's worded you're insinuating that folks who don't like rails on handguns are normal; while those who do like rails on handguns are poseurs.

 

[Darthbauer]

I like them and the only gun that I had that didnt have one I bought one for and put it on it.

 

[357wheelgunner]

I think that they have their place, but only on a full size gun sitting on a nightstand. Why anyone would snap a light to a Glock 26, or similar small gun, boggles my mind. I think that gun makers need to think about which guns need rails, and which don't. I'll never buy a P229, G26, etc. with a rail. Hell, I won't even buy a full sized gun with a rail unless it's destined for nightstand duty.

I'd never carry a gun with a light rail, because I don't need added bulk in my waistband. I will, however, be getting a railed P220 and surefire light as soon as my wife gets out of school and I have money to blow on such things.

Right now I keep a surefire 6P and a S&W Model 65 on the nightstand and feel just fine.

 

[ugaarguy]

I think that they have their place, but only on a full size gun sitting on a nightstand. Why anyone would snap a light to a Glock 26, or similar small gun, boggles my mind. I think that gun makers need to think about which guns need rails, and which don't. I'll never buy a P229, G26, etc. with a rail. Hell, I won't even buy a full sized gun with a rail unless it's destined for nightstand duty.

Lets say you only have $300 to spend on the gun, and have scrapped up another $100 to get a rail mounted light as well. The gun must be a small carry gun, and perform night stand duty. A Kel-Tec PF9 carried IWB, and put on the night stand with the little Insight X2 snapped to the rail would work well in both roles. It's not ideal, but it's a reason some folks might want a rail on a small gun.

Right now I keep a surefire 6P and a S&W Model 65 on the nightstand and feel just fine.

I've used a similar setup myself. I think you're perfectly well armed.

 

[R&J]

Why anyone would snap a light to a Glock 26...

The G26 and most of the sub-compacts are not equipped with an accessory rail, but I get your point!

My bedside gun is a G21 with Meprolight sights, SureFire X200B and LaserMax.

When I'm away, Judy's bedside gun is a G19 with Trijicon sights, SureFire X200B, LaserMax and 33-round magazine loaded with Double Tap +p JHPs.

You see, my G21's a bit too big for her little girly hands!

--Ray

 

[MICHAEL T]

I want a rail and scope mount on my O&U Davis 32 derringer Can't be to mall ninja in todays socity .

Seriously I won't buy a pistol with a rail.

 

[SAWBONES]

Can't stand 'em on sidearms for personal non-LEO use except in the case of a dedicated home defense gun.
They make guns and holsters bulkier and holsters harder to find.

I hate "gun fashion".
Light rails on teensy compact handguns, squared triggerguards, screwy multi-hue color schemes, front slide serrations, on and on...

 

[AK103K]

How's it go..."form follows fashion" or is it "fashion follows form"?

Oh, Jeez! I'm feeling some "Vinnie" Barbarino confusion coming on.