Ok, so now that I've decided to keep my 1911...

You are joking, right?

On a 1911, a picatinny rail just isn't my cup of tea. When I think of the 1911, elegant simplicity comes to mind. That said, it's your gun, so do as you please. If it makes you happy go for it!

If it's just for "tacticool" index numbers, it is a free country (so far...)

For practical use, assuming you are not a member of a SWAT team, there should be a serious concern about pointing a flashlight at someone with a pistol attached to it. Separate flashlight for investigating, I believe, with pistol either holstered or at "low ready". (Or, ask yourself, "Why am I trying to clear a house by myself, when professionals consider this risky as a team effort?")

If you want a laser sight, there's Crimson Trace. These grips fit 99% of the holsters on the market. Rails make holster fit an interesting problem. Unless all you are going to use is a tactical thigh holster.

Yeah, I know. Clint Smith and S&W have even come out with revolvers with rails (!) These guys are considered experts, so maybe rails are a necessity.

I don't think so.

glad to hear that you kept the 1911! Smart move

May John M Browing hit you with a bolt of lighting . 1911s don't need no silly rail .

Agreed. Of course you're free to do what you want, but personally, if I were to come across a 1911 with such an accessory my reaction wouldn't be "Man, that is one sweet pistola right there". It'd be "Whoever slapped that rail on there needs a talking to."

Don't get me wrong - I'm not a 1911 purist - it's just that some things shouldn't be screwed with like that.

Just pimp it.

aomagrat, is that .45acp or .38 super?

what i've found - rails come in very handy, but very rarely. the times i've used a railed/lighted weapon, i've been VERY happy to have it. however, those occassions are few and far between.

that said - i just ordered a 1911 and had to decide between traditional or railed, i went railed.

here should be a serious concern about pointing a flashlight at someone with a pistol attached to it.

Click to expand...

oh lord here we go.
so i guess the syringe, and harris positons are out of the question too. so that gives you the fbi style in a narrow hallway, or the neck index.

Why am I trying to clear a house by myself, when professionals consider this risky as a team effort?")

Click to expand...

sometimes the baracade yourself in a room option which is a great option, sometimes just isn't an option.

A wise man once said that putting a rail on a 1911 is like putting a spoiler on a F-150. It just doesn't belong there.

aomagrat, is that .45acp or .38 super?

Click to expand...

38 Super. Shoots great too!

From everything I have read, the Dawson rail seems to be the schiznit.

If you must have a flashlight on a 1911 and dont want to rail it, there are attachments which fit on the magazine. Dont know how good/sturdy they are, but better to sacrifice a mag than a frame?

+1 A sin!!!!!

I also don't like the way rails look, but if this is a HD gun, then a light rail can be very nice to have.

I have to respectfully disagree with this:

For practical use, assuming you are not a member of a SWAT team, there should be a serious concern about pointing a flashlight at someone with a pistol attached to it.

Click to expand...

MHO is that there's nothing wrong with having a weapon mounted light. Just like anything else though, you need to know how to use it. Some folks argue that you shouldn't have one because you will accidentally sweep anyone you try to shine the light on with your muzzle, but if the situation warrants getting up with your pistol at the ready, chances are that someone needs to be covered with the muzzle anyway. If there are kids in the house, and that is the concern, then talk with them ahead of time and let them know to turn on the room light if they need to get up for anything. And even if all this fails, and even though in everyday situations it is a cardinal sin to point your weapon at anything you do not intend to shoot, remember that a situation that warrants clearing your own house is not an everyday situation, and that you, not the light, determines whether rounds are fired, and at whom they are fired.

Again, JMHO, YMMV.

Jason

Sorry for any confusion about "serious concern".

I didn't mean you should never use something like a rail, or the Harris technique, just that there should be some serious concern about the procedure.

It isn't the same as pointing a flashlight, that's all.

And I meant there should be similar concern for investigating the interior of a house. It isn't easily done by a single person, even if it is your house.

Just encouraging a little thought before embarking on these courses...

Sorry for any confusion about "serious concern".

I didn't mean you should never use something like a rail, or the Harris technique, just that there should be some serious concern about the procedure.

It isn't the same as pointing a flashlight, that's all.

And I meant there should be similar concern for investigating the interior of a house. It isn't easily done by a single person, even if it is your house.

Just encouraging a little thought before embarking on these courses...

Click to expand...

I get you now. I'd obviously agree with being careful.

Jason