Accessory Rail

Do you prefer a handgun with an accessory rail or no rail?

  • Rail

    Votes: 21 24.4%

  • No rail

    Votes: 45 52.3%

  • Rail on full-size guns but not on compact models

    Votes: 20 23.3%
  • Total voters
    86
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A

Alan Fud

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It seems that more and more handgun makers (Beretta, Sig, etc.) are making their guns with accessory rails. Accessory rails are even appearing on compact (S&W, etc.) and sub-compact (Kel-Tec, etc.) models. Do you think that this is a good thread that handguns are heading in or would you prefer your CCW to be free of such rails?
 
I vote for the option of having rails on full size pistols.

I keep a light mounted on at least one full size pistol. This is my bedside gun. Besides the mounted light I keep a Sure Fire next to the pistol. But I certainly don't want rails on all my pistols, full size or compact.
 
Depends on the gun...

I will say that I don't think rails make sense on very tiny guns. Kel-Tec's new PF-9 9mm with the accessory rail is just plain silly IMO.
 
Why not have it?

Sort of like:
Cup holders in cars.
Waist strings on jackets.
Ear flaps on hats.
etc.

It doesn't cost any more to have it.
It's there and handy if you want to use it.
It no bother if you don't want to use it.
 
Hate 'em, hate 'em, hate 'em, hate 'em ...
Did I mention that I hated the rail? (And yeah, ESPECIALLY on a 1911.) I'll take my chances holding my Surefire or Streamlight ...
P.S. - front cocking serrations are pretty useless in the great scheme of things as well (not to mention, they ruin the looks of an otherwise perfectly good lookin' pistol).
 
I'm with Old Dog on this one... leave the damned rails to the choo choo trains, stair cases, etc.

They don't belong on a handgun.

I figure the more people start hanging lights on their pistols, the more people are gonna start shooting holes in their TVs, refrigerators, couches, etc., when they get up in the middle of the night to see what that noise was, and the cat or dog startles 'em.

Then again, it may be the cat or dog that ends up getting plugged... :uhoh:

Sorry, but "Joe Average" has no business with his gun and light being pointed in the same direction at all times.... Especially if he uses a Glock, and isn't religious about keeping his finger off the trigger.

For me, keeping the gun down at low ready while the light does the sweeping of the area works just fine, and offers a little more safety for those around me when I have to go look things over after dark.

Also, rails on pistols are just plain butt-ugly too.

Anyway... no. No rails for me.

J.C.
 
It doesn't cost any more to have it.
It's there and handy if you want to use it.
It no bother if you don't want to use it.
Click to expand...
Well, that's true on larger guns that aren't likely to be carried in a bellyband or IWB holster. However, the sharp edges of a rail are very uncomfortable in a bellyband holster and make reholstering in an IWB very difficult.

That's why I think they're worse than useless on very small guns.

Here's an example of a poor design decision. Imagine trying to get this back into a soft IWB, or how that front corner's going to feel after it's been poking your belly for 8 hours.

pf9_pic01.gif


http://www.kel-tec.com/images/pf9_pic01.gif

Kel-Tec is marketing this as the "lightest, flattest 9mm ever made". Sorry, but if I want a gun like that, it's not so I can hang a light or a laser off it. It's so I can carry it concealed more easily and comfortably. Adding corners and making it less streamlined is diametrically opposed to that goal.

Oddly enough, their larger 9mm doesn't have a rail--go figure...
 
Dim light shooting

When working in dim light and if you have to use the handgun. Nothing is easier to use then the Surefire SX200 or something like it. Sorry I will go against the tide and say rail. Rails for any defensive handgun. Light on all defensive long arms. AS for pointing your gun with light at things. You can always have an extra light for that or point your gun at low ready and use reflective light. Both work and don't break the rule at pointing your firearm at anything you are not willing to destroy. Also it is imperative to identify any threats prior to going to deadly force. Light much more useful then laser.
 
Here's an example of a poor design decision. Imagine trying to get this back into a soft IWB, or how that front corner's going to feel after it's been poking your belly for 8 hours.
Click to expand...

Oh, I totally agree about rails, stupid, especially on compacts. The only place they have a place is maybe police swat type guns. Having a gun with a flashlight is sort of like having a cell phone with a camera, to me. I mean, I've got a friggin' camera for taking pictures, the phone is for calling my wife!:rolleyes: Since the Leatherman tool came out, seems to be a trend toward the all in one tool now days.

However, I just want to point out that soft IWB holsters are worse than rails for worthless. Holstering ANY gun in a soft IWB is a PITA. I prefer good leather that stays open and protects the gun and my skin from the gun. I carry in Mitch Rosen or Milt Sparks leather, myself. It don't fold flat when I draw the gun and it retains the gun during gymnastics exercises, not that I can do a summersalt anymore. :D
 
I completely agree with having the rail. It just goes to make the gun more versatile. Even if you don't use it, it's not like it's in the way or anything. :rolleyes:
 
I like rails.

If "Joe Average" is too stupid to use one correctly, that isn't the guns fault. Odds are that if Joe is that dumb then he shouldn't have a gun anyway.
 
In the vast majority of self-defense shootings, most "accessories" would have been useless (read ... of minimal benefit). Admittedly, if one chooses to use a rail accessory, and becomes proficient with it, then that's up to the individual. I've done well sticking with the "keep it simple" adage. But I'm old, and that's just me.:D
 
Never have liked rails on guns for CCW and never will, I think they should be an option on a handgun but not standard.
 
Could it be that the rails are a "fad" that designers are all buying into?

I liken this to the last time I went looking for dress-shirts for work...is it me or are the colors pink and purple everywhere in Men's shirts!

If they keep the rails on the larger frames, I'm ok with that. But, leave 'em off of the "little packers".
 
I'm not crazy about the rails, either. Nice to have, but I don't prefer them. Looks kinda stupid on my PT-145 and I couldn't imagine carrying one with a laser mounted to it.

"I don't mind either way. But on my XD45 there is one just waiting for the new Insight laser coming out in May"

Aufevermike, I live & work less than a mile from Insight. I was thinking about applying for job there. Maybe an employee discount???? :evil:
 
I think rails are fine as an option for those that want them. They have some merit for LEOs and military types but I wouldn't have one on my guns.:scrutiny:
 
I voted no rail because the majority of guns are better without them. That said, I like having the integral rail on the 3rd gen Glocks. I bought a Surefire X200B specifically for use on those pistols.
 
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