light rail on compact pistols

[taliv]

***?

is there a legitimate reason to mount lights on a compact? the latest cover of _shooting times_ got me thinking... what is the point? I'm surprised it doesn't come with mudflaps and an air horn. (tactical mudflaps, no less)

from my limited perspective, the only reason i like a compact handgun is so it can be easily concealed (note: all my handguns in calibers >.22 and <.480 are compacts for precisely that reason). a monster flashlight makes concealment pretty much impossible for most people.

if you're not going to conceal it, why not take the full-sized model with extra weight for recoil-dampening, and larger size for more magazine capacity? not to mention, the extra real-estate to comfortably fit the two pages of warnings and disclaimers?

what am i missing?

 

[Black Majik]

I dont see a reason for it either, for me I'd only mount a light on my pistol for home defense reasons. And that'll be a full-size since I wont carry it.

For carry, I doubt that few oz. saved would really matter.

I honestly think the only reason a comact pistol w. light rail is even offered is because of marketing reasons. The newest thing. The niche'. Whatever.

Its pointless though, IMO.

Oh wait, I have a compact Glock, but the light rail came with it!

 

[Andrew Wyatt]

You don't have to use it just because it exists. it's another tool for the toolbox.

 

[shooter1]

Well said, Black Majic!
str1

 

[orangeninja]

Well, in my case I will soon be packing a Springy XD 40 subcompact. I will be using the standard 9 round mag with it for daily carry. However, come bedtime, an extended 12 round mag will replace the smaller and a light will be attached, making it somthing of a duty/compact sized hybrid.

I have some Sigs, but nothing with a light rail. Maybe one day I'll get the 4 or 5 incher 40, but for now, I'm content.

 

[taliv]

i guess that is a legitimate reason, alduro. when i get home, i tend to think of switching from a handgun to a rifle, but if circumstances ($, roommates, apt life, spouse, etc) dictate you only get one gun...

 

[Marcus]

The reason for mounting a light???
Um,so you can see and identify your target.
I`d like to see a small bright LED light made integral with LOTS of guns. ESPECIALLY compact CCW guns because they`re the ones you`re most likely to have with you! It could even be integral with the recoil guide rod. You don`t need 120 lumens to see some guy 6 feet away in a dark parking lot but it might be nice to be able to see if that object in his hand is a cell phone or a Glock!
As for rails on compact CZs,my CZ-40P is sitting on the nightstand right now with an M3 on it. I have plenty of guns to choose from but the way my home is set up using a long gun would be like trying to move through the house with an 8' 2x4. Marcus

 

[shooter1]

I think a weapon mounted light has it's place on a nightstand gun, or on an entry weapon. I prefer a handheld light for 95% of my applications. It is considered bad PR to identify individuals in the parking lot with a weapon mounted light. I prefer to keep "Roscoe" out of sight till I'm sure he needs to be seen!
str1

 

[Okiecruffler]

My PT145 has a rail on it, but I'm not sure any light would clear the trigger guard when mounted. Might be fun to play with a mini laser tho'.
Count me as another guy who prefers to be able to point my light at something without pointing my pistol at it too. Last thing you want to do while making shadow puppets is to blow off a thumb.

 

[armoredman]

My PO1 has the integral M3 rail, which will probably never have anything mounted on it. No big deal. Just a teeny bit more weight up front, that's all, unless I get the CZ bayonet optional accessory!!!

 

[Brian Williams]

Oxymoron
Light rail on a Compact handgun


taliv
Is that Air horn going to have threads for a Suppressor

 

[Walt Sherrill]

Why is a light rail on a compact any different than a light rail on a full-size gun?

Some of the compacts I've seen are compact in name only -- as they're often generally less than an inch shorter or less high than the full-size guns.

Just because the barrel is 3/4th of an inch shorter doesn't really change the potential value of a gun-mounted light...if and when you need it.

 

[BlkHawk73]

I honestly think the only reason a comact pistol w. light rail is even offered is because of marketing reasons. The newest thing. The niche'. Whatever.

My sentimants exactly. Glad I'm not the only one NOT drawn in my the overmarketed "tactical" crap.

 

[Ford]

the only reason I can see for it is a guy keeps a 3" XD in the console of his truck with the mini light on it. That works out ok.

 

[taliv]

Is that Air horn going to have threads for a Suppressor

threads are so 1990s... no self-respecting ninja would be seen without a quick disconnect

 

[JLGILBERT]

It helps manufacturers sell new toys .... new toys drive the market. They probably are not the most useful items on the market but people do seem to love the tactical light / laser combos

 

[kngflp]

You see them alot on these newfangled polymor framed guns. The frame has to be wider to be stronger...right? Maybe as long as you have a wide poly frame you should through some rails ion there to make it more functional and asthetically pleasing.