Rails, we don't need no stinking rails

[Pigspitter]

I've always wondered if you could mount an M203 on some of those newfangled rail systems?

 

[Wetawd]

I don't buy semi autos anymore without rails. Only for the flashlight though I don't need a laser.

 

[M203Sniper]

I think Kd7 and Chipperman have the right ideas.

I'd rather have a flashlight for CCW so I don't need them on my carry gun (or front serrations )

My Home defense gun has 1 though;

so I would add shotguns & AR's need rails

"If its plastic it needs a rail, if its metal sometimes a rail can be useful sometimes not. If its an AR it needs 2 rails."


And 1911'a are ugly with rails.....Glock's should be optional- they always ugly and only have 1 "slimline" model.....

 

[Eyesac]

I like them on guns that are supposed to have them. Glock=yes, AR=yes, Revolver=no, 1911=no... I've seen some S&W revolver w/ rails on it :banghead:

 

[Dismantler]

Get a revolver.

 

[blackcash88]

Blech...

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...angId=-1&parent_category_rn=15714&isFirearm=Y

 

[Guitargod1985]

I think rails are great for a home defense gun, range gun, or car gun. For concealed carry, though, I don't use rails because you often need to find a custom holster that fits the accessory mounted on your pistol.

 

[SAWBONES]

I find "gun fashion trends" annoying.
"Tactical" light rails, extended levers, ambidextrous everything (even though I'm left handed), grasping grooves all over the slide...distasteful.

I'm all for truly-useful, form-follows-function features on a handgun, but I dislike not being able to get a simple, plain-Jane gun without all the doo-dads.
I do have one gun on which I actually use the light rails, a bedside-holstered Glock 21 with an attached white light. Otherwise, I wish they weren't there.

 

[Coastie2010]

I think that S&W revolver with a rail was designed at the request of the NYPD for issue to the shieldman on tactical teams. A revolver was better for use with the shield, since there is no slide for the shield to get in the way of. The rail was a necessary ugly, since the shieldman would still probably want the tacticool lights and lasers his buddies had, especially since with a shield in one hand and a pistol in the other, there wasn't a free hand to hold a light.

 

[harrythehorse]

Enkindler it's a good question, pointing a 'light' at someone when it's attached to a gun. And you're right, you simply can't reponsibly do it. The best discussion I saw on it was a discussion by pros about use of force, and the smartest one said the only way to go is low ready, which is also good because your gun won't obstruct your vision, and let the flood from the light illuminate. If you point a gun at someone it's a big deal, and curiousity does not meet the the criteria for the level of force committment.

 

[VARifleman]

Enkindler it's a good question, pointing a 'light' at someone when it's attached to a gun. And you're right, you simply can't reponsibly do it. The best discussion I saw on it was a discussion by pros about use of force, and the smartest one said the only way to go is low ready, which is also good because your gun won't obstruct your vision, and let the flood from the light illuminate. If you point a gun at someone it's a big deal, and curiousity does not meet the the criteria for the level of force committment.

Welcome to THR, although I have to disagree with you about the weaponlight issue. I do not think it is irresponsible to use one if it is on a home defense gun, and you aren't going to be encountering someone who is supposed to be there in the middle of the night.

 

[SoCalShooter]

How am I suppost to mount a bayonet or a sling or put on a forward pistol grip seriously!!!

 

[sm]

I am still not so sure about toilets for some applications, I mean going outside to take a leak negates having to flush the thing...and now I am supposed to be forced into this rail stuff?

Oh I don't have a problem with rails, there is place for them, just the penny's today are not made of copper, and they don't smush like the old copper penny's did.

Then again I cannot get to some rails like I used to, they have these big friggin' : Keep Away, Homeland is Going to Protect You and You can't have a gun near here signs.

I am better off with OLDer stuff, it fits in with my curmudgeon , hard-headed , rebelling nature.

They don't make 2 D cell chrome flashlights, with glass lens, and have the Intermittent switch along with a on/off switch.
Which ticks me off, as I was mentored on using one of these and Model 10s, BHPs and 1911s and...

Not so sure about this progress bidness, does the consumer still have input or does marketing determine what is mfg for consumers?

 

[littlegator]

Rails on some tupperware (like my S&W M&P), but no rails on 1911s and CCW weapons. That said, my nightstand M&P has rails but I use a tac light separate from the gun. And +1 on taking out the foreward serrations. Argh.

 

[Lucky]

Interesting. I heard railed guns don't fit as well in waistbands compared to standard. Never owned the same gun in two versions before to compare though.

 

[archigos]

My plan is (not currently implemented) to get a HD gun with a rail and use a flashlight+laser attachment.
I don't really see much of a use for them on a range gun, and finding holsters that will support attachments is difficult enough for open carry - let alone concealed carry.

 

[DougDubya]

The 229R and 226R are nice looking pistols.

Not that I'll put anything on 'em.

 

[cowssurf]

I'm with you. I'd like to se a few more guns with less rails. Not all, but just some more.

 

[feedthehogs]

Its just amazing how anyone gets shot without the use of a laser and flashlight.

 

[Ash]

Not a rail guy, myself. I have owned pistols with them, but never seem to keep them. My home defense pistol is currently an EAA Witness 45 without rail. It works fine. The only handgun that currently threatens that 45 is my 357 Colt. No rails there, either.

But, then, I don't like rails on my rifles, either. I was trained in their use without them. Yeah, I have scopes on my hunting guns, but my FAL, Mini 14GB, and such don't. The only military-style rifle I own with anything like that is a PSL with side-mount for the scope.

I understand why folks like them, but they are not for me.

Ash

 

[TAB]

Get a revolver.

they have rails on those too now...

 

[Phil DeGraves]

"Wait, hold your fire, let me make sure you're a bad person and not a relative before I shoot you!".

"I do not think it is irresponsible to use one if it is on a home defense gun, and you aren't going to be encountering someone who is supposed to be there in the middle of the night."

So are you saying it's okay to sweep a relative with a loaded pistol? I wouldn't think so. That's why you should be trained with the flashlight OFF the gun for that very reason. You need to determine if the person is a threat BEFORE you go pointing a pistol at him.
The LEGAL and COURT DEFENSIBLE approach is to determine whether that person is supposed to be there or not prior to pointing a weapon at him.
So the pistol is at low ready retention position and the flashlight would be in the support hand for navigation. Operational philosophy with the flashlight is in this order: Navigate, Locate, Identify, Engage. The only time the flashlight AND weapon are pointed at the subject is at the "engage" stage, not before.

 

[buzz_knox]

So are you saying it's okay to sweep a relative with a loaded pistol? I wouldn't think so. That's why you should be trained with the flashlight OFF the gun for that very reason. You need to determine if the person is a threat BEFORE you go pointing a pistol at him.

Or you can use a weapon mounted light that has enough of a beam spread that even from low ready, you can determine the identity of individuals in a room. The Surefire X200B and X300 work well here. If your home has light-colored walls, you'll be lighting the place up fairly well.

Handheld lights and weapon lights both have their place.

 

[XDKingslayer]

I don't use them, it seems like just more parts that may fail, break, get in the way.

How exactly does a rail add parts, fail, break, or get in the way?

So are you saying it's okay to sweep a relative with a loaded pistol? I wouldn't think so.

Yes, I'm saying it's ok to sweep a relative with a loaded pistol...No, damn it, it's about having the light to positively identify your target! How the heck to you come to your conclusion?

 

[harrythehorse]

Imagine if you're pulled over for speeding one night, and to get a better look at your face the officer points his handgun at your head. If all else fails consider the golden rule.