The recent trend toward accessory rails is a bad one.

[Airman193SOS]

You know what I'm talking about. Take the newer Glocks for instance. Some of you might say that the looks of a Glock can only improve, but I find that the rail detracts from the appearance quite dramatically. And for what? It gives me a place to attach a flashlight? Right. Who carries a sub-compact with an attached flashlight?

The problem is not that they offer these frames. If that's what people want, the companies are merely serving a niche group. But I want a Glock 29, and I'll be stuffed if I'm going to buy a new one with rails. In fact, I don't believe that I will ever buy a gun with one, except for the XD-9 I'm buying later this week, and that's only because they never made an XD without it and the price was unbeatable. I'll go to great lengths to avoid buying one. It's unnecessary, it increases the width and bulk in the front of the weapon, and it makes the gun ugly, like this one. A perfectly good gun, ruined by those fins and rails on the bottom of it, intended to attach a totally unnecessary accessory.

The companies should offer that as an option, not an imposition.

But that's just one man's opinion. Please feel free to disagree.

 

[DWARREN123]

I don't like/use them myself but my G23 has one.

 

[THE MACHINIST]

hip today ,gone tomorrow. it could be used for a scope mount on a glock. regular framed ones are notoriously difficult to scope and keep accurate .but hey its polymer and lightweight. my g-22 has one never used it in 2 years.

 

[Pat-inCO]

As long as there are holsters available to fit the "railed" guns, who cares if it has one or not? Nothing requires you to hang a flash light off of one, if yours has a rail, so why is there a problem?

 

[Airman193SOS]

It's the same problem that I have with the Pontiac Aztek or the Stata Center: they're butt ugly.

The rails destroy the aesthetics of guns, and since which gun you opt to buy is as much an emotional decision as it is a functional one (witness the Glock and 1911 fanboys here on this very board), it annoys me to no end to see guns marred with stuff I didn't ask for. I'd no more buy a factory bubba'd gun than I would a Hi-Point- even if they work as they are supposed to they're ugly as sin.

 

[Ragnar Danneskjold]

The purpose and utility rails serve vastly outweighs any emotional response. If you're buying a polymer weapon, chances are you're buying it to get the most function. That means including rails. I think the recent trend towards more functional weapons is a great one. I don't know how weapon frames are made or any of that, but I do know something of business. Gun companies provide what the most customers want, because that's how they sell more products and make money. Obviously the majority of people who buy polymer weapons are looking for more utility. Maybe it's too much of a hassle to make both railed and rail-less frames, maybe it's not. But it is what it is. I don't even own a weapon light or laser. But I'm still glad I have that option.

 

[Pilot]

Rails are dumb.

 

[Jenrick]

You tried sticking a flashlight on it and see if you like it? Heck if I could find someone who could put a rail on my P7M8, I'd do it (well and a good holster too). Being able to see what you're going to potentially shoot is a very good thing.

Admittedly being an LEO I've got a lot more use for a light then most people, but the statistically likely times I'm going to need my gun are the same as that of a civilian. In the dark.

Now I understand your saying a subcompact doesn't need it. Not going here or there, but you might try it and see.

-Jenrick

 

[loop]

Only good for special opps. I go to great lengths, including buying older guns, to avoid rails.

At least one smith has figured out that removing them is worthwhile - http://www.fordsguns.com/index2.htm

Learn how to hold a flashlight and a gun at the same time - or walk and chew gum at the same time.

 

[Wayne G.]

Whatever happened to the archaic idea of using a flashlight with the support hand rather than hanging it on the flip'n pistol?!

My Glock has them and it's no biggie. Kinda goes with the territory. However, I won't buy a 1911 with rails. Ain't happenin!

But I digress...

 

[lee n. field]

and that's only because they never made an XD without it and the price was unbeatable.

The HS-2000 (what the XD was before Springfield sold them) came without a rail.

Yes, rails are ugly.

It can't cost much (any?) more to make a plastic gun with rails than without, so until they go out of fashion or are technologically supersceeded (LED light in the guide rod?), I expect we'll have to live with them.

 

[XDKingslayer]

I see pick up trucks with tow hitches that people never use and I don't hear them whinning about it.

 

[armoredman]

My PO1 came with rails, never bothered me. I have yet to hang anything off of them, but like 4 wheel drive, handy to have if I need 'em. Having said that, with the preponderance of railed sidearms out there, it's a wonder there aren't more holsters for railed guns WITH doodads attached.

 

[Double Naught Spy]

LOL...

I'll be stuffed if I'm going to buy a new one with rails. In fact, I don't believe that I will ever buy a gun with one, except for the XD-9 I'm buying later this week, and that's only because they never made an XD without it and the price was unbeatable.

Rails are bad because they are ugly? You won't buy one. They are ugly...but you are getting one next week.

So much for credibility. more LOL

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

Meh. Eye of beholder. I use a streamlight TLR 2 on a full-sized home defense pistol, but have no gadgets hanging there on carry pistols. To each his own. Sure they hurt the aesthetics some, but there will always be a FEW makers who leave them off, and you can always buy those guns, if you cannot get used to them.

 

[JohnRov]

I imagine that 90% of people with rails will never use them. You won't find me using a rail-mounted flashlight on my HD gun. The thought of pointing a gun at my sleeping daughter to check on her if I need to is somewhat less than appealing to me.

On a carry gun, the rail only serves to add bulk to the gun for me.

 

[tinygnat219]

Airman193SOS,

Ummm, why do you care about accessory rails? I don't have any use for them either, but it doesn't do anything to the handgun. There are a couple I am going to try putting a light on, but nothing more than that. So why the vehement disagreement with them?

 

[Airman193SOS]

So much for credibility. more LOL

The same credibility that your writing lends you by saying "LOL"?

If I could get the XD without the rail I would. But I can't. More's the pity.

Ummm, why do you care about accessory rails? I don't have any use for them either, but it doesn't do anything to the handgun. There are a couple I am going to try putting a light on, but nothing more than that. So why the vehement disagreement with them?

See Post #5.

 

[anythingshiny]

wha?

as a TOOL of self defense I want it to meet my needs, and I NEED a source of light at night. I like 2 hands on the gun as necessary, although I have a 6P as well if needed to check on the kids, a rail is a great piece of functionality.

appearance is..oh i dont know...maybe at the BOTTOM of the list when it comes to why I have a particular gun.

If I don't need the light on while carrying, then take it off. At night either put the light on if its your only weapon, or keep the light on if it is your "nightstand" only gun and not your daily carry.

jmho

 

[HGUNHNTR]

I think people complained about the first hammer with the claw attached for removing nails, saying it ruined the aesthetics of a simple beautiful tool.

 

[another okie]

Here you go. No rail, good condition. Why get agitated? There are used Glocks everywhere and it's hard to wear them out.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=102102000#PIC

 

[RustyShackelford]

tactical rails on carry-duty pistols....

I agree that some rails on popular weapons are not that great looking but they do serve a use. If you use these pistols for defense, CC, duty or military ops, then a light/laser aimer rail maybe of use in the future, .

I would like the idea of holding a bright white light on my weapon or being able to slide a red/green lasersight on the end to ID a threat rather than use both hands in an awkward way.

I would also say US gun companies should make a standard type rail like the 1913 not have 3/4 different types...

I'd also use the smaller laser/light units on a sub-compact, . If you have a small pistol, a white light or laser aimer would help your aim and could deter a violent attack too, .

 

[M203Sniper]

Well;

I'm on your side buddy. Just as soon as Glock inc answers my 3 letters about single stack 9mm's and 45's that should be introduced anyDAY now I will be sure to mention that rails should be an option.
So with the original models in 6 calibers we get 6 more in single stacks, 6 with rails, 6 without and let's see....oh I'll just wait for the 5th generation glock 144's.

 

[NG VI]

I don't mind the rails on my guns, I actually think the rail on my USP 40 makes it look more finished, it is unobtrusive and really goes along with the rest of the pistol well, especially the front end of the slide. The rail on my Sigma, I don't know, either way makes no difference to me, again it would probably look less finished without it, but I don't attach anything to it.

However it would be criminal to put a rail on my CZ-97B, just wouldn't be right, the gun is already perfect and beautiful. The PCR I feel looks better than the P01 does, although they are both such outstanding pistols that the blockier front end of the P01 wouldn't bother me, and if I hadn't gotten the PCR I probably would have gotten the P01. Some guns don't have any business with a rail, especially not 1911s, except maybe a few commander length models.

 

[sevin8nin]

I happen to like to look of rails on most guns and don't see a problem with it. I don't have a problem finding holsters, but I also don't get holsters that can hold the weapon and an accessory.
I only occasionally put a a light on one of my railed pistols and park it on the night stand.

I understand your aesthetic dislike of railed firearms, but a lot of people like them, so they're going to stick around.

Just like I think big lifted trucks are retarded looking, I understand that big large looking vehicles are very popular and that there is demand for that, so I accept it.

It's definitely a bummer though that there aren't more options for non-railed weapons. It seems that a manufacturer could cover all of their bases by making a weapon in both railed and non-railed. The new sig 220 for instance. I think it's a great looking gun, and have no problem with the rail, but when I see older ones without the rail it definitely draws my attention.