Why all the accessory rails on handguns?

[Bassat]

I don't mind the rail on my P365XL, but I'll never use it. Same with the optics cut (new models). My CM9 pocket gun has no rail; I'm fine with that. My G21 has a rail with a Streamlight TR-7 permanently mounted. That is a house gun that will never see the inside of a holster, though. The only gun I absolutely detest a rail on is the 1911, which by the way: does NOT need an adjustable rear sight, and ambidextrous thumb safety, a rounded main-spring housing, a square trigger guard, a shorter than 5" barrel, a non-skeletonized hammer, or a non-beavertail grip safety. Just my opinion. Everyone has their own likes and dislikes, much like pizza.

 

[blain]

You can never have too many rails on a hand gun.
What, are you going to use duct tape to secure your flashlight, laser, vertical grip, red dot, bi-pod, etc?

 

[Amishman44]

These pistols used would be what I'd look for:
Sig 226 40SW
HK USP 40 - has a proprietary rail that you would hardly notice
Or pick up a 10mm revolver and shoot 40 and 10mm

There are currently several Ruger P-Series pistols in .40 S&W available on gunbroker.
The Ruger P-Series pistols are rugged, reliable and, most importantly, amazingly accurate.
Search for P-91, P-94, and P-944 to see the .40 S&W pistols WITHOUT a rail!

 

[92FSTech]

Older Sig P229s and P226s are available in.40 without the rail, and are readily available as Police trades at good prices if you look around.

Also, the Beretta 96 could be had in .40 without a rail. It was quite popular about 20 years ago, and I imagine there are still a few floating around out there.

Or you could just live with it, and open yourself up to a lot of options. I too used to hate the idea of a rail on a dedicated CCW gun, but ended up wanting a Beretta 92X compact, and the only one I could find had the rail. I quickly found that it doesn't matter...the gun still draws, points, and balances the same. There's not enough material there to feel the difference, and it doesn't hang up on stuff like I've heard people claim. Lately I've been carrying a P220 compact, with rail, that I bought to give my classic P245 a break. Once I got the trigger upgraded to an SRT to match my P245 and the horrible cast hammer strut replaced with an older forged part, I can barely tell the difference between the two guns, and the rail hasn't been a problem at all (aside from needing its own holsters). Yes, it's not quite as visually appealing, but in practice it hurts nothing and gives you options if you ever decide to use the gun in a different role.

 

[W3s]

I agree, rails on pistols look too chunky and tactical, for my liking anyway. I don't mind the "rails" on glocks though, they are pretty sleek

 

[Peacekeeper3073]

 

[DadSmith]

I really dislike accessory rails on handguns. It seems most new and current production guns have them and I think they are ugly.
I really wish gun manufacturers would build more handguns without them.

Everyone knows what they are for.

FIX BAYONETS!
CHARGE!

 

[Trapper Jim]

1. They sell well to the masses.
2. They Reinforce the Ambience of the Classics

 

[Mgderf]

Manufacturers put rails on handguns so you have a way to mount all of the unnecessary add-ons that they produce.
Purely a marketing gimmick.

 

[KLB]

They put rails on handguns because people want to buy handguns with rails

 

[Trapper Jim]

They put rails on handguns because people want to buy handguns with rails

Yes. Or so they been led to believe.

 

[KLB]

Yes. Or so they been led to believe.

If people didn't want it, they wouldn't buy it. If they didn't buy it, the companies wouldn't make it

 

[INP8riot]

To put a light on it. I'm not sure why else a rail would be on a handgun. There are plenty of target models that don't have rails, but from a defensive use, being able to positively identify a target in the dark requires lighting.

 

[Itchytriggerfinger]

Dremel goes brrrrrrrrr

 

[bobzilla]

View attachment 314807

 

[BigMoose]

I hate the frame rails on handguns. Who wants a dang cheese grater on your pistol. (Seriously, some of these rails have some rather tough machined edges)

Now the new optics plate thing I could care less about, I just will never take the plate off.

 

[mmpsteve]

What prompted my thread is this: several weeks ago I decided that maybe I would like to have a compact 40S&W pistol by a well known and respected manufacture to enjoy at the range. I want a 4in barrel with a relative capacity of 8 to 12 rounds. 40S&W is a caliber that I do not have in my safe although I did have a S&W 40 (SVDE?)years ago and found it a pleasure to shoot and I thought I might like to have that pleasure again. Of course I need another firearm like I need another hole in the head but hey, I'm retired and enjoy shooting at Atterbury often.
Suggestions for a pistol without an accessory rail would be appreciated. And please no Glocks. I'm not a Glock hater I merely don't find them attractive.

For a range gun in .40, I'd go for a heavyweight like this one. Handsome pistol. GB showing about 10 or 15 without rails right now. You can find them cheaper, but this one's in good shape, and has ported barrel, if that's your thing. I'm assuming the porting is non-factory, but looks like they did a clean job.



GB link:
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/1021257260

.

 

[MrSmitty]

I was going to say that there are 1911s chambered in 40S&W but upon searching I only see "out of stock." They do exist out there but maybe only on the used market now


Is it just me, or is a 1911 in 40 S&W heresy?....asking for a friend

 

[Route 45]

Is it just me, or is a 1911 in 40 S&W heresy?....asking for a friend

9mm in a 1911 is the heresy. Whatever one thinks of 40 S&W, at least it is an American caliber and not a Europellet.

 

[MrSmitty]

9mm in a 1911 is the heresy. Whatever one thinks of 40 S&W, at least it is an American caliber and not a Europellet.

The Colt Commander was originally chambered in 9mm....Are you implying that Georg Luger was not American?