I have come to a conclusion that I only like integral rails, like the ones on the SW series of guns. I do not like the rails that came with the TSW series. They look like an afterthought. I'd like to hear what others think about it.

I like every type of rail when I want a weapon light attached to that particular gun. I am apathetic to all rails when I don't. I decided to vote no preference.

Well, I was thinking our law enforcement members would prolly vote yay because of the need and with the rail, it frees up your hand. I suppose if I lived in an area devoid of any kind of light, I may feel different. But for now, I can live with out a light on the rail.

All mine have rails. I hang a light when I'm working. I work swings and although for part of my shift the sun is out, it always seems that I go into places that are dark. Rails are just my preference. I could survive with out them as I did in my early years but why not help myself----a light mounted on a gun means one hand free.

I'm thinking yes for a weapon I'd use for tactical reasons; otherwise, the answer is, no.

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N.R.A. BENEFACTOR Member

I say: Nay! Nay! Nay!

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1st Signal Brigade, RVN '70

If the pistol originally had a rail then yes, if it didn't then no. I like my pistols to be the way they were supposed to be. Example, Bud's 4586TSW and 4553TSW that I received with rivets instead of rails, they were sent to S&W for rails because it seemed to me that God intended them to have them. If they'd been ordered without rails and didn't have rivets, then they weren't meant to have them.

Another example would be the first series of Tacticals that didn't have rails and the second series that did. Whatever was "standard equipment" for a particular model should be retained.

Depends on the gun and what it's going to be used for. Full size for duty = yay. Compact for CCW = nay.

I've no use for the rails. I can shoot just fine with a light in my off hand. I don't use a laser.

I understand that some folks need/want these things. I just don't like the fact that because of that, I'm stuck with them on guns I might otherwise purchase.

I especially wonder why S&W put a rail on the 3913/3914TSW. Make the best compact CCW single stack 9mm and then screw it up with a rail. Makes no sense, to me. YMMV and probably will. Regards 18DAI.

Don't know any other method of mounting a bayonet on my pistol. The final line of defense in a zombie attack:

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-jwk-
US Army '72-'95

There is always this method, but it works better on revolvers and rodents than pistols.

Funny, hope the little guy is ok. I voted no preference, on carrie pistols i don't like rails, and on duty or tac. pistols i do.

The way I was trained, a looooooooooooooong time ago, is that the BG will shoot at the light. If your light is attached to your gun the round is coming right at you. Hold the light away from you in your weak hand.

In all fairness nowadays we teach using weapon-lights for quick target identification and to create temporary blindness in bad guys. My TLR-1s for example has a strobe feature that does a wonderful job of destroying the night vision of any would be shooter. The use of a hand held flashlight is fine if you prefer it, but I believe your non-dominant hand needs to be free for malfunction clearing, reloads, opening doors, etc.

That's just wrong!

I like rails on fullsize guns to give the option, don't see the reasoning of have a light on a compact pistol like a 3913. You make it bulkier than a compact pistol should be. IMO.

I really like the integrated rails like on the new CHP 4006's.

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M&P .40, M&P 9c & Shield 45

No rails , pistol , revolver , shotgun , or rifle for me. I do not want to point the weapon at everything because a light is attached to the gun. I prefer my other hand do the searching.

If you can't use a flashlight and a pistol at the same time, you shouldn't be using either!!

Exactly, especially if you encounter an undesireable up close you can push off or fend off. I was taught the old way, too but I like the "new way" better.

That sounds really good until you have a malfunction, need to gets your keys out, etc., etc., etc. Then have to turn off and drop your light, likely giving away your position in the process and then transition to clearing the malfunction (or whatever) while losing sight and focus on the bad guy. Good gun tactics are the culmination of training and experience often times built upon the lessons learned by those who gave their lives so we could figure out a better way. There is a definite difference in opinions on topics like this when you carry a gun for self defense and when you carry a gun professionally. Neither is right, neither is wrong, but the perspective is very different.

I know we've been working with dolphins and dogs; but I had no idea!

I voted neutral. I've got a TSW, but I've never used the rail. I have not felt a difference in handling, either.

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NRA Lifer Since 1971

Love the mouse mount.... Kind of limited on your choice of bayonets with that model mouse though

I vote for the integral rail, but of course I should qualify that vote.

On a combat shotgun: Definitely. Or an M16 / AR rifle. I had a sweet M203 grenade launcher that mounted right on my Colt AR15 I was issued. What a hoot those are to shoot!!!

On my nightstand gun I love the rail. I love the Streamlight on the rail. I want a free hand to open doors, move things, for balance, to drag a wounded family member away from a zombie while I return fire, all the wonderful things a free hand can do for me. I can always carry an extra flashlight if I choose to tie up that free hand, but then how would I carry my flamethrower?

On my pocket gun? No. I don't even want the stupid laser that's on there. If I need a laser for self defense something is seriously wrong. I train to not need the sights at 25 feet. I don't need to fumble with a laser and acquire sight pictures and steady myself and take a good stance, I need to point and pull and repeat.

Of course this is me, YMMV, whatever you do is better and please don't point out my errors because I am old enough to refuse your advice and stubborn enough to do things the wrong way anyway!

But yeah, I like the rails. They give me options and I have decided it's never a bad thing to have options. It's even my option to remove the thing if I don't want it.