M&Ps without rails?

[GKC]

I'm sure I'm alone in this opinion, or at least in a decidedly small minority here, but I simply don't like a rail on my handguns. Especially on 1911s, which should be a capital offense! I was happy to see that the Shield didn't come with a rail, but I wish the other M&Ps had models with or without a rail, like some have thumb safeties and some don't.

I wonder if anyone has sent their M&P to one of the aftermarket companies that do frame/grip reconfigurations, to have the rail removed? I wonder if it is even possible...would it remove too much material from the dust cover?

I've even thought about attempting it myself, but given that the frame is the serialized gun, and I simply can't replace it like I could the slide, and given that my best mechanical efforts are usually charitably described as execrable, I suppose I had better not. So, am I alone in this sentiment (not liking a rail on the M&Ps)?

 

[GKC]

I guess I am the only one!

Ah, well...there is something to be said for being "unique."

 

[N4KVE]

No you're not. I wish I could send my 40c lower to someone to remove the rail, & still look proper, like it came from the factory that way. GARY

 

[GKC]

I would imagine that doing so would void the warranty, which is why I wish that S&W offered a model without a rail. I don't imagine they ever will, since the demand for such a model would probably be small...and most people who don't use the rail just ignore it.

I've looked at some of the vendors who do grip reductions and so on, and I don't recall anyone removing the rail. Even if it voids the warranty, I'd probably consider doing it, if I could find someone who does it (with a reliable history, of course.)

 

[BillBingham2]

I think MagPul makes some rail covers to that might help. I agree that rails are needed on pistols and sadly also agree they will not come out with a new model sans rails till the market is saturated.

B2 (;->

 

[GKC]

I think MagPul makes some rail covers to that might help.

Hmmm...I'll have to check those out! Thanks.

 

[shouldazagged]

...given that my best mechanical efforts are usually charitably described as execrable, I suppose I had better not.

Tell me about it. While taking a welding class in college in 1955 I inadvertently welded a slag hammer to an iron work table. I'll see your execrable and raise you two abysmals.

I only own revolvers now, but I don't like the look of rails on pistols. I can see why some people want to mount flashlights on bedside home defense guns.

 

[epj]

I'm not a real rail fan. However, so long as I don't hang anything off the rail on my FS, I suppose it really doesn't hurt anything. The M&P isn't a "pretty" pistol, with or without a rail. Now, a 1911 is a different matter.

 

[GKC]

The M&P isn't a "pretty" pistol, with or without a rail.

Well...an M&P is prettier than a Glock! I guess being the prettiest of the pigs isn't all that much of an accomplishment, though...

BTW, I checked the MagPul site, and another one that makes rail covers, and they all seemed to be for rifles (AR-15s, etc.) I sent them both an e-mail asking about M&P rail covers, and I'll share their responses here, if and when I get them.

 

[tbc]

Well...an M&P is prettier than a Glock! I guess being the prettiest of the pigs isn't all that much of an accomplishment....

LOL. Very true.

No you are not alone. I also don't like the look of the rail but I can cover it with a light if nothing else. The beaver tail from the M&P FS, on the other hand, is hideous and I am considering chopping it off.





Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 2

 

[epj]

Well...an M&P is prettier than a Glock! I guess being the prettiest of the pigs isn't all that much of an an an accomplishment. [/QUOTE

Granted, the M&P is far more handsome than a Glock. I own a FS and two Shields. Zero Glocks.

 

[raymo2u]

if youve done undercutting then removing the rails shouldnt be difficult. i have done this to a p250 subcompact i owned with a belt sander and a xacto-knife to remove the excess/heated waste. i removed the tips of the rails at a 45° plane then used a buffing wheel on a dremel to smooth it out or 600 grit then 800 then 100 grit sandpaper.

 

[thanselm]

Well...an M&P is prettier than a Glock! I guess being the prettiest of the pigs isn't all that much of an accomplishment, though...

BTW, I checked the MagPul site, and another one that makes rail covers, and they all seemed to be for rifles (AR-15s, etc.) I sent them both an e-mail asking about M&P rail covers, and I'll share their responses here, if and when I get them.

The MagPul Ladder Rail Panel fits OK on my full sized M&P 9. The material is soft enough that it can easily be cut to length. Unfortunately, it does stick out a little bit on the sides, and you'd be able to tell that the rail is still there, just covered.

 

[11e40]

you are not alone. that's the reason i've not got an M&P or any other pistol with a rail. i don't need or want a light or bayonet or any thing on the front of my pistol. it is just for something to snag on. thanks for listening.

 

[spad124]

I'm sure I'm alone in this opinion, or at least in a decidedly small minority here, but I simply don't like a rail on my handguns. Especially on 1911s, which should be a capital offense! I was happy to see that the Shield didn't come with a rail, but I wish the other M&Ps had models with or without a rail, like some have thumb safeties

No no, you are not alone! The only firearm I have with rails is a M&P 22. My other auto loader pistols, including a GI clone 1911, do not have rails. Neither do my long guns including my HD 870.

I recently ordered a M&P Sport carbine. Part of the reason I decided on that model is that it does not have rails on the hand guard.

I agree the worst abomination is a railed 1911. A railed revolver is a very close second! Well, maybe a railed revolver is first. I can accept rails on poly guns like Glocks, but rails are kind of designed in, not added as a marketing device.

 

[raymo2u]

the worst i have to say is that add on rail for the judge revolver...or the 6" chiappa rhino with dual rails

 

[GKC]

The MagPul Ladder Rail Panel fits OK on my full sized M&P 9. The material is soft enough that it can easily be cut to length. Unfortunately, it does stick out a little bit on the sides, and you'd be able to tell that the rail is still there, just covered.

I got a response from MagPul, and it said that their rail covers would fit on a standard 1913 Picatinny rail, which I assume is what is on the M&P and SD/SDVE pistols, but not the SW (Sigma) pistols.

 

[GKC]

if youve done undercutting then removing the rails shouldnt be difficult. i have done this to a p250 subcompact i owned with a belt sander and a xacto-knife to remove the excess/heated waste. i removed the tips of the rails at a 45° plane then used a buffing wheel on a dremel to smooth it out or 600 grit then 800 then 100 grit sandpaper.

In my hands:

belt sander = an electric sanding tool commonly used to convert minor touch-up jobs into major refinishing jobs; works extremely well as a launcher to send objects flying across the room so as to dent or break any valuable object in the room.

Xacto-knife = a hand-held, manual cutting tool used to slice open fingers, palms, and any surfaces not intended to be cut.

Dremel = a small, electric, hand-held tool used to finish destroying the surface and underlying material of any surfaces not already ruined when using the belt sander.

Sand paper = used to scratch the finish on areas adjacent to the area being worked on.

 

[forrestinmathews]

Interesting ideas all around. It would appear that you could grind the lugs to the flats, but it would then appear to make the dust cover quite thin. You could also round off the channels on either side leaving a more rounded and holster friendly profile. I would think that if the rails were offensive and hanging anything up, the easiest route would be to cover them.

 

[raymo2u]

sorry i was inclined to post something to try and help...i used to work on my RC's alot so im used to "fixing" things i dont prefer. it takes practice practice practice