1911 rail pistol really needed?

Started carrying a 1911 again (S&W 1911SC E Series, Commander round tail) and now wondering if my house gun should go the route of a 1911 Rail pistol.

Currently have a M&P 9mm with Crimson Trace / with Surefire x300 as house gun.

Ideas? Thoughts? Any and all welcome.

I thought that railed 1911's were cool until I handled one in person. Heavy and way too nose heavy. Felt very unbalanced to me. I then decided I liked my pistols KISS. And for concealed carry that extra bulky barrel and dust cover area will dig into your thigh when carried IWB.
I can carry a 1911 or CZ75B very comfortably IWB thanks to their slender barrels and frames. Where as my XD45 is bulkier there and presses into me after a while. The new polymer pistols are lighter. But the extra bulk there makes them less comfortable to carry.

It's kind of a love hate thing with me. I am very picky with the 1911's with rails, some I like, some I don't. Some don't fit holsters that others do, you almost have to go custom if you want a perfect holster for the 1911 and light combo you choose.

I will say, my step brother recently got an Ed Brown Special Forces with a rail and has a Surefire X200 on it and it's a sweet gun. Shooting it is like butter especially with the light on there. I would say it's not a bad idea to get a railed 1911 if you would like a pistol with the same manual of arms and the ability to have a light. If you don't care for them then keep on using the M&P 9 with light and keep the 1911's more traditional.

Then again, S&W makes a sweet looking railed 1911 which wouldn't be a bad addition either

I like the way rails look on 1911s.

If you are set on your HD gun being a 1911 then yes, it should have a rail and mounted light (can't do better than the X300 you have now with added DG switch) My CCW Commander does not have a rail and I prefer it that way...my Rail Gun does and lives mostly in my nightstand with attached X300.

I thought rail guns were for the computermandos like the Desert Eagle .50 cal. but the RIA has started to grow on me. Plus, for HD it makes good sense. After training my ass off starting way back in the last century using a two handed grip, I recently missed an easy head shot on a coyote in the yard because I had to hold a Mag lite and shoot one handed.

If I did aquire a rail gun it would actually have a light (although the RIA Tactical does look tuff without one ) and I'd practice at night.

My nightstand gun.

Kimber Warrior with trl1 for night stand

Kimber Warrior for concealed carry everyday

My new nightstand gun.

It shoots great with the x300 on it, the weight balances very well and its close to shooting a 9mm 1911. Im astounded by the accuracy I and everyone that shoots it that it produces.

My just about everyday carry guns.

I dont think I will be every trying to drag my Operator around concealed. It is heavy, and an IWB doesnt exist with that will carry the light mounted. Not that Id try to cram that much inside my blue jeans. But whats the point of having the x300 in a pocket with the gun in a holster.

To answer a few questions I was PMd with.

My M&Ps all have thumb safeties (only on the left side due to Crimson Trace) and the X300 light does have the grip switch. Which would be the same
setup for the rail 1911. The rail 1911 would not be a carry gun but only a house gun with a 10 round mag. (I have two 10 round mags that have never failed me){chip mc.}

The wifes carry pistol is a M&Pc in 9mm with her house pistol being the same M&P full size, x300 and CT as mine.

I have enjoyed 1911s on and off for years and back on again with finding the S&W 1911SC E Series.

As a civi I can't imagine a scenario where I'd carry pistol with a flashlight attached to it. Truck gun, HD yeah, concealed, no.

Whats the details on the 10-8 sighted Gov. ? What front sight you using and how do you like the U notch?

Thoughts: Good idea to have the same platform for all your defensive handguns. Good idea to have a full size gun. Good idea to have a rail (hence a light).

Now, the main reason for common platform is for common manual of arms. You dont want to be thumbing around for a switch that isnt there, or vice versa in overlooking one that is. However, any pistol with a traditional US style mag release, and a "down= off safe" slide safety works the same as a 1911. It is not necessary to have a railed 1911 to match up with your carry 1911. I tend to agree with the balance issue, and you will have plenty of weight out front from your illumination. I'm a 1911 guy, and I definitely want a safetied pistol by my bed (the safety comes off as you move the gun on target, so it doenst slow you down a bit, but bad guys who grab your gun before you take an average of seven seconds trying to figure out how to turn it on. Strapped to my headboard is an XD45 Service Length TS, with an Insight XML.

For fun

Sure, everybody ought to have one. Operator platform, can't answer since I'm not one and never played one on tv.

Home Defense ?

Kinda lights yourself up, don't you think ? I like a light in one hand and handgun in another.

YMWV.

My setup at home uses a X200 with a SF TG11 switch (X300 and DG switches? They didn't become available until later) , but otherwise we seem to be in agreement

needed? hell no. most of my toys weren't needed but wanted like a mofo!

They both have their roles.

The only thing better than a rail, is a bigger rail....

I figure blinding people is blinding people. If they manage to throw lead at the light your going to take a hit regardless if it's on your gun or your weak hand. But it's like using Surefire lights, it's pretty unanimous a weapon mounted light is a superior setup. Atleast by the people that are actual "Operators".

Its an Ed Brown blued Executive Elite with the factory Trijcon night sight in the front. The U notch works really well, its the medium width.

Well I don't know about needed; but my wife and daughter can shoot them very well.
The added weight helps them to maintain recoil and therefore more accurately.
So I feel comfortable that if there is a bump in the night, my wife and daughter will hold there own.
Forgot to mention that they are fun for night shooting.

If you've already got a standard 1911, a railed 1911 is sure to follow...

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