1911 with a full length rail

[beefums]

So I am looking for a home defense gun. Originally I was thinking of getting a Glock 17 or Glock 21. Someone suggested I get the one I shoot better.

Well, I shoot 1911's better. So, I decided to get another 1911 with a rail in order to mount a flashlight. Now, I like the look of a full length rail on the frame. Meaning the rail on the frame goes to the end of the slide.

Does anyone have any reasonably priced suggestions?

BTW: I don't want a shotgun. Please don't suggest it.

[nugun55]

AFAIK, Springfield is the only mfg. that made a full length rail. They no longer make it as a standard production model. Several Mfg.'s make a what's called a "half rail" model. Depends on what you like and how much you want to pay.
I have the Springfield TRP Operator. It's a little pricey, but a fine pistol.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v638/Gplayer/My%20Toys/TRPwTRL-2lit.jpg

[srothman]

The only way I knof of getting a full rail is to buy a Caspian Frame and have a gunsmith build it. If you are going to be using it for home defense make sure it is a well known, reputable, gunsmith. Your life may depend on it some day.

I ended up going with a Kimber until I can have one made the way I want. Here is a picture of my Kimber SIS.

Please excuse the poor picture, my skills with a camera are not good.

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t165/cookieguy-guns/P1000591.jpg

[beefums]

Well, if I am only getting a partial rail like that, I'll go with the Taurus PT1911. It is relatively cheap and I've never heard of any problems with the PT1911s

[srothman]

The only big complaint with the Taurus is that the finish wears off very easily. I had one and after about 500 rounds and a couple of cleanings it looked awful. It went bang most of the time, when I pulled the trigger and was fairly accurate.

Just my opinion, but I would not want my life to depend on a gun that is "relatively cheap"

Whatever you get make sure and run several hundred rounds of ball ammo, and a few hundred of your choice for self defense ammo.

[xd357]

heres one http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=101983238

[srothman]

I re-read my post, and if I offended anyone with my comment I want to appologize. I was not knocking the Taurus, they make a good product for a good price.

My weapons I use for self defense are the best I can afford.

I also believe any weapon used for home defense should be tested before being used for defense. I have had several weapons that did not work right out of the box, including a S&W revolver. With the current status of production for mass produced weapons, it is pretty easy to turn out a "problem" gun.

Before I will use them for defense I run at least 500 rounds of ball ammo, and usually several hundred rounds of defense ammo. Any gun can be ammo sensitive. Especially the .45 acp with the wide variety of ammo. They make a 185 grain all the way up to 230 grain, and with the +P the velocity can differ several hundred feet per second. All of this equates to an extreme spread, and how it will effect a gun.

Again, if I offended anyone with my comment, I am sorry.

[Cross-X]

I sure do like that Springfield!

[beefums]

That Springer is exactly what I want. The best part about springfield is the warranty. They will fix just about anything wrong out of the box for free. They even pay shipping both ways.

[DaveA]

I just picked this one up. Melonite slide, scandium alloy frame. Great gun :)

http://www.smith-wesson.com/wcsstore/SmWesson/upload/images/firearms/108293_large.jpg

[Infallible]

I just picked this one up. Melonite slide, scandium alloy frame. Great gun :)

http://www.smith-wesson.com/wcsstore/SmWesson/upload/images/firearms/108293_large.jpg


Very nice Smith. FWIW I'm not a big fan of full length guide rails, just think they're a pain to disassemble. For 1911s I own both a SA 1911A1 Loaded SS and a Sig GSR 1911 Rev 2 tone. Between the two of them, the Sig is much nicer gun.

[nam02G]

My competition gun is an STI 2011 with a full length rail. You might check them out. Also has the advantage of being a high-cap.

[srothman]

There is a TRP with a full rail for sale in the classified, on GlockTalk if you are still interested.

It is not mine and I do not know the seller. It appears to be a fair price for the gun.

[ShipWreck]

I like the S&W 1911s, but the model with the rail doesn't look s nice as the Springers or Kimbers that have the rail, IMO. However, I have only seen them in pics. The S&W semi autos don't seem to be as popular in this area of Texas. I rarely see any, and when I do, its always the base, stainless mode.

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g320/mistershipwreck/mc7.jpg

[L-2]

http://www.lesbaer.com/images/monoti.j
I saw this Les Baer "Monolith" on its website. I don't quite understand how that light mounts on there, though.

[Short Cut]

I know of two, but neither is cheap. First is the Springfield Operator. They made these in a few levels of quality the best of which was the TRP Operator.

http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh67/JMB1911/Sep08003.jpg

The second one cost twice as much and while it may be outside the cost range of consideration it is one heck of a cool pistol. GI #2

http://www.guncrafterindustries.com/graphics/images/50gi_1_500_mod2_b.jpg


http://www.guncrafterindustries.com/model1_50gi_m2.shtml

[beefums]

I like the SA but cant find anyone that sells them

[bac1023]

I just can't warm up to railed 1911s for whatever reason. These pics are nice though.

[beefums]

I just can't warm up to railed 1911s for whatever reason. These pics are nice though.

I don't like rails usually. But there is something I like about the rails that go to the end of the slide. Something is sexy about it

[deadday]

What is the benefit of a 'full rail' over a standard(?) rail?





drew

[Short Cut]

What is the benefit of a 'full rail' over a standard(?) rail?





drew


A little more muzzle weight. A mounted light is still going to go back near the trigger guard even with the full length.

beefums the TRP Op with the full rail has been discontinued for I'm guessing three years or so. They're still around, but have been going up in value.

[Short Cut]

I don't like rails usually. But there is something I like about the rails that go to the end of the slide. Something is sexy about it

I think it has a cool look too. It's a neat part of my collection because it is so unique. It also serves as my primary home defense handgun. It's very reliable, accurate, has nightsights and the Surefire light. So equiped with a 10 round mag its a heavy sumbeach, but it also feels really solid when shooting it and hammers hold a tight grouping.

[vanilla_gorilla]

I have the Springfield Loaded Operator, with fixed night sights. It has been my carry gun for several years, and has become well-worn now, but it's still my favorite pistol.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b53/vanilla_gorilla911/wood012.jpg
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b53/vanilla_gorilla911/wood009.jpg
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b53/vanilla_gorilla911/various008.jpg

If you want one, your best bet is to keep cash on hand and cruise the For Sale forums, here, AR15.com and the 1911 forums. I bought mine through AR15.com EE and paid a premium for it, but that's the norm now. The full length rail is quite sought-after.

As far as why...well the main reason is that I like it. :supergrin: The extra weight out on the muzzle does help, too. When shooting 200 grain target SWC loads, there is almost no recoil. Attaching the TLR-1 light helps even more. I had the Milt Sparks guys make me a Versa Max 2 holster for it and I carry it nearly every day(the M&P is getting some carry time now, as of last week).

[bac1023]

Nice pics.

[MP1SG]

Here is my SA family, including my full length railed Operator

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b99/MP1SG/SpringfieldFamily.jpg

[srothman]

If you are still looking there is clean looking Operator with a full length rail on the 10-8 forums. I am tempted, but must fight the urge.

[Kaliburz]

Rails were not even available when I bought my 1911's. :crying:

I've been thinking of doing that 'add a rail' thing to one of my Para's.....