|
|
| L to R: Standard dust cover, Dawson rail, shortened and full length Springfield Picatinny rails |
For duty use, the 1911 really needs a dedicated weaponlight. It is an area that
I've been diligently researching since the inception of the rail framed 1911s, and
I think I some useful insight to offer here. The most commonly overlooked points
to consider in picking light rail 1911s are light compatibility and holster
availability, so that's where we'll begin.
First, let's examine the types of mounting rails:
Picatinny (aka 1913): The milspec rail, most commonly found on the integral
light rail 1911s. Though the dimensions are supposed to be standardized, you will
find wide variances between manufacturers.
Glock (aka Universal): More or less a Weaver spec rail, it has only one
cross slot that is narrower than that of the 1913 rails. This has become a second
industry standard for rail dimensions, but is relatively uncommon on current
production 1911s.
Dawson: A proprietary add on adapter, it is smaller than the 1913 and
Universal rails, but is only compatible with lights fitted with the Dawson
adapter.
Next, one must consider the various lights:
ITI M3, M3x, M6, M6x: This family of 6 volt incandescent lights feature a
fixed rail width, but are available with interchangeable cross bars to accommodate
1913 and Universal cross slots. With bodies molded entirely of polymer, the ITI
lights are lightweight and available at competitive prices. Unfortunately, the
downside is that these lights have not proven to be as rugged as we'd like to see.
The nominal 60 lumen M3 has historically been known to last only about 1000
rounds before failure of some sort, typically a lamp breakage. The primary
advantage of the line is their light weight and lower price point. The M3x
features a larger bezel and nominal 120 lumen output. The M6 and M6x integrate a
nominal 120 lumen white light and a visible laser. It is worthwhile to note that
the M6x requires removal from the weapon for battery changes, and the laser does
not return to zero upon reinstallation. All ITI lights share a common style of
shuttle switch for momentary and constant on illumination. A tape switch for
activation with the middle finger of the shooting hand is available, but it
removes the shuttle switch. The tape switch is quite fatiguing to use for long
searches, so you may consider staying with the shuttle switch. The brighter,
redesigned, and ruggedized "X" series lights are the better choice if you decide
to purchase an ITI light.
Surefire X200 A/B: This light features a machined aluminum body with a
polymer switchplate. The three watt Luxeon LED of the X200A provides a focused
narrow beam output of approximately 60 lumens with two DL123 lithium batteries.
The 5 watt LED X200B model provides a more diffuse beam and wider light pattern.
Adjustable rails and interchangeable locking pieces allow for compatibility with
different rail dimensions as well as both Universal and Picatinny rails. The X200
will fit into holsters where the ITI M3 is indicated, but will be loose since it
is smaller. Choose the dedicated X200 holster where possible, or plan on using a
heat gun to modify for fit. Weapon-specific slimline and DG tape switches are
available for the Springfield/Caspian/Kimber rail frame. A slimline switch is
also available for the MR07 mounted X200. The Surefire tape switches preserve the
shuttle switch, providing a variety of momentary and constant on options.
Surefire Nitrolon series: With a body molded of tough, lightweight
synthetic and an aluminum bezel, these incandescent lights are 1913 compatible and
also available with a Dawson adapter. With the appropriate lamp assembly, these 6
volt lights can provide 60 or 120 lumens of output. The body of the light
features a shuttle switch, similar to the crossbolt safety traditionally seen on
shotguns and rifles. It is configured as a constant on/off switch or as a system
disable, depending on which version you get. Some versions are also available
with a weapon specific tape switch in conjunction with the shuttle switch. The
main weakness with this system is that the battery compartment is not waterproof.
This line of lights appears to have been discontinued, but you may still find some
floating around.
Surefire Military series: Compatible with the Dawson and MR07 adapters, it
features a rugged machined aluminum body and is waterproof. It features the DG
tape switch which places a small square pad on the front strap for activation by
your middle finger. It is a great light, but is quite expensive. This light also
unfortunately appears to have been discontinued, but is worth finding.
Surefire Classic 310R/610R: The original integral light mount. Though
discontinued, they are still widely in service. The special slide stop on this
unit proved to be problematic, and the new MR07 (see below) mount solves these
problems.
Lastly, one must consider the availability of holsters.
Keep in mind that a holster that holds the gun only, like the Safariland 560
adjustable holster (which can accommodate all the light rail guns without lights
attached), defeats the whole purpose of an integral weaponlight. The separate
light carriers that allow "quick attach" of the light when you need it are
forgetting a key issue. That is, when you have had a successful search using the
light system and have found someone and need to go hands on, how do you now
holster your gun? No one should reasonably be able to tell you that you will be
able to safely detach the light from the muzzle end of your gun and reholster two
separate items under stress. Something as mundane as negotiating an obstacle or
climbing up into an attic will also necessitate some reholstering. Fortunately,
new vendors and holster options are coming on line all the time with the
appropriate type of holster.
The industry mainstay, the Safariland 6004, remains at the forefront of your
choices for your light mounted 1911. Their 560 and 561 paddle and belt mounted
Custom Fit holsters feature moveable rollers and adjustable tension, and any
number of the 1911s without a mounted light should be accommodated by these
rigs.
For reference, here are the available Safariland 6004 model numbers for right
handed, black holsters:
6004-538-xxx 1911 w/ Dawson Rail or SureFire MR07 with SureFire Military Light
6004-5340-xxx Kimber Warrior/TLE, Springfield Operator, Wilson CQB, Nighthawk GRP
with SureFire X200 (should also work with Dawson Rail and X200 Combo)
6004-5621-xxx Same guns above with ITI M3 or M6. Also works with the MR07 Mount
and X200.
6004-533-xxx 1911 with SureFire Classic 310R
6004-536-xxx 1911 with SureFire Classic 610R
6004-5322-xxx 1911 with Caspian Bolt-on Rail with ITI M6x
The last three digits designate color and handedness. The first two digits of this
series pertain to color:
12 Black
51 OD/Ranger Green
55 Coyote/FDE Brown
The last digit of the series pertains to handedness.
1 Right Hand
2 Left Hand
Thus, a 6004 for a Dawson Railed 1911 with Military Light, Coyote/FDE, in right
hand configuration would be 6004-538-551.
Keep in mind that a $60 heat gun can make one of the above holsters work for an
unexpected gun/light combination. Any of the "should fit" notations below can
become "will fit" with a little heat gun work. The 6004-5322-xxx is rather large,
and can be heated and reshaped to accommodate a number of differently configured
systems.
Blade Tech is making a variety of holsters to accommodate the various gun and
gun/light combinations. Their excellent straight drop belt holster is available
for the SA and Kimber w/o light. Their holster, being open at the back, also
accommodates a Dawson adapter.
My personal favorite for open top Kydex holsters is Comp-Tac Victory Gear. They
make weapon specific holsters for a variety of rail format 1911s.
And now the guns...
Caspian Recon rail frame: The original rails were Glock/Universal spec, but
current frames are Picatinny. The dust cover is reinforced. These will fit into
the 6004 for the Operator with M3.
Springfield Operator: This gun has existed in various configurations, but
it boils down to full length rail or ¾ length rail version. Either way, the
Picatinny spec rail is full length and very strong. It's your choice whether you
want the extra material out front. I have both and like them both, no biggie
either way. It will fit with ITI or X200 into a purpose built 6004. With the ITI
M3x it can be fit into the 6004-5322-121 with some heat gun work.
Wilson CQB/Light Rail: same as Caspian Recon.
Nighthawk GRP Recon: same as Caspian Recon.
Sig GSR 1911: Rail is a Caspian Recon, but slide is a proprietary profile
which eliminates ready holster fit with currently available options.
Kimber TLE/RL II: Rail is Picatinny spec with a reinforced dust cover.
The rail features a longitudinal cut to allow compatibility with Surefire Nitrolon
lights.
Kimber Warrior: Same frame as TLE/RL II.
Dawson Precision rail: I like this setup a lot. One of my favorite
personal guns uses this platform, and it has some interesting advantages. The rail
is fairly small, and the gun WILL fit into a standard Blade Tech Kydex open top
holster. With a smaller diameter nylon bushing around the tension screw, the
standard 6004 will accept a Dawson rail equipped gun without the light installed.
With a Surefire Military Series light, it will fit into the dedicated 6004. With a
Dawson X200 adapter, it will fit into the 6004 for the Operator/M3 with only a
tension screw adjustment. So far, this setup seems to be the heat for
retrofitting an existing gun. You can get a gun that'll fit into some normal
holsters (typically synthetic ones with open backs) and is concealable for plain
clothes work, then snap on a light for uniform or SWAT duties. With proper
installation, loosening of the mount is not an issue.
Caspian bolt/weld on rail: It is functional, albeit somewhat large. Other
than the one dedicated Safariland 6004, no other holster options (with or without
light attached) exist.
Surefire MR07: An add on rail adapter from Surefire that features a
Picatinny spec rail with one cross slot. It accommodates a mount-specific
Nitrolon series light - the P117C (constant on shuttle, with tape switch), the
P117D (system disable shuttle, with tape switch), or the X200 with a modified
Universal latch. Of the above listed systems, I prefer the P117D due to the
excellent switching options. The adapter itself is machined from an extrusion,
and features a set screw to tension it against the trigger guard. You can use an
Allen wrench or the rim of a cartridge to tighten the screw. It is held against
the front of the frame using a special slide stop and the above set screw. The
two piece slide stop is a beefy unit fully machined from bar stock, and features a
separate .200" diameter pin and an ergonomic lever. This new slide stop is a
giant improvement over the old Classic 610R system and provides a good fit and
reliable lockback. The mount is easy to attach to a standard 1911, and provides a
non-invasive weaponlight mounting capability. Installation is quick and simple,
requiring only the rim of a cartridge and an extra 60 seconds or so to mount
during normal field stripping. It's a good answer if you can't or don't want to
permanently modify your pistol. Safariland is planning to make holsters for the
system, but if you must have one now, it is possible to modify the ever handy
6004-5322-121 to fit it with the Nitrolon light. There is just barely enough
Kydex there, and after about an hour of heat and try, I was able to make a 100%
functional rig out of it. A helpful hint here: you must partially inflate the
sight track at the top of the holster to capitalize on the extra material up top.
An MR07 with mounted X200 will also fit into 6004-533-xxx.
Given the mind boggling combinations of 1911s and lights, you can see why the
holster manufacturers haven't jumped all over tooling up for every one. Likewise,
don't jump on some new factory or custom 1911 and light combination before you've
thought out how you will holster it. Be a smart end-user and select a complete
weapon system to serve your needs.
|
