View Full Version : Dawson Rail
I have a 1911 that I want to add a Dawson light rail to. When I order the rail does it come with the mounting hardware? Should I just send my gun into DP to have it done?
VooDoo6Actual
12-03-10, 16:22
Send it to Dawson.
rbabbitt767
12-03-10, 16:26
^ Definitely that. Let Dawson handle it for you.
What made you choose the Dawson?
The DP Light rail still fits in many IWB holsters (mine goes happily in a broken in MS VM2), mounts surefire lights (X200/300, Military), and can be added to a slick dust cover often cheaper than the price difference up to a railed frame. Tough to beat.
That said, I'd either send it to Dawson, or have MARS Armament install it and package it with an X300 adaptor. Unless you're emulating KevB...
I asked because I looked at both the Dawson and Novak rail. I wondered what made you choose the Dawson rail say over a Novak rail. I ordered the Novak rail yesterday after debating between them both. I got the Novak because I liked the idea that my Surefire will mount up to it without an adapter. Just curious is all. I could have gone either way so I'm not saying one it better than the other.
Novak makes a Picatinny type rail that will fit any aftermarket weapon lights that uses the 1913 spec.
http://www.novaksights.com/assets/images/lightrail/railnaname.jpg
It's bulkier than Dawson.
Dawson is a proprietary part that requires an adapter specific for Surefire lights.
Get the Dawson and have Dawson install it.
Whoever installs it should tack weld the inside ends of the screws.
theJanitor
12-04-10, 01:13
I've got a 1911 scheduled for the Novak rail. the only upside for the Dawson is the fact that it will fit in SOME standard holsters. the Novak generally fits in holsters fit for integral rails. since it does fit lower, you can order holsters fit for the MX3 and run an x300. if your Dawson adapted light goes down, chances are you won't have a spare equipped to replace it. and if you run an x300 for your long gun, the Novak also makes more sense. you can swap light back and forth, and only keep one light as a spare for two guns.
IMHO if you want a picatinny type rail then buy a railed gun. It will be look better than the Novak and have better resale. If you want to keep the sleek lines of the 1911 and be able to use MANY standard holsters then go Dawson... it actually looks good on a 1911. The Novak looks like ass and why not just get a railed version then...
Go Dawson,
I just had a Dawson installed on a SA Loaded Target. I chose the Dawson because I'm LE and wanted my 1911 to be able to fit a variety of holsters (duty w/light, off duty/ccw without light). Like others have said, more holsters will fit with the Dawson installed.
I'm near San Antonio TX and contacted Ten Ring Precision (Alex Hamilton is an AWESOME GUY to deal with) for installation. Alex pretty much made himself available anytime for me to drop it off at his residence, but given my schedule and some other factors that arose, I had a hard time getting down there. Send it to Dawson, I hear they have a 2 week or less turn around.
Browse Hilton Yam's site (articles and forums) for a lot of information about 1911's, in particular rail options.
FWIW
The Dawson is awesome by the way, love it.
theJanitor
12-04-10, 15:46
The Novak looks like ass and why not just get a railed version then...
In my particular instance, the light was going to be, more or less, permanently affixed. for this, looks matter less, and the Novak is more versatile.
With my 1911's, they all tend to get pretty expensive by the time I configure them to my liking. again, in my instance, I had a reliable gun that I can add a rail on for little money. I didn't have the funds or time to buy and configure a new pistol.
A railed gun will always be the better option, but out of the two rail systems, the Novak offers more functionality.
edit: also remember that the ONLY light you can put on a dawson is the surefire x200/300/400
I asked because I looked at both the Dawson and Novak rail. I wondered what made you choose the Dawson rail say over a Novak rail. I ordered the Novak rail yesterday after debating between them both. I got the Novak because I liked the idea that my Surefire will mount up to it without an adapter. Just curious is all. I could have gone either way so I'm not saying one it better than the other.
I haven't looked into the Novak rail all that much, but I've played with and handled 1911's with Dawson rails so I went with that I knew.
I had Dawson do the install on my 1911. Very well done, less than 3 week turn around.
You do know that you'll need an adaptor (that you can get from Dawson) for a X300 to interface with the rail, right?
You do know that you'll need an adaptor (that you can get from Dawson) for a X300 to interface with the rail, right?
I am looking at the Dawson rail as well. I am aware of the need for the adapter but didn't see it listed on their site.
About how much does the adapter run price wise and do you have a site link for it?
Thanks.
http://www.dawsonprecision.com/ProductDetail.jsp?LISTID=57B0002-1126315458
I had Dawson do the install on my 1911. Very well done, less than 3 week turn around.
You do know that you'll need an adaptor (that you can get from Dawson) for a X300 to interface with the rail, right?
Yes, I am aware of this. If you don't mind me asking, how much was it to get the rail installed?
Sorry, don't recall the cost.
The Dawson rail works very well with an X300...
If I was not going to go with a Dawson on a traditional standard 1911, I'd start with a 1911 frame with an integral rail, like the MC Oper or SA Pro model w/rail (PC9111LR).
eternal24k
12-05-10, 18:23
anybody have pics of the inside of a Dawson installed rail? Wondering how clean they blend the backs of the screws
The Dawson rail works very well with an X300...
If I was not going to go with a Dawson on a traditional standard 1911, I'd start with a 1911 frame with an integral rail, like the MC Oper or SA Pro model w/rail (PC9111LR).
This is what I keep hearing.
I scooped up a SA Loaded for a smoking price and if I like the way it turns out it'll be taking a trip to Dawson; I keep re-reading the blurb you wrote about duty handguns and have yet to determine if I am "dedicated" enough for the 1911.
edit: also remember that the ONLY light you can put on a dawson is the surefire x200/300/400
The Dawson will work with the X200, X300, and older surefire Military Pistol Light.
I would agree that there is a distinct limitation on what you can do with the rail, but when i evaluated what uses I actually had for a light rail on a 1911, it would be to install a weaponlight, and only to fulfill that role. Once I realized that, and that the X300 was my favorite light, the decision got a lot simpler.
If my adaptor or that particular X300 goes down and I still need a light, I'm reliant on my tertiary (E2D) anyway.
Hilton's Article on 10-8 pretty much sealed it that for my uses, the Dawson gave up little, and made the most sense for my application.
http://i797.photobucket.com/albums/yy252/ucfiveoh/SDC12432.jpg
http://i797.photobucket.com/albums/yy252/ucfiveoh/SDC12428.jpg
http://i797.photobucket.com/albums/yy252/ucfiveoh/SDC12425.jpg
The rail and inside dustcover FWIW:D
eternal24k
12-05-10, 21:46
http://i797.photobucket.com/albums/yy252/ucfiveoh/SDC12432.jpg
http://i797.photobucket.com/albums/yy252/ucfiveoh/SDC12428.jpg
thanks
UCFive, that looks very clean. Thanks for the photos.
UCFiveOh,
Was that Light Rail installed by Dawson or by someone else? I ask, because I have two, one installed by a pistolsmith and one installed by Dawson. The one installed by the 'smith had the screws dressed essentially flush as in your pic. The one I had installed by Dawson has the screws dressed not so flush. The dust cover is pretty thin, and there is limited thread engagement as a result. One of my 'smith-installed screws backed out and was lost during a training class. I replaced it myself and ground it down not quite flush, more like the Dawson install.
John Harrison will install and silver solder them on
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d39/sff70/6557972e.jpg
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d39/sff70/1bce5e8f.jpg
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d39/sff70/0fbdc226.jpg
How the Dawson rail compares to a integral rail (yes, both are mine)
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d39/sff70/DSCN0295.jpg
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d39/sff70/DSCN0296.jpg
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d39/sff70/DSCN0297.jpg
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d39/sff70/DSCN0313.jpg
Thanks for the comparison photos!
My pleasure. Incidentally, with a light mounted, you cannot use the same holster.
For duty use (light mounted on pistol), I have a 6280 for each setup.
For off duty (light removed), I can use a RCS for railed 1911, which will fit the integral railed gun, and will also fit the Dawson railed gun.
The sales rep at DP emailed me back. Costs $59 for rail install. Time to ship my gun out!
How does DP keep the screws from backing out? Are they silver soldered on?
VooDoo6Actual
12-09-10, 16:42
Loctite (permanent) used on mine no issues for over 6 years so far.
Mine was done by Alex Hamilton of Ten Ring Precision. Mine are also loctite"d" in there.
Incidentally I just ran my PD qual with it, one problem that I induced (limp wristed), other than that, smooth. I'm really digging the Dawson.:D
350_eight08
12-13-10, 14:16
Drakes Gunwork's installed my Dawson rail along with some other work, and did a wonderful job! His install was done using Loctite as well.
I am not sure of his turn around time these days as I had the work done about a couple of years ago. But I have included his link below.
http://www.drakesgunworks.com/index.html
This is what I keep hearing.
I scooped up a SA Loaded for a smoking price and if I like the way it turns out it'll be taking a trip to Dawson; I keep re-reading the blurb you wrote about duty handguns and have yet to determine if I am "dedicated" enough for the 1911.
Hoss,
Which of Doc's articles are you talking about? I'd like to read what he has to say about 1911s.
Thanks,
Pat
Hoss,
Which of Doc's articles are you talking about? I'd like to read what he has to say about 1911s.
Thanks,
Pat
From this thread: http://m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=19887
A properly customized 5" steel-frame single-stack 1911 in .45 ACP is a superb, unparalleled choice for the dedicated user willing to spend a significant amount of money to get it properly initially set-up and considerable time to maintain it. Keep in mind with 1911 pistols that calibers other than .45 ACP and barrels shorter than 5" induce increasingly greater problems. I personally will not use any 1911 with a Schwartz firing pin safety (like on the Kimber II pistols) as I have seen high numbers of them fail; the Colt Series 80 firing pin safety is the only one I might trust for urban LE use, but they have also been known to fail in harsh environments (particularly surf zone and high dust) so I generally prefer a standard USG style 1911 pistol w/o firing pin safety. However, I personally would not choose to carry most stock or even semi-custom 1911's on duty without making sure they were set-up properly with reliable function, durable parts, and ergonomic execution. I firmly believe that if you want a 1911 for serious use, the minimum level of quality for a duty/carry weapon is the SA Pro model (either PC9111 or PC9111LR if you want a light rail); if you’re not willing to invest that much into the weapon system, don't get a 1911... I write this after being around quite a few 1911's over the past two decades of military and LE duty, including GI, commercial Colt, SA (Milspec, Loaded, MC Oper, Professional models), Wilson, Kimber, Nighthawk, Les Baer, and Para Ord, as well as custom pistols by folks like Bill Laughridge, Wayne Novak/Joe Bonar, Ed Brown, John Jardine, Hilton Yam, Larry Vickers, and Chuck Rogers. I'd strongly recommend anyone contemplating a 1911 for serious use read all of the material on 1911's here: http://www.10-8performance.com/Articles.html. For folks who want a .45 ACP pistol, but don't want to invest the funds and effort into getting a good 1911, they would be better served with the S&W M&P45, HK45, or even a G21sf.
Does anyone with a Dawson rail know if you can use the Blackhawk serpa holster made for 1911 with an integrated rail? I was thinking about putting a Dawson rail on a Colt, and wanted to see if I could use a holster I already have.
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