Outfitting pistols with lights or other accessories can be nigh impossible unless the sidearms are equipped with accessory rails.
Handgun accessory rails come in various sizes, shapes, compatibility, and materials, but their appearance on a handgun makes the task of picking a light or laser simple and straightforward.
To help you find a handgun that’s easy to accessorize, we’ve compiled a top-10 list with pistols of various chamberings — 380 ACP, 9mm Luger, 10mm Auto, and 45 Auto — that accept at least some types of front-end accessories.
GUN TESTS GRADE: A- (January 2024)
Somehow, SIG Sauer managed to make a larger caliber work in a frame that fits your standard-sized SIG holsters — no big hands required. A five-slot rail allows attachment of a light or other accessory. Overall Length, 8.5 in. Overall Height, 5.3 in. Maximum Width, 1.367 in. Weight Loaded, 2.7 lbs. Slide Retraction Effort, 17.4 lbs. Barrel Length, 5.0 in. Magazines, Two 15- round blued. Trigger Pull Weight, 3.8 lbs.
GUN TESTS GRADE: A- (February 2025)
The Girsan knock-off of the Beretta 86 is unusual due to the tip-up barrel, which makes loading and firing the gun easy, especially for those who find racking the slide difficult to manage. There is an accessory rail built into the dust cover of the frame for a laser pointer or tactical light. Overall Length, 7.6 in. Overall Height, 5.0 in. Maximum Width, 1.2 in. Weight Loaded, 26.6 oz. Barrel, 4.5 in. Capacity (Double Stack, Flush Fit), 13+1. Slide Retraction Effort, 15.0 lbs. Trigger Pull Weight Double Action, 7.5 lbs. Trigger Pull Weight Single Action, 6.0 lbs.
8SIG SAUER P365 365-9-BXR3 9MM LUGER, $500
GUN TESTS GRADE: A- (Oct-Nov 2026)
The P365 as tested is a great all-round concealed-carry handgun. Light, reliable, but accurate enough for most chores, the 10-shot 9mm SIG fits some pockets. The frame’s pebbled texture balances grip and comfort well, and it includes a short rail for a combat light. SIG-specific lights fit best, but we found the TruGlo Sightline, $64, to be a good match. Overall Length, 5.8 in. Overall Height, 4.1 in. Maximum Width, 1.0 in. Weight Loaded, 21.7 oz. Slide Retraction Effort, 16.0 lbs. Barrel, 3.1 in. long, carbon steel Magazines, (2) 10-round steel Magazine Price, $40 Trigger Pull Weight, 6.0 lbs.
GUN TESTS GRADE: A [BEST BUY, Aug-Sept 2026]
The Canik Mete SF is a well-designed, reliable pistol. The Mete SF handled all loads and came out of the box running. The pistol made the best showing in both combat shooting and in bench accuracy. The slide is milled for a direct-mount red-dot sight. The frame features a light rail for mounting combat lights. Overall Length, 7.3 in. Overall Height, 5.0 in. Maximum Width, 1.39 in. Barrel Length, 4.1 in. Weight Loaded, 34.6 oz. Slide Retraction Effort, 17.0 lbs. Magazines, (2) 15 round Magazine Price, $30 for 15 round. Trigger Pull Weight, 4.5 lbs.
GUN TESTS GRADE: A (BEST BUY, Aug-Sept 2026)
The Springfield TRP CC is well made and nicely fitted. Three-dot tritium sights, an ambidextrous slide-lock safety, and a nicely contoured grip frame are good features. The lightweight cutaway frame is easy to carry. The TRP features a frame rail for mounting combat lights and has a black Cerakote finish. Overall Length, 7.75 in. Overall Height, 5.6 in. Maximum Width, 1.4 in. Weight Loaded, 31.9 oz. Slide Retraction Effort, 18.0 lbs. Barrel, 4.25 in. Magazines, (2) 8 round Magazine Price, $26 Trigger Pull Weight, 5.0 lbs.
GUN TESTS GRADE: A (June-July 2026)
The TACOPS shoots well and handles well. The only drawback is its size, but if you are able to conceal this handgun effectively, it is a great choice. The frame treatment is excellent. On the TACOPS’ front Picatinny rail, you may deploy a combat light much larger than with the original P365, which required a special SIG type of attachment. Overall Length, 6.6 in. Overall Height, 5.2 in. Maximum Width, 1.4 in. Weight Loaded, 28.0 oz. Slide Retraction Effort, 16.2 lbs. Barrel, 3.7 in. long, carbon steel. Magazines, (4) 17-round steel Trigger Pull Weight, 6.0 lbs.
GUN TESTS GRADE: A (June-July 2026)
We really like this set up. The Spectre is a classy pistol in its own right, and with the Icarus frame, it really shines. Function is faultless, and the pistol shoots much better with the aluminum frame. The pistol feels more solid, and of course it is. In this case, the frame provides a mount for combat lights without resorting to use of a specialty SIG-type unit. Overall Length, 6.6 in. Overall Height, 4.9 in. Maximum Width, 1.54 in. Weight Loaded, 28.7 oz. Slide Retraction Effort, 16.2 lbs. Barrel, 3.7 in. long, carbon steel Magazines, (2) 12 round Trigger Pull Weight, 5.4 lbs.
GUN TESTS GRADE: A [OUR PICK, April-May 2026]
The Series V is more than a steel-frame Spec Series. The trigger is one of the best striker-fired types we have tested. There’s nothing to criticize when the pistol’s target role is considered. While designed primarily for competition, the pistol features a light rail for mounting combat lights. Overall Length, 8.5 in. Overall Height, 5.5 in Maximum Width, 1.3 in. Weight Loaded, 45.8 oz. Barrel Length, 4.8 in. Slide Retraction Effort, 18.6 lbs. Magazines, (3) 23 round Magazine Price, $43 Trigger Pull Weight, 3.5 lbs.
GUN TESTS GRADE: A (January 2025)
This is a good pistol with interesting upgrades. Light, reliable, and good shooting in rapid fire despite its light weight, the M&P pistol provided excellent performance. Only a heavier and more expensive handgun is likely to outshoot this piece. The compensator does what it is designed to do. Overall Length, 7.25 in. Overall Height, 5.0 in. Maximum Width, 1.275 in. Weight Loaded, 1.98 lbs. Barrel, 4.22 in. long. Magazines, (2) 15 round. Trigger Pull Weight, 4.5 lbs.
GUN TESTS GRADE: A [OUR PICK, Feb-March 2026]
The Springfield Echelon compact checks all of the boxes. The pistol isn’t simply a standard Echelon with a shorter slide and grip; some effort went into restyling the grip frame for a better hand hold. When Springfield downsized the pistol, they were able to keep three notches in the accessory rail rather than four in the original pistol. This still provides plenty of security when mounting combat lights, as confirmed during the test by mounting and using three types of combat lights. Overall Length, 7.25 in. Overall Height, 5.25 in. Maximum Width, 1.2 in. Weight Loaded, 33.2 oz. Barrel, 4.0 in. Slide Retraction Effort, 17.0 lbs. Barrel Length, 4.0 in. Magazines, (1) 15 round; (1) 18 round Magazine Price, $34 for 15 rounders Trigger Pull Weight, 4.2 lbs.
