The Colt Rail Gun is a Government-frame .45 ACP pistol with a Picatinny rail machined into the dust cover. The 5" barrel and stainless steel frame keep it firmly in full-size territory. It's not a carry gun, but the dimensions make it well-suited to home defense, range use, and light/laser-equipped duty roles. Weight is 36.5 oz. unloaded. 
 

Key Specifications 

• GSIN: COLTS-9LXLWHEB 
• Manufacturer: Colt 
• Model: Rail Gun 
• Caliber: .45 ACP 
• Barrel Length: 5 inches 
• Capacity: 8 rounds 
• Weight: 36.5 oz (2.3 lbs) 
• Frame Material: Stainless Steel 
• Frame Finish: Black 
• Grip Material: Wood (Altamont Hardwood) 
• Safety Mechanism: Thumb safety 
• Sights Type: Novak Carry with Dots 
   

Detailed Features 

The integrated Picatinny rail is the defining difference from a standard Government-model 1911. It accepts standard 1913-pattern lights and lasers without any frame modification. The stainless steel frame wears a black finish that keeps the overall look consistent. Stainless underneath provides the corrosion resistance, black finish provides the appearance. 
 
Novak Carry sights with dots are low-profile and snag-resistant; they're a solid production sight that most shooters can use without replacing. The Altamont hardwood grip is comfortable and has a traditional look. Thumb safety is the only external safety listed. Check whether a grip safety is present on your specific example, as Colt configurations vary. 
 
At 5" barrel and 8-round single-stack capacity, this is a conventional Government 1911. The weight helps manage .45 ACP recoil well. Concealability is limited by the full-size frame.

The Colt Rail Gun gets consistently positive marks for build quality. The stainless steel construction and Colt's manufacturing tolerances are the first things owners mention. Novak sights come up as a specific positive. They're a meaningful upgrade over generic GI sights and don't need immediate replacement.

The integrated rail is the feature most people buy this model for. Owners who run weapon-mounted lights report it works as expected; the rail is properly machined and holds zero under recoil.

On the critical side, weight at 36.5 oz. is the main complaint from anyone who tries to carry it concealed. The Rail Gun isn't really designed for that role and reviewers who approach it as a range or home defense pistol don't raise the issue. The 8-round capacity in .45 ACP is a standard limitation of the platform. Price sits higher than comparable full-size polymer options, which comes up in value discussions, though most owners feel Colt's quality justifies the gap. Aftermarket support for the 1911 platform is extensive, and customization discussions are common among owners.