[MTSCMike]

It has come to mean any gun that is particularly suited to para-military, SWAT or weekend commando use and most often refers to all the goddies and giz-whichets it may or may not have. In my opinion this leaves the real definition up to considerable interpretation and remains quite vague.

In reality, something that is tactical would normally be a tool or item that supports a tactic. If you wanted to be a survivalist who could dig a spider hole to evade the enemy then a folding shovel could be "tactical". If you wanted to remain concealed in a wooded area then camo netting or a ghillie suit could be tactical. If you wanted to prepare for night fighting or defending your position in a dark house, then a rail on your gun for light mounting and night sights could be considered "tactical". Modern concealed carry holsters are tactical since they support the tactic of concealed carry for self defense. Heck, my Hawaiian shirts are tactical.

It has become a buzzword for marketing all manner of firearm modifications, some good and some not so much, to the tacti"cool" crowd. Whether a rail or whatever is "tactical" to you should depend on the use you have for the tool.