1911 conundrum. Keep or fix or sell

J.T · Sep 2, 2013

So I got one of these: (not my pic)

The gun is VERY tight and seems fairly well put together. Shoots nice as well.

My issue/problem...the SIGHTS. They are all black adjustable target sights. They totally wash out against a black silouhette. I'd like either white dot or night sights for it. Ive tried to remedy this by:

1. Calling S&W customer service. They said the dovetails are proprietary and I was S.O.L no replacements are available except all black

2. Visited 5 gunshops (4 are IP here) none had any useful info. I did NOT speak to any gunsmiths at said shops because they were not available.

3. Called Dawson precision. They make a fiber front but no rear sight. They have no intention to produce a rear sight.

4. Called wilson Combat. They "think" their tritium front and rear sight blades will work but if not I pay the shipping both ways and restock fee

I'd prefer to keep the gun but If I can't see the sights the gun is not of much use to me. So I'm left with finding a solution from a competent gunsmith or selling/trade this thing for another 1911. What would be a good replacement 1911 in the same price/quality range? Whats your opinions?

J.T · Sep 2, 2013

I'd also like to add:
- I do not have a problem switching to fixed sights if thats what needs to be done.
- The rear dovetail is NOT a BOMAR cut or any other "normal" cut. Noone can tell me what it is called

Mooseman · Sep 2, 2013

Sight paint?

Mt Airy · Sep 2, 2013

have you checked with Novack

J.T · Sep 2, 2013

Mooseman said:
Sight paint?

It's a ~$1500 gun I'll sell the damn thing before I put sight paint on it

J.T · Sep 2, 2013

Mtairy Biker said:
have you checked with Novack

No. Do they make sights other than "Novak cut"?

obsolete · Sep 2, 2013

The easiest fix is to sell the slide and buy one set up for carry instead of bullseye. Another option is to send the slide out for custom tritium.

http://www.tooltechgunsight.com/

jr88 · Sep 2, 2013

J.T said:
It's a ~$1500 gun I'll sell the damn thing before I put sight paint on it

Really? I have put paint on Les Baer and Wilson Combats, I don't see the problem. BTW If you are interested I have a set of 3 dots for a Wilson you can have for the cost of shipping if you think they will work, or I'll give you a grand for the gun.(then I'll paint the sights)
Come to think of it I wouldn't be surprised if Wilson Combats worked, my SW 952 came stock with wilson combat sites.

hvymax · Sep 2, 2013

jr88 said:
Really? I have put paint on Les Baer and Wilson Combats, I don't see the problem. BTW If you are interested I have a set of 3 dots for a Wilson you can have for the cost of shipping if you think they will work, or I'll give you a grand for the gun.(then I'll paint the sights)

Damn I was gonna offer $25. After all it needs work.

jr88 · Sep 2, 2013

hvymax said:
Damn I was gonna offer $25. After all it needs work.

You know, you got a point there. I retract my $1000 offer !

hvymax · Sep 2, 2013

I even have the pretty neon sight paints. Here is what I did with my LCP.

august1410 · Sep 2, 2013

J.T said:
It's a ~$1500 gun I'll sell the damn thing before I put sight paint on it

jr88 said:
Really? I have put paint on Les Baer and Wilson Combats, I don't see the problem. BTW If you are interested I have a set of 3 dots for a Wilson you can have for the cost of shipping if you think they will work, or I'll give you a grand for the gun.(then I'll paint the sights)
Come to think of it I wouldn't be surprised if Wilson Combats worked, my SW 952 came stock with wilson combat sites.

I have paint on the rear sight of mine.....but, it's just a Colt. :rolleyes:

w2kbr · Sep 2, 2013

Give John Carduner, a call. He is listed in the IP section.
Gunsmith Specializes in 1911. great guy to work with, and he also works out of
FREESTATE RANGE. Been there, done that.

R

(Disclaimer: we are Not associated with Carduner or Freestate)

Deep Creek Rock · Sep 2, 2013

These wont fit that gun?

http://www.brownells.com/handgun-pa...t-sight-set-s-w-1911-full-size-prod40150.aspx

mopar92 · Sep 2, 2013

Give Bobby at Bollinger Gunsmithing and Sales a call. He can set you up right by milling the sight for a Novak cut. That will open up your options considerably.

Mt Airy · Sep 2, 2013

J.T said:
No. Do they make sights other than "Novak cut"?

Novak 's is a 45 custom, shop they have a good rep and have done work for me.Give them a call and see what they say.

J.T · Sep 2, 2013

obsolete said:
The easiest fix is to sell the slide and buy one set up for carry instead of bullseye. Another option is to send the slide out for custom tritium.

http://www.tooltechgunsight.com/

Thanks

w2kbr said:
Give John Carduner, a call. He is listed in the IP section.
Gunsmith Specializes in 1911. great guy to work with, and he also works out of
FREESTATE RANGE. Been there, done that.

R

(Disclaimer: we are Not associated with Carduner or Freestate)

Thanks

Deep Creek Rock said:
These wont fit that gun?

http://www.brownells.com/handgun-pa...t-sight-set-s-w-1911-full-size-prod40150.aspx

NO

mopar92 said:
Give Bobby at Bollinger Gunsmithing and Sales a call. He can set you up right by milling the sight for a Novak cut. That will open up your options considerably.

Looks like milling is probably going to be the fix. Thanks

Pwilliams1 · Sep 2, 2013

I have the same issue with my usp9. I can't see the black on black, especially shooting a black target. Night sights are in my future.

Biggfoot44 · Sep 2, 2013

We'll presume for the moment that indeed S&W ( PC ? ) Really did use a unique propritary rear sight.

Long way round the bush answer- an Old School 'Smith with milling machine or hand filing skills modify your slide to fit (whatever) , OR adapt various sights to your slide , OR make custom sights of your own design to fit.

Best Answer - you already have good quality sights in place , you just don't care for the color scheme. Add color. You don't scrap a new car if you don't like the tread pattern.It is common practice to colorize/ decolorize your sights to taste. Experement with typewriter correction fluid (aka whiteout) in various colors. Use nail polish - rainbow of colors , removable in 30 seconds if you want to change or go back to black. Only needs touchup every cpl months for daily holster use. Or use paint , either "sight paint" or model paint.

Boom Boom · Sep 2, 2013

Post #20 is your answer. Just buy a spare set of sights if it calms your nerves. We are just talking about sights after all. Not high-dollar items when considering the bigger picture.

1911 conundrum. Keep or fix or sell

The #1 community for Gun Owners of the Northeast

Member Benefits:

Ultimate Member

Ultimate Member

R.I.P.- Hooligan #4

Ultimate Member

Ultimate Member

Ultimate Member

.

Ultimate Member

Banned

Ultimate Member

Banned

Attachments

Marcas Registradas

MSI EM, NRA LM, SAF, AAFG

.._. .._ _._. _._ .._

Official MDS Court Jester

Ultimate Member

Ultimate Member

Active Member

Ultimate Member

Hold my beer. Watch this.

Users who are viewing this thread

Log in

Forum statistics