I like the factory sights for my Rock Island Armory 1911 but would like to install night sights. I have a tactical model with dovetail cut front sights. I see there are different style sights for 1911. Anybody here ever change there's out and know the size?
Sidearms & Scatterguns What night sights for my 1911?
- Thread starter Jrb572
- Start date
I would strongly STRONGLY recommend you head over to dawsonprecision.com and check out their sights. If you are confused on size call or email them as they have great customer service. 1911 sights have three factors: height of sight, width of sight (overall for front, notch for rear), and cut. Again, dawson precision has a great site that explains all of this better then I could.
With regards to type of sight I would shy away from night sights. They are VERY distracting while shooting, if you're dead set on them for a front sight that's fine...but go solid rear. Considered you have the railed model with real estate for a light, that will illuminate your sights enough to get a good sight allignment/sight picture. Furthermore I would suggest a fiber optic front sight (easily attracts the eyes focus and "lights up" with light introduced) and solid rear sight. Dawson sells them for 80 bucks I think and if you buy them at once you can exchange the front sight over and for a replacement if you need to adjust point of aim point of impact.
With regards to type of sight I would shy away from night sights. They are VERY distracting while shooting, if you're dead set on them for a front sight that's fine...but go solid rear. Considered you have the railed model with real estate for a light, that will illuminate your sights enough to get a good sight allignment/sight picture. Furthermore I would suggest a fiber optic front sight (easily attracts the eyes focus and "lights up" with light introduced) and solid rear sight. Dawson sells them for 80 bucks I think and if you buy them at once you can exchange the front sight over and for a replacement if you need to adjust point of aim point of impact.
there are RIA engineering drawings floating around the net that I ran into when I changed mine out a few years ago to find a fiber optic front sight and adjustable rear for mine. I wish I had saved them. It did take a lot of fitting though. The B&J machine p500 sight tool was a huge help.
There are a bunch of threads on the subject:
Replacement sights for RIA 1911A1 - 1911Forum
There are a bunch of threads on the subject:
Replacement sights for RIA 1911A1 - 1911Forum
I would second the recommendation from Sideways to consult Dawson. Great guy, great help, and if he doesn't have it in stock, he'll manufacture what you need. I have his FO front sight on my Caspian custom. This is the gun I carry in daylight or in the city at night with ample ambient light. But it isn't what I keep at my bedside.
I know this doesn't constitute conventional wisdom these days, but I don't put a mounted flashlight on my dark-of-the-night pistol. Saw my neighbor waving one around one night when something went bump in the night (we live in the big woods), and he made a great target. I use TruGlo TFO tritium/Fiber Optic sights on my night gun. They stand out big in pitch black or very low light, and the FO makes a bright sight picture in daylight. Not good for bulls-eye, but will hold minute-of-intruder all day. Just one man's opinion, but based upon concrete experience, not conjecture. Many will surely object, because everyone's night fighting situation is a little different, but most will have something useful to offer.
I know this doesn't constitute conventional wisdom these days, but I don't put a mounted flashlight on my dark-of-the-night pistol. Saw my neighbor waving one around one night when something went bump in the night (we live in the big woods), and he made a great target. I use TruGlo TFO tritium/Fiber Optic sights on my night gun. They stand out big in pitch black or very low light, and the FO makes a bright sight picture in daylight. Not good for bulls-eye, but will hold minute-of-intruder all day. Just one man's opinion, but based upon concrete experience, not conjecture. Many will surely object, because everyone's night fighting situation is a little different, but most will have something useful to offer.
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Thanks I appreciate the help. It already has a fiber optic front sight and adjusting rear sight. I own two glocks with night sights and have no problem using them. I just like to use what I am familiar with. But I appreciate the help. I will have to contact Dawson.
Call John Harrison. He makes a custom nite sight in several different cuts. Great guy, and his work is exceptional.
Harrison Design & Consulting, LLC
4313 White Hickory Lane
Kennesaw, GA 30152
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (770) 419-3476
Harrison Custom :: Home
Harrison Design & Consulting, LLC
4313 White Hickory Lane
Kennesaw, GA 30152
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (770) 419-3476
Harrison Custom :: Home
I have the Trijicon sights on my own 1911 and they're pretty nice. I've checked out the Mepro sights but didn't like them as much as the Trijicon.
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