Adjustable rear sights?

1306 Views 31 Replies 22 Participants Last post by mkk41, 11 d ago

mkk41

Discussion Starter · 15 d ago (Edited)

Why must everyone use a 2-pc adjustable rear sight with a huge separate base for a 1911?
It just looks like such an afterthought(!) or add-on! Which it is on a Gov't Model.

Why can't anyone design a slide and incorporate a low-profile adjustable rear sight into the slide from the git-go like Colt did with their Gold Cup?!

And why the heck did Colt go to one!?!? OK, standard high-production slide blank without the rib.

And yes, I expect to hear some Colt bashing for using a roll-pin, but that's an easy 5-cent fix. Other than that the factory Accro, Micro or aftermarket Millett is very rugged & reliable. Relatively the same design unit as any that use a separate base. The Ellison, well, , ,

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4barrel

· #2 · 15 d ago (Edited)

Should it look like this? Custom costs more for a reason and I'm glad. The $400 imports make it hard on others.

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Delta-3

· #3 · 15 d ago

Look at Novaks'.

markwell

· #4 · 15 d ago

How about S&W revolver sights set down in the top of the slide?

borderboss1

· #5 · 15 d ago

markwell said:
How about S&W revolver sights set down in the top of the slide?

You mean like Jim Clark and his contemporaries were doing in the 1960s? That's a great solution. It looks good and works very well.

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4barrel

· #6 · 15 d ago

markwell said:
How about S&W revolver sights set down in the top of the slide?

Like this?

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Swift1

· #7 · 15 d ago

mkk41 said:
Why must everyone use a 2-pc adjustable rear sight with a huge separate base for a 1911?
It just looks like such an afterthought(!) or add-on! Which it is on a Gov't Model.

Why can't anyone design a slide and incorporate a low-profile adjustable rear sight into the slide from the git-go like Colt did with their Gold Cup?!

And why the heck did Colt go to one!?!? OK, standard high-production slide blank without the rib.

And yes, I expect to hear some Colt bashing for using a roll-pin, but that's an easy 5-cent fix. Other than that the factory Micro or aftermarket Millett is very rugged & reliable. Relatively the same design unit as any that use a separate base. The Ellison, well, , ,

Target guns need target sights since distances and loads change. A question of function over form. Nearly all manufacturers make 1911s with non adjustable low profile sights.

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Sierra 49er

· #8 · 15 d ago

Some 1911 mfgrs install Novaks, but the ones I currently have, are fixed. Sigh...

Reactions: 1

gs50401

· #9 · 15 d ago

mkk41 said:
Why must everyone use a 2-pc adjustable rear sight with a huge separate base for a 1911?
It just looks like such an afterthought(!) or add-on! Which it is on a Gov't Model.

Why can't anyone design a slide and incorporate a low-profile adjustable rear sight into the slide from the git-go like Colt did with their Gold Cup?!

And why the heck did Colt go to one!?!? OK, standard high-production slide blank without the rib.

And yes, I expect to hear some Colt bashing for using a roll-pin, but that's an easy 5-cent fix. Other than that the factory Micro or aftermarket Millett is very rugged & reliable. Relatively the same design unit as any that use a separate base. The Ellison, well, , ,

I would like to see a range of heights for rear sights similar to the choices for Glocks. Lower to lower impact and higher to raise impact. These could be made for the standard cuts used on 1911s.
Another idea would be an extra tall G.I. cut rear sight that could be filed or milled to get the correct elevation.

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passx

· #10 · 15 d ago

I prefer an adjustable rear sight, and now after having my cataracts removed I’ve had to readjust my sights to accommodate my new found sight picture.

So what are favorite, best liked adjustable sights? The oe adjustable rear sight on my Sig STX is done very nicely and is quite robust, it’s a good one ! My absolute most favorite and what I believe to be the very best engineered adjustable rear sight is found on my Sig P210 Target, it looks like it belongs there and is quite robust, really holds its settings well. Doesn’t look like an after thought like most.

Now take that p210 rear sight and add some switchable rear blades for height and you’d really have something,,,, whatever that is…. Because supposedly once you get it set you really shouldn’t have to adjust it again,,,, supposedly.

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DouglasS

· #11 · 14 d ago

I believe that Wilson Combat's Low Mount Adjustable sight blends in well.

shopwilsoncombat.com

Lo-Mount Adjustable Rear Sight | Battlesight

Lo-Mount Adjustable Rear Sight, Battlesight

shopwilsoncombat.com

My EDC is a Wilson Classic, I have 3, and have had zero problems with them.

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NDL

· #12 · 14 d ago

Though not flush, these Kensight Trijicons sit low enough to work for me regarding looks, fit and function.

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DouglasS

· #13 · 14 d ago

4barrel said:
Like this? View attachment 682144

Beautiful!!! I'd like to see photos of the rest of that pistol.

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DouglasS

· #14 · 14 d ago

I think Les Baer and Nighthawk do a good job of burying their adjustables on some of their models.

Les Baer Custom Inc.

www.nighthawkcustom.com

Bob Marvel Custom | Nighthawk Custom

This 1911 pistol from Nighthawk Custom is built exactly to Bob Marvel's specifications with several unique features including incorporating the new Nighthawk Everlast recoil system.

www.nighthawkcustom.com

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James

· #15 · 14 d ago

Sierra 49er said:
Some 1911 mfgrs install Novaks, but the ones I currently have, are fixed. Sigh...

Novak will sell you the adjustable version and install it if you send them the slide. I think it has to be a legit Novak sight or certain brand pistol for them to work on though. Details are on their site.

Novak Designs Inc. - Main Page

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4barrel

· #16 · 14 d ago (Edited)

DouglasS said:
Beautiful!!! I'd like to see photos of the rest of that pistol.

It's a 1971 King build with hard chrome frame with original gun rug. I shot the cobwebs out about three weeks ago.

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jimh406

· #17 · 14 d ago (Edited)

I prefer the Bomar type sights. I didn't like the old Gold Cup sights since they are relatively puny in comparison. I'm assuming most other people didn't like them that much either, or they would not have changed to the much beefier Bomar type on the newer models. I don't mind the Novak adjustable sights.

One thing about it though, you can put whatever you want on a 1911 slide as long as you have skills or money.

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mkk41

Discussion Starter · #18 · 14 d ago

4barrel said:
It's a 1971 King build with hard chrome slide with original gun rug. I shot the cobwebs our about three weeks ago. View attachment 682165 View attachment 682166 View attachment 682167

YES!

The S&W K-frame sight was a popular custom installation. Not the easiest to do well either. Had to fill (weld) the dovetail slot, and the tiny T-slot for the elevation nut led to lots of broken cutters. I saw many where they just milled the dovetail slot and put the sight in that. Looked like crap.

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Boge

· #19 · 14 d ago

FWIW, it's Elliason.

Reactions: 1

mkk41

Discussion Starter · #20 · 14 d ago

Boge said:
FWIW, it's Elliason.

What's it worth if I blame the auto-spell? 😘

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