1911 Noob question/help.

[J's]

Looking for a little help here for my 1911. Just picked up a 1911 with adjustable rear sights and a plain black front sight. The front sight is very hard to pick up in low light so I've been looking at replacing it with a F/O front sight and leave the adjustable rear.

The front sight measures .180T. The rear has been elevated quite a bit by previous owner who claims its Zeroed. Is it possible to go with a shorter front sight? Possibly a .160T to level out the rear sight then re-zero it? Anyone have a setup like this that can provide insight?

[bug_eyedmonster]

I don't have personal experience with this exact situation, but yes, it should work depending on how high the rear sight is raised. If you plan to remove the current front sight, you can just chop it and check first to see if you can't estimate front the rear sight as it is.


Jerry

[Kowan]

You can call toll free at Dawson Precision and get advice.

http://www.dawsonprecision.com/CategoryProductList.jsp?cat=SIGHTS+FRONT

[kmullins]

J's,

Like Jerry (bug_eyedmonster) said above, just file down the front sight .020 to get to the .160 height. Then you can adjust the rear sight and see if it works. Easier and cheaper than having to buy different front sights and having it not work.

[J's]

J's,

Like Jerry (bug_eyedmonster) said above, just file down the front sight .020 to get to the .160 height. Then you can adjust the rear sight and see if it works. Easier and cheaper than having to buy different front sights and having it not work.

Good idea. I'll try this first. Any file work or is there one specific?

[tacticalcity]

I typically just replaced them both. I prefer night sights. Thankfully my current 1911 came with them. Had to put them onto a Kimber Custom II I owned for a short while. Went with Ameriglo sights for it. They were really nice.

Can't tell much about the sights from this angle, but this was that Kimber...

[J's]

I typically just replaced them both. I prefer night sights. Thankfully my current 1911 came with them. Had to put them onto a Kimber Custom II I owned for a short while. Went with Ameriglo sights for it. They were really nice.

Can't tell much about the sights from this angle, but this was that Kimber...

That was another option I contemplated also. Harrison makes a fixed rear and a matching F/O front. At this point I think anything is better than the current setup.

[himurax13]

OP, if you want to have the rear sight sit lower, you will need a taller front sight to compensate.

Personally I don't install night sights on my guns unless they were cheap and are better than the stock sights. I am more of a fiber optic front, serrated fixed rear type of guy. The Harrison fixed rear with the u notch setup and a matching.100 wide fiber optic front sight would probably be the ticket.

[hermosabeach]

The firearm will last you centuries.... get a good set of sights... and forget the $$$$$....

If your existing front sight is staked on, make sure the next set is staked on correctly...

Target sights give great accuracy potential... the Big Dot is a better sight for in home use....

https://www.xssights.com/Products.aspx?CAT=8208

[nothingextra]

Looking for a little help here for my 1911. Just picked up a 1911 with adjustable rear sights and a plain black front sight. The front sight is very hard to pick up in low light so I've been looking at replacing it with a F/O front sight and leave the adjustable rear.

The front sight measures .180T. The rear has been elevated quite a bit by previous owner who claims its Zeroed. Is it possible to go with a shorter front sight? Possibly a .160T to level out the rear sight then re-zero it? Anyone have a setup like this that can provide insight?

I've had to Google a calculator before ordering sights.
If the rear is topped out, that isn't unusual.
My buddy's Champion has a .375 rear coming BC he is 4" low benched at 10-25yds consistently.

I've had to swap out rear sights on my Sigs.

It's up to you, but the only thing I run an adjustable sight in is a 66-3 BC 38 & 357 will vary a lot depending on weight and particular load. I order by the case, and old S&W's are inconvenient to do sight swaps.

[82lightfighter]

If your looking to improve low light performance, there are better options (Trijicon HD and gold bead are my favorites) over a FO front sight. I have FO on my range/comp guns, but for my PD/nightstand guns I go with the Trijicon (got one set on a 1911, another on a G19) or gold bead (one set on a 1911, another on a G21).
I like FO in daylight or even indoor lighting, but in dim conditions it just doesn't work as well for my eyes.

[nothingextra]

I like a Meprolight front and a bar rear.
It's a Sig thing, I just roll with it BC it works.

[Josh3239]

The front sight is very hard to pick up in low light so I've been looking at replacing it with a F/O front sight and leave the adjustable rear.

F/O sights are not for low light, they are for bright, sunny days. Night sights are for low light and dark. There are a few hybrids out there, Truglo TFO and TFX sights.

[nothingextra]

Ameriglo sells some affordable hybrids.