Red Dot Sightsfor 1911s

[gdr_11]

I have increasing problems holding a good sight image with my pistols (age factor) and am considering installing a red dot site on one of my GI models to see if it helps as much as the magazine articles claim.

Anyone have any advice on what type of mount to use? Also, if the top of the slide is tapped, is there any impact on the gun itself beyond esthetics?

[TMC]

The only decent option with out going to a C-More is the Optima/J-Point/Burris Fast Fire type sights. These are small red dots that have bases that go into the factor rear sight dovetail.

http://www.burrisoptics.com/fastfire.html

http://www.jprifles.com/1.6.1.php

[gdr_11]

Great! Exactly what I was looking for!

[Kruzr]

Keep in mind that a red dot will accentuate any movement of the gun when aiming. You will be surprised at how much that red dot moves around when you think you are holding steady.

[sammy]

I have a buddy that uses a Burris Fast Fire on his Kimber and loves it. I have tried it and it takes a little getting use to but it works very well and is light enough that it does not effect the function of the gun, even with lighter loads. On the draw I find open sights are faster but the red dot is very accurate and downright fun.

[railroader]

I had a doctor sight on a cz 75 for a while. I was using a dovetail mount which made the sight sit kind of high. I took it off after a while because sometimes I would have trouble finding the dot because I would have to hold the gun lower than normal to be looking through the sight properly. The fix would would have been to cut my slide so I could have the sight sit down lower. I didn't want to cut my slide so I took it off and went with an adjustable rear sight with a fiber optic front sight. Mark

[maxicon]

The main impact on the gun will be the added weight on the slide, for slide-mounted sights. Too much weight can affect reliability, and may require a different recoil spring.

There are mounts that keep the optic off the slide (frame or grip mounted), but I've always thought they were clumsy and awkward.

Best bet is a mini red dot, as mentioned above. The weight is light enough that it's not likely to cause cycling problems.

[railroader]

If you want it just for a range gun you can also use a mount that replaces the right grip panel. It has a weaver mount on it to mount a standard red dot. It doesn't effect reliability because it is attached to frame not the slide. I had one for a while and it worked fine but it would be hard to find a hoslter for the gun with it. http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=6...IP_SCOPE_MOUNT