Change the front sight on a 1911

[Wade65]

I realize the 1911 is probably the most commonly owned pistol on this forum, but I just put my first one in jail tonight (Springfield target in 9mm).
It has a nice adjustable rear sight, but both it and the front sight are blacked out and I think I need some contrast to actually see properly. Is it a pain to swap out the front sight on a 1911?
Any thoughts on tritium vs fiber optics?


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[LindenBruce]

Tritium is mainly a combat sight. They are not the best for daytime work, unless you get them with orange rings around the vials to enhance their daytime visibility.

If you are going to use this piece for daytime plinking and target shooting, I would go with day glow type fiber optic sights. Or paint the front sight to give you some contrast. Choose white, red or orange. B.

[foothillman]

If you want the same type as your other handguns than I say go for it.
What I did was use WATER based paint, can peel right off.
Can try different colors to see what works for you.
Use the white as a base color and than the, orange, green or ?
Tooth pick as a paint brush.





Roll pin in sight, if only doing one than have a smith do it.



Or if you think you want to give it a try
Always check for Right to Left OR Left to Right FIRST
My Vertec needed the old tritium replaced.



You can see they had peen the sight in so took a lot of force to remove.

[Wade65]

If you want the same type as your other handguns than I say go for it.

What I did was use WATER based paint, can peel right off.

Can try different colors to see what works for you.

Use the white as a base color and than the, orange, green or ?

Tooth pick as a paint brush.

Thanks- I think I will start with this. Inexpensive and not permanent!



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[RikersBeard]

Sorry to bump an old thread, but thanks for the idea!


I had some paint laying around and found a super thin brush. Did the .22LR first so I wasn't too worried. Then did the 1911 front sight. Good enough for me!

[KrizB]

Nice.
I do the same thing and once I've settled on a color hit it with a coat or two of clear fingernail polish to make it pop and prevent chipping.