[Diocoles]

Yes, at the range, shooting my full size RIA 1911 9mm and I knew the front sight was a bit loose and needed restaked, but thought it could wait till I replaced them both.

Nope... in the middle of a mag it just disappeared.
Couldn't find it.

Now I have to get new sights.

The GI style were not visible to me anyway.
Thinking about going with fiber optic or just some bright 3 dots.
It's a range, learning pistol. Not my carry piece.

Suggestions?

 

[Pucknut]

Red fiber optic on the front and a blacked out blade on the back. You will pick up the front sight and target much quicker.

 

[Rinspeed]

Sorry to hear this, I've beeen wanting to try a gold bead front.

 

[Diocoles]

interesting ideas....

I like the gold bead, but I did replace my shotgun bead with a fiber optic and it was much more visible...

Decisions, decisions....

 

[Diocoles]

Looked at some of those white gold front bead sights.. oh my...

Now.. can I stake those myself? Oh goodie, more research.

 

[Brickboy240]

That happened to me many years ago. My old Colt M1991A1 lost it's front sight while I was shooting at outdoor range. I looked everywhere but could not find it. Ordered a set of Kings Hardball Sights and loved them. I believe Kings Gun Works in Glendale, CA is long gone but man....those sights were really great. Gunsmith put them on while I waited.

- brickboy240

 

[Diocoles]

my local gunsmith is wanting to machine the slide and put in dovetail sights.
Then add a beavertail and control group....

then refinish it..

I may end up doing this myself as I think I can find tenon(?) dot sights and I'll just need to get a staking tool for the front sight.

Wilson is supposed to have a beavertail to go on the GI model with little or no frame grinding.. Checking that one out.. That would be nice.

A do it yourself job... maybe.

It'll cost approx $100 including parts and tools.

Better than the smith wanting almost $300 to do it on my RIA.
That doesn't include the finish....:sad:

Any other suggestions?

 

[Quack]

if you go the smith route, it would be easier & less expensive to sell it and buy a RIA Tactical.

The Wilson "drop-in" beavertail will leave a gap between the frame tangs and grip safety. While it works, you may not be happy with the looks.

 

[1lowlife]

I ended up selling the RIA Tactical and buying a Dan Wesson.
It was going to cost too much to customize the RIA with my wanted end result.

Diocoles, Dawson Precision has many a sight that may work for you.
If they don't have it, they can probably make it.
www.dawsonprecision.com Home Page

Fusion has many sight options as well.
Results for Sights

 

[Brickboy240]

I totally forgot about Dawson...they're great to buy from. Customer service is excellent.

I'd replace the sights and maybe slick up the trigger and just shoot it.

don't let the front sight issue get you down too much. I had it happen on a COLT!

- brickboy240

 

[Diocoles]

Thanks for the input guys.

The Dawson site is cool.
Gonna explore there.

I gave in.
Smith called.
Said he'd do it on the cheap for me.

$50 labor
About $85 parts.

Novak front sight dovetail cut, Novak rear dovetail cut.
Install the sights. Touch up. Said it would look nice.

Don't groan. But with my eyes, I decided on some Novak Fiber optic sights. Green.

I use it for punching holes and practice. Lots of practice. Those GI sights were hard to see anyway.

I hope that's not too bad of a deal...?

I did talk about the Wilson versus the Ed Brown beavertail with the .250 radius and he said that would be best. The Wilson one would as QUACK said, leave a gap. It would work, but wouldn't look as nice.
I'll end up doing the EB with the tool they provide and do it slow and try to get it to fit just right.... Yes, lots of youtube videos and searching forums.... FUN