[floridaboy]

I recently got a Pietta 1860 Army. It seems to shoot better than I can see the sights. So, naturally I'm looking for something better. Can anyone suggest where to look for front and rear sights? I'm not looking to spend a fortune, but there has to be a better set up out there. Your ideas are appreciated.

[Smokin_Gun]

A person could do the rear barrel site lik the one below but you'd loose the distance from the hammer to the front site.
I say get a Remington NMA before you modify yer Colt :O)
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c277/Smokin_Gun/November/Dovetailrearsite1860.jpg
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c277/Smokin_Gun/November/Dovetailedrearsite1860.jpg

[floridaboy]

Here's what I was shooting. A struck off .45 Colt case of 3f 777 with the paper towel wad soaked in bees wax. It was only 2 five shot groups, but both were about 3.5 inches at 20 yds. . Hell, I can barely see those sights, so I know it's capable of much better. I did a quick check of Brownells, but didn't see anything that looked like it would work. This should be between 28_30 grains, so a fairly stout load. I intend to try it for serious groups, and run it over the Chrony to see what it's really doing. If it continues to shoot this well, I need better sights. I'm over 50, and my eyes definately aren't what they once were.

[arcticap]

Many match pistol shooters use the Merit Optical Attachment for handgun shooting.
It has an adjustable iris that really works to sharpen the depth of field for older shooters.
There are other optical attachments that are similar but the Merit disc is the most popular and well known. The suction cup that attaches it to eyeglasses is also replaceable.

Here's the manufacturer's product page:

http://www.meritcorporation.com/products.html

And it's sold at the outfit below for less money along with other visual aids for shooters:

http://www.championshooters.com/store/home.php?cat=268

[Das Jaeger]

Glad to hear its that accurate :D
I like SG's sudgestion , and it would look great too . There is plenty of beef on the 60's barrel for a slight dovetail to be put into them to accept sights . Reguardless of losing three inches of sighting plane , the modern 1911 only has 5" of sighting plane , plenty of plane to shoot dimes at 25 yards :D , that is a NON issue here . The 1860 with sights would look allot like the 1870's open tops or the Mason style revolvers , very authentic and pratical .
You aint selling the gun anywayz , make it yours ! :D ...Your wanting this gun for huinting Pigs right if my memory serves me and too just have some serious fun shooting once in awhile . Why not modify it ? Heck its just a Pietta with AWSOME grips , hee hee hee , it aint gonna lose value , the grips are worth more than the gun :D .........
Order a Uberti Flat Top Target Colt model "P" rear, tis very low profie , drift adjustable and perfect for what your trying to accomplish . Also, if you realy wanta tack driver, order the front for that model too, Holy Crap whata fine set-up that would be for around $50 , yo baby !

Good luck !

Das Jaeger

[madcratebuilder]

On the open tops you can replace the bead with a blade on the front like the originals then machine a larger notch in the hammer to match. I have done this on a Dragoon and it works very well.

Another rear sight would be a copy of the original adjustable rear that they put on a few dragoons.
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d37/madcratebuilder/dragoonsight04.jpg
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d37/madcratebuilder/dragoonsight03.jpg

Here's the modified front blade.
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d37/madcratebuilder/dragoonblade02.jpg

Here is the hammer notch cut to match the width of the new front blade. Some final fitting at the range to sight in at the range of your choice. You would want to scale this down a bit for a holster frame size revolver.
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d37/madcratebuilder/dragoonnotch01.jpg

[Oyeboten]

How is that wider Front Sight fitted madcratebuilder?

[madcratebuilder]

How is that wider Front Sight fitted madcratebuilder?
There is a slot in the barrel from the original sight. Under cut the bottom of the new, larger sight to fit the slot and regular low temp solder.

[StrawHat]

While I have dovetailed many new front sights onto revolver barrels I never thought to stick a rear sight on one. Thanks for the ideas guys, never to old to learn. When I get it done, I will post photos.

[Das Jaeger]

If you go with the Colt Flat Top Target sights I mentioned , when you order from VTI make sure you call them and get the right model sights and set-up for that revolver . They list several models, target ,etc, but to get the right set-up for the Colt Flat Top ( which is authentic period 1873 ) you'll need to be specific to them . The problem is they list a model too that is a target but its not the Colt Flat Top , so you'll have to tell them what your trying to do and which gun exactly you want the sight set-up off of . They have both target set-ups is my point , the Flat Top and the regular target sights like the target Pietta 58 Remingtons sights at VTI , both are in stock too :
This is the Colt Flat Top by Uberti , the front sight is adjustable for windage and elevation , via a set screw and spring plnunger system, very cool set-up .

http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj96/5150kelly/CR0732.jpg

Cheerios , Jaeger