dubya450
May 21, 2012, 05:27 PM
Hey guys i recently picked up a Kimber custom Crimson carry and decided it really needs better sights. Preferably night sights. I haven't done a 1911 sight job but I would really like to do it myself so i can learn how to for future pistols down the road. I'm no gunsmith that's for sure, the only thing I've done on a 1911 was take out the ambi safety on a buddies kimber and bob it so I could install laser grips on it for him. Is there a certain tool (what brand) I should buy for sight installation? And is there a general 1911 book anyone recommends that i could learn from? Any ideas would be great. I know someone will say just bring it to a gunsmith, but i really want to learn. Its not about spending the money to have someone do it I just want to learn. Thanks.
Cory
rcmodel
May 21, 2012, 07:27 PM
See this about installing night sights.
The same applies to a 1911 with dovetailed front sight.
All you need is the right sights.
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=6974163
Here is THE books:
One or the other will do ya.
http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=13815/Product/JERRY-KUHNHAUSEN-THE-U-S-M1911-M1911A1-PISTOLS-A-SHOP-MANUAL
http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=13805/Product/JERRY-KUHNHAUSEN-THE-COLT-45-AUTOMATIC
rc
dubya450
May 21, 2012, 07:37 PM
THANK YOU! I just ordered the book. Thank you for the thread link as well, I'm glad there are guys like you out there.
Cory
Moptop
May 21, 2012, 10:33 PM
dubya450, I also own a Kimber and had to adjust the rear sight on it to get it to shoot POA. I was told by several folks that Kimber presses their sights in with a hydraulic press and that they are very, very tight. I thought, naa, surely not!!! So.....I called Kimber and talked to a tech, he confirmed that YES, they are installed with a hydraulic ram...and in most cases cannot be moved or removed without using a sigh pusher. He said definitly do not try using a brass punch since the sight base is hollow it will do nothing but deform it. I had to use a pretty hefty pusher tool (which I made myself) to get mine broke free. It made a hell of a loud "pop" when it did too!
Just a bit of friendly information. I would hate to see someone mess up such a beautiful piece from just not knowing.
dubya450
May 22, 2012, 02:03 AM
Thank you, I was reading a little more and decided to buy a sight pusher from brownells. It was almost $200 but figure it'll come in handy plenty down the road so might as well get one. Thanks again for the heads up!