Springfield PX9151L, 1911 A1

[creitzel]

I've got a couple questions for all of you knowledgeable folks.

I have finally saved up enough money to purchase my next gun , and I'm seriously considering the Springfield PX9151L 1911 A1 (which details can be found here).

Anyways, the manufacturer's website states that it has fixed sights. Which leads to my questions.

1. Can those sights be easily changed in the future, if I want to install night sights or fiber optic or something else?
2. What is involved in changing the sights? Is a gunsmith required?

The reason I ask, is on my Mark II, the website said fixed sights, and I don't believe they can be changed, at least not without a gunsmith it appears. (feel free to correct my assumption here, if it is erroneous )

Thanks in advance,

Chris

 

[pctech]

Hi Chris,

You might want to look at the Springfield Armory PI9132L. It appears to be the same gun you're looking at but with adjustable sights. The price difference appears to be minimal.

James

 

[Fly320s]

Chris,

I have the PX9152L model... black stainless, ambi safety, Bo-Mar adjustable sights. I looked into changing the sights because I found that I don't like the adjustable type that are installed.

I think that all the adjustable sights Springfield offers are the Bo-Mar type which means that part of the rear of the slide is machined away to allow the sight to sit lower on the slide (see the image on the website). When I went looking for replacement sights I could not find what I was looking for that would fit the Bo-Mar cut out. Basically, the options are few. The front sight, however, is a standard dove-tail cut; it's easily changed.

So, if you think you might want to change sights in the future you might want to stay with the standard dove-tail type sights.

 

[creitzel]

Thanks for the replies

Thanks for the replies

James,

I am in fact looking at both the PX9151L and the PI9132L. Whatever I get though, I don't want to be painted into a corner, so to speak, with the sights on it. I want to be able to switch them out in the future, if I decide that I don't like the factory sights.

Fly320,

I looked at the picture for the PX9152L, and compared it to the model I'm looking at (PX9151L) and it appears that the rear sight is different on the 2. Also, the other gun I'm considering (PI9132L) appears to have the same cut out on the slide that the PX9152L does. You stated that you had a hard time finding sights for your gun, so, is the rear sight on the PX9151L more like the standard sight for 1911's? Or is there such a thing? (please forgive my total ignorance here guys, I'm brand new to 1911's, although I've really enjoyed shooting the 2 that I've been able to shoot )

Thanks again,

Chris

 

[Bazooka Joe71]

Excuse my ignorance as well, but what does "loaded" mean exactly?

 

[Fly320s]

Bazooka,

Loaded is Springfield's marketing/model term for their line of 1911s. It means they have all the bells and whistles.

Chris,

The 9152L(mine) and the 9151L(yours) do have different rear sights. Yours has what could be considered a standard 1911 rear sight. The top rear of the slide has a dove-tail grove cut into it (left to right when viewed like you're holding the gun in a shooting position) which allows the rear sight to be slid into place. The fit will be snug to prevent unwanted movement (and it may be glued in place with something like Loc-Tite) but can still be adjusted for windage by "drifting" the rear sight.

Now look at mine (9152L). Look closely at the rear of the slide, right at the end. You'll notice that there is a small area cut from that part of the slide in addition to a small dove-tail cut further forward on the slide. That is a Bo-Mar rear sight. To make a rear sight adjustable while keeping it low profile requires the rear corner portion of the slide to be machined away as on the 9152L.

That extra cut at the rear and the slightly smaller dove-tail cut makes finding different rear sights a little more difficult. I wanted to replace my adjustable rear sight with fixed night sights. I could not find any drop-in replacement parts. They may exist, but I couldn't find them. I could have a "normal" rear sight installed but then the little notch at the rear of the slide would be empty, or I would have to have it filled in.

As for the 9132L, yes it does have the same Bo-Mar sight as on my gun.

FWIW, I only wanted to change the rear sight on my gun (9152L) because it has sharp edges that I don't like. In fact, the gun itself has many sharp edges and corners. You might want to handle one before you decide. The sharp parts can tear up your hands and clothes during training and carry.

Hope it helps.

 

[10-Ring]

I really doubt you can go wrong w/ any of the guns from SA But w/ their fairly large selection, make sure you get the right one or you might be spending your time buying'em all up!

 

[creitzel]

Thanks again

Bazooka

What Fly320s said

Fly320s

Thanks for the more detailed explanation. Fortunately, I had a guy at work (the resident gunney ) that walked in right after I posted my last reply, and he said basically the same thing that you said. So tonight after work, I went to my local gunstore, and ordered the 9151L It should be in in about 2-3 days. I also let the wife pick out a Smith and Wesson M & P. Oh, and I had some money left over, so I picked up a Ruger Single 6 .22 revolver as well. This gun thing is definitely addicting lol Anyways, thanks again for all the info. Much appreciated

10-Ring

I know what you mean, I just ordered the 9151 tonight, and I'm already looking at the other models again lol. And to think this all started with a little Ruger Mark II. I'm hooked lol.

Thanks again everyone,

Chris

 

[Fly320s]

Save a few dollars for ammo. And training. And holsters. Reloading gear, etc.