1911 Fixed, Night Sights

[SlabSlinger]

Without starting a debate over do or don't use 'em, what are the options in fixed, night sights for the 1911?

I feel one-handed drills are important to be able to perform but don't know whether "Swoopy" sights like Novaks or Heines will allow me to belt cock. I also want to be able to shoot at distance, so Ashley 24/7s are out. What other options are there that will allow for belt cocking?

I like Heine Low Mount Slant Pros with straight eight config. I believe they take the Novak slide cut (less costly, I think) and have heard some people cut a notch in them for belt cocking. I just don't know how they would look like that (gotta look good too) or whether it would be necessary.

If the Heines are not an option, what are the rear blade options that still look somewhat traditional (not thick and blocky) and have tritium? Any have a single dot or bar? Folks, post pics if ya got'em.

If nothing else, I may opt for a King-Tappan rear (like it alot) and get a tritium front of some kind. Those who have just used a tritium front only config. and "seen the elephant" please comment.

Okay folks, let 'er fly! Just remember I'm a newbie.

 

[scubie02]

well, I'm not sure what "belt cocking" is--I just carry cocked and locked--but I have the novak's on two of my springfield 1911's and I like them. I don't notice them hanging up or anything compared to the regualr milspec style thats on my third springfield.

 

[SlabSlinger]

Scubie02,

The idea is to be able to "hang up" your sights on your belt or beltloop in order to cycle the action one-handed if necessary.

Thanks for your response.

 

[Jammer Six]

I feel one-handed drills are important to be able to perform but don't know whether "Swoopy" sights like Novaks or Heines will allow me to belt cock.

They won't.

It's why I'm selling one of my weapons.

You're right, stick to your guns!

 

[SlabSlinger]

Jammer,

I was looking over some of your threads, and it looks as though you have a similar question. Have you come to a conclusion and decided on the trijicon blade rear?

Have you tried Heines at all?

 

[Jammer Six]

No, I haven't decided.

The weapon I like HAS a good rear sight, it's a milspec.

The only reason to replace it would be to gain night sights, and since I will never take a shot in the dark, that's not worth giving up anything to gain.

No, I've never tried Heinies, other than at the range. The only Heinies I've seen couldn't be used for one hand slide racking.

 

[bosshoff]

Slabsinger, the Heine Slantpros and Straight Eights as well as the Novaks can be machined torwards the front of the rear sight, so they create a ledge in which to belt cock the slide. Check out http://www.rogersprecision.com/ There are a few pics of them on his sight.

 

[Jammer Six]

Check out http://www.rogersprecision.com/ There are a few pics of them on his sight.

I don't see them.

Where are they? Thanks!

 

[bosshoff]

On Rogersprecision.com

Go ahead and click on the link. when it opens, count down to the 6th and 7th 1911 pictures. Both of these apear to be Novak sights, which can be equipped with or without Tritium inserts. You can see where he has machined the front of the sights.

 

[Sean Smith]

http://www.yost-bonitz.com/products/retrosight/

 

[scubie02]

slabslinger,

Yeah, I realized what you were saying when I reread the post--don't know what I thought the first time but I think when I read "belt-cock" I was envisioning you trying to simply cock the hammer on your belt, not rack the slide, and couldn't figure out why you'd want to do that--I'll just blame it on alot of long days and nights lately for being slow on the uptake...;P

 

[Jammer Six]

Cool! Thanks, guys!

 

[ulflyer]

Sights

Slapslinger: just picked up a used Colt Defender with a set of XS Express sights on it. Brownell's has them. Comes with big or small dot tritium front and slanted "V" rear with single bar. Had never had the chance to try this setup but find that I'm shooting more accurately with this little 3" barrel than with my 5" Govt models. With this gun you put the entire dot on the bull with the top of the bar on the very bottom of the dot. I guess this is intended for faster acquisition, but it sure works for me on my short 10 yard range. The big dot covers a 2" bull at 10 yards so I intend to change it to a smaller white dot. Love the slant V bar rear and may change one or more of my Govts to that.

 

[Onmilo]

XS are very good sights.

I like Meprolights, especially if the customer does not have or does not want a dovetail front sight set up.

Meprolight post front stands up to the peening involved in installation, most other post front night sights I have tried don't.