changing sights on a SA GI 1911

[Plug]

Hi folks,

New to the board here, although I've been lurking for a while. Great board with so much info, knowledgable members and civility!

I've been deliberating on a 1911 purchase for a while and am leaning towards the Springfield GI as a good compromise of economy and construction. (thanks Tuner for the great reviews stuck at the top of the forum)

The only thing I don't care for are the military sights and if I buy the gun would like to convert to 3-dot, most likely tritium. Can I do the job myself? If so, what's involved and can somebody point me to a web resource here or elsewhere that would provide some instruction?

Thanks,
Plug

 

[AZ Jeff]

Standard sights on a M1911 pattern pistol are attached in the rear by friction fit in the dovetail, and by staking for the front sight.

The rear sight is pretty standard in it's attachment method, but one word of caution when installing "night sights" is noted. Most night sights contain small glass vials of tritium gas, embedded in holes in the metal sight body. Using a punch to drive the sight into the dovetail in the rear of the slide MIGHT crack the vial, letting the tritium gas escape, and rendering the night sight unable to glow in the dark. I sight pushing tool (sort of a modified C-clamp) prevents this sort of damage.

The front sight on a M1911 has a tenon that goes into a hole in the slide, and then the end of the tenon is staked to upset the end, making it a permanent assembly. To do this correctly, a staking tool is needed, as it will upset the end of the tenon correctly, without damaging the body of the sight, or the inside of the slide near the tenon hole.

Unless you know someone who has a staking tool, and a sight pusher, I would just recommend you take it to a smith, and have him do the work.

Otherwise, this could be a good excuse to buy some new gunsmithing tools..........

 

[silent one]

Plug,

Welcome aboard. Another avenue you could take, is to get the Springfield Mil- Spec that has the three dot high sights. It is similar to the G.I. version, with the
exception of not having the lanyard loop, and small ejection port. This version has the larger ejection port, making it easier to get the spent casings out. I have both versions, and I enjoy them both, but prefer the high three dot sights, because it's easier for me to get a good sight picture. The differance in price around here is
approx $40.00 more, for the upgraded version. The Springfield is a great weapon,
no matter what version you decide to buy. I just thought if you wanted to dispense with all the trouble of changing the sights, you might want to consider the up graded version. They also come with a lifetime warranty, which is great.
Good luck.


SILENT ONE