Replacement 1911 Sights that require no milling?

[JohnnyOrygun]

I want to replace the sights on my Springfield Armory Mil Spec 1911, I have looked at brownells and midway, but I am worried about getting a sight that will fit the existing factory dovetail. Does anyone have recommendations for sights that are a straight replacement. I understand the front sight is staked in, but what options are available for my Mil Spec.

Also does anyone have tips or tricks for replacing the sight(s)? I have tinkered with my 1911, so I am a modestly able.

I figured THR's collective knowledge base would be the BEST place to ask.

Thanks all!

 

[THE MACHINIST]

novaks night sights are the best

 

[JohnnyOrygun]

Does Novak make a "drop in" sight, I don't mind fitting the sight, but getting the slide milled might be kind of hard in the small town I live in, not to mention the extra expense.

thanks for the reply

 

[funnelcake]

Rear is a standard 330x65 but the front sight tenon is a "medium-size" unique to Springfields 1911's. Kings makes a line of sights for Springfield's GI & Mil-Spec pistols, but if you have the Mil-Spec, the sights should already be higher profile 3-dot. Do it yourself means a staking tool an a fixture to properly hold the slide (front) & a brass or plastic punch for the rear.

Don't know of any night sights for the front with that tenon size. Alternative would be having a common front dovetail cut, or both front and back.

Funnel

 

[steveracer]

I have fitted a medium tenon front night sight on a Springfield, and it was a friggin nightmare. I would strongly advise against this practice, as the act of swedging the tenon in place is downright LIKELY to break the tritium vial in the sight, and it will go dark, fast.
Take it to a smith and have him cut a dovetail in the slide, and then get a drift-in tritium front sight from your favorite vendor. It will last a LOT longer, and stand up to more everyday use than the stake-in ones.
Best,
Steve

 

[JohnnyOrygun]

Good Advice!!

Thanks for the advice, I really don't relish the idea of trying to stake in a new sight, especially if I were to go for good night sights. If I were to spend the money for tritium night sights I would definitely have a smith mill and install the front sight. I am just toying with the idea of replacing the rear sight for now and then later doing the front sight. My concern is the rear sight on my mil spec seems rather prone to snagging as it is rather vertical, I was thinking that something a little more concealed carry friendly would be a fairly easy job I could do myself.

I hadn't thought of damaging the tritium sight while trying to stake in the front sight, so I have learned already and I didn't ruin a perfectly good sight. Just proves what great knowledge and people are on THR. Thanks for sharing your insight and keep it up!

Thanks all!

 

[RogersPrecision]

There a a number of user installable rear sights to look at.
One is the Nowlin LowRider.
Novak has a rear sight that uses the stock dovetail.
MGW and Kings.
Find at Midway or Brownells, or at Nowlin or Novaks.