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fitting a rmr to a 1911

7K views 63 replies 22 participants last post by  Mute 
#1 · (Edited)
I am looking for an easy way to replace a rearsight of a 1911 with a rmr mount. I know that NHC has the IOS as an option.I was looking to just have a rearsight swapped from a NHC or wilson or maybe a DW. I am aware that not all rearsight cuts are the same and that presents an issue.in finding the right rearsight mount for the gun
The decision of just replacing the sight with a mount vs the IOS will come down to cost.

Rmrs are new to me. I would like to try one. I prefer NOT to damage the rearsight mount or have the slide changed unless it is necessary.I see dovetail mounts available andam aware that some rearsight cuts( wc especially) do nto accomodate these. So I am searching for suggestions,experiences...

suggestions for a rearsight mount that is easily installed without changing my slide? favorite mounts? rmrs?

the finaly option would be either order a new gun with am rmr( 4 grand) vs just having NHC install their IOS( over 800 dollars with a rmr included)

I love NHC and am leaning toward this option( IOS installed on a NHC that I have already) unless you members suggest something less costly or a better option
 
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#2 ·
I would do this mount first to see if you like a optic , not the best for long term.

 
#3 ·
I would do this mount first to see if you like a optic , not the best for long term.

good suggestion.nice long list of guns it fits too

I know that I enjoy the rife red dots that I have. I am figuring a pistol rmr would be fun to use too
 
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#4 ·
I’m not a fan of how they look, but it should tell you want you want to know, without any permanent mods.
EGW makes RMR plates that fit in the rear sight cut for many makes. Here is one for a Novak cut.



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#6 ·
I would also suggest either taking an RDS training class or a least watch some on-line video's on how to use one. Then go out and practice acquiring the dot.

I'm of the opinion that you don't just throw on a dot & you're all good to go. It requires you to train and familiarize yourself with it. But once you've done that, most people swear by them.

I'm still somewhat in the training phase. I'm not sure I shoot with mine enough to make it advantage's. I'm to busy buying different guns & tinkering with my old guns to really go out and train with it.
 
#14 ·
true addicts lament --LOL. arent ' most of us like that?
 
#7 ·
I agree with @boatdoc and @Whiten, the only issue is going to be the “height” of the optic on the pistol, I can tell you that a plate cut or direct mount is going to be much better than the dove tail plate, with that said it will give you the “80%” solution to see if you like a optic.

If you KNOW you want a RMR/SRO my recommendation is going to be Vulcan Machine Werks.


they use the Trijicon plate and mill it deeper into the slide to the height over bore is less and make sure to mill it with metal in-front and behind the plate which will make it more secure.

they charge 400$ and that with the plate, the cut, and recoating the slide in a solid color and it won’t take the 6 months to put in the IOS that NH is taking!!

they currently have one of my TRS that Bob is doing the cut on!!

this is just one mans 2 cents!!
 
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#18 ·
I can adjust to the height issue during the trials with a rmr.

I just do not want to cut a slide . Then I am stuck withthe rmr. THat is why a dovetail mount r the IOS is a better option for my purposes.

I am not a competition shooting. JUst someone hwo enjoys shooting all types of guns and options
 
#8 ·
To add to the good advice above, dots on pistols are really mostly for dedicated shooters. If I wasn't going to train with my gun a lot, I would go back to irons. That said, there are advantages to the dot that will apply to most people, regardless of training level, and if that fits your needs, then gtg. The issue really comes up on a carry or duty gun, where the advantages of the dot are mostly nullified by the real world requirements for a pistol.

And as mentioned above, the lower the dot on the gun, the better. The more 1911 like the grip angle (in this case, it is a 1911), the better. Glocks tend to be the worst offenders in making shooters fight to find the dot. Some of that is poor training or lack of training, but some is definitely the grip angle. TDA Sigs, Beretta's and HK's are also excellent hosts.

make sure you get a type 2 rmr and not the older ones. I surely do like the IOS setup, and will get one shortly.
 
#15 ·
I want to preserve the slid eif possible. thanks anyway
 
#10 ·
I've got 3 guns with over 10K on each with EGW mounts and either Leupold DPP or Holosuns..
Mounts are good to go IMO

I've also got a bunch of guns with milled slides but for the more classic or expensive guns I use the EGW mount so I can return it to classic 1911 style
FWIW
 
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#12 ·
I agree with the rear sight being too high, but shooting a Glock MOS could also dissuade him as well. The first gun I shot with a RMR was a Glock 19, and I didn’t like it at all. It wasn’t until I got a shadow 2 OR in a trade that I really liked it.
 
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#23 ·
So, this kind of gets back to the bigger idea of the low thumb thread.

Was that group shot slow fire, or was it a series of sub 2 sec bill drills? If it was slow fire, not so great. If it was sub 2 sec bill drills, that's awesome.

I'm not trying to be a jerk in anyway, and I have no concern or judgement about how others spend their range time and shooting interests. My point is that the pic doesn't actually give us any information. That same group can be shot with irons under a large variety of circumstances. If that offends anyone, sorry, it was not my intention at all.
 
#27 ·
nice ragged hole there
 
#25 ·
If you just want to experiment with a RMR and not mill the slide, go with the EGW mounting options for your slide and RMR, there have been a couple of folks at classes I attended recently that went that route, its a pretty good method - just not as good as milling the slide for a lower mount. I get not wanting to cut into the slide though, I am in the same boat with my nice customs, I ended up picking up a SA Pro with the intent of having that cut up for an RMR because it had no sentimental value to me and far less financial value than a custom gun though I recognize in the long run buying a gun just to cut up to try out a new sight is an expensive path ;)
 
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#29 ·
SA pro is a great gun and would be perfect for this mission.
 
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#26 ·
It’s the reason I bought the Kimber KHX I have up for sale with an RMR installed, I have moved onto the 2011 game, but it came cut with plates!
 
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#30 ·
I went another route with my DW Specialist. I ordered a Caspian slide with the RMR cut. I mounted a Trijicon SRO on the slide with Trijicon‘s adapter plate with sights. My gunsmith fitted the slide to my DW frame, runs great. The cost for the Caspian slide was not a lot more than having mine cut for a RMR.
 
#31 ·
Low or high to bore axis is almost irrelevant.
Look at the world's best uspsa shooters. Chore optics a=e about 1 1/2 to 2"s above bore line. No one shoots faster accurately than those guys.
So egw will give you a good idea of optics.
Shoot as much as you can with optics before you decide.
Took me about a 1000 rounds before I felt comfortable with them.
 
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#36 ·
I recently mounted a RMR to a DW Valor with the EGW plate. The additional height did not bother me, but did find that I had to tip the front of the barrel down significantly in order to see the red dot. Groups tightened up noticeably using the RMR.

With iron sights a person focuses on the front sight, lines it up with the back sight then moves the whole gun to the target. With a red dot you look at the target, then move the dot to that spot and shoot. It does take some different brain training.

Still have not made my mind up, will need to shoot it several more times before deciding. Good luck on your decision.
 
#37 ·
some great ideas here. I have a SA OPerator from benchmark precision. great gun. I always shoot it low though. Thinking that gun might be the red dot recipient. for a trial run.I do not see the Operator on the list but plenty of SDA guns are supposed to fit with this mount according to their list
 
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#38 ·
I have a G19 with an RMR mounted and the red dot makes hitting the target much easier and faster. Machining the Glock slide allows the sight to sit quite low in relation to your hand. If the Glock doesn't point to your satisfaction, point with your thumb. If I point with my thumb the red dot appears on target. I haven't tried a 1911 fitted out yet, but an arched mainspring housing makes a 1911 point similar to a Glock for me.
 
#39 · (Edited)
Here's some pics of an EGW Dovetail mount on my Staccato P 4.14. I mounted a HOLSUN 507C x2 on it cause like you I didn't want to have the slide cut. I tried it but just didn't care for the way it looked, so I purchased a Staccato P DPO and mounted the HOLSUN on it. Here you can compare the difference in how they set on the slide. I also purchased a Staccato C2 DPO and mounted a Leupold directly to the slide without needing a plate. I know these aren't a 1911 but it should show you what it looks like.
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#40 ·
Here's some pics of an EGW Dovetail mount on my Staccato P 4.14. I mounted a HOLSUN 507C x2 on it cause like you I didn't want to have the slide cut. I tried it but just didn't care for the way it looked, so I purchased a Staccato P DPO and mounted the HOLSUN on it. Here you can compare the difference in how they set on the slide. I also purchased a Staccato C2 DPO and mounted a Leupold directly to the slide without needing a plate. I know these aren't a 1911 but it should show you what it looks like. View attachment 819541 View attachment 819542 View attachment 819543 View attachment 819544 View attachment 819545 View attachment 819546
that is a nice rig. If the mount fits my Operator, I am looking at a holosun and that mount as my first dedicated rmr on a 1911.

thanks for the info and pics

BTW how did you mount a leupold without any slide suts.

I have shot a leupold deltapoint recently (on a glock 19 that a fellow range member was shooting) it is a really cool sight and idea
 
#41 ·
@boatdoc I have been hugely pleased with the results of the red dot on a pistol.

It takes some patience. I didn't allow for the needed patience when I first tried them a few years ago.

This time around, I didn't rush things.

I shot the gun with irons and ensured my grip, trigger press and recovery were solid. Pleased with that.

Then mounted the RMR, didn't bother to attempt to zero it....just went back to the range and shot from same 10yd distance as I'd done on the prior "irons-only" session.


Both eyes open and focused on the target throughout. This was a tremendous benefit. So much more comfortable....and efficient.

During the press out to target I did it on a slightly higher plane. As such, the red dot was visible well before my arms were fully extended to target. I simply got on target much faster.

The dot bounces slightly during recoil, but comes right back on target. Very glad that the gun was 9mm. Perfect training wheel pistol for my adopting a red dot.


I can't begin to emphasize how much more relaxing and enjoyable the sessions go by remaining target focused.
It makes a 10yd target seem much closer.





The gun I'm using is a 2011 with lowered mount height. As is...... the gun must be presented higher to acquire the red dot.....I would imagine a dovetail mounted red dot would be significantly higher, thusly requiring much more work to "find the dot" during presentation & recovery.

Please keep in mind that your results will likely come easier, faster and more natural with the lower optic positions. Don't get frustrated with a higher mount.

The higher the mount, the more work it will take on your part to normalize it.





Now.....am I rushing out to convert all my carry guns to red dot capable ?.....no sir. I am not. The things that made them great carry guns are still inherent in them.

My lone red dot 2011, however, finds me reaching for it on every range session, though. I simply prefer shooting it than any other handgun I own. Sometimes to the ire of the Range Safety Officers.......one or two of them frown on fast fire.....and that steel-framed RMR'd high-capacity 9mm wants to run super fast.




Good luck. You'll have HUGE fun with it.

Just be patient. It IS different.

Years and years of front sight focus feels reckless to abandon.....just Trust & Believe in your grip and Accept the dot actively hovering over your target when the shot breaks.


TRUST
BELIEVE
ACCEPT

I hope it proves to be an eye-opener for you....it sure was for me.

Wish I'd have done this years ago....but then again I didn't have the patience nor the time to practice.

Now I do. 👍
 
#51 ·
@boatdoc I have been hugely pleased with the results of the red dot on a pistol.

It takes some patience. I didn't allow for the needed patience when I first tried them a few years ago.

This time around, I didn't rush things.

I shot the gun with irons and ensured my grip, trigger press and recovery were solid. Pleased with that.

Then mounted the RMR, didn't bother to attempt to zero it....just went back to the range and shot from same 10yd distance as I'd done on the prior "irons-only" session.


Both eyes open and focused on the target throughout. This was a tremendous benefit. So much more comfortable....and efficient.

During the press out to target I did it on a slightly higher plane. As such, the red dot was visible well before my arms were fully extended to target. I simply got on target much faster.

The dot bounces slightly during recoil, but comes right back on target. Very glad that the gun was 9mm. Perfect training wheel pistol for my adopting a red dot.


I can't begin to emphasize how much more relaxing and enjoyable the sessions go by remaining target focused.
It makes a 10yd target seem much closer.





The gun I'm using is a 2011 with lowered mount height. As is...... the gun must be presented higher to acquire the red dot.....I would imagine a dovetail mounted red dot would be significantly higher, thusly requiring much more work to "find the dot" during presentation & recovery.

Please keep in mind that your results will likely come easier, faster and more natural with the lower optic positions. Don't get frustrated with a higher mount.

The higher the mount, the more work it will take on your part to normalize it.





Now.....am I rushing out to convert all my carry guns to red dot capable ?.....no sir. I am not. The things that made them great carry guns are still inherent in them.

My lone red dot 2011, however, finds me reaching for it on every range session, though. I simply prefer shooting it than any other handgun I own. Sometimes to the ire of the Range Safety Officers.......one or two of them frown on fast fire.....and that steel-framed RMR'd high-capacity 9mm wants to run super fast.




Good luck. You'll have HUGE fun with it.

Just be patient. It IS different.

Years and years of front sight focus feels reckless to abandon.....just Trust & Believe in your grip and Accept the dot actively hovering over your target when the shot breaks.


TRUST
BELIEVE
ACCEPT

I hope it proves to be an eye-opener for you....it sure was for me.

Wish I'd have done this years ago....but then again I didn't have the patience nor the time to practice.

Now I do. 👍
thanks dub. acquiring the sight is th e key to a rmr. I have used a few and I am sure ,with enough range time it will become natural..like shooting a Glock ;)
 
#54 ·
surprised you did not make a TTT Duct tape mount @tac45 ..You and @Kip are slipping.
 
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