[TheCollector]

I'm looking for some suggestions on upgrading the stock GI sights on a friend's RIA 1911 GI.
Its the .38 super I sold him some months ago. He's not really into building/improving etc. He likes to go to the range and shoot fairly often but isn't one to dump a bunch of money into this inexpensive gun. I told him I'd ask around to see if there is some FO or white dot front sights that would drop in the existing mount system for this gun on both front & rear sights. My guess is that if I find some sights to install for him I'm still going to have to find a swagging tool as well.
If anyone knows of a good replacement for these originals... please post.
Thanks.

 

[fieldgrade]

Be sure you are fully committed to that swaging project if you decide to twist off that stock staked front sight. I ended up sending a Colt to Novaks to let them finish what I started, and had them dovetail it.

As for rear sights, I liked this one. Heck, I’ll send it to you. I’m not using it anymore.
https://www.10-8performance.com/1911-nm-rear-sight/

 

[Mike A]

I'm still going to have to find a swagging tool as well.

We do have a Tool sticky, I would go there & look or post.

Post a want to borrow, rent or buy a swagging tool & some really great addict may just send you a pm asking for your addy. :happy: Happened to me.

 

[swampgas]

Be sure you are fully committed to that swaging project if you decide to twist off that stock staked front sight. I ended up sending a Colt to Novaks to let them finish what I started, and had them dovetail it.

As for rear sights, I liked this one. Heck, I’ll send it to you. I’m not using it anymore.
https://www.10-8performance.com/1911-nm-rear-sight/

That sight is actually a great replacement for USGI cuts. Lots of filing on the bottom to get a good fit. I put one on the Wu Pig's older sibling. Now the staking of the front sight I would let someone else do. I used the Brownell's tool, they tell you just a few light taps and it's done...yeah right, light taps with a 20 pound hammer, over and over again. The universe learned some new cuss word combinations during the sight staking.

 

[TheCollector]

Be sure you are fully committed to that swaging project if you decide to twist off that stock staked front sight. I ended up sending a Colt to Novaks to let them finish what I started, and had them dovetail it.

As for rear sights, I liked this one. Heck, I’ll send it to you. I’m not using it anymore.
https://www.10-8performance.com/1911-nm-rear-sight/

Now that sounds like a real post of encouragement....... full of positive thought.
Perhaps I should tell him to use some of his wife's white/hot pink nail polish on the front post and leave it like that..... or fork out some cash.

 

[TheCollector]

That sight is actually a great replacement for USGI cuts. Lots of filing on the bottom to get a good fit. I put one on the Wu Pig's older sibling. Now the staking of the front sight I would let someone else do. I used the Brownell's tool, they tell you just a few light taps and it's done...yeah right, light taps with a 20 pound hammer, over and over again. The universe learned some new cuss word combinations during the sight staking.

See my response post just below yours..... **** he washes his hands of it and walks away ****

 

[fieldgrade]

Now that sounds like a real post of encouragement....... full of positive thought.
Perhaps I should tell him to use some of his wife's white/hot pink nail polish on the front post and leave it like that..... or fork out some cash.

Hey man, just the voice of experience (or should I say in-experience). Seriously. I was all in, and I’m pretty handy, but swaging a staked sight in is more than a notion. I tried silver soldering one in, and discovered just exactly how much of a heat sink a 1911 slide is.

 

[TheCollector]

Hey man, just the voice of experience (or should I say in-experience). Seriously. I was all in, and I’m pretty handy, but swaging a staked sight in is more than a notion. I tried silver soldering one in, and discovered just exactly how much of a heat sink a 1911 slide is.

You could have thrown a burger patty on it for lunch while it was cooling..

 

[fieldgrade]

You could have thrown a burger patty on it for lunch while it was cooling..

Heck, I couldn’t get it hot enough, and I was afraid to put a torch to it. Pretty blueing and all.

 

[fieldgrade]

This stuff is the bomb for front sights. I discovered it by accident in my shop. I had used it on some models I built for my kids. Bright as heck on a front sight post, and get that 10-8 rear sight, or I’ll ship it if your friend wants it.
https://www.amazon.com/FLUORESCENT-...+master+fluorescent+red&qid=1576272532&sr=8-1

 

[TheCollector]

This stuff is the bomb for front sights. I discovered it by accident in my shop. I had used it on some models I built for my kids. Bright as heck on a front sight post, and get that 10-8 rear sight, or I’ll ship it if your friend wants it.
https://www.amazon.com/FLUORESCENT-...+master+fluorescent+red&qid=1576272532&sr=8-1

I think I used to use flo. stuff like that on my salmon fishing lead weights.