How to mount a red dot on a slide that was not built for this

bigHUN

bigHUN

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...if there is no pre-fabricated pocket or spot for mounting it - on a pistol/handgun.

The TT57 pistol was build somewhere about 70's and at that time there were no options on the horizon as of today.

My hands are not long enough to see the mechanical sight and for this reason I never bought a handgun before. This TT57 was gifted to me with a CFO authorization.
Recently I ordered a red dot, currently in the mail waiting for delivery any day.
Also, I downloaded the mounting footprint, only need to decide for ways to go. I have a friend's machine shop and I can alter the slide.

Curious to see how did you end up with? Any pics?
 
Isn't there a cheap eBay 1911 red dot mount? I imagine cutting a flat on top and widening rear sight mount to dovetail might do the trick
 
bigHUN said:
...if there is no pre-fabricated pocket or spot for mounting it - on a pistol/handgun.

The TT57 pistol was build somewhere about 70's and at that time there were no options on the horizon as of today.

My hands are not long enough to see the mechanical sight and for this reason I never bought a handgun before. This TT57 was gifted to me with a CFO authorization.
Recently I ordered a red dot, currently in the mail waiting for delivery any day.
Also, I downloaded the mounting footprint, only need to decide for ways to go. I have a friend's machine shop and I can alter the slide.

Curious to see how did you end up with? Any pics?
Click to expand...

Please do tell how the bolded portion works.
 
bigHUN said:
I have a friend's machine shop and I can alter the slide.
Click to expand...

Look at something like the 1911 grip mount, Aimtech is one maker. You should be able to position the mount for your eyes. Check for the direction of ejection so that the optic does not interfere with function.
 
Stevo said:
Please do tell how the bolded portion works.
Click to expand...
We asked the authorities (here in Ontario) how a "lease" or "borrow" a handgun works - from an other person transfer.
They sent an email with questions to fill.
Each of us filled the required information, and sent the email back to that office.
The transfer authorization arrived in email next work day to both of us, this total time spent on it maybe ten minutes for myself only.
Now in my case I will be extending this authorization six months, unless a positive change in laws. My friend doesn't want or need that old TT57 back.
My experience was really very positive.
 
Lodi said:
Look at something like the 1911 grip mount, Aimtech is one maker. You should be able to position the mount for your eyes. Check for the direction of ejection so that the optic does not interfere with function.
Click to expand...
So far that Aimtech seem to me working the best. A bit ugly, but looks stable.
The TT57 slide, if I would mill a flat on top of a slide, the wall thickness will be shallow (maybe about 3mm) for screw threads, and btw I would need to drill into the firing pin spring hole. So far I could not figure how to remove that pin+spring retaining cap thingy, it doesn't twist and cannot pull it out because the pin is sticking out.
Also for this setup if I would wanna use the rear sight dovetail as a recoil anchor, I am seeing on the interenet there are several sizes=width, but is not saying what is G1 or G2 or what. Looking now to educate myself.
Drilling into action block up front, from the side is even thinner wall, about 1.2mm that won't hold a thread.
Then my last idea was to drill into slide from top and mount a picatiny rail (short), but that again a weak connection relying on two small screws only without a recoil pocket or lug.
 
bigHUN said:
We asked the authorities (here in Ontario) how a "lease" or "borrow" a handgun works - from an other person transfer.
They sent an email with questions to fill.
Each of us filled the required information, and sent the email back to that office.
The transfer authorization arrived in email next work day to both of us, this total time spent on it maybe ten minutes for myself only.
Now in my case I will be extending this authorization six months, unless a positive change in laws. My friend doesn't want or need that old TT57 back.
My experience was really very positive.
Click to expand...
Ah, I thought you were referring to a transfer of ownership rather than borrowing. Thanks.
 
boxhitch said:
EGW makes a plate mount that fits the rear site dovetail
have seen these in serious use in competitions so they must work goodenuff
Click to expand...
Emailed EGW if they could help me identifying a mounting plate, I have a drawing with footprint dimensions.
It is very confusing different Brands using different naming convention for the holes pattern.
 
bigHUN said:
So far that Aimtech seem to me working the best. A bit ugly, but looks stable.
The TT57 slide, if I would mill a flat on top of a slide, the wall thickness will be shallow (maybe about 3mm) for screw threads, and btw I would need to drill into the firing pin spring hole. So far I could not figure how to remove that pin+spring retaining cap thingy, it doesn't twist and cannot pull it out because the pin is sticking out.
Also for this setup if I would wanna use the rear sight dovetail as a recoil anchor, I am seeing on the interenet there are several sizes=width, but is not saying what is G1 or G2 or what. Looking now to educate myself.
Drilling into action block up front, from the side is even thinner wall, about 1.2mm that won't hold a thread.
Then my last idea was to drill into slide from top and mount a picatiny rail (short), but that again a weak connection relying on two small screws only without a recoil pocket or lug.
Click to expand...
Would a metal fabricator be able to machine a custom mount that matches slide contours and could be ‘sweated’ -silver soldered or brazed onto the slide to provide a surface to mate the optic to?
 
hondroid said:
Would a metal fabricator be able to machine a custom mount that matches slide contours and could be ‘sweated’ -silver soldered or brazed onto the slide to provide a surface to mate the optic to?
Click to expand...
Yes, many ways to do it, I am only searching for options less possible machining or altering.
 
maybe try Canadian Safety Source, they have a long listing canadiansafetysource.ca/manufacturer/egw-evolution-gun-works
they had my Novak plate

take a measure of the dovetail and match it to something if your particular is not on a list
 
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OP,
Your simplest option would be to install a dovetail mount, posted previously.

The position of the dovetail forward/middle/aft end so that the plate does not overhang the aft end of the slide or interfere w/ hammer operations.
The plate would need the FOOTPRINT of the chosen sight.
 
taeish said:
Isn't there a cheap eBay 1911 red dot mount? I imagine cutting a flat on top and widening rear sight mount to dovetail might do the trick
Click to expand...
DANS40X said:
OP,
Your simplest option would be to install a dovetail mount, posted previously.

The position of the dovetail forward/middle/aft end so that the plate does not overhang the aft end of the slide or interfere w/ hammer operations.
The plate would need the FOOTPRINT of the chosen sight.
Click to expand...
You guys right, fabricating a 11mm dovetail on the slide would be a simplest scenario. I may even do it on my micro mill.
I need to check I shall have a 60 degree cutter as well somewhere in my toolbox or worst case scenario there is amazon.
The only concern for now is a recoil stop for dovetail.
My mini red dot comes with a removable picatinny clamp, and I have couple picatinny to dovetail adapters in my drawers I was using on my airguns.
To start with this shall work, and gives me a time to find a direct dovetail plate or make one.

Thanks for ideas
 
I contacted black box customs about mounting a red dot to my type54 (Chinese copy of the tt33 and very similar to the tt57) and they told me it couldn’t be done by them, I was going to use a RMSc dovetail mount from a glock and to stop it from moving around, drill a hole into the front of the mount and thread a screw, but then I came across an American custom shop that used a lobos low profile mount for the ruger mark series and I might try doing that instead, below is a picture of that gun it’s not mine and they wouldn’t tell me how exactly it’s mounted, judging by how it mounted to the mark series I assume it’s drilled and tapped
 

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I don't really understand the statement about your hands are too short for standard sights.
Sounds like a eye glass problem, I shot hand guns with cataracts for quite a while till I had then fixed, I used a attachment on the glasses with a little hole that really worked good, extends the focus range of your shooting eye. If you can't see open sights, you can have lenses made that will work, lots of pistol shooters do that.
The picture you posted with the ruger base would be screwed in the top of the slide, that is how those bases are mounted on the Ruger.
EGW makes hi grade mounts, and the ones I have seen are made with holes drilled for the pins and stud holes for different types of sights.
I had one for CZ and it would mount most types of red dots.

On my 1911 I used a Burris mount in the dovetail slot. Worked great and that mount was 1/2 the price of the EGW, not that price should be a issue is you want it to stay on the gun.
that is a Burris fastfire 1911 Novak mounting plate, part #410322
I still have a one left but I think the shape would be off for the TT guns, I don't have one, thou I did yrs ago in stock.
one is listed for beretta 92, that could be close to 410324 part #
the ruger plate is410329, it would be the easiest if you are good will small threading into blind holes , the ruger radius will be large,
the Beretta slide radius is smaller.

DSC01885.JPG
 
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fightinghamster said:
I contacted black box customs about mounting a red dot....below is a picture of that gun it’s not mine and they wouldn’t tell me how exactly it’s mounted, judging by how it mounted to the mark series I assume it’s drilled and tapped
Click to expand...
Need to drill and tap.
I revers engineered the TT57 slide in my CAD program. If I mill a flat 2mm deep on top of the radius, in between the existing rear sight and the ejector windows, the wall thickness is still about 3.5mm - and that is about one OD for a thread depth.

marshall said:
I don't really understand the statement about your hands are too short for standard sights.
Click to expand...
This my problem is nothing new. On distances shorter then about 60-70 cm I need reading glasses. I can read license plates out about 50 meters, or maybe more.
This is from over twenty years sitting in front of a computer screen that is fixed distance and not moving, The eye pupil muscles got lazy.
I was competing archery over two decades and I could not see my pins, but I cold replace lenses in the peep sight iris and that worked until a rainy day.
Tried shooting (both archery and handguns) with any type of prescription glasses, bifocals or progressive, irritates me if during aiming I need to move my anchor up or down to see both close and far. So I just gave up using glasses as much possible, only need for reloading.
Also this was a reason I have not bought handguns.
I have no problem aiming with red dot.
Right now is cold in my garage, the shop heater was buried I grab it today.
I receive this mini red dot yesterday, I will prepare the mounting option next time I warm up the garage.
 
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