I was at the range yesterday and was firing my old Colt 1911 according to serial number built in 1915. This old gun was purchased from an estate sale and bought it because it looks like it has been to hell and back a few times. It has a micro rear adjustable sight and assume it had a micro front blade from the pictures online I have seen. While I was shooting one minute the sight was there and next shot it was gone. The gun shot very well with those sights, I don't know if any machining was involved to install micro sights. I called a gunsmith, they said buy sights I want and they will install them. Not sure if I should go back to "original" style sights or does anyone have any recommendation. Also does anyone know if micro sights just fitted in original sight slots? Thanks
Colt 1911 front sight "shot" off at the range. Sight help please.
- Thread starter Squiggy
- Start date
Is there a dovetail on the front, or just a small rectangular hole?
Probably a small hole. That is where a tenon sight was mounted. All the sight companies make a Colt tenon front sight. You want the "small" tenon.
The rear dovetail has probably been enlarged for the new rear sight. Too bad. That reduces the value of the gun.
Is it a commercial Colt? Serial number has a C ? It might be a Canadian contract pistol.
Probably a small hole. That is where a tenon sight was mounted. All the sight companies make a Colt tenon front sight. You want the "small" tenon.
The rear dovetail has probably been enlarged for the new rear sight. Too bad. That reduces the value of the gun.
Is it a commercial Colt? Serial number has a C ? It might be a Canadian contract pistol.
Small rectangular hole, commercial colt, serial number does have a C 21###. The front is like if someone pushed a large flat screw driver into the steel for that long narrow rectangular shape and in the middle is a small rectangular shape that goes right through the slide. If I am correct Turnbull restorations reproduces old style front sights, which I assume fill in that "screw driver shape" and the smaller rectangle goes into the slide. As for the rear dove tail size that is what i'm not sure about, the rear sight is still intact but again it looks like it has seen better days. I see you can still buy micro sights so that might be the way to go.
Turnball restorations makes reproductions sights for old 1911's, so ordered a set. When I went to local gun shop they told me front site will have to be soldered in place, but they don't do that, so now have to find a gun smith who can. Thanks to any who tried to help!
Halger280HVMag
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
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The Colt tenon front sight is installed with a tool made for the purpose.
No need for soldering.
No need for soldering.
A 1915 1911 is worth a lot more as a collector's item than as a shooter. There have been problems reported with century old Colts developing slide and frame cracks.
If the rear sight dovetail hasn't been milled out, and if the pistol hasn't been buffed and reblued at some time, I would restore it to its original appearance and configuration.
If the rear sight dovetail hasn't been milled out, and if the pistol hasn't been buffed and reblued at some time, I would restore it to its original appearance and configuration.
