1911 Sight Parts falling off

[ramblinmanva]

Hello. I'm a newer 1911 shooter but an otherwise somewhat experienced shooter. Please be understanding.

I purchased a brand new S&W 1911 about 1 year ago. I probably have about 600 rounds or so through it. This one came with factory sights that are the orange glow on the front and rear sights.

One visit ago at the range the front sight broke with the orange part falling out (never found it). Today at the range both of the front sights had the same thing happen. I retrieved both of those. The orange glow part came completely out.

I have installed after-market sights on other guns and never had this happen. I was pleased with these factory sights and I'm surprised to have this hardware malfunction so quickly with what I figured was quality material.

The range officers were encouraging me to replace the sights with another brand. An internet search revealed this may not be possible with S&W 1911s due to some design issues.

1. Has anyone else had this happen with new 1911s? Is this normal? I'm thinking not.

2. More importantly, can third party sights be put on a 1911? I've found mostly "no" responses but wasn't sure if these were older or newer models. Thanks for your help.

I did write S&W and they said they will send me a replacement front sight in about 2 weeks. I just emailed them about the rear. I'm not sure if I should install either or if third party options are possible.

[old&slow]

Orange Glow sights ? Are you talking about Fiber Optic ( plastic ) rods ?

If that is the case,, there are several places you can order fiber optic rod.. I order / buy it by the yard and replace it when ever it starts to look cloudy or dull.

[ramblinmanva]

Originally Posted by old&slow

Orange Glow sights ? Are you talking about Fiber Optic ( plastic ) rods ?

If that is the case,, there are several places you can order fiber optic rod.. I order / buy it by the yard and replace it when ever it starts to look cloudy or dull.

Thanks for the response.

Yes, probably so that these are the plastic rods. But I retrieved one of them and it would not stay in. Admittedly, I've never done this sort of thing myself (not usually a do-it-yourselfer on the guns) so I'm not sure what's involved with replacing them. I can look that up tonight on youtube.

This gun came with what I believe are adjustable sights with bright orange rods in the front and rear. The rods have come out of all three but the actual hardware for the sight itself is still there.

Thank you.

[arjay]

thin super glue?

[Model 52]

After you insert the fiber optic rod in the sight, you must then heat each end of the fiber optic rod to make a small mushroom on each end. That is what retains it in the actual sight.

Model 52

[old&slow]

Measure and buy the right dia. fiber optic rod. Cut it about 1/16th of an inch or so longer than your sight.. A Bic lighter near the end ,, it will melt and form a small rivet / ball on the end.
push it snug / tight against the sight ,, and do the other end..

I buy it by the yard and in different colors, that way I can change it when it starts looking cloudy ,, or I want to change colors..
To replace just clip / cut rod in half and push the pieces out.

I would think super glue would make relacement difficult

[old&slow]

Flourescent Fiber - Archery Sights-Replacement Fiber Optics

https://www.dawsonprecision.com/Cate...ement+Filament

YouTube

[ramblinmanva]

Old&slow: Thank you so much for taking the time to share your knowledge with me. The links and the video are great. I will order this and give it a shot. Thank you again.

[ramblinmanva]

One question. My rear site has a screw and it does not look like a clear pass through to the other side like the front site. Do you know how I handle the rear site fiber optic replacement? I searched you tube and all the videos show front only. Thanks.

[Bruce51]

I have a fiber optic front sight on a 1911A1 slide.

When it fell out I used a five minute two part epoxy to re-install the rod.

It has stayed in place, much to my surprise, after many full power loads.

When using epoxy make sure the amounts dispensed are equal and mix well.

BLM

[ramblinmanva]

Originally Posted by old&slow

Measure and buy the right dia. fiber optic rod.

I had no idea that figuring out the right diameter and finding it online would be so hard. Ha.

This looks like the model I own:

Product: Model SW1911

I've tried measuring and then finding the size online but there doesn't seem to be a match. I emailed S&W to see if they could help me. I chatted online with two vendors and both told me they couldn't help me.

[ramblinmanva]

Heard from S&W and mine is 0.60. Again, thanks for all the advice. I'll still need to confirm how to install the rear one but I think I will figure it out by trial and possible error. Thanks again.

[old&slow]

Originally Posted by ramblinmanva

I had no idea that figuring out the right diameter and finding it online would be so hard. Ha.

This looks like the model I own:

Product: Model SW1911

I've tried measuring and then finding the size online but there doesn't seem to be a match. I emailed S&W to see if they could help me. I chatted online with two vendors and both told me they couldn't help me.

The most common fiber optic size I have is .060. Without a dial caliper to measure , you might try different size drill bits to measure the hole size. ( 3/64th is .0439,, & 1/16th is .0625 )

( I think the one company refers to their fiber optic as .059 size.)

.040 is fairly small and I think used on some sights like Dawson Precision,, etc. ( a sheet of paper is about .004 -.005 ,, a business card is about .010 )

And the only fiber optic sight I have that is .080 is one I drilled out to that size.

I'm not sure about the rear sight.. Never had fiber optic rear sights on any of my firearms.. Sorry,,

[ramblinmanva]

Originally Posted by Model 52

After you insert the fiber optic rod in the sight, you must then heat each end of the fiber optic rod to make a small mushroom on each end. That is what retains it in the actual sight.

Model 52

I was able to successfully replace my front site rods. Today at the range the rear rods fell out after 25 rounds. I can burn one end of the rear site but I have no idea how I'm supposed to get it to stay in. There is a screw there and it looks like the intent is just to have the rod press in against the screw but that clearly didn't work.

I'm hesitant to put super glue in there. Do you have any advice for how to handle the rear one? Thanks.

[Watchdog]

That pistol cost way too much for parts to be flying off of it when you shoot it. S&W is sending you a front sight? Get 'em to send the rear one as well. Don't take no for an answer.

[ramblinmanva]

Originally Posted by WATCHDOG

That pistol cost way too much for parts to be flying off of it when you shoot it. S&W is sending you a front sight? Get 'em to send the rear one as well. Don't take no for an answer.

Actually, S&W said they were sending me only new rods for the front site and then they never did. The rods alone would be annoying if I have to install them. Sounds like I will be contacting them again.

[Model 52]

Please post a close up picture of your rear sight. Then we can help you much better as many sights are different.

Model 52

Originally Posted by ramblinmanva

I was able to successfully replace my front site rods. Today at the range the rear rods fell out after 25 rounds. I can burn one end of the rear site but I have no idea how I'm supposed to get it to stay in. There is a screw there and it looks like the intent is just to have the rod press in against the screw but that clearly didn't work.

I'm hesitant to put super glue in there. Do you have any advice for how to handle the rear one? Thanks.

[ramblinmanva]

Originally Posted by Model 52

Please post a close up picture of your rear sight. Then we can help you much better as many sights are different.

Model 52

Thanks for the response. My understanding is that folks replace these fiber optic rods to try different colors or because they fade. It would be great if I could figure it out. I got the front one in but I think my thumb got it dirty during installation. The rear ones I can't keep in.

First time I've ever posted a picture on here so hopefully this works as intended. One is blurry as I was having trouble getting it to focus. Hopefully this helps but I can try more pics if needed. Thanks.

[Model 52]

Well.....I dont know. I have never seen a rear fiber optic sight that does not have both front and rear holes to put the rod thru and melt over. Its obvious your only has the rear holes. I would not want to have to put glue in the channels. My best suggestion is to call the maker of the sight and ask. Sorry, I cant help more

Model 52

Originally Posted by ramblinmanva

Thanks for the response. My understanding is that folks replace these fiber optic rods to try different colors or because they fade. It would be great if I could figure it out. I got the front one in but I think my thumb got it dirty during installation. The rear ones I can't keep in.

First time I've ever posted a picture on here so hopefully this works as intended. One is blurry as I was having trouble getting it to focus. Hopefully this helps but I can try more pics if needed. Thanks.

[Boxhead]

Originally Posted by WATCHDOG

That pistol cost way too much for parts to be flying off of it when you shoot it. S&W is sending you a front sight? Get 'em to send the rear one as well. Don't take no for an answer.

This. I can't see calling the sight manufacturer when S&W supplied the pistol with the sight? Make them send you complete front and rear sight replacements.

[MJFlores]

I would check with S&W and see what the front and rear dovetails are for a cut...once you know that you can order one of many different after market sights. I really like the old style 3 dot Novak sights, they dont cost much, can be seen in low lights, and best of all they don't fall off!

[ramblinmanva]

Originally Posted by Boxhead

This. I can't see calling the sight manufacturer when S&W supplied the pistol with the sight? Make them send you complete front and rear sight replacements.

I guess I'm struggling to understand if there is actually something wrong with the sights. I've read that folks replace these fiber optic rods when they fail to glow or to just change colors. Is that true? If so, as frustrating as it is that the rods came out early (maybe it was due to cleaning solvent or something, I read on one board), then replacing the rods should solve it.

I'm waiting on the mailing label from SW to send it back to them. I will ask them to replace as suggested.

[ramblinmanva]

Originally Posted by Model 52

Well.....I dont know. I have never seen a rear fiber optic sight that does not have both front and rear holes to put the rod thru and melt over. Its obvious your only has the rear holes. I would not want to have to put glue in the channels. My best suggestion is to call the maker of the sight and ask. Sorry, I cant help more

Model 52

I emailed Novak, the mfg of the sights. Their response was:

" Try taking the screw out then heating it up."

My understanding is that this screw is to adjust the sight. I'm hesitant to start fooling around with that when the gun is shooting perfectly otherwise.

Still waiting on SW to write back with the mailing label and I'll see what they come back with.

[ramblinmanva]

I'm providing an update. I did send the gun back to S&W with a detailed note. I also asked for instructions as to how to install the rear site fiber optic and I even offered to pay extra to have a different type of site installed.

What I received in response was the gun was sent back to me today with one note, "sites repaired." The front and rear sites had the fiber optics replaced.

While I'm grateful, I'm not really any further along in terms of understanding how that rear one stays in.