I never got a reply to this so let me refresh it with some explanation. I am working on a project gun, trying to make the best (for me) version of the 39 series I can build. The slide I am using is an orphan 439 (probably) slide I actually bought to harvest parts from... has little to no actual value except as a test bed now.

I want to experiment with sights and it came to me with the standard non-adjustable rear sight and forged front blade. I am wondering about replacing the front blade with a dovetail for the potential to change as desired. Alternatively I might consider the type of staked pin arrangement found on Colt 1911s if there isn’t enough meat there to mill the dovetail, but that would slow down or limit blade changes if they should be needed.

I know the 3904 slides were available with front dovetails, but they had that built up region around the DT, so that is why I’m asking whether there is sufficient steel present on my 439 slide to mill what I need.

Anyone with actual experience doing what I’m proposing?

TIA~ Froggie