Changing Sights on SW1911

Rastoff

Rastoff

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I just bought a SW1911 (SKU# 108284).

I knew I wanted fixed white dot sights, but this one came with black adjustable sights. I figured I could just change them out later. It appears I was wrong.

I have received no response from S&W about this so, I figured I'd ask here. Is there any way to change out these sights or am I just stuck with these?

Can I modify them to be white dots?
 
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Thanks for the info. Novak said they could install a front sight, but couldn't do anything for the rear.

Do you have a pic of the Dawson sight? I didn't see a picture on their website.
 
Here is some images directly from Dawson's website. They do list that have a Tritium front sight as well, you might need to call them to see if they have for the #108284. As I had to call them to clarify the fiber-optic model# for our model S&W 1911.

Z%20-%20S&W%201911%20Optic%20Front.jpg
 
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More research has yielded some good results.

Once I learned that the rear sight was called a Bomar sight, I was able to get some more info on replacements.

Here is a place that has several replacement options:
Harrison Design & Consulting, LLC.. Sights for the Deluxe BoMar cut (box style)

Also, Dawson has some. I called them and talked to Jennifer. She told me that part #024-017 is a Green fiber optic rear and 021-030 is a Red fiber optic that goes with it.

The rear is an adjustable version and isn't much different than the one we already have except that it has the fiber optic. The Extreme Service rear sight from Harrison Design comes in three flavors; black, one dot in the middle and two dots on either side. They are Tritium and thus cost a little more.

Still, I'm happy to be finding options.
 
More info just in case anyone is reading this.

I sent pictures of my gun to John at Harrison Design. He tells me that the Smith & Wesson sight is not a BoMar design. In fact he goes on to say that it has a wider and lower dove tail cut than anything he's seen before. He knows of nothing that will fit.

This is very disheartening.
 
I have read in more than one spot that S&W 1911 sights are proprietary and not the standard, so I am not shocked about your finding on the "not Bomar style." Does the info. from Dawson Precision still apply for the model numbers you posted?
 
Well, those are the numbers they gave me. However, I suspect that they gave me those based on the thought that it was a BoMar sight. So, I think we will find that their sight doesn't fit either.

I would not be happy if I sent them my slide only to hear, "Oops, we made a mistake. Our sight doesn't fit. Sorry."

This really shouldn't be this complicated. I mean, how hard is it to machine a dove tail with the same dimensions as the factory sight?
 
Rastoff said:
This really shouldn't be this complicated. I mean, how hard is it to machine a dove tail with the same dimensions as the factory sight?
Click to expand...

...or why did S&W have to be a PITA and make a proprietary sight cut. Do they really have that much in sales of 1911 sights? or Are they charging Aftermarket Manufactures rights to make sights with their style cut?
 
Rastoff said:
Can I modify them to be white dots?
Click to expand...

I would think any decent gunsmith could help you with that, but it won't be inexpensive. It calls for some pretty careful, precise machining. I see you are in California. If you are close to Jim Hoag, he might consider the job.

I think the best thing you can do is trade your pistol on one that has the features you want, or better yet, sell it and buy the gun you want. That is usually more cost-effective than paying for customizing.
 
Thanks for the thought M29since14. I just bought this one so, I'm gonna hang on to it. It's not that I don't like the gun, it's just not optimal.

Do you know where Jim Hoag work/lives? I might just give him a call.
 
The last I have for him is 818-998-1510 in Canoga Park.

Sipowicz just recently took a BHP to Mr. Hoag. Maybe you could PM him for more up-to-date info?
 
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I just Googled his business and it's only about 2 hours from me. I will give him a call and see what he says. Thanks for the tip.
 
Many years ago now, I had a chance to buy a Hoag .45 he worked over when he was in his 1911 hey-days, probably shortly after he got out on his own. The owner of the gun was a bit boorish, and since I didn't like the chap, I passed on doing business with him, even though I wanted the gun. A stupid mistake. I have kicked myself over that screw-up for about 30-years now. :o By modern standards, it was a simple gun, but it was everything a .45 should be - and done up beautifully. "A real killer." :)
 
I changed the rear sights on my 45 last year by removing the existing military style and installing a LPA sight which was very fairly priced. I was able to choose from a bunch of designs from Precision Sales Ltd on the net and they are great to do business with as well. Here in Canada we call the Norinco 45's "Chinese kimbers" as a joke as the price for such decent quality is excellent. :)
 
I have recently purchased aS&W 1911 PC Custom pistol SKU #170343 (wondeful weapon). However , I am somewhat dissappointed with the black front and the rear adjustable sights.I emailed Smith and Wesson, but alas, no reply. What I did was to purchase from Cabelas some 'Bright touch up paint' each little conainer comes in a pen like container. It comes in three colors-Red, Green and White. I applied the Green to my front site only ....and what a difference this made...easy to aquire the target. Good luck
 
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Same problem

Ras
I've got the same issue with a Doug Koenig model 1911.
Adjustable rear sight (with wings) and no one makes a replacement. In fact they specifically call out the DK in the description: all full sized 1911 except Doug Koenig.
 
Man, this is an old one. For the record, the gun in the OP was returned due to a failure-to-feed issue that couldn't be solved. I have not owned this gun for over three years.

The sight issue with mine was that the dovetail the sight mounts in is larger than other sights. Thus, I was stuck with that sight. Since I returned this gun a long time ago, I didn't do any more research on this issue. As far as I know, there still aren't any sights made for these.
 
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