New sights for a 1911

[JohnRippert]

I have had one of the Rock Island Armory standard 1911's for several years now. It has been a rock solid reliable shooter from day one. I cannot recall a single failure through a couple cases of Wolf steel case ball ammo. The only thing, other than a tendency towards hammer bite, that I really hated about it is the sights. Those early style tiny sights just do not do it. I decided to send it to Heinie and get some plain Slant Pro's put on it. Got it back in the mail yesterday. Since I stripped the slide before sending it in the firing pin stop needed to be filed down a bit on top. I did that last night before hitting the sack. I really, really like these sights. Nice wide rear slot makes it easy to see and center the front sight.

Mr Heinie does good work.

 

[4barrel]

How much? I like that low rear mount. Was that front & rear? Did you have to send the gun or just the slide?

 

[WVSig]

I have had one of the Rock Island Armory standard 1911's for several years now. It has been a rock solid reliable shooter from day one. I cannot recall a single failure through a couple cases of Wolf steel case ball ammo. The only thing, other than a tendency towards hammer bite, that I really hated about it is the sights. Those early style tiny sights just do not do it. I decided to send it to Heinie and get some plain Slant Pro's put on it. Got it back in the mail yesterday. Since I stripped the slide before sending it in the firing pin stop needed to be filed down a bit on top. I did that last night before hitting the sack. I really, really like these sights. Nice wide rear slot makes it easy to see and center the front sight.

Mr Heinie does good work.

I have Heinie's on a BHP. What did you go with on the front sight? Is it just the black? I went with a gold dot and love it.

 

[JohnRippert]

It was $228 for the sights and fitting them. I had both front and rear replaced as a set. They are standard black sights. I sent just the stripped slide.


#3055L Heinie LEDGE 1911 Sight Set Black - Heinie Specialty Products


ETA:

Oops, in my original post I said that they were Slant Pro sights. They are actually the 1911 Ledge set.

 

[epj]

Can't argue with the outcome. Very nice. But, $228 sights on a $400+/- gun? Seems like there should have been a less expensive option.

 

[JohnRippert]

Way back when I got the gun it was a Sunday afternoon deal at the funshow. I paid $289 OTD. I plan to get my money's worth out of it before I go.

It would have been cheaper to get Novak's but I never have liked their sights.

 

[forindooruseonly]

How long was the turn around? I'd like to have this done to a GI model Springfield Armory.

 

[JohnRippert]

I originally placed the order on December 18th and then shipped the slide to them. There were the holidays and then they were at the SHOT show so it is hard to say what their regular turnaround is.

 

[Farmer17]

I just bought a GI midsize Rock Island 1911 .45 and I love it. I put checkered walnut grips on it and used a furniture pen on the bright white Rock Island logo and now you can barely see it. The only thing mine needs is sights and I'm still shopping around for some, my local gunsmith said he would install them for 35 bucks.

 

[BUFF]

Richard Heinie used to have some very attractive young women at his booth at gun shows and big matches, wearing T-shirts that read, "ASK ME ABOUT MY HEINIE."

 

[Rpg]

Wide, plain black front and rear sights are the best things going on 1911's.

You've solved one of the two problems on 1911's: as you know, th other is hammer bite.

 

[JohnRippert]

Wide, plain black front and rear sights are the best things going on 1911's.

You've solved one of the two problems on 1911's: as you know, th other is hammer bite.

I plan to take the same file I used to fit the firing pin stop and shorten the hammer spur by about an eight inch or so. That should take care of the bite.

 

[H Richard]

There is nothing wrong with the RIA, but the older ones did use the original GI sights, and grip safety. I have a compact that I've had for about 8 years, and replaced the sights with some Millet that I just had on hand and did install a beavertail grip safety. You have to alter the frame a little but with a guide, it isn't a big difficulty. While everything is all apart it naturally did need a trigger job, I got it to right at 5 lbs where I want for a carry piece.



Richard is a friend of mine, and we belong to the same gun club. He is among the finest gunsmiths that ever touched a 1911.

 

[Mexican Kerry]

Very sharp looking! There are no smiths in my area I'd send anything to so I end up doing all my own work. Maybe not the prettiest but I know what I've got when its done. I'm envious of people on American forums who are able to get quality work done for them.

You're fortunate that real smiths such as Heinie are available to you.

I mated a Commander style hammer to a homemade rat tail A1 grip safety to one of mine a couple years ago. Not because I got hammer bite, but because the hammer was fitted so sweetly and the previous owner finished it off with an ugly drop in beaver tail. I couldn't match the hammer work myself so I chose to leave it and work a standard grip safety around it.

Just mentioning it as an option instead of bobbing your hammer. Personally I think it looks cleaner and is less snaggy than bobbing, but then you also have to properly fit a new hammer. If its a budget gun then maybe bobbing is the better route, lots of people have done it and you aren't messing with the fire controls.



Now what was that about those "Heinie girls".....

 

[BornToLooze]

I had a bobbed hammer on one of my Colts, but I ended up sweating on it enough to turn one side of it black, so I changed it out with a commander hammer.

 

[bananaman]

Good improvement on you RIA! I have 2, but no issues with the sights. My full size 9mm is a tactical. My .40, is a commander, tactical II with adjustable on back, and F.O. on front. I had extractor issues with the .40 when I got it. Replaced it with aftermarket. Works wonderful. Contacted Armscor, and they sent me 1 for free. Some people turn their noses up at them. I am happy! Have a SIG, and S&W in .45 also. Bob

 

[Cyrano]

RIAs come with beavertail grip safeties now Mine is a few years old; the sights and checkered grips are my additions but the grip safety is stock.