Red fiber optic sights on SW1911 model 178011

[586nickel]

Anyone have any experience with or thoughts on the sight setup on this gun? I'm strongly considering this as my first 1911 and I like the fiber optic sight concept, but was thinking just one lamp on the front sight to focus on. I’m a bit concerned that the rear are red as well --- centering a red between two reds seems a bit strange but I guess no different than a 3 white dot setup as I think about it.

This is just for target and plinking, not carry or self-defense. Probably 50/50 indoor range/outdoor range use.

Thanks for help.

 

[586nickel]

Sometimes I forget how awesome the internet is. Here's a review on youtube and the guy comments on the sights. He also commented on the size of the grips, which I'm glad he did. If only I could find one of these around here to actually handle!!!


Smith & Wesson SW1911 178011 Pro Series - YouTube

 

[handgunner356]

I have that model and have front fiber optics on other guns. I prefer the FO front with plain black rear myself, and I did change the front out to green on mine.

 

[novalty]

I really have to stay away from this forum. I've been considering a fiber optic front sight from Dawson Precision for my S&W 1911 (108284), guess I will be placing an order shortly for one. Thanks alot

 

[OKFC05]

I have that exact gun, and a shooting it stock in IDPA/CDP and USPSA/ Single Stack.
I tried it with the rear FO blacked out (with a quick spray of Sight Black) and decided the rear dots make little, if any, difference to me.

In fast shooting, I'm only looking at the front sight anyway.

I am definitely a fan of front sight FO and have them on several guns.

 

[XAVMECH]

"Front sight in a fight". I've now installed FO sights in the front positions of two of my pistols. I was out yesterday with the green one like it better than the orange/red. Either one gave me an improvement in both speed (acquisition) and accuracy. For someone that's getting a bit older and is looking for easier target acquisition, I think the FO sights are great.

 

[John3200]

I think these fiberoptic sights are a bad idea in the long term and here's why. I have a target shotgun that came with them. The are plastic and easy to break. This model is easy to replace the light pipes on which is good because several have broken for me.

What are you going to do 10, 20+ years down the road with a nice handgun that has cloudy or broken light pipes in the sights? And you can't buy them anymore? It's bad enough with all the 15 year old night sights on guns out there that are too dim to use as such.

In my opinion these plastic fiberoptic sights are a bad choice on an otherwise fine gun that should be around for generations.

 

[OKFC05]

What are you going to do 10, 20+ years down the road with a nice handgun that has cloudy or broken light pipes in the sights?

FO plastic pipes are commodities sold in bulk for thousands of applications.
The 1.5mm size (.059") commonly used for pistol gunsights sells for $5.35 per meter. For $20 you can buy several lifetimes' supply. The steel sight frame is permanent, and the FO fiber easily replaced.
Flourescent Fiber - Archery Sights-Replacement Fiber Optics

The entirely different Night sights are filled with radioactive material capsules with a half-life of 12 1/2 years. They require periodic replacement.

 

[586nickel]

Guys, thanks for the comments. Have given me much to think about. Am glad to know these can be switched out to different colors. I like the idea of the green front and red rear FO sights.