S&W 1911 Pro Series Rear Sight

[MrDesertBrat]

Okay, 1st an apology for reopening a topic that has had several related threads posted - I am rehashing the topic to see if any new thoughts, solutions have arisen.

Primary Issue: Old eyes and am looking for an adjustable fiber optic rear sight or sight blade to make target acquisition faster and easier (Steel Challenge and USPSA matches).

Challenge:
On this model (sku 178047 - S&W 1911 Pro Series 9mm), Smith & Wesson has incorporated a proprietary adjustable rear sight - it is somewhat Bo-Mar like cut BUT with very different and unique dimensions.

Attempted Solution Path:
1) I have contacted the major sight companies (Dawson, Novaks, HiViz, Kensight, LPA, Trijicon, Fusion, Williams, etc.) and none have a replacement for this sight. They refer me to S&W since it is proprietary.

2) My next tack was to see if I could replace the S&W sight's leaf arm with that of another manufacture's that matched (or was close enough to machine to fit). narrow leaf arm is approx. .978 in. long and .400 in wide, with the pivot pin hole approx .040 in. from the end. So far this has also been a disappointment - the sight manufacturers, so far, has said they have nothing that fits and offered no suggestions.

3) Wilson Combat did suggest looking for a replacement blade only. And though they did not have a fiber optic blade, they do have a tritium blade. The only one to offer a suggestion by the way (their customer service rocks)

4) I contacted S&W, and as of this post have not had a response ..


Okay, enough background. My inquiries are:

1. Have anyone else run into this challenge and what was the out come.

2. Has any one replaced the blade - if so, who was the provider/manufacturer?

3. Has anyone successfully replaced the entire rear sight pivot (leaf) arm? - How and with what?

4. Other than remilling the slide to a more standard cut {shudders at the thought} any suggestions?

This has been a very frustrating and eye opening experience ..especially us old folk with failing eyes to try and keep competitive. To have an awesome firearm (the 1911 Pro Series is great), that has very limited to no sight options, is very frustrating and difficult on the pocket book (spend the money and have no options - other than sell and buy another manufacture's 1911).

Any help or suggestions are more than welcome and greatly appreciated. I am at wits end and .. {sigh}

Thanks Folks

 

[MrDesertBrat]

An Update:

1. S&W contacted me and it appears the rear sight is a special design manufactured by Wilson Combat for S&W, using S&W proprietary design/dimensions. They suggested contacting them to discuss available options.

2. Had several discussions with the Wilson Combat team. They do make and are "allowed" to sell rear blades for the sight. As to the sight body and other part they do not have/can not sell. No other sight in their product line has matching parts (other than the blade). Two rear blades are available (if in stock) - a tritium two dot "battle" sight blade with tapered sides, and a plain black blade.

BTW - Wilson Combat customer service is awesome - supportive and very helpful. They seem to want to help - while other vendors seemed to "brush me off" (Dawson, Novaks, Williams, HiViz, Kensight, Trijicon, Ed Brown, Clark, etc.).

 

[MrDesertBrat]

Update #2

Just received the Wilson Combat rear sight blade.. and it will NOT fit the S&W adjustable rear sight frame - adjustment (R/L travel) screw diameter and thread pitch are different (Wilson being larger).

Just may have to buy two sights, and cut/weld the parts to fit.. {sigh} .. unless someone else has any suggestions.

Thanks

 

[Darkhawk]

You could have the slide milled for a mount and Red dot optic.

 

[MrDesertBrat]

You could have the slide milled for a mount and Red dot optic.

Or frame drilled and tapped.. for optic mount and open class... {sigh}