1911 sight change out advice request

jisuho

jisuho

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Hey folks, I am hoping I can get some of the old pros on here to give me some advice. I have the ATI FX GI 1911 in 45ACP (got it eight years ago) which came with basic black blade rear and front staked sight. High profile instead of the original low sights. I would like to change the straight black sights to a three dot system to help the old eyes acquire them. I can handle drifting out the rear sight and reinstalling, but the front sight is a different beast to me. Having only minimal gunsmithing skills I am asking for some advice on removing and reinstalling the staked front sight.

I have looked at the inside on the slide and there isn't any obvious signs of a staked sight base, it looks very smooth on the inside. Does this mean the front sight is glued in? Or welded in? How can I get it out and then how do I glue/weld or otherwise fix the new front sight in so it will stay?

Any advice would be appreciated.

j
 
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Getting a staked front sight out is easy. Installing a new one is not. I ended up having Novaks cut the front and rear for dovetails. I wouldn't spend that much on that particular pistol. It just wouldn't be the best use of $275.

So I'm not much help here. Sorry.
 
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I can offer an easy way to get the front sight off, but as stated not a lot of help after that.

Remove the slide from the gun. Tape up the slide around the front sight blade. Clamp a vise grip onto the sight blade, then just twist it off. Then you can drive out the tenon with a punch.

It was trying to stake one in, then trying to silver solder one in, where I hit a roadblock and finally gave up.
 
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fieldgrade said:
I can offer an easy way to get the front sight off, but as stated not a lot of help after that.

Remove the slide from the gun. Tape up the slide around the front sight blade. Clamp a vise grip onto the sight blade, then just twist it off. Then you can drive out the tenon with a punch.

It was trying to stake one in, then trying to silver solder one in, where I hit a roadblock and finally gave up.
Click to expand...
I remember this saga and was hoping you’d chime in. I’ve only ever done dovetails myself.

What say you @OldSchool
 
This is what a 3o year old Colt Government looks like from the inside with the staked front sight still intact, then with the staked front sight removed.

fullsizeoutput_908.jpeg
IMG_0814.JPG
 
Part of my problem in trying to stake in a new front sight was I was intent on installing a fiber optic front sight, and I ended up indirectly beating up the sight because it is inherently a "flimsier" sight (install with the fiber removed, of course). The HiViz staked fiber front sight is not quite as sturdy as it looks in the pic, and your choices are very limited if you stick with a staked from sight.

ct2009.jpg


...than this, which would be less likely to get beat up in installation.

p_584007445_1.jpg
 
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To have a chance of getting it right the first time you need the tool. There is probably a local Smith that will stake for less than buying a staking tool.

I did one with a center punch and it never flew off, but worked loose many times before I had a dovetail cut, I had front and rear done pretty affordably by a local Smith.

I've known people that silver soldered them on. That's 1100 degree solder, it is very strong properly applied but the heat will damage your finish. I may be to blame for @fieldgrade 's misadventures.
 
Thanks for all the replys and suggestions.

Hmmm. I have done a bit of minor upgrades before, installing new parts and springs in various weapons but I am not ready to start banging on the slide of my 45. Especially without special tools or onsite help from professional. I think I will think about this some more. Do I really need to change the sights? It is really more of a want than a need. Besides I can always try a few dabs of white nail polish in the right places. Just as a temporary measure to see if three dots actually do help me hit the 10 ring.

j
 
Just my opinion:
At 50, my eyes are going downhill fast. Sights are about as important to a gun as you can possibly get. If a gun does not have sights I like and want, then it is worthless to me and it will be removed.
If you like the gun, I see it more as a "need" and not a want. What I don't "need" (or want) is a gun with crap sights.

So if you like the gun, I'd say don't give up on it. Continue to explore your options.
 
NKD said:
Just my opinion:
At 50, my eyes are going downhill fast. Sights are about as important to a gun as you can possibly get. If a gun does not have sights I like and want, then it is worthless to me and it will be removed.
If you like the gun, I see it more as a "need" and not a want. What I don't "need" (or want) is a gun with crap sights.

So if you like the gun, I'd say don't give up on it. Continue to explore your options.
Click to expand...


Sage advice indeed NKD. Until I make the move I have tried a bit of nail polish on front and rear. I tried to make it "Glock-like". I will have to give them a try next time out.

painted sights.jpg

j
 
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