Fiber optic sites for my 1911

R

Roland Thunder

New member
I have a Springfield Loaded Target 1911, 9mm and am thinking of having some fiber optic front sights put on it. Can someone recommend a manufacturer, color and anything else you can think of.
 
Regarding color, the physiology of the human eyeball is such that our photopic (bright light) vision is most sensitive to yellowish-green wavelengths. Our mesopic (dim light) vision shifts such that it is most sensitive to lower bluish-green wavelengths.

http://uniquelights.net/images/stories/unique_lights/p_effect/img_03.jpg

Thus, the most common fiber optic sight color is green.

Red or fluorescent orange is a good choice for daylight contrast. Works well at the range. Not so well if you are being attacked by a swarm of Santas in a dark alley at night.
 
Red or fluorescent orange is a good choice for daylight contrast. Works well at the range. Not so well if you are being attacked by a swarm of Santas in a dark alley at night.
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This would be exclusively for range use.
 
I've used Warren Sights on both a Glock and an XD. They come with a red fiber stick and a green included, enough fiber to do multiple swaps if you were so inclined. I've only used red and I like it, use it for USPSA.
 
Is it common to have fiber optics on both front and rear or is it OK just to do the front. I like the stock adjustable rear sights on the SA 1911
 
I installed a Dawson Precision front site on my Springfield RO, and left the factory site on the back. Dave Makes a great how to video, super easy with a vice, turned out great, works very well at the range. I like it because it makes the front site stand out, I don't miss not having fiber on the rear.
 
I like Dawson a lot. I have a few of their sights on my guns. They have a crisp bright dot and you can order them in different widths. Changing the color is easy too, they come with both color tubes.
 
This would be exclusively for range use.
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Thinking about it, I've seen some targets with red bullseyes. Green would likely be a better bet for range use, as I can't ever recall encountering a target of that hue.

The best day of wingshooting I ever had was with a 12 gauge with a fluorescent orange bead. It was a winter day with no red or orange leaves on the trees, so the bead highly contrasted with the environment in all directions. That orange bead was like a slap in the face in that I could not help but be aware of the position of the muzzle in relation to the bird. I couldn't miss that day.

Most defensive gun useage occurs, however, under mesopic if not scotopic vision conditions, so a yellowish green front sight is likely the best all-around color. It is the most common color used for night sights.

It's true that fiber optic rods are cheap and easy to change, so unlike night sights you are not so wedded to your initial choice, but eyes don't tire of a color, although the mind might object to one.

It seems that a lot of combat gamers are using a blacked out rear sight with a fiber optic or night sight up front. As I understand it, such a combination is quicker and more accurate because it is less confusing and focuses you on the front sight where your focus should be.
 
Color is up to you. My preferred color is red.

Highly recommend Dawson Precision. I had SACS install a FO on my Range Officer, and they used Dawson as well.
 
I agree with all the previous comments about Dawson Precision, I have the Dawson F.O. front sight on my STI Trojan 9mm, I've loved this setup from the first time I ever shot the gun!
 
Agree on Dawson. They make sights for the odd Springfield dovetail - I just learned recently that SA does not use actual Novak specs.

If your RO is zeroed with the present sights, get the same height as the plain blade that is on there now. If the rear is way up or down, you might want to get a different height front so as to put your rear in the middle of its adjustments. There are guidelines on the Dawson site... about sights ;)
 
With the stock front sight, my .45 RO required that the rear sight be cranked-up higher than necessary, so I got a slightly shorter front sight to allow the rear to sit closer to the slide while still allowing a range of adjustment.
As noted, if you're happy with your current sight settings, just get a replacement sight of the same height.
Dawson should be able to tell you which height is closest to stock.
 
Red or fluorescent orange is a good choice for daylight contrast. Works well at the range. Not so well if you are being attacked by a swarm of Santas in a dark alley at night
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Roaming gangs of Santas is a growing problem in my area. I have taken to carrying a second holster filled with sugar cookies so I can distract them and make a quick getaway :eek:
 
I went to the Dawson web sight and I like the sights they have there. What determines which height I should get
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You can measure the height yourself or call Dawson tell them what you have and what you want and they should be able to tell you what height you need. They were able to do so with my Range officer.
 
Roaming gangs of Santas is a growing problem in my area. I have taken to carrying a second holster filled with sugar cookies so I can distract them and make a quick getaway
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Along those lines, Wilson Combat I heard is coming out with tactical candy canes.
 
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