1911A1 Sight Change?

[Scoutmaster]

My 51 year old eyes just ain't what they used to be so I'd like to change the tiny sights on my 1911A1. How can I go about changing the sights myself and what recommendations would you have for a new set that would fit on the 1911A1? The rear sights is an easy drift out, but is there a tool that I'd need to install the front sight properly?
Thanks,
Don

[Hill]

There's a tool usually called a 'staking tool' that's a punch made to curve into the slide so the little prong on the sight can be whacked straight. The sight is installed like a rivet.

You can drift the rear sight out with a brass punch going right to left (check me on that) but it's much better to use a screw type installation tool. It's not hard to cause damage to both sight and slide when using a hammer and drift.

Have you rejected the idea of filing the rear sight notch wider to suit? File it, touch it with a little cold blue and then smoke it and shoot.

(59 year old eyes with more left eye issues than most people have, and lefthanded/dominant eyed)

[Hawkmoon]

If the Colt is really an M1911A1, the front sight is a narrow tenon. That's tough to work on, and the options are not many. Current Colts with staked front sights have a wide tenon (the "tenon" is the post that sticks through the slide and gets peened over, sort of like a rivet). I have the Brownells staking tool, and the first front sight I staked went flying off about 100 rounds later.

The sights used on the current 1991 series Colts have white dots and are a significant improvment over the tiny, military sights. The dovetail is the same so you could buy that from Brownells and install it your self. However, the front would require making the rectangular hole for the tenon larger. Since that's not a do-it-yourself job, I would recommend sending the slide to Colt and have them do it. I had them do the sights on my 9mm Combat Commander (which was wearing after-market sights when I bought it) and I was very pleased with the results.

[berkbw]

If your FS is still tight - just drill a dimple and put a good TESTOR's white in it. If the rear aperature is much wider than the FS, paint the whole top of the FS white. BTW, the rear sight may be drifted either way.

b-

[kolt1911]

I have tried 3 different sets of sights on my 1911 i use for IDPA in the past 2 years. My 52 year old eyes like a set of fiber optic sights that are on it now. I had the smith at the range install them, cost was not much because the rear used the stock dovetail and front staked on. It really helps when you can see the sights. Good luck with your choice.