Oversized dovetail for rear sight

[Idaho Dave]

I bought a used Springfield 1911 with a red dot scope. Now I want a rear sight for it, but the dovetail cut is too big for any that I've been able to find. Even the BO-MAR oversized rear sight is too small.

Any suggestions?

[mitchjoe]

Idaho Dave:

It's possible the dovetail was hogged out for one of the t-grips that are fairly common on 1911's w/ an optical sight mounted. Although most I've seen use the GI rear sight dovetail. Hmm, can you measure the current cut?

mitchjoe

[Idaho Dave]

the upper (narrow) part of the dovetail is 0.402 inches and the lower (wider) part of the dovetail is 0.476 inches. By most standards, that's huge.

[mitchjoe]

Idaho Dave:

That is pretty dang huge...I don't know of any conventional sight that will fit in a dovetail that large...

mitchjoe

[Mtrclass]

Probably the best way to deal with it is to weld up the dovetail and recut it to it whatever rear sight you want to use..........

[Jim Clark]

I have a Novak low mount rear sight on one of my guns. In mounting this unit the origonal dovetail is made into a flat. Then a new dove tail is cut. There is a little more to it, but it's a thought. It would likely mean a new front sight too. Making a 'plug' for the the oversize cut & TIG welding it in would work too.

jim