Question #1: The front sight on my Gold Cup NM Series 80 has been loose since I purchased it (mid 1980's) and it finally came loose enough to where I could remove it. I am aware of the tool to rivet the sight back in, but was wondering of it would be a good time to replace the front sight with an easier to see one. Any suggestions on brand? Do replacement sights attach to the slide the same as the original?

Question #2: I removed the grips and noticed the stock (or grip) screw bushings came out of the receiver and stayed with the screws, instead of remaining in. These bushings are threaded on the outside and I was wondering how to remove them from the grip screws without damaging them.

Thanks!

Can't help much with the first question, I wouldn't care for a front sight which is not dovetailed. The tenon-mounted ones will eventually get loose, as it happened already. If you go with a dovetail one, I haven't heard of one which was not OK, Novak's are fine with me.

As far as the bushings are concerned, I would suggest you reinstall them together with the grip screw and the grip, after you apply a drop of red Loctite first on the threads. Leave it overnight and then try to unscrew the grip screw.

Rgds

__________________
John Caradimas SV1CEC
The M1911 Pistols Organization
http://www.m1911.org

PigglyWiggly,

In answer to question 1, you should be able to use any number of front sights according to your personal preference. Many gunsmiths can cut a dovetail in your slide and insert a new sight.

The easiest thing to do would be to have the sight that you have restaked. I have never done this but understand that if done properly, they will stay in place for a long time. Most all of my Colt's have the staked in front sight and I have never had one come loose. Another advantage to using the original sight or another staked in sight is the finish of the gun should not be harmed. If you cut a dovetail, you will at a minimum have to use cold blue for touch-up.

Good Luck on your decision,

Chuck

Thanks! Your suggestions are most helpful. Long live the 1911!

1. I do not recommend restaking the original sight. It will come loose again.

2. Use a pliers that does not have teeth ground. Carefully grip the treaded area and use a screwdriver to remove the screws. Try not to ruin the threads of the bushing. Test fit bushings. Use brake cleaner to clean the threaded area of the frame. Follow the directions of red loc-tite, put the bushings in the frame (be careful not to ruin the bushing by over-torque). Let sit for 24 hours. put grips back on.

Good luck

Unless if someone can silver-solder it for you, but I am not sure if that can damage the outside finish.

Rgds

__________________
John Caradimas SV1CEC
The M1911 Pistols Organization
http://www.m1911.org

i have a goldcup national match series80... i plan to change the colt grip for a change of feel...would it be nice to change it with a wrap around grip? tnx

The wrap around rubber grips feel nice for the most part. They just don't have the character of nice checkered wood grips. My opinion the Hogue wrap around grips feel the best on a 1911. They came standard on my Defender . The Colt's wrap around grips that came on my two Gold Cups and the Combat Elite that I stupidly sold had the Colt's. The part that covered the front strap came up and stopped right where my middle finger wrapped around the frame and was very uncomfortabel. I took a razor kinfe and cut out the part that covers the front strap making a nice pair of checkered rubber grips with the Colt medallions. You can see them on my Commander in another post here.

Chuck

[THANKS! Chuck...i'll try to post the before & after photo of it. with in this week...

QUOTE=GCT00427]The wrap around rubber grips feel nice for the most part. They just don't have the character of nice checkered wood grips. My opinion the Hogue wrap around grips feel the best on a 1911. They came standard on my Defender . The Colt's wrap around grips that came on my two Gold Cups and the Combat Elite that I stupidly sold had the Colt's. The part that covered the front strap came up and stopped right where my middle finger wrapped around the frame and was very uncomfortabel. I took a razor kinfe and cut out the part that covers the front strap making a nice pair of checkered rubber grips with the Colt medallions. You can see them on my Commander in another post here.

Chuck[/QUOTE]

I would love to see it. The Gold Cups are my favorites.

Best,

Chuck