Installing Colt factory front site - Colt 1911

psantos

Hi group:I have a 70 series 1911, I would prefer a narrower front site, Without machining of the slide. How do I install an original Staked on? Colt front site?ThxPaulIt would seem easy to do?

Der Gebirgsjager

First..consider carefully filing the sight thinner taking equal amounts from both sides of the blade, and then applying cold blue. If that just won't do, remove the old sight by grabbing it along the sides of the blade with pliers (the parallel jaw type work best) and rocking the sight side to side while pulling upward. This will overcome the staking on the bottom and the sight will come out. Throw it away. Next, clean up the hole where the old sight was and insert the new one. Elementary, I know---but make sure it's pointing in the right direction. Preferably you will now use one of several staking tools on the market made specifically for the staking chore. There are several designs, but the best are made to cradle the sight against damage while you peen over the end of the shaft that extends from the base of the sight through the hole to the interior of the slide. The cheapest are about $20 on up to $200. You've also got the cost of the new sight, so unless you're going to be doing this again you might consider the services of a gunsmith. However, I have seen creditable jobs done by clamping the new sight upside down in a smooth jawed vise, having a steady handed assistant hold the slide upside down on the sight shaft, again with the shaft through the hole into the interior of the slide, and the shaft then being peened or staked down by the first man with a long center punch. You can then carefully file everything on the inside of the slide flush with a needle file.

pjpjr

Want some good advise? Take your pistol to a competent gunsmith and pay the $20.00 to do it right. You wont be disatisfied, and your gun will look as good as when it went in! If you decide to try it yourself good luck.