To dovetail the slide or not??????

[Climbhard]

So I recently acquired a really nice SA Trophy Match 1911 in stainless for target shooting. Going to try a little IDPA shooting as well. The thing is, I think I would want a fiber optic front sight to go with the adjustable rear target sights but the front sight is a post. My gunsmith can't find / doesn't think a FO front sight replacement is available without cutting a dovetail. Question is : Do I cut the slide or not ???? Part of me doesn't want to alter the character of the pistol by putting it under the saw but part of me thinks a could shoot it and enjoy it more putting the red dot on the target. Thoughts? FYI. This is my first 1911 so I am probably over-emphasizing the importance of maintaining the integrity.

[Quack]

Dawson makes a sight that fits. no additional cutting of the slide needed

here's my TM with a Dawson
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a317/Quackzilla/Guns/DSC_2443.jpg

and my 9mm Loaded with a Dawson

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a317/Quackzilla/Guns/DSC_2353.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a317/Quackzilla/DSC_8026.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a317/Quackzilla/DSC_8016.jpg


edit: i don't know if the older/original TM's were staked on sights.

Forgot to add that the TGO-1 uses a Dawson sight as well.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a317/Quackzilla/Guns/DSC_2347.jpg

[Cerebrus]

Quack, are those U shaped rear sights stock or aftermarket?..

[Quack]

not U shaped, just looks like that since I was focusing on the front sight.

the TM & Loaded have the Springfield adjustable sights, and the TGO-1 has a BoMar.

[Climbhard]

Dawson makes a sight that fits. no additional cutting of the slide needed

here's my TM with a Dawson
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a317/Quackzilla/Guns/DSC_2443.jpg

and my 9mm Loaded with a Dawson

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a317/Quackzilla/Guns/DSC_2353.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a317/Quackzilla/DSC_8026.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a317/Quackzilla/DSC_8016.jpg


edit: i don't know if the older/original TM's were staked on sights.

Forgot to add that the TGO-1 uses a Dawson sight as well.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a317/Quackzilla/Guns/DSC_2347.jpg

Those are all dovetailed sites. My fron site is stakes and that's my dilemma. To cut a dovetail in the slide or not. If the newer TM came dovetailed, I guess I'm not hurting "value" any

[Quack]

It's still just a Trophy Match and not something like an original Colt or Remington-Rand, so your not really hurting the value of it.

[Quack]

I thought you had a FO front sight already?

I was kind of in the OP's position and ended up buying a Springfield Trophy Match. It's basically a stainless Loaded with match barrel and trigger and match sights and 20lpi checkering on the mainspring housing. I wanted the 1911 for range and to try a little IDPA shooting. I got a smokin deal(I think). Paid 850 for a lightly used model when new they run 1300. I've added a fiber optic front sight and grips from a TRP. I am 100 percent happy with my choice. I probably would have done the Kimber TLE but I preferred the target sights for my intended use and I read about all the problems with the kimber external extractor so I thought why tale that on??? By the way, this pistol is also very easy on Targets as all the bullets seem to go through the same hole!:whistling:

[Climbhard]

"I've added a fiber optic front sight and grips from a TRP. I am 100 percent happy with my choice. "

Ahh, the gun was at the smith when I typed that to have it done and I thought it would ber taken care of. Yesterday I learned that he can't find a post type replacement and told me that to put a FO on he would have to dovetail the slide. Hence, my thread.

[bac1023]

I didn't realize the older TMs had posted front sights.

[Jim Watson]

HiViz makes a stake-on fibre optic front sight. The tenon would have to be cut to fit your Springfield which has a mortise intermediate between old Colts and late Colts.
http://www.hivizsights.com/Colt-1911-C24.aspx

I would go with the dovetail. It isn't going to hurt the resale value of a current production gun and it will give you more choice in sights.

[bac1023]

I would go with the dovetail. It isn't going to hurt the resale value of a current production gun and it will give you more choice in sights.

I agree with Jim.

[samuse]

They already milled off most of the slide for the adjustable rear, I'd make the front match.