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AR15.COM
7/12/2009 2:50:24 PM EDT
I acquired a pair of Caspian Recon frames last year and I am getting ready to order the rest of the parts to start my first 1911 build.  This is going to be a my primary pistol in my SHTF arsenal.  Fortunately I have an experienced 1911 builder handy in case I get stuck.  Anyhow I need to order the slide from Caspian but before I do I need to decide on sight, or at least what sight cut to have them make.  Anyone have any suggestions?  I was looking at an adjustable low profile set of Novaks but I'm not sure that's the best way to go.  Any suggestions are appreciated.
7/12/2009 3:12:11 PM EDT
[#1]
These are two I am considering.  I am really curious about the first one since i have never seen it before, but it seems like a good idea.

I like the metastability of the second but I don't know if adjustable sights belong on a SHTF pistol.

this
or this
7/12/2009 3:14:47 PM EDT
[#2]
This is highly subjective and there is no "one" answer for everyone.  You said "SHTF" and if you really mean that, you want to put simplicity and reliability above all others.

That said, either a conventional "tall three-dot" combat sight system like comes on an SA Mil-Spec or Colt 1991 is an excellent choice - simple, cheap, highly effective.  You can dovetail and mill more and put in a "melted" or "wedged" system in the rear, but it won't really do much more.  Some like night sights, some aren't swayed.  They certainly work in some night scenarios - but they also cost quite a bit and require periodic replacement and cost.  So it depends upon how rigid the "SHTF" parameters are.

Some will tell you that adjustable sights are not appropriate, but if you like to reload and experiment, intelligent designs like the BoMar "BMCS" low-mount rear are well proven on many carry guns for decades (Caspian sells a variant of this themselves).  A compromise of all of the above I like on one gun I have is a v-notched or Diamond ring rear BMCS with a fiber optic post front.  Fast acquisition and intuitive adjustments under stress.  S&W has been putting a variant of this system in recent years on many of their higher-end guns and competitors are liking it.  The one I have is actually a Caspian gun; they cut a dovetail front and then a BMCS rear and I think it has their own BoMar type rear adjustable sight in it with the diamond ring.
7/12/2009 3:25:59 PM EDT
[#3]
Heinie Slant Pro or Heinie's Originals.
7/12/2009 4:25:56 PM EDT
[#4]
Quoted:
Heinie Slant Pro or Heinie's Originals.


+1 I really like the slant pros, way faster to line up 2 dots vertically than 3 horizontally
7/12/2009 5:35:02 PM EDT
[#5]
I'd second the Heinie Straight Eight sights.  That's what I have on my SHTF 1911.

I find it MUCH faster to get back on target with the dot over dot system.
7/12/2009 5:43:36 PM EDT
[#6]
I like a plain black rear with a tritium front. I suggest getting the Novak cut with the 10-8, Heinie Ledge, or Heirloom Precision Professional Grade sight. The Novaks you posted are good as well.
7/12/2009 7:38:05 PM EDT
[#7]
I have both the straight eight and novak sights on a couple of my carry weapons.  I find that the novak are easier to pick up day or night, IMO.
7/12/2009 7:50:21 PM EDT
[#8]
Take a look at SDM Gold Bead Front Sight.  Simple and works well.
7/13/2009 6:25:59 AM EDT
[#9]
Novak lo-mount in tritium or white dot......................
7/13/2009 6:55:15 AM EDT
[#10]
I think except for Gold Cup Elliason's or another type of adjustable, installed correctly they are all fairly stout.  My personal favorites are Novak's or the Champion Novak knockoffs Ed Brown and Dan Wesson use.  Have seen some of the wide-tenon staked in sights fly off, so I would recommend a dovetailed front sight.
7/14/2009 7:16:41 AM EDT
[#11]
I had the Extreme Duty on a Springfield Champion carry gun......great sight!!!

7/14/2009 7:42:03 AM EDT
[#12]
Heinie straight eight night sights on my duty S.A. 1911 A-1.
7/14/2009 8:19:43 AM EDT
[#13]
My current favorite is a serrated Yost rear with tritium dot front.  Barring that, I'm OK with Novak style and a bit of white Testor's enamel on the front sight to speed up acquisition.