Best 1911 Sights
When you have a 1911 gun, you would obviously want to get the most out of it. When it comes to optimizing the performance and capability of a 1911, one of the most vital elements is its sight. Having the right 1911 sight can make the difference between finishing the job successfully and having to face hindrances. As the sights are probably the only essential part of your 1911 gun you are going to collaborate with the most, they happen to be the only way to anticipate where are bullets are headed. Therefore, you should be able to get the best 1911 sights for your gun and this will certainly be a big decision.
With so many choices available in front of you, you need to perform your research and read reviews to get the best 1911 sights. Here are our recommendations.
Page Contents
- Top 10 Sights for 1911
- 1. GERO Tactical Green and Red Dot Sight
- 2. Meprolight ML19810-Armscor USA/Rock Island Gun Scopes
- 3. Trijicon 1911 Novak Cut HD Night Sight Set
- 4. Truglo Fiber Optic Handgun Sight Set
- 5. Kensight DAS 1911 Defense Adjustable Rear Sight
- 6. Meprolight Colt Tru-Dot Night Sight for 1911
- 7. Dawson Precision GSG 1911 .22 Fixed Carry Sight Set
- 8. Tritium Handgun Glow-in-the-Dark Night Sights for Kimber Pistols
- 9. HIVIZ NVLW01 Novak 1911 Interchangeable LIGHTWAVE Front Handgun Sight
- 10. Trijicon 3 Dot Front And Rear Night Sight Set for Colt Government with .055 Narrow Tang
- Buying Guide for 1911 Sights
- Frequently Asked Questions About 1911 Sights
- Q: Do you need to use non-traditional 1911 sights?
- Q: How are the typical characteristics of 1911 sights?
- Q: How many types of sights are for 1911?
- Q: Do adjustable sights make sense on 1911?
- Q: What are competition sights?
- Q: How are self-defense sights different from competition models?
- Q: Is it fundamental to know the purpose of using sights?
- Q: Do you need to check the front sight?
- Q: What’s the most common choice for rear sight?
- Q: When to choose bars and boxes?
- Q: Have you considered to get plain black?
- Q: Are good sights effortless to use?
Top 10 Sights for 1911
1. GERO Tactical Green and Red Dot Sight
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GERO is a gun accessories brand brought to market by gun enthusiasts to meet the needs of and serve other gun or shooting enthusiasts. The company started their venture into the gun accessories industry with their gun magnet, a product that helps people reach their gun easily and quickly when they need it the most.
Known for its universal installation, compact size and other useful features, the gun magnet was a success, and GERO now happens to be a well-known brand in the firearms accessories market. By choosing to buy a 1911 sight designed and manufactured by GERO, you can be sure that you are investing in a high quality accessory that you will be glad to add to your collection.
If you have been looking for a good quality and reliable red dot sight for your 1911 gun, the GERO Tactical Green and Red Dot Sight would be the perfect product to consider. The durability and versatility of the product, along with its level of affordability, are some of the basic features that attract many shooters to this 1911 sight. As a matter of fact, this is one of the best affordable 1911 sights you will find on the market today, and the fact that it is a lot more efficient that even many of the highly priced sights from leading brands makes it much more appealing.
The green and red dot sight from GERO is basically everything you would expect from a solid 1911 sight; it is shockproof, water resistant, light in weight, and also comes with adjustable brightness feature. As the sight is designed to hold zero for an extended period of time, you get to experience the most accurate level of sighting and swift target engagement.
The robust construction of the sight is made evident by its ability to withstand paintball hits on the glass even at the speed of 300 feet per second without getting scratched. And despite its great strength, the product is made of lightweight material, as a result of which it doesn’t seem bulky when in use.
Its shockproof and water proof nature enables it to perform excellent well in different weather conditions. With the GERO green and red dot sight, you also have the option to change reticles to match your preference. This particular feature leaves you with a clear sight while shooting and you can also experience good eye relief.
However, while most users appreciate the ability to change reticle settings, there are some shooters who find this specific feature quite distracting. Also, some users seem to have experienced that the sight lost zero quicker than anticipated. The manufacturer offers a one year unconditional warranty, which means that you can return the product and get your money back, no questions asked, if you are not completely satisfied with how it works.
- Waterproof, shockproof, and lightweight.
- Excellent brightness range.
- Crisp and clear red and green dots even in bright daylight.
- Highly affordable.
- One year unconditional warranty.
- Easy to mount.
- Durable construction.
- May lose zero quickly.
- The reticle setting changes could be distracting for some users.
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2. Meprolight ML19810-Armscor USA/Rock Island Gun Scopes
Anyone determined to improve their efficiency at night should try the Meprolight ML19810-Armscor USA/Rock Island Gun Scopes.
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Briefly put, the tritium night set impresses with the performance at night and impact resistance. The Tru-Dot sights provide three aiming points that are easy to spot and consistent, easing out the target acquisition, no matter what time you’re shooting at.
The sights are always ready when you need them and allow straightforward installation. You don’t even need the gunsmith for fitting, but you should stay on the safe side and ask for professional help.
They make some of the brightest options within the category and are entirely integrated for day/night sighting. They don’t require maintenance and match Tac 1911 FS.45 ACP pistols.
The metal sights are rugged, but not dovetailed. They have a rather low profile and amazing overall quality. The white dots are great for daily use, whereas the glowing green dots ensure efficiency at night. You don’t need to make any modifications to your gun for fitting the sights.
They are high-performance sights, which is why many military and law enforcement personnel choose them so often. Let’s not forget to mention that they present a 12-year illumination warranty, which says a lot about their build and durability.
- They’re great for low-light conditions, but you can also use them at night
- They come with white dots for day use
- The installation is effortless
- They have a low profile and a rugged build
- They don’t have a screw for the rear sight
- The rear sight may fall off
The brightness, durability, and robust build, turn the sights into some of the best options to try on your 1911.
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3. Trijicon 1911 Novak Cut HD Night Sight Set
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Trijicon is one of the well established American firearm optical sighting device manufacturers since 1981 and they are known for offering energy efficient night sighting products. Most of you would already know about the quality of the night vision optics provided by them.
All the products are made in USA and this gives you 100% guarantee in build quality and optical performance. Trijicon 1911 Novak cut HD night sight set with yellow front outline is a must have night optic product for tactical shooters. This product is an illuminated sight set for both front and rear.
Sighting and trigger control are two of the most essential performance enhancing factors for a tactical shooter. Those who get this right will be spot on in their shooting performance. The perfect sighing upgrade for your 1911 pistol is this product. Precision in target engagement is made possible with this excellent product. If you are someone who loves shooting under low light situations, then this should be your go to upgrade.
It comes with a yellow aiming point and is a self illuminating 3 dot sight made of solid iron. Solid steel is used in the manufacture of front and rear sights, which gives you solid rigidity. Gas lamps are self illuminating and they are placed in silicon cushioned aluminum, giving another rigid form and comfort even under rapid firing circumstances.
Both the rear and front sights are contoured and textured in order to eliminate glare and provide enhanced focus on your target. Front sight aiming point comes with a yellow outline surrounding the tritium phosphor green gas lamp, which improves night visibility and enhances targeting. In order to enhance low light shooting performance, the front sight comes with one tritium vial and the rear constitutes of 2 tritium vials.
To assist emergency one handed operation, the front sight is steeply hooked. Rear sight comes with a wide U-shaped notch. Every single feature of the product is mainly designed to enhance speed and precision even under transitional lighting situations. Green tritium dots that you find in the rear sight come with an outstanding 12 year manufacturer warranty.
HD night sight set from Trijicon is the perfect upgrade for all of you who own a 1911 handgun. Trijicon has conducted an internal testing on their HD night sets and have come with a remarkable result of 20 to 30% speed and performance enhancement in night shooting. Target focus time is cut down drastically and this enhances speed and precision for tactical shooters. Buy this upgrade and try it out on your pistol and you will simply enjoy the difference in real time.
- Tritium phosphor illumination is self illuminating and does not require battery.
- Aluminum phosphor lamp housing gives lamp protection even under extreme recoiling and shooting.
- Tall blade.
- Steeply hooked front sight to eliminate glare.
- Rigid machined steel construction.
- 12 year manufacturer warranty.
- USA manufactured.
- Set screws should be purchased separately.
- Does not fit certain 1911 pistol models.
- Rear sight is bulky, but should not be a major issue.
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4. Truglo Fiber Optic Handgun Sight Set
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Truglo is an accessory manufacturing company established in 1993. A wide range of innovative and exciting accessories are provided for people who have passion and interest in archery, crossbows, firearms, etc. Truglo handgun sight sets are very popular in the market and they are one of the best in this segment without a doubt. Most of the products and accessories offered by Truglo use fiber optic technology and most of these products have enhanced the way shooters aim. Fiber optic tritium handgun sights provide great ability to view the target with precision even at low light.
Tritium power source provides everlasting power, which is the main reason why it is used extensively in handgun sights. Precision sighting is established during day and night with this technology. Aiming at a target is not easy even during broad daylight because the light actually widens the viewing range and this compromises your aim. Bright dot sight is provided by Truglo fiber optic handgun sight set using the daylight and this delivers best in class sighting during the day.
This Tritium based fiber optic sight offered by Truglo comes to life at night where it provides precision aiming at extreme lighting conditions. Tritium lamp provided light is used in creating a bright dot at night. You will be amazed by the difference that a traditional fiber optic technology makes.
Front and rear sights come with a fiber optic tube inserted into them seamlessly, giving you light so that you never lose sight of your target at any condition. Fiber tube is built in so seamlessly that your target will not be able to identify your light even in the dark. Rear sights come with two yellow lights and the front sight is green. A bright green dot flanked by dim yellow lights help you focus on your target with accuracy. Flawless sight alignment is one of the major benefits of this product. Fiber optic handgun sight set from Truglo is made of machined steel and this gives it the durability you need from an accessory. Enough protection is provided to the fiber optic tubes; hence, you can expect this product to last really long.
One of the drawbacks of Truglo fiber optic handgun sight set is that it is a fixed sight product and there are no adjustments whatsoever. Many tactical shooters do try their hands on setting up the sights on their own and make adjustments to the product. Rear sight fitting is the main challenge, but you will find the front sight setup to be quite simple. Proper screwdriver tool set and sight pusher tools are mandatory for installing this product. You can use this Truglo fiber optic sight set for any of your pistols.
- Tritium based fiber optic sights are useful even at no light conditions.
- Fiber optic coupled with tritium gives you the best package.
- CNC machined steel body.
- Snag resistant.
- Excellent sight alignment.
- Durable
- Gunsmith installation is necessary for proper setup.
- This is a fixed sight product with no adjustments.
- Risk of fiber optic fracture if not handled properly.
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5. Kensight DAS 1911 Defense Adjustable Rear Sight
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Established in 1997, Kensight is a part of KFS Industries, and manufactures high end precision and target night sights for the most ambitious shooters. As the company is known to have started the designing phase with an unlimited budget, they were able to include the best features in their gun sights, along with a lot of modern enhancements. All of Kensight’s products are manufactured with advanced techniques and modern technology, and their sights are considered ideal for a lot of different applications. Today, Kensight sights are being used by numerous military units, law enforcement agencies, and also individual sportspeople all across the world.
The Kensight DAS, also known as Defense Adjustable rear Sight, is basically a combat style rear sight for 1911s. This sight can be used as a replacement for the simple sight that comes with your Ruger SR 1911 and attain an advanced set that can be easily adjusted to match your shooting purposes. The combat style body of the sight makes it snag-free and it also makes one handed operation of the slide extremely easy. The sight can be fully adjusted for elevation and windage, and as the exterior is completely dehorned, leaving behind no sharp edges, it wouldn’t snag clothing or cut your hand during draw stroke.
The Kensight DAS 1911 is made from Chrome Moly Steel, a go-to material for high temperature strength, corrosion resistance and tensile strength, which makes it very strong and provides long lasting durability. The matte black finish of the sight reduces glare from overhead lights and sunlight, thus making shooting easy and convenient during the day as well as in diminished lighting conditions. The clicks in the sight are designed to be quite loud and tactile as well; therefore, even if you make a slight adjustment, it wouldn’t go unnoticed. The two white dots on the sight help with front sight alignment, and the fine serrations provide excellent sight picture in almost all varied conditions.
This particular rear sight model from Kensight will perfectly fit the most widely used Novak LoMount rear sight dovetail cut. In addition, the sight will also be compatible with numerous models of Colt, Springfield Armory, Dan Wesson 1911s, Les Baer Custom, and a lot more. Despite all these amazing features, the Kensight DAS 1911 does have a drawback. It is known to require filing or machining in order to attain the perfect fit. Other than that, this will be a great sight for your 1911 firearm.
- Made from high quality and durable material.
- Fully adjustable elevation and windage.
- Snag-free.
- Compatible with a wide range of firearms from different manufacturers.
- May need some fine tuning to fit your gun perfectly.
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6. Meprolight Colt Tru-Dot Night Sight for 1911
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Meprolight is one of the leading electro-optics organizations based out of Israel, and its main focus area ever since inception in 1990 is to provide products that deliver superior target alignment capabilities. Night sight products and other optical sights, LED, tritium, thermal sights, night visions and many more are some of the best products offered by them. Through its exciting product launches the company has earned a reputation in this segment. Many leading handgun manufacturers prefer Meprolight sights mainly for their durability and brightness. Let us now discuss in detail about Colt Tru-Dot night sight for 1911 Government and commander. First and foremost this is a fixed night sight set offering superior night aim.
Tru-Dot night sight for Colt 1911 handguns from Meprolight offers superior brightness compared to the industry standards. It offers around 20% more brightness than the other products you may find in the market. Law enforcement officials, government and military officials use Meprolight night sights, which shows the performance, durability and quality of the product. If you are using Colt ’80 and ’90 series then you will find this sight really useful because the front sight comes with a stake tailor-made for these guns.
This green Tru-Dot night sight is fixed, and is rigid and fail safe as well. The illumination is enhanced using tritium power source, which requires no batter source whatsoever. Tritium power source gives you a maintenance-free light source for years. It delivers one of the brightest lights across all weather conditions. Tru-Dot night sight replaces the existing stock sight that you find in your Colt 1911 handgun models. If you are an expert, then you can install it by yourself. You can even get it fixed from your gunsmith. Rear sight lights are dimmer and the front sight gives a dark green dot, which gives you a perfect aim alignment. Anodized aluminum based construction gives it the corrosion resistant property. This material is also lightweight and long lasting. Front and rear Tru-Dot night sight gives you the best target acquisition. Green dot effect at night will give you perfect night aiming and the same will turn to white dot in daylight.
All the night sight set illumination come with a 12 year manufacturer warranty, which should make you relaxed and enjoy shooting at your target even at low light. If you are a shooter who loves to customize or looking for adjustable sight sets, this product is not for you. You can certainly check out other adjustable night sets offered by Meprolight. Tru-Dot night sight on the whole gives you the ability to enjoy instinctive shooting in all climatic conditions. Your handgun will be the same design-wise and you will enjoy the precision advantage offered by Tru-Dot instantly.
- Excellent low light and transitional light performance.
- One of the brightest night sights available in the market.
- Tritium illumination.
- Anodized Aluminum.
- This is a fixed sight set and it does lack adjustments for customization.
- Improper installation will lead to sight damage. Take good care when installing it.
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7. Dawson Precision GSG 1911 .22 Fixed Carry Sight Set
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Dawson Precision has been operating in this industry for many successful years and the company is offering wide range of products attracting all forms of customers who love shooting. Guns, gun sights, parts, magazines, gear and various other intuitive and innovative accessories are provided by them. Dawson Precision provides gun sights for all the different handguns you may have. You can find many varieties of sights on their website. The brand is known for manufacturing affordable gun parts and sights.
Competition shooters have always preferred the Dawson Precision brand sights and other accessories, and the company has earned this position in the hearts of the buyers mainly for the accuracy and product quality. This is a fixed sight product and comes with 0.325 tall X 0.125 notch width fixed rear and 0.240 tall X 0.100 wide front sight. Both these sights come with fiber optic illumination, which gives excellent precision for low light shooting.
All the proud owners of 1911 .22 handguns will find the fixed carry sight set offered by Dawson Precision the perfect addition to their gins. This is a replacement carry sight set and you can easily replace your factory sight with this. All the tools and installation instructions come with the product, so installation shouldn’t be a problem at all. Fiber optic sight feature of the front and rear fixed carry sight is the most attractive feature of this product. Fiber glass insert is part of both the front and rear sight; this accentuates the ambient light and provides the best front sight, making the shooter aim at the target swiftly and accurately.
Rear sights are dimmer than the front for enhancing front sight. One of the major differences you can find in this sight is the fiber rod placement at the sight. Hallow effect that you find in other sights is eliminated using this technique. The result of this is sharper and clearer target acquisition, which is exactly what we all need from a sight.
Front and rear sight punch that comes with the product should only be used to install the sight. Other punches are not suggested and the company offered adhesive is also recommended. The punch offered along with this product is much lighter compared to other punches in the market. Fixed carry sight can be installed properly if you follow the guidelines. Gunsmith installation is recommended if you are not a pro at installing sights. You should not break the sight trying to install it yourself. Remember, this is a fixed carry sight and you cannot make any kind of adjustments or modifications to it.
- The product comes with all the necessary tools such as Allen Wrench, sight punch for both front and rear, and an additional fiber optic.
- CNC machine design construction offers good structural rigidity.
- Installation procedure provided by the company should be followed.
- Custom sight punch and adhesive is the preferred choice.
- Fixed sight with no adjustments.
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8. Tritium Handgun Glow-in-the-Dark Night Sights for Kimber Pistols
When you’re planning to shoot in low light or complete darkness, the Tritium Handgun Glow-in-the-Dark Night Sights for Kimber Pistols make a perfect choice.
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The sights don’t need batteries nor light exposure for running. They provide fantastic visibility in low light or complete darkness. At night, they glow like green dots, whereas on the day they become bright white dots.
You can use the sights for standard holster and rely on the snag-resistant design. They’re made with rugged CNC-machined steel and impress with Fortress finish coating for efficient protection. The Square-notch design recommends the sights for excessive duty use.
The build of the sights turns them into a durable model. They’re machined and put together in the USA, using high-quality Swiss Tritium for the brightness. The compact and sturdy build helps with the longer sight radius, and the sights take long time use.
They provide a perfect fit and work great both in range and adverse conditions. As long as you use a brass punch set, the sights are effortless to install.
A 12-year limited warranty is also included.
- They’re made with CNC-machined steel
- They have a compact build and a snag-resistant design
- They fit perfectly and ensure a perfect fit
- They’re bright and work both in range and adverse conditions
- Not everybody likes the build
- The front sight isn’t as tight as the backsight
Even if the views aren’t all roses and rainbows, they’re still a reliable and bright option to have on your 1911.
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9. HIVIZ NVLW01 Novak 1911 Interchangeable LIGHTWAVE Front Handgun Sight
HIVIZ NVLW01 Novak 1911 Interchangeable LIGHTWAVE Front Handgun Sight brings plenty of good things to the table, and the skeletonized sight body is just one to name.
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The sight comes with Litewave interchangeable front sight, and the skeletonized sight body looks so very cool. You only need a gun block, brass punch set, and a hammer for installing the view.
When it comes to performance, we notice the diagonal-wave design, which expands the durability and improves the brightness of sight. It’s an innovative design that isn’t only protective but also allows for a wider exposed surface area for the LitePipe to get light from all angles.
The sight matches Novak style cut dovetail .330”x.075”x65degree. it comes with three Lite pipes in Red fiber optic family Lite Pipe, but also white and green. You also get a key for changing Lite pipes. Keep in mind that the Litewave front sight is interchangeable.
The build seems durable, and the sight has a solid feel to it. The options for red and white light increase the versatility, and the view is both cool looking and functional.
- It has a skeletonized body
- The diagonal-wave design improves durability and brightness
- The front sight is interchangeable
- It looks cool and has a good build
- Some think that it gets dirty pretty easily
- The light isn’t as bright as Tritium
For the cool looks, solid build, and versatility, the sight is worth the chance whenever you’re looking for stepping up your shooting game.
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10. Trijicon 3 Dot Front And Rear Night Sight Set for Colt Government with .055 Narrow Tang
If you’re determined to spend the extra buck for your sights, you should definitely take a leap of faith with Trijicon 3 Dot Front And Rear Night Sight Set for Colt Government with .055 Narrow Tang.
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It’s bright and tough sights to use at night, ready to improve your precision at night. The three-dot iron sights makes your precision five times better than when using conventional sights.
But that’s not the only performance for the sights, since they’re as fast as instinctive shooting, without requiring batteries though.
The metal body is rugged, and the sights will take a beat for sure. The build is smart, and the sights are cushioned with silicone rubber for better protection. Additionally, the design is shock-resistant, which can only help with the toughness of sights.
Every lamp comes with a sapphire jewel sustaining even distribution of light, but also for protecting the lamp against puncture and solvents. The lamps are placed within aluminum cylinders for more performant protection. They’re also mounted on silicone rubber cushions, handling heavy recoil and shock.
Even if you can install the sights on your own, it’s better that you go to professional install. Once installed, the sights are effortless to line up.
- The sights have a rugged build
- They improve your accuracy at night
- They come in a metal body with cushioning for shock resistance
- They’re bright and take the intense use
- The front sight is a bit tricky to install
- It’s better to have the sights professionally installed
Truth be told, the price may throw some off, but the sights represent one of the best and long-lasting investments that you could do for your shooting.
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Buying Guide for 1911 Sights
The Types of 1911 Sights
1911 sights are categorized based on the purpose for which you plan on using the gun. Similar to how you can choose between a lot of different gun models, sights are also available in different types. However, some of the most commonly used types of 1911 sights are competition sights and self-defense sights.
Competition sights are generally designed to be easy to use and easily adjustable. Over the years, the designs have become much more refined to make handling easier and more convenient for shooters. These sights come with finer tolerances and are more angular, features that make them perfect for shooting competitions.
Self-defense sights, in most cases, are rigid, low key, and provide great visibility regardless of the kind of light you are in. One of the major benefits of these sights is that they are easy to maintain. However, these sights are meant just for what their name suggests, self-defense, and may not be best suited for competitions or bulls eye shooting.
In addition, following are some of the other 1911 sight types you will come across:
- Plain black: Known to be the conventional sight setup, the plain black models provide clean sight for competition and target shooting on known backgrounds. But, these sights are not recommended for use in unknown or mixed target backgrounds.
- Brass/Gold bead: Made widely popular by the famous shooter, Ed McGivern, the brass and gold bead sights have been into existence for a long time now. These sights are known to catch light properly during the day, and with ambient light, it also offers sufficient contrast to catch the front sight.
- Tritium: This is widely known as standard equipment that enables shooters to align the sights even in no or low light. Tritium sights usually have a maximum service life of ten years.
- Fiber optic: Fiber optic sights are well-known for their ability to provide excellent visibility and are therefore widely preferred by older shooters. These sights work best in the daylight; the brighter the light, the better will be the sight.
- Rear sight: The two dot rear sight is the most common type of rear sight. With this sight, all you need to do is line up the front and rear dots and you’re ready.
The sights on the 1911 model present a low profile and minimalistic design so that they can fit into a traditional holster or scabbard. Truth be told, the manufacturer sights kept it necessary so that it keeps the classic and nostalgic design of 1911. Many users would never even think about upgrading the essential sights in any way.
However, there’s also the category of users that like the functionality of 1911. They wish to step up their game, upgrading the sights.
Let’s see what aspects should you have in mind when selecting your 1911 sights:
Competition or self-defense?
The 1911 sights are used in various situations, which explains the diversity. One main criterion to consider is the purpose of your gun.
According to the purpose criteria, you’re going to have to decide between two main categories of 1911 sights:
Self-defense sights
The self-defense sights are made for when you’re using the 1911 handgun for self-defense. Typically, this type of sights is rigid and is very subtle.
The self-defense sights provide fantastic visibility, no matter the lighting conditions. It’s because the user doesn’t know what time of day he may have to use the gun and the sights.
Easy maintenance is another benefit of self-defense sights. Since you can only use them for self-defense, these sights won’t perform amazingly for competitions or bullseye shooting.
Competition sights
Should you plan to use your gun for target shooting competitions, the competition sights are the kind of sights to use. They’re made to be easy to use and present fantastic adjustability.
The design of competition sights has been improved over the years. Comfortable design and secure handling are now expected to the competition sights, which also impress with a refined design.
Competition sights are also more angular and present more excellent tolerance, which recommends them for use in target competitions.
How are you going to use it?
When you go shopping, you should know when and how you’re planning on using your gun. Making the difference between competition and self-defense situations is the very first thing to consider, but there are other factors as well.
You have to think about what time of day you will use the sight. Some sights are designed for use in any lighting, but it’s not the same for all models. The illumination on sights recommends some exclusively for the night, respectively, for the day.
Is it easy to use?
No matter how great or expensive, your 1911 sight is, it’s going to be useless if it has a sophisticated design that is impossible to use.
The best sights are very easy to use, allowing you to get the target fast and smooth all the time.
More often than not, the competition sights are the easiest to use, but you can find self-defense models that are effortlessly to install and use.
How should the front be like?
The front sight is another significant factor to consider when looking for a good 1911 sight. Many models feature a semi-ramp profile, which is the typical sight.
However, there’s also the category of undercut target sights and full ramp sight.
Additionally, some sights come with ridged serrations, which are meant to reduce glare off the front sights. They’re an excellent option for outdoor shootings. But there are also models with a smooth front face.
Tritium, fiber options, and plain black are also factors to consider when selecting a front sight. Plain black sights go great for target shooting, whereas tritium is suitable for night shooting. Daylight shooting requires fiber optics.
What type of rear sight should you choose?
Many consider that the rear sight is fundamental for 1911 and cannot imagine using it without one. You may select from various models, so keep reading for the details:
Two dot
Two dot rear sights are the most popular model and most common too since they’re easy to use and provide consistent precision. In the case of speed shooting, they may cause visual distractions.
Plain black
Plain black rear sights will provide the solution when speed counts the most. They’re don’t cause visual distractions so that the shooter may concentrate on the front sight for fast shooting. The main downside of this model is precision.
Bars and boxes
Bars and boxes present a rather cool tactical appearance, which is why many shooters use them any now and then. However, they increase visual distractions, so lining them up for speed shooting is kind of tricky.
One last tip before you go
As long as you go shopping, keeping in mind the tips, you should be able to find a good and reliable sight for your 1911. Take your time when selecting, and don’t forget that sights are supposed to help you when shooting.
Frequently Asked Questions About 1911 Sights
Q: Do you need to use non-traditional 1911 sights?
A: Even 1911 are various in appearance, 1911 pistols share the same problem: they come with rather minimalistic sights. The traditional and original models feature iron sights on the back and front. The most significant upgrade to this kind of sights is that they are now more vital than in the past, easing out the use.
Q: How are the typical characteristics of 1911 sights?
A: More often than not, the sights on 1911 have a minimalistic design and a low profile so that they easily fit into the holster or the plain scabbard. The manufacturer sights didn’t shift from the basic design so that they provide the historic design of the pistols. To this day, some users cannot accept installing anything but the base sights on their guns.
Q: How many types of sights are for 1911?
A: 1911 sights come in various kinds, but most of them are categorized according to the primary purpose of the pistol. Therefore, the two main types are the 1911 competition sights and the 1911 self-defense sights.
Q: Do adjustable sights make sense on 1911?
A: Fixed sights allow zeroing to specific loads, but once you’re done, you can no longer make any changes. A gun with adjustable sights will allow you to zero for a load, and re-zero for another later on.
If your skills are excellent, you can set the elevation setting for various ranges. It’s not only hunting and target guns that work better with adjustable sights, but service guns too.
Q: What are competition sights?
A: If you’re planning to use your 1911 for target shooting competitions, you will need to install competition sights. They’re made to allow straightforward use, and the majority of these sights are highly adjustable.
The design of competition sights has been improved over the years, and newer models allow secure handling thanks to the clean build.
Typically, competition sights are more angular and come with more exceptional tolerance, which recommends them for shooting competitions.
Q: How are self-defense sights different from competition models?
A: Self-defense sights are made for 1911 that is used for self-defense. Traditionally, they are rather rigid and low key. They provide fantastic visibility, no matter the lighting conditions. It’s because the user doesn’t know what time in the day he/she would have to use the pistol.
One of the main advantages of the 1911 sights is easy maintenance. They come with limitations and will not impress with performance in bullseye shooting and competitions.
Q: Is it fundamental to know the purpose of using sights?
A: For obvious reasons, you need to know why you need the sights on your 1911. Are you going to use your pistol in competition, or you’re only using it for self-defense? As we’ve already mentioned, the two categories present different features and limitations.
You also need to know if you’re going to use the sights at day, at night, or both. Some sights are made for use in all light conditions, but plenty of sights work better only in the day or only at night.
Q: Do you need to check the front sight?
A: You also have to pay attention to the front sight. Many feature a semi-ramp profile, which means a clear sight picture, whereas others present undercut target sights or full ramp.
You can find sights with smooth front face and models with ridged serrations, which minimize glare off the front sight. The latter makes an excellent choice for outdoor shooting.
Plain black, fiber optics and Tritium are the main choices when it comes to front sights. Target shooting requires plain black, whereas night shooting is better with Tritium. Fiber optics seem to make the most inspired choice for daylight shooting.
Q: What’s the most common choice for rear sight?
A: two-dot rear sights are the most popular option since they’re effortless to use and provide consistent precision. Stay alert, though, as they can still generate visual distractions in the case of speed shooting.
Q: When to choose bars and boxes?
A: Should you go for a fresh tactical appearance, you can try having bars and boxes for the rear sight. However, they increase visual distractions, making the lining up tricky, especially if you’re under stress or try speed shooting.
Q: Have you considered to get plain black?
A: Plain black rear sights are made to provide a straightforward solution when speed is essential. Since they’re not giving visual distractions, you can concentrate on the front sight for fast shooting. Be aware that precision is one issue to deal with when using plain black rear sights.
Q: Are good sights effortless to use?
A: Even if you’re willing to pay the high dollar for your 1911 sights, you should never choose sights that are complicated or have a sophisticated design. No sight is good if it’s complicated to use.
The best sights are the ones that allow easy use, easing out your efforts to get the target. More often than not, competition sights are the easiest to use, but there are plenty of self-defense models that don’t require professional installation or tricky use too.