red dot for 1911 without drilling/tapping

25225 Views 24 Replies 13 Participants Last post by Parashooter, Jul 19, 2010

jerrypoller

Discussion Starter · Apr 25, 2010

I have a Colt Combat Commander 1911 .45 ACP that I love to shoot, but my eyes are struggling to focus on the rear sight, front sight, and target at the same time - I can only get one of them clear at a time. I shot a .22 Bushmaster today with a short red dot tube mounted on the barrel (not the slide). I think it's time for me to consider a red dot (I understand a laser is not permitted for competition - I'm thinking of shooting competition with my club). I'd rather not have to drill/tap my gun to fit the scope/sights. Can you recommend a mounting system and red dot for me? And if I have to drill/tap the slide/frame to mount a sight, which one would you recommend? I'm a little concerned about a slide mount given the recoil of the .45. Thanks.

1 - 20 of 25 Posts

bobtorre

· #2 · Apr 25, 2010

Jefe,,, if slide mount is out of the question,,, I am not sure how else you would mount a red dot sight on a 1911 without drilling and tapping or send it out for the work to be done.

As far as not being able to focus, the rear sight, the front sight and the target are all in different planes. focus on the front sight, the target should be blurr and the rear sight should be visible enough to center and align the front sight. I don't know of anyone who can see clearly all. but a red dot mounted sight will certainly allow you to concentrate on the target since the dot just needs to be on top of it

T.Webb

· #3 · Apr 25, 2010

Red dot aside, I found that a pair of 1.25 or 1.5 power (Cheaters) reading glasses works for me.

There was a large thread on one of the other sites and the #1 recommendation was a wider rear notch letting more light between your line of sight.

There's also an ocular aid ... looks like a mini funnel that suction cups onto your shooting glasses and helps your shooting eye focus better.

bobtorre

· #4 · Apr 25, 2010

T.Webb said:
Red dot aside, I found that a pair of 1.25 or 1.5 power (Cheaters) reading glasses works for me.

There was a large thread on one of the other sites and the #1 recommendation was a wider rear notch letting more light between your line of sight.

There's also an ocular aid ... looks like a mini funnel that suction cups onto your shooting glasses and helps your shooting eye focus better.

Jefe do you a web link as where we could find this things...

Thanks

T.Webb

· #5 · Apr 25, 2010

bobtorre said:
Jefe do you a web link as where we could find this things...

Thanks

It's up in Rochester. Give me a few days and I'll post the website.

T.Webb

· #6 · Apr 25, 2010

http://www.meritcorporation.com/

Found it. Schenectady, not Rochester. I haven't tried it, but I'd like to.

Parashooter

· #7 · Apr 25, 2010

There are grip panel optic mounts for the 1911 also... Replaces the left grip and puts a weaver rail up top.

The Merit device is an aperture that mounts to your shooting glasses, it increases your depth of field. but for an action event I don't know if you could keep your eye behind it.

stevenorlando

· #8 · Apr 25, 2010

jerrypoller said:
I have a Colt Combat Commander 1911 .45 ACP that I love to shoot, but my eyes are struggling to focus on the rear sight, front sight, and target at the same time - I can only get one of them clear at a time. I shot a .22 Bushmaster today with a short red dot tube mounted on the barrel (not the slide). I think it's time for me to consider a red dot (I understand a laser is not permitted for competition - I'm thinking of shooting competition with my club). I'd rather not have to drill/tap my gun to fit the scope/sights. Can you recommend a mounting system and red dot for me? And if I have to drill/tap the slide/frame to mount a sight, which one would you recommend? I'm a little concerned about a slide mount given the recoil of the .45. Thanks.

Try this site:

http://www.edgecustom.com/Mounts.html

Scroll Down to 1911 mount (bottom of page). Dan Galuppo is very customer oriented. The only problem is that if you have a high-rise rear sight, like a tactical white-dot, it may interfere. No drilling or tapping, works from the grip. I have two of them on two separate guns that I use for bullseye, and they work great.

If you go this route, you may want to get your bushing screw either staked in or maybe you can loctite it in. In my case, both of the gold cups already had staked-in bushing screws.

Hope this helps!

BadKarma

· #9 · Apr 25, 2010

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zxracer3

· #10 · Apr 25, 2010

A doctor or similar red dot sight that takes place of the rear sight is really the only option imo. Anything less and you will be searching for the dot. Not only that but most holsters will accommodate the sight and there’s no drilling and taping.

Nordon

· #11 · Apr 25, 2010

Too bad nothing with a top mounted rail, I have a Taurus with a bottom mounted rail, but I don't think it would help you in this situation.

jerrypoller

Discussion Starter · #12 · Apr 25, 2010

stevenorlando said:
Try this site:

http://www.edgecustom.com/Mounts.html

Scroll Down to 1911 mount (bottom of page). Dan Galuppo is very customer oriented. The only problem is that if you have a high-rise rear sight, like a tactical white-dot, it may interfere. No drilling or tapping, works from the grip. I have two of them on two separate guns that I use for bullseye, and they work great.

If you go this route, you may want to get your bushing screw either staked in or maybe you can loctite it in. In my case, both of the gold cups already had staked-in bushing screws.

Hope this helps!

I've seen this on the web, but wondered if it would change the feel of the grip too much. I have rubber wrap-around now and don't want to mess too much with how it feels in my hand. Did you have much adjustment to make when you switched? I appreciate your advice.

jerrypoller

Discussion Starter · #13 · Apr 25, 2010

zxracer3 said:
A doctor or similar red dot sight that takes place of the rear sight is really the only option imo. Anything less and you will be searching for the dot. Not only that but most holsters will accommodate the sight and there's no drilling and taping.

I stopped by Campsite this afternoon and they're looking into this for me. Only difficulty they see so far is that the Burris sight they suggested is in very short supply.

bobtorre

· #14 · Apr 25, 2010

BadKarma said:

msl

good one jefe,,,

the grip mounted one I have never seen mounted and is quite an interesting option.

stevenorlando

· #15 · Apr 25, 2010

jerrypoller said:
I've seen this on the web, but wondered if it would change the feel of the grip too much. I have rubber wrap-around now and don't want to mess too much with how it feels in my hand. Did you have much adjustment to make when you switched? I appreciate your advice.

No adjustment at all! Just remove the left grip and put the mount on and screw it on, sight in and that's it. You can put some oil on the screws, You can also use loctite, but not recommended, and the mount NEVER came loose on the grip.

zxracer3

· #16 · Apr 25, 2010

jerrypoller said:
I stopped by Campsite this afternoon and they're looking into this for me. Only difficulty they see so far is that the Burris sight they suggested is in very short supply.

Here is doctor's web sight: http://www.docterusa.com/_mgxroot/page_10767.html
You will need the sight and mounting kit, but give them a call and tell them what gun you have and they will set you up. If this sight is too expensive other companies make similar sights that do not cost as much.

zxracer3

· #17 · Apr 25, 2010

jerrypoller said:
I stopped by Campsite this afternoon and they're looking into this for me. Only difficulty they see so far is that the Burris sight they suggested is in very short supply.

-Also, if you want the Burris one which looks really good as well, call Burris up to figure out what you need. http://www.burrisoptics.com/fastfire.html.
-Then it looks like this website (I buy alot of stuff from them) has it fairly cheap with the hole set (scope, mount, cover, and even the tool to install) for about $210. http://www.opticsplanet.net/burris-fastfire-w-picatinny-mount-4-moa-dot-mat-fastfire-sight.html

Jvisconti

· #18 · Jul 18, 2010

Is that a possibility? It attaches to the rail on the bottom of the gun.

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stevenorlando

· #19 · Jul 18, 2010

jerrypoller said:
I have a Colt Combat Commander 1911 .45 ACP that I love to shoot, but my eyes are struggling to focus on the rear sight, front sight, and target at the same time - I can only get one of them clear at a time. I shot a .22 Bushmaster today with a short red dot tube mounted on the barrel (not the slide). I think it's time for me to consider a red dot (I understand a laser is not permitted for competition - I'm thinking of shooting competition with my club). I'd rather not have to drill/tap my gun to fit the scope/sights. Can you recommend a mounting system and red dot for me? And if I have to drill/tap the slide/frame to mount a sight, which one would you recommend? I'm a little concerned about a slide mount given the recoil of the .45. Thanks.

Try this site:

http://www.edgecustom.com/Mounts.html (scroll down to bottom of page). Dan is very customer oriented.

A oood sight is a bushnell trophy, less than $100

ramit

· #20 · Jul 18, 2010

Some times the dark color of the sight, in a dark range makes it harder to focus on... try changing to one of the glowing front sights....

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