Help with 1911 rear sight cut

[Know1]

I traded for a Springfield 1911-A1 that had some work done, including installing a Wichita adjustable rear sight. Unfortunately, I didn't notice that the slide was cut unevenly, not level. Can this slide be recut properly as is, or can it be welded up and recut, or is it ruined? Also, what is the name for this cut? Thanks for your help!

[MicroMonkey]

I have heard that cut for target sights called a "Bomar". I only heard that because I have a kimber with target sights on it and was curious about it also. All target 1911 have that same cut from what I have seen. Cant help with the slide machining tho. Someone else may be able to

[Brian Ahearn]

That does appear to be a bomar or LPA style cut you will not be able to recut for novak stlye. It would require a lot of tig welding to try and fill that back in and remill. Did you remove the sights and if so could you see that they appared off when installed. On another note there are bomar tritium style nights sights available if that is the way you are looking to go. It is probably cheaper to replace the slide if you are looking to go with a Heine or novak style sight.

[Know1]

The sight was on the slide when I got it, but the left-right tilt is so slight that I didn't notice it. What made me get the calipers out to measure was the fact that the cut is above the slide serrations on the right side but down into the serrations on the left side. I think the slide was not put in the jig level when they milled it.

Perhaps a new slide is my best option, but I was hoping not to put a lot of money into this gun.

[cdi]

If the cut is not too far off, it can be remade.
The cost is likely to be in the 125.00 range.

[Know1]

I was thinking it could just be re-cut level, but I'm not sure how much material can be taken off without impacting the integrity of the slide. Any recommendations on who might take on a project like this (preferably in SEPA)?

[brownman]

I was thinking it could just be re-cut level, but I'm not sure how much material can be taken off without impacting the integrity of the slide. Any recommendations on who might take on a project like this (preferably in SEPA)?

Look up


Give em a shout,

C.D.I. Custom Knife and Gun
226 Upper Stump Rd.
Chalfont, Pa. 18914
215-996-1603
cdicustom@hotmail.com

[Know1]

I noticed, and it appears they have a stellar reputation, but $125 seems a little high for leveling out a cut that's already been made. From a casual search, it looks like many smiths will do a whole Bomar cut for $80 to $100. Seems like I could get this done for less--am I wrong about that?

[Clark Kent]

I'm not the smith, but I would think that making a fresh cut on a unmodified slide is cheaper than going in and fixing an already poor cut slide. Less time involved and less messing around with it.

[cdi]

That's just my estimate from looking at your photos. The bo-mar sight cut calls for more time than standard or Novak cuts.

On your slide, I would need to spend extra time to determine if the cut can be remade without making the slide look like ass.

Then, more time yet indexing the tool to the cut that has already been made. That might take a while too, if the person who cut it couldn't do it in agreement with sides of the slide, what other errors did they make?

You may be better off just accepting the canted sight. A call to Springfield with a complaint might also produce a new slide at a reduced cost.

Their customer service is a little spotty but sometimes they come through.