Installing a front sight on old original Govt. Mdl. 1911

[duke133]

Col. Colt,
Thanks for the info. After taking care of some brush today I'll check out the tools. Can you tell me, the opening inside the slide, does it look like a small conical opening with the widest part on the inside of the slide when it's ready to accept the sight? In looking closely, the opening looks like a funnel if you look down at it from the inside.
Thanks again.

[chuckindenver]

originally the front sight was pressed and swaged in place,
the tool used to do this right cost well over 200.00
i have said tool, it holds the new front sight in place, and then swages the front sight as well as leaving a clean cut underside the slide.
do yourself a favor,..find a REAL gunsmith, that knows 1911s and pay him to install the sight correctly..or you will be doing it again.

[duke133]

Chuckindenver,
I do know a REAL smith and I like how you emphasized REAL. I recall a post a while back speaking about how there seems to be "smiths" popping up everywhere but all they know how to do is run a patch down the barrel and some don't even do that right. Thanks.

[chuckindenver]

picture of the front sight fixture that i use. cost a pretty penny but has paid for itself.
other 2 are cheaper variations that were less then high quality.
the nice one, presses the front sight into the slot, and then a hard wedge is drivin through the tool,
swages, cuts the post at the same time.
have yet to have a front sight come back..

[duke133]

All,
Interesting silver solder would work but I won't try it due to the chance of discoloring the slide. I think, considering I have other 1911's and A1's, I will invest in a tool. I might only need it on this one but I will pass it on when I die, just in case it is needed again. Then again, I might take all of them with me!
Thanks everyone.

[Col. Colt]

As usual, chuck has the "Right Stuff"! The original tool was, I believe, made by Miniature Machine Corp, and they Trijicon made a slightly nicer version, TA03 as I recall. The only problem is, this wonderful tooling is just under $300! Justifiable if you are a full time 1911 smith, or an enthusiast with a large 1911 collection. Otherwise, send it to chuck..... CC