Topic: Kimber 1911 rear sight cut dimensions?, Anyone have a drawing ?

original: homegunsmith.com
Retrieved: November 04, 2011
Last Post: March 04, 2008

GunCat
Feb. 26 2008

Anyone have the factory dimensions of the Kimber 1911 (fixed) rear sight cut?

Got a customer wanting a TFO sight on a SA 1911. This particular sight he is dead set on is only available in the Kimber shape. I've measured a couple of sights and slides to draw up my interpretation. If we don't turn up a published drawing I'll post what I've got (after I go install this sight)


Blindhogg
Feb. 26 2008

Not sure I understand, I have installed more than a few sights and I must confess I never trust anything in print before I measure the sight. I then just figure out what and where should be milled. Do you possess the sight yet, if so show us a pic and dims and I will tell you how I would do it.


GunCat
Mar. 02 2008

Quote:
I must confess I never trust anything in print before I measure the sight. I then just figure out what and where should be milled.

...and that is exactly what I did this afternoon.

And its funny what you learn on things like this.

I measured and re-measured and drew pictures to make sure I go the slot that would become the dovetail in the right place. When I got into the thick of things I found that if you mill off the bulk of the material with a 3/8" cutter (starting from the rear of the slide) after you make the final pass you simply switch to a 1/4" cutter and you are positioned perfectly for that slot that is then dovetailed.


Blindhogg
Mar. 04 2008

Way to go, looks like you nailed it. It sure looks like a Kimber fixed sight dovetail.

Thats the only way to install a unfamilar rear sight IMO, I never trust anyone or anything when it comes to milling on a gun except myself.


Blindhogg
Mar. 04 2008

Upside to a Kimber fixed sight is the dovetail is in the same place as as a Bo-mar. One only needs to create the pocket for the front of the sight and extend the flat further towards the breech. Pretty easy to do and I have done quite a few, upside to buying a Kimber Series 1 with a fixed sight.


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