Widening rear sight notch
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Widening rear sight notch
The Bomar type rear sight notch on my new 1911 is too narrow for old eyes like mine.* When aligned with the front the light on either side of the front forms a narrow sliver, which may be enough for some but not me - especially at the local indoor range with low light levels. Previously I modified the rear sight notch on my SW41 and decided to do the same on the 1911.
I used a diamond abrasive plate that is part of a knife sharpening kit:
https://postimg.cc/phyK2c1R
There is no abrasive on the plate edges and it was used to file each side of the notch wider - keeping the 45 deg angle open to the front so the rear of the sight is a sharp silhouette. Once the notch was wide enough the sight was touched up with bluing (blacking actually) with this:
https://postimg.cc/sBjpLgYB
Here is the finished work:
https://postimg.cc/NK4XRv3Q
Doesn't show well in the pic but to me a big improvement in sight picture
https://postimg.cc/LqxzFFDx
*Unlike the Bomar my FWB P44 air pistol has a fantastic rear sight with adjustable width blades, which I set nice and wide
I used a diamond abrasive plate that is part of a knife sharpening kit:
https://postimg.cc/phyK2c1R
There is no abrasive on the plate edges and it was used to file each side of the notch wider - keeping the 45 deg angle open to the front so the rear of the sight is a sharp silhouette. Once the notch was wide enough the sight was touched up with bluing (blacking actually) with this:
https://postimg.cc/sBjpLgYB
Here is the finished work:
https://postimg.cc/NK4XRv3Q
Doesn't show well in the pic but to me a big improvement in sight picture
https://postimg.cc/LqxzFFDx
*Unlike the Bomar my FWB P44 air pistol has a fantastic rear sight with adjustable width blades, which I set nice and wide
JHHolliday- Posts : 214
Join date : 2022-12-15
Jack H, desben and SingleActionAndrew like this post
Re: Widening rear sight notch
How wide did you end up making the notch? This came up in conversation at a match this weekend and I think I could benefit from doing it. I’d be curious how wide you made the notch and how you settled on that width. I suppose it would matter how wide the front sight is too since it’s a relationship between the two. I’m looking for a little guidance before I jump into modifying my guns.
Thanks.
John
Thanks.
John
John Dervis- Posts : 489
Join date : 2012-08-29
Age : 55
Location : Sheridan, Il.
Re: Widening rear sight notch
This has no empirical value but I widened it until the light bars on either side of the front sight were close to the same width as the front sight. I tried to approximate the sight picture of my FWB P44 air pistol, which has adjustable rear sight notch width.
It's kind of liberating - like "the government says you can only see this much" - but you can (and should) take control
Not that it made much difference because the range I shoot has poor lighting and irons are very hard there, and for that matter anywhere, for aged eyes
It's kind of liberating - like "the government says you can only see this much" - but you can (and should) take control
Not that it made much difference because the range I shoot has poor lighting and irons are very hard there, and for that matter anywhere, for aged eyes
JHHolliday- Posts : 214
Join date : 2022-12-15
Re: Widening rear sight notch
Just measured FWIW (with inexpensive calipers
):
Rear sight notch 0.19"
Front sight width 0.125"
NB went slow with removing material, checking the sight picture along the way and stopping when it looked "right".
I did the same thing on my SW41 several months ago;
https://postimg.cc/VdBbKvdr
I also have a 41 barrel with a dot, which I shoot much better so the iron-sighted barrel is largely neglected
![Razz](https://2img.net/i/fa/i/smiles/icon_razz.gif)
Rear sight notch 0.19"
Front sight width 0.125"
NB went slow with removing material, checking the sight picture along the way and stopping when it looked "right".
I did the same thing on my SW41 several months ago;
https://postimg.cc/VdBbKvdr
I also have a 41 barrel with a dot, which I shoot much better so the iron-sighted barrel is largely neglected
JHHolliday- Posts : 214
Join date : 2022-12-15
Re: Widening rear sight notch
Your arm length and the sight radius will affect the appearance, so you can't use someone else's measurements, except as a guide. I agree with the "go slow and check often" advice. That's how I did it.John Dervis wrote:How wide did you end up making the notch? This came up in conversation at a match this weekend and I think I could benefit from doing it. I’d be curious how wide you made the notch and how you settled on that width. I suppose it would matter how wide the front sight is too since it’s a relationship between the two. I’m looking for a little guidance before I jump into modifying my guns.
Thanks.
John
And my Harbor Freight needle file with a "safe edge" isn't really entirely smooth and filed a little groove in the bottom of the notch. It isn't a big deal, but if you are particular about the appearance of your guns, make sure you use a good file.
![-](https://2img.net/i/empty.gif)
» What are your front sight blade and rear sight "notch" dimensions for your 1911 EIC/CMP hardball competition pistol?
» Modify rear sight notch
» 1911 Rear Sight With an Adjustable Notch
» Half Round or U-Shaped Rear Sight Notch
» Why no adjustable rear sight notch width on American sights?
» Modify rear sight notch
» 1911 Rear Sight With an Adjustable Notch
» Half Round or U-Shaped Rear Sight Notch
» Why no adjustable rear sight notch width on American sights?
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