Adjustable rear sight for Government slide

HighValleyRanch · January 2, 2021, 11:06 AM

Looking for replacement sights for a series 70 government slide.
It had a Bomar rib and target sights and the screws sheared off, so now I am just going to replace that with standard iron sights.

The front is a narrow tenon, I know that.
So the rear must be the smaller GI dovetail?

I find regular military type sights, but would like to find a taller front sight and adjustable rear sight for this pistol.

Any help on the dovetail size because in my search it looks confusing all the possible dovetail sizes. I don't want to have the dovetail recut.

**Aguila Blanca** · January 2, 2021, 11:34 AM

LPA makes an adjustable rear sight (two, actually, choice dependent on front sight) that fits the GI dovetail. Brownells sells them. But if the gun has a Bomar sight installed, it's probably not a GI dovetail. You'll have to push out the old sight and measure to confirm the dovetail dimension.

HighValleyRanch · January 2, 2021, 11:38 AM

It had a Bomar RIB attached with screws to the top of the slide, not the Bomar sight in the dovetail. There is no old sight. I might be able to fit a shim in there and then slide it out and measure the shim to see the size of the base of the dovetail.

But thanks, I will check out the LPA sight for the GI dovetail.
But do you have to have a taller front sight than the stock rounded front sight?

Jim Watson · January 2, 2021, 12:14 PM

Shot a Bomar ribbed gun with hardball or +P?

There are two LPA sights that fit the GI dovetail. One of them is extra low to use the stock front sight, one calls for a taller front. Since you will have to install a new front, I recommend the taller version; easier to see. I had one of those low low sights, LPA with a Pachmayr trademark, and it was usable, but I went to a higher profile set as soon as my gunsmith got set up for it.

Even though you do not wish to cut a new rear dovetail, I recommend a cross dovetail front, it is more secure and there are a lot more choices in height and style.

HighValleyRanch · January 2, 2021, 01:37 PM

The gun was setup for hardball, but I was only shooting my bullseye target semi wadcutters at the time that it sheared off. Hit me in the forehead!LOL

Thanks, I will check those out.

smee78 · January 2, 2021, 02:29 PM

+1 for LPA sights. I have a few sets and they are real nice.

**Aguila Blanca** · January 2, 2021, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HighValleyRanch

But thanks, I will check out the LPA sight for the GI dovetail.
But do you have to have a taller front sight than the stock rounded front sight?

No, but which rounded front sight you have makes a difference.

Call Brownells and ask to talk to one of the gunsmiths about which LPS sight you will need. Before calling, measure the height of your front sight above the top surface of the slide.

rock185 · January 7, 2021, 01:41 PM

FWIW, If I wanted adjustables after the rib sheared off, I'd just have the slide machined for a Bomar style rear and dovetailed front. That set up will stay, and give the excellent sight picture you had with the Bomar rib....

RickB · January 7, 2021, 04:12 PM

Are there any "tall" front sights that fit a narrow-tenon slide?
I know there used to be, but as we're 35 years beyond introduction of the wide tenon, you might just have to do some cutting.

January 2, 2021, 11:06 AM	#1
HighValleyRanch Senior Member Join Date: July 15, 2005 Posts: 4,066	Adjustable rear sight for Government slide Looking for replacement sights for a series 70 government slide. It had a Bomar rib and target sights and the screws sheared off, so now I am just going to replace that with standard iron sights. The front is a narrow tenon, I know that. So the rear must be the smaller GI dovetail? I find regular military type sights, but would like to find a taller front sight and adjustable rear sight for this pistol. Any help on the dovetail size because in my search it looks confusing all the possible dovetail sizes. I don't want to have the dovetail recut. __________________ From the sweet grass to the slaughter house; From birth until death; We travel between these two eternities........from 'Broken Trail"

January 2, 2021, 11:34 AM	#2
Aguila Blanca Staff Join Date: September 25, 2008 Location: CONUS Posts: 18,466	LPA makes an adjustable rear sight (two, actually, choice dependent on front sight) that fits the GI dovetail. Brownells sells them. But if the gun has a Bomar sight installed, it's probably not a GI dovetail. You'll have to push out the old sight and measure to confirm the dovetail dimension. __________________ NRA Life Member / Certified Instructor NRA Chief RSO / CMP RSO 1911 Certified Armorer Jeepaholic

January 2, 2021, 11:38 AM	#3
HighValleyRanch Senior Member Join Date: July 15, 2005 Posts: 4,066	It had a Bomar RIB attached with screws to the top of the slide, not the Bomar sight in the dovetail. There is no old sight. I might be able to fit a shim in there and then slide it out and measure the shim to see the size of the base of the dovetail. But thanks, I will check out the LPA sight for the GI dovetail. But do you have to have a taller front sight than the stock rounded front sight? __________________ From the sweet grass to the slaughter house; From birth until death; We travel between these two eternities........from 'Broken Trail" Last edited by HighValleyRanch; January 2, 2021 at 11:44 AM.

January 2, 2021, 01:37 PM	#5
HighValleyRanch Senior Member Join Date: July 15, 2005 Posts: 4,066	The gun was setup for hardball, but I was only shooting my bullseye target semi wadcutters at the time that it sheared off. Hit me in the forehead!LOL Thanks, I will check those out. __________________ From the sweet grass to the slaughter house; From birth until death; We travel between these two eternities........from 'Broken Trail"

January 2, 2021, 02:29 PM	#6
smee78 Senior Member Join Date: July 14, 2008 Location: South Carolina Posts: 2,918	+1 for LPA sights. I have a few sets and they are real nice. __________________ We know exactly where one cow with Mad-cow-disease is located, among the millions and millions of cows in America, but we haven't got a clue where thousands of illegal immigrants and terrorists are

January 2, 2021, 12:14 PM	#4
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,541	Shot a Bomar ribbed gun with hardball or +P? There are two LPA sights that fit the GI dovetail. One of them is extra low to use the stock front sight, one calls for a taller front. Since you will have to install a new front, I recommend the taller version; easier to see. I had one of those low low sights, LPA with a Pachmayr trademark, and it was usable, but I went to a higher profile set as soon as my gunsmith got set up for it. Even though you do not wish to cut a new rear dovetail, I recommend a cross dovetail front, it is more secure and there are a lot more choices in height and style.

January 7, 2021, 01:41 PM	#8
rock185 Senior Member Join Date: September 2, 2001 Location: Out West in Rim Country Posts: 1,093	FWIW, If I wanted adjustables after the rib sheared off, I'd just have the slide machined for a Bomar style rear and dovetailed front. That set up will stay, and give the excellent sight picture you had with the Bomar rib.... __________________ COTEP 640, NRA Life

January 7, 2021, 04:12 PM	#9
RickB Senior Member Join Date: March 1, 2000 Location: Boise, ID Posts: 8,518	Are there any "tall" front sights that fit a narrow-tenon slide? I know there used to be, but as we're 35 years beyond introduction of the wide tenon, you might just have to do some cutting. __________________ Runs off at the mouth about anything 1911 related on this site and half the time is flat out wrong.