RIA Rear sites?

oldone · May 13, 2011, 11:43 AM

Shown above is a RIA .45 HiCap. My question is: How do I change the rear site? I would love to put in a rear site with white dots or even an adjustable site.

How do I get the old one off without damaging the gun and find the right size for a new site?

Is there a way that I can drill out the rear site back and fill it with paint of some sort?

GURU1911 · May 14, 2011, 05:50 PM

I must assume by the wording & context of your thread, that you are a "newbie virgin" to the 1911a1 genre of pistol. My best advice would be for you to remove the slide, bushing, & barrel. Secure pad, wrap, & ship the slide to "novak's guns" in parkersburg, wva. For sight removal & the upgrade of your choice.

Go to novak's guns on the web & take a look at their offerings. I have used them many times over the past 30 years and their slide milling & sight installs are always first class. I promise you will not be disappointed in their work.

However, if you insist on doing the work yourself, get a copy of jerry kunhausen's 1911 shop manuel from brownell's.

Sincerely,

guru1911

scsov509 · May 15, 2011, 12:23 AM

Looks like you have a RIA with GI sights from the picture? If so, RIA GI sights are a staked on front and then the rear sight is a .330''x65 dovetail. If you should opt to do it yourself, then the rear is the most difficult part. You need to secure the slide in a vice, heat the rear sight with a hairdryer (they're Loc-Tited in), and then drift it with a brass or nylon punch from right to left.

Alternatively, you can always order sights you like and find a local gunsmith to install them for you. Any reputable smith should be able to do it pretty cheap provided you order the correct sights. Check out somewhere like 1911forum.com under RIA to see what sorts of sights others are using.

oldone · May 15, 2011, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GURU1911

I must assume by the wording & context of your thread, that you are a "newbie virgin" to the 1911a1 genre of pistol.

You ASSUMED wrong. Ive had this 1911A2 "rock" for a few years now and just wondered if it was possible for myself to change them out. I wasn't aware that I had to word or put something in a proper context in order to not be considered a "newbee virgin" to a gun. That's gotta be a first. Again, it's a 1911A2 not an 1911A1. Did iI forget to mention in my original thread the word "HiCap"?

GURU1911 · May 16, 2011, 01:10 PM

I sincerely apologize for any offense----there was none intended---merely attempting to help you with your sight question.

Guru1911

May 13, 2011, 11:43 AM	#1
oldone Senior Member Join Date: April 25, 2009 Location: Republic of Texas Posts: 164	RIA Rear sites? Shown above is a RIA .45 HiCap. My question is: How do I change the rear site? I would love to put in a rear site with white dots or even an adjustable site. How do I get the old one off without damaging the gun and find the right size for a new site? Is there a way that I can drill out the rear site back and fill it with paint of some sort? __________________ If you want to kick the Tiger in it's ass, you'd better have a plan dealing with it's teeth. Last edited by oldone; May 13, 2011 at 11:49 AM.

May 14, 2011, 05:50 PM	#2
GURU1911 Senior Member Join Date: December 22, 2010 Location: SEALY, THE REPUBLIC OF TEXAS Posts: 501	Sight question I must assume by the wording & context of your thread, that you are a "newbie virgin" to the 1911a1 genre of pistol. My best advice would be for you to remove the slide, bushing, & barrel. Secure pad, wrap, & ship the slide to "novak's guns" in parkersburg, wva. For sight removal & the upgrade of your choice. Go to novak's guns on the web & take a look at their offerings. I have used them many times over the past 30 years and their slide milling & sight installs are always first class. I promise you will not be disappointed in their work. However, if you insist on doing the work yourself, get a copy of jerry kunhausen's 1911 shop manuel from brownell's. Sincerely, guru1911 __________________ NRA LIFE MEMBER (1984) & PRESIDENT: S.W. LA. R&P CLUB, LAKE CHARLES, LOUISIANA (1994-1999) METALLIC CARTRIDGE RELOADER (1977) & GENTILE CHRISTIAN ZIONIST INFIDEL !!! "THERE AIN'T TOO MANY THINGS THAT YOU CAN'T FIX, WITH $500 DOLLARS OR A .30-06"

May 16, 2011, 01:10 PM	#5
GURU1911 Senior Member Join Date: December 22, 2010 Location: SEALY, THE REPUBLIC OF TEXAS Posts: 501	Apology offered to mr. Oldone I sincerely apologize for any offense----there was none intended---merely attempting to help you with your sight question. Guru1911 __________________ NRA LIFE MEMBER (1984) & PRESIDENT: S.W. LA. R&P CLUB, LAKE CHARLES, LOUISIANA (1994-1999) METALLIC CARTRIDGE RELOADER (1977) & GENTILE CHRISTIAN ZIONIST INFIDEL !!! "THERE AIN'T TOO MANY THINGS THAT YOU CAN'T FIX, WITH $500 DOLLARS OR A .30-06"

May 15, 2011, 12:23 AM	#3
scsov509 Senior Member Join Date: November 22, 2006 Posts: 819	Looks like you have a RIA with GI sights from the picture? If so, RIA GI sights are a staked on front and then the rear sight is a .330''x65 dovetail. If you should opt to do it yourself, then the rear is the most difficult part. You need to secure the slide in a vice, heat the rear sight with a hairdryer (they're Loc-Tited in), and then drift it with a brass or nylon punch from right to left. Alternatively, you can always order sights you like and find a local gunsmith to install them for you. Any reputable smith should be able to do it pretty cheap provided you order the correct sights. Check out somewhere like 1911forum.com under RIA to see what sorts of sights others are using.