Springfield 1911 sight replacement??

PolarFBear · September 9, 2023, 03:32 PM

Springfield 1911 Defender (mid-90's model) shot off its front sight. I was at an OUTDOOR range, gravel/dirt, etc. Looked down the barrel to sight the next round and ---- what's different???? Oh, the front sight has left the chat. No other damage. Fortunately, I FOUND the missing splinter of metal near where the spent brass had landed! The sight is not milled into the slide, nor is it peened to the slide as a GI model is. Looks like it was a MIM or cast metal part. Now, where do I get a replacement? The piece is long out of any kind of warranty service. I've read of folks having replacement sights installed but what and where. I'd rather not just J/B Weld it back in place.

**Aguila Blanca** · September 9, 2023, 05:51 PM

If the original front sight wasn't milled into the slide and wasn't mortised into the slide, how was it attached? A photo would be helpful.

**4V50 Gary** · September 10, 2023, 04:39 AM

Originals were peened in from the underside. Bet the Springfield's was mim and couldn't handle the recoil.

**Aguila Blanca** · September 10, 2023, 05:02 AM

Gary, I know how GI front sights are installed, and PolarFBear specifically said this sight was not installed that way.

Quote:

Originally Posted by PolarFBear

The sight is not milled into the slide, nor is it peened to the slide as a GI model is.

That's why I asked.

jcj54 · September 10, 2023, 06:18 AM

Front sights are the standard staked/peened in. It ts typical for the stem the goes through the slide to remain in place as the blade shears off when the sight comes off in recoil. This gives the impression that the sight was not a stake on.
As to replacement any local gunsmith who works on 1911 pistols can fit a new front sight.

ocharry · September 10, 2023, 09:09 AM

i bet Springfield will fix it for free..and pay shipping both ways

they have or did have a great warranty

ocharry

Lurch37 · September 10, 2023, 04:54 PM

Quote:

i bet Springfield will fix it for free..and pay shipping both ways

they have or did have a great warranty

I agree totally. It's worth a call to them at the very least.

PolarFBear · September 14, 2023, 09:56 AM

Thanks to Ocharry and Lurch37. Springfield came through. They WILL repair this 1911 that left the Springfield factory in 1989. They cover shipping both ways. All They need is the slide. This Defender was my first 1911. I've had a number of others of various makes but the Defender is my "always" with me and has a legacy in my will. I took some pictures for the curious but have never been able to transfer from "smartphone" to dumb computer. I attribute this to either an engineering phenomenon or operator error. Thanks all.

PolarFBear · November 19, 2023, 07:17 AM

Got my 1911 back. A-OK. Springfield paid the freight both ways and shipped to my door. Cost? ZERO to me. Firearm is back to "business".

Lurch37 · November 19, 2023, 12:24 PM

Great news!

Springfield does have great customer service, at least in my opinion anyways.

44caliberkid · November 19, 2023, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PolarFBear

Got my 1911 back. A-OK. Springfield paid the freight both ways and shipped to my door. Cost? ZERO to me. Firearm is back to "business".

That would have been my expectation.

September 9, 2023, 03:32 PM	#1
PolarFBear Senior Member Join Date: April 22, 2015 Location: NE Tennessee, a "Free State" Posts: 478	Springfield 1911 sight replacement?? Springfield 1911 Defender (mid-90's model) shot off its front sight. I was at an OUTDOOR range, gravel/dirt, etc. Looked down the barrel to sight the next round and ---- what's different???? Oh, the front sight has left the chat. No other damage. Fortunately, I FOUND the missing splinter of metal near where the spent brass had landed! The sight is not milled into the slide, nor is it peened to the slide as a GI model is. Looks like it was a MIM or cast metal part. Now, where do I get a replacement? The piece is long out of any kind of warranty service. I've read of folks having replacement sights installed but what and where. I'd rather not just J/B Weld it back in place.

September 9, 2023, 05:51 PM	#2
Aguila Blanca Staff Join Date: September 25, 2008 Location: CONUS Posts: 18,477	If the original front sight wasn't milled into the slide and wasn't mortised into the slide, how was it attached? A photo would be helpful. __________________ NRA Life Member / Certified Instructor NRA Chief RSO / CMP RSO 1911 Certified Armorer Jeepaholic

September 10, 2023, 04:39 AM	#3
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 21,848	Originals were peened in from the underside. Bet the Springfield's was mim and couldn't handle the recoil. __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*

September 10, 2023, 06:18 AM	#5
jcj54 Senior Member Join Date: February 28, 2011 Posts: 219	Springfield Defender Front sights are the standard staked/peened in. It ts typical for the stem the goes through the slide to remain in place as the blade shears off when the sight comes off in recoil. This gives the impression that the sight was not a stake on. As to replacement any local gunsmith who works on 1911 pistols can fit a new front sight. Last edited by jcj54; September 10, 2023 at 06:26 AM.

September 10, 2023, 09:09 AM	#6
ocharry Senior Member Join Date: October 20, 2006 Posts: 687	i bet Springfield will fix it for free..and pay shipping both ways they have or did have a great warranty ocharry __________________ The felon does not fear the police, and he fears neither judge nor jury. Therefore what he must be taught to fear is his victim." - Lt. Col. Jeff Cooper, USMC

September 14, 2023, 09:56 AM	#8
PolarFBear Senior Member Join Date: April 22, 2015 Location: NE Tennessee, a "Free State" Posts: 478	Thanks to Ocharry and Lurch37. Springfield came through. They WILL repair this 1911 that left the Springfield factory in 1989. They cover shipping both ways. All They need is the slide. This Defender was my first 1911. I've had a number of others of various makes but the Defender is my "always" with me and has a legacy in my will. I took some pictures for the curious but have never been able to transfer from "smartphone" to dumb computer. I attribute this to either an engineering phenomenon or operator error. Thanks all.

November 19, 2023, 07:17 AM	#9
PolarFBear Senior Member Join Date: April 22, 2015 Location: NE Tennessee, a "Free State" Posts: 478	Closing the "loop" Got my 1911 back. A-OK. Springfield paid the freight both ways and shipped to my door. Cost? ZERO to me. Firearm is back to "business".

November 19, 2023, 12:24 PM	#10
Lurch37 Senior Member Join Date: August 6, 2006 Location: Middle of Nebraska Posts: 944	Great news! Springfield does have great customer service, at least in my opinion anyways. __________________ I reject your reality and substitute my own.